Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-01-11

triumph of Free.soil Democracy over Abolition
Whiggery.
He then reviewed the principles of Senator
Seward. as enunciatcd in his Rochester speech,
and entered fully into the rights demanded by
the South. As the North became more aboll-
t;onizcd. the South became more and more dis
unionists.
Mr.. ~Ivcrson, at the conclusion of his speech.
moved that the whole subject be recommittcd
TO the select committee. with instructions TO
report a bill authorizing the construction OF two
railroads to the Pacific. Ruled ont of order.
The Senate then proceeded to vote on the
amendments to the bill, pending which, at )!
o'clock, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr.. Colfaxo of Indiana, introduced 4 bill for
organizing the Territory of Colona.
The House resolved itself into a
of the Whole and proceeded to the considera-
ton Of the special order, being the bill for the
codiication Of the Revenue laws I'd other pur'
poses. .,
Mr.. j. Cocfrane Of New York. remarked that
the bill comprised $50 pages Of printed matter,
Il was notintcndcd to interfere with the present
collection districts. nor to change the compcn-
sation of revenue oficcrs--it was 4 mere mass
of laws and regulations having an immediate
bearing on the successful and economical collcc-
ton of the present revenue. In view of these
facts. the present bill was fully as important rs
any matter which could be brought to the at
tention of Congress.
There was n most urgent necessity for 4
change Of the existing revenue laws, n change
in which every man in the country was, to some
extent. interested. These avs were founded
on the English system of collecting revenue,
and the difference Of our geographical position.
and other circumstances, rendered essential the
enactment Of a code of regulations more suited
to our wants.
Mr.. c. directed particular attention to the de,
fects in our criminal laws as regards the revc,
nue. system, and argued that great and substan.
tial changes should he made. Judge Story had
long since showed this, and had regretted that
Congress had not taken measures to modify and
render more simple the present compllcatlns
and conflicting revenue laws.
The object of the bill was not so much the
enactment Of new laws as 4 coditication and re-
vision of old ones. If Congress did nothing else
during the present session, save the adoption
of this codiiication, it would be sufficient to
confer lasting honor on the National Lcgisla-
tire. The present head Of the Treasury De-
partmcnt has expressed his approval of the
bill and hoped that it would pass. Mr.. c.
quoted the opinion Of eminent legal authori-
ties, especially Of federal Judges. who had found
it n most difficult task to interpret and apply the
present laws.
Perhaps the most important provision of the
bill was that for regulating the measurement
of the tonnage. The present system was inju-
%riously %ruinous and false. 1t was doinga most
manifest injustice TO orr merchants, and was
DESTROYING the model Of our marine.
Mr.. Clark, of y. V, made several inquiries
in reference to the proposed regulations for the
appointment Of apprentices in the navy, and
said that he could vote for no bill which was 10
saddle the people with additional burdens, or to
create additional officers.
Mr.. Lctcher. Of Va. was anxious to know
how much money the bill would take from the
treasury, in addition 10 that nov required for
collecting the revenue.
Mr.. j. Cochranc said. not one cent.
On motion Of Mr.. j. Cochranc. the commit
tee rose. The consideration of the bill was
postponed to Thursday next.
The House then again went into Committee
Of the Whole. and resumed the consideration
of the Indian Appropriation bill.
Mr.. L.ovcioy. of ILL.,, denounced the general
system Of reckless expenditure now prevalent.
If matters went on thus. the whole power Of
the government would be concentrated in the
hands Of the Executive. Bills like that now
before the House were rapidly and carclcssly
passed through the House, placing large pa
tronagc and power in the hands Of the Prcsi-
dent. who would soon be able to say, IL am
the State"
Mr.. T.. asked to he shown the law which au-
thorizcd the appropriation Of over s400, 900 for
the purpose Of fulfilling treaty stipulations
with certain Indian tribes This matter
should have been referred to the Committee on
Indian Affairs for careful investigation. Most
Of this sum was to be appropriated merely on
the recommendation of distant Indian agents
and superintcndentS. He did not object to the
alleged objects Of the bill, but he wished to
know, and he wished the country to know,
how the money was TO be expended. Into
whose hands was it to 90:
Mr.. Phelps explained that some of the super
intendents had recommended about half of the
appropriation. and that their recommendations
had been adopted by the Committee Of Indian
Affairs.
Mr.. L.ovcjoy wished to know whether the
newspaper reports, with regard to an extra ses-
sion, in case Congress should not meet the
wishes of the Executive, met with the sanction
of the Executive, or was based on his authority.
Mr.. Phelps did not speak for the Executive,
but only for himself. lie thought. however,
that if Congress shall not provide for carrying
on the Government during the next fiscal year.
either by Il modification Of the existing tariff
or the authorization of 4 loan. or n reissue of
treasury notes, or by all Of these means COM
bined, there will be 4 necessity for an extra
session during the mex summer.
Mr.. Branch Of y. G., said that he would take
an carly opportunity to raise a point of order
against this custom Of lacking on to regular
appropriation bills appropriations for miscella-
ncons purposes.
Mr.. Bryan said that if the people of Texas
found that the General Government fail to full
fill the obligations into which it had entered
with Texas to protect its citizens from hostile
Indians, then Texas would have to take care of
itself. This appropriation was partly for the
purpose Of fulfilling stipulations Of treaties
which had been made with the Indian tribes Of
Texas. IF these treaties were violated, that
State would be overrun and dcsolated by the
Indians. Texas would be willing to rcccde
from the Union, and would do it, if the Gov
ernmcnt did not act in good faith.
An animated discussion cnsucd between
Messrs. Giddinss and Bryan, in reference to
the obligations of the government to protect
the people Of Texas.
Mr.. Granger. of n. Y, said that if Texas
the Union, no Glove would be lost"
Mr.. BRYAN replied. that with all due respect
for the gentleman's position, from such Tex
as was perfectly willing to rcccde.
Mr.. Giddings said that the gentleman (Mr.
had no right to complain, as the general
government had done more for Texas than for
any other State in the Union.
Mr.. Bryan very cmphatically denied the
fact. On her entrance into the confederacy.
Texas had conferred lands fully equal TO all
Of the government.
The amendment Of Mr.. Lovejoy. to strike out
all after the s37th line. providing for fulfilling
treaty stipulations with various Indian tribes"