The Wilmingtonian, And Delaware Advertiser

CONGRESSIONAL MATTER
From the National Journal

Monday, Feb. 20. In the Senate, the Judiciary bill was reported by the Committee without any material amendment, and the Committee on Public Lands reported a bill for the further relief of purchasers of public lands. The bill for the relief of James Dixon & Co. was again taken up, and postponed to Thursday. About two hours were passed with closed doors, in the consideration of Executive business.

In the House of Representatives, two resolutions proposing different amendments to the Constitution were introduced. The amendment is to establish the district system, to make the electors vote viva voce, and in case of no choice in the primary college to elect new electors, who shall choose out of the two highest candidates. The amendment is to restore the original constitution so far as relates to this subject, except the part which refers the election to the House of Representatives: providing in case of no election, that the states shall choose a President and Vice-President from the two highest on the list.

After the preliminary business of the day had been gone through, Mr. Archer, of Virginia, addressed the House in Committee on the subject of the amendment of the Constitution but had made but little progress in his argument when the committee rose, reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again.

Tuesday, Feb. 21. In the Senate, a Bill was reported to establish an uniform system of Bankruptcy, and a bill granting a quantity of public land to aid the State of Indiana in making a Canal between the river Wabash and Lake Erie. Mr. Marks gave notice that he should ask leave to introduce a bill to lay out and make a Canal through the U. States public ground near the city of Pittsburgh.

In the House of Representatives, a very important bill was reported from the Committee on Indian Affairs, entitled "a bill for the preservation and civilization of the Indian Tribes within the United States." Of the report from the War Department which accompanied the bill, 3,000 copies were ordered to be printed. Mr. Whittlesey of New Hampshire, introduced a resolution for information relative to the leasing of Lead Mines. Mr. Powell, of Virginia, laid on the table a proposition to amend the Constitution, so as to provide that when the election of President comes to the House of Representatives, no member who votes on the occasion shall be eligible to any office for three years thereafter. On motion of Mr. Mitchell, of Maryland, the Military Committee were instructed to inquire into the propriety of publishing a system of Cavalry organization. On motion of Mr. Everett, of Mass. the Library Committee were directed to inquire into the propriety of purchasing some copies of Strickland's Reports on the subject of Internal Improvement.

The Bill relative to a survey of a route for a ship canal across the peninsula of Florida, was finally passed, and a number of private bills went through Committee, the discussion on the amendment of the constitution having given way for that purpose, without consent of the gentleman who had possession of the floor.

Wednesday, Feb. 22. In the Senate, Mr. Chambers, of Maryland appeared and was qualified. After the presentation of a few petitions, the Senate went into executive business.

In the House of Representatives, a bill was reported concerning the Staff of the army of the United States; and, also, a bill to establish an armory on the western waters. Mr. Boon, of Indiana, and Mr. Haynes, of Georgia, laid on the table resolutions to amend the constitution of the United States, the former giving to the qualified voters of the most numerous branches of the State Legislatures, the right of directly voting for President and Vice President; and the other, making the voting to be by general ticket in the several states, and in case of no choice, to return the two highest candidates to the people, to be again chosen in the same manner. Mr. Barney, offered a resolution asking for information from the Navy Department, as to the adequacy of our vessels in commission to protect our commerce to Brazil and Buenos Ayres. The Judiciary Committee were instructed to inquire into the expediency of equalizing the salaries of the District Judges.

Most of the bills which were ordered to a third reading on the preceding day were passed, but a discussion arising on the bill relative to the importation of gin and brandy in casks of not less capacity than fifteen gallons, the House adjourned before the question on that bill was taken.

It will be seen that the Committee on the District of Columbia prayed to be discharged from the further consideration of a memorial of certain inhabitants of this District, complaining of the act of Incorporation, by which the right of suffrage has been restricted.

Thursday Feb. 23. In the Senate, the bill for the relief of James Dixon & Co. was ordered to a third reading, by a vote of 28 to 13. A bill was introduced to extinguish the Indian title to lands in the State of Mississippi: and notice was given by Mr. Cobb, of his intention to introduce a bill for the payment of the Georgia Militia Claims.

In the House of Representatives, two bills were reported by Mr. Wood, of New-York, on the subject of Military Pensions and Pensioners; and the resolution offered by Mr. Barney, of Maryland, on the preceding day, relative to the protection of our trade with Brazil and Buenos Ayres, was adopted. Mr. Archer then resumed, and concluded his argument on the subject of the Constitutional Amendment, which occupied the House until the hour of adjournment.

Friday, Feb. 24. In the Senate, a resolution was offered instructing the Naval Committee to consider whether the supplies for the Navy will be best or most economically made by purchase or by contract. The bill for the relief of James Dixon & Co. was passed and sent to the House of Representatives. The Navy appropriation bill was passed, and the bills, "making appropriations for the Library," "for the relief of the heirs and legal representatives of Lewis Cretien, deceased," and "for the relief of John A. Webster." were ordered to be engrossed for a third reading—about two hours were passed in the consideration of Executive business.

Several propositions were made in the House of Representatives to amend the Constitution, by Messrs. Hemphill and Thompson, of Penn., Sloane, of Ohio, Weems, of Maryland, and Livingston, of Louisiana. Mr. Miner, of Pennsylvania, laid a resolution on the table, of a different character and tendency; its object being to preserve the Constitution in its present form. The House then went into committee of the whole on the state of the Union, when Mr. Saunders of North-Carolina, addressed the committee for about an hour and a quarter. On motion of Mr. Stevenson, of Virginia, the committee then rose, and the House adjourned till Monday.