The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-03-12
Correspondence ofthe Courier.
WASHINGTON. MARCH, 4

TesuHlcu, on nlotlon OF MI. Clay, the con-
sidcratiA, Of the River and Harlor Dill, by
n vote OF 30 TO ID, though it was evident to
I'LL, that tho bill would occupy exclusively,
Tie last day OF the session. Mr.. Clay re-
marked That there was a decided majority
Tor The bill, but that he would prefer to have
it laid aside, TO the defeat Of all the other
bulls. Mr.. Hunter remarked that the ma
Jnri'y of the Senate who were responsible
1or The public business, should look tn the
fact that they would, by persisting in the
consideration OF this bill, render necessary
an extra session. Mr.. Fooic again called
the attention of the Senate TO the fact that
there were treaties to be considered in Exe.
tcutive. session. Several Senators in the
minority, said that they were prepared to 90
on with amendments and discussion. "The
friends Of the bill have taken one day said
Il Senator, and its opponents will take an
sathcs!" Mr. urncy said, looking towards
Mr.. Clay, the minority will be found to be
made OF as. good stuff as the majority. So
stt,c conflict was renewed, and conducted
Grcat ingenuity on both sides.
j. Atleast twenty or thirty times were votes
ltakon on amendments and on motions to lay
the hill on the table, and to postpone it. The
suggestion that Mr.. Clay had thrown out,
ut the opening ofthc sitting, in favor OF drop
iip;ng this bill, as an alternative 10 tho total
loss OF all other Appropriation Bills, was
not followed up by himself.
4 Mr.. Cass and Mr.. Bradbury, got up IN
amendment to the effect that no part OF
Elthe money appropriated by this bill,
+ should bc expended ill it should be
found that it would be met on. of the
rcyens.c Of tho year, after satisfying
jnr,hcr! appropriations. This seemed to be
. The crisis oftlc question. Some Democrats
ontl,e side of the bill. voted for this amend
,,n,cnt, and it was lost by n tie roie Of % to
%. BIZ. il was now understood Of course,
tint tho success Of the amendment would
elfectualsy defeat the bill.
to-tAitcr six o'clock, Mr.. Soulc offered an
amendment, and in illustration OF il, called
for the reading Of a very volumInous topo-
graphical report. MIR. Phelps, who had
often visited the Senate chamber ri late,
sssaid thaLthe document could rs well be
( read after the termination Of tbs session, rs
now Mr.. Fontc said it was an instructive
report, and would serve to while aw ay the
time. We were getting on calmly. This
was n scientific report and very pleasing 10
the Ssnate and by-standers. Mr.. Phelps
appealed to tho Senate to 60 on with the
business. ,
AIR. Mason moved that the River and
Harbor Bill be laid on the table. He made
this motion, in consequence Of the remarks
$ Of Mn Clay this morning. Mr.. Clay must
How be convinced that the minority would
not suffer this bill TO be passed; and he
wished to give him an Opportunity TO vote
for laying aside the bill. But here a
question Of order arose, and Mr. Clay,
s4wilhsomc temper, called upon the reporters
to n6te. that one hour OF the precious time
OF tho Senate had boon wasted in reading
this report. Mr.. Jefferson Davis, under
some excitement, anima1vcrtcd upon Mr..
CLAWS; attempt, at the head Of q majority, to
tramplc down and brow-bcat the minority.
This was the great question that divided
parties in this country. 1.-THE friends o!the
present administration would take the
responsibility Of stopping the wheels Of the
government or of calling an extra session,
.stheYswer welcome to it. IL the Senate
was rcadytoidrop the bill, which was of dis
putcdeanstitutionality and proceed to con-
slider measure within our Legitimate power,
hcswenldsyield the point .I order no had
made on ti,c suspension Of tho reading of
inc report. Mr.. Butler %contcndcd that the
sSenate had no right to suspend the reading
Of the report, although the Senator from
Louisiana had dcruted the reading of tn .
report To another. Mr.. Phelps ~apologizcd
for interfering, and said lie would pledge
never 10 try to save the time Of the
Senate again. Mr.. Clay, in a few words,
said that the question was whether The ma.
iorily or The minority should govern this
body, and whatever might be the decision
OF the country, he was willing to abide the
issue. After all this episode, Mr.. Soulc
resumed and continued his remarks.
The House has passed the hill establish
ing a Boarl of Commissioners to ndjust land
titles in California, also Il bill for converting
4 Regiment Of Infantry into 4 Mounted
Regiment. Tho Lieutenant General Bill
failed The joint resolution for sending 4
national ship to bring to this country
Kossuth and his companions was passed
The bill granting lands to the States for The
benefit Of the INDECENT insane, was ono O
s!lose that failed. Tho French Spoliatior
Bill failed for want Of Il two thirds vote &c
take itsup-lhe vote being yeas l0i, nav.
Is. Mr.. Hunters bill explaining the
Tariff ofl8A5 and providing for Board o
Appraisers at large, was passed.
AT half past nine, after an appeal frou
Mr.. Pcarcc of Nd. both TO the majority ant
minority OF the Senate TO suspend the
conflict, and permit the business OF the Sen
alto to he carried on to a conclusion. it was
" thought that the matter would DO settled
but on Mr.. Pcarce's motion to lay tn: bill
on the table, the vote was yeas 23, nays BIB
Al half past ten, another motion to lay tn
bill on tho table was lost, yeas %, nays -
1t was evident, as Mr.. rcarcc remarked
that tho two parties had become, mutual,
cxaspcratcd, and that there was no prospcc
that either Would yield. He told them ,ha
stIie country would hold both the majorit,
and minority equally responsible for the los;
of the Appropriation Bills, the consequent
embarrassment Of tho administration an,
Tie expense and difficulty Of calling al
extra sessio, Hc said, too. That such
result woulu III load to doubt, as In III,
efficiency OF our system Of government
: MIR C!ay subsequently said thnt he va.
ready 10 make the issue upon The question
whether tho majority or minority shoul,
faule.
...At 12,o'clock.} Mr.. Davis, of Mississippi
made TIM question upon the constitutions
rights 0f.ihe senate TO transact any further