CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

BY THE REPORTER OF TIE NEW-YORK TRIBUNE.
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WAsHrSGToy, Thursday, March A.


In the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, to-day, the
Rhode Island question was further discussed dur
ing the morning hour by Mr.. CALEB SMITH of In.
in sensible speech in opposition to action upon
the memorial and unqualified condemnation Of
Dorris,n both in princip pie and in practical opera
ton. He alluded to the oftrepeated outcry
against the old Charter of Rhode Island-of its
being grant Of kingly powers, referring in reply
thereto 10 the simple historical fact of the charter
having been drawn up in Rhode Island when a
colony, and after having been sent to England
and returned with the sanction OF Charles l., Of
being adopted by deliberate vote of the people,
by virtue of which since the Revolution it has re-
mained Of binding force as the Constitution adopt
ed by the people-which there was no evidence
had been repealed or superseded by any Constltu-
ton of legal majority.


He replied to various arguments of Messrs.
RArHBUN and KENNEDY, Of Ia, and exhibited
quite to the discomposure of the Lecos Mr.. Van
Buren's recorded speeches and votes in the Con-
venton for revising the Constitution of New
York in decided hostility to the principles of uni
versal suffrage, and to the election by the People
of Justices of the Peace, and in favor of establish
ing as requisite qualification for voter not only
tle W VI hil oii lilC uSuWo out ulS pSnS houSC-
holder-the glaring Inconsistency Of all which,
and the principles now professed by those who
were soon to go into the Presidential contest un-
der his banner, he commented on.


Mr.. HARDIN moved to suspend the rules to Of
fer resolution calling for report from the Sec
retary Of the Treasury Of the amount of revenue
collected during the present fiscal year, and that
estimated for the remainder of Distinguishing
the receipts from the lands and customs. Re
fused, Yeas 81, Nays 89-the Locos almost IN
body voting against the information.


Mr.. KENNEDY Of Nd, on leave, introduced
bill to regulate the mode of admeasurlng the ton
mage of ships employed in the merchant service
of the United States.


Mr.. CATLN attempted unsuccessfully to sus-
pend the rules to introduce resolution granting
the use of the Hall for Friday TO the Congress
sional Temperance Society.


The Military Academy bill was debated in
Committee Of the Whole on the Union during the
remainder OF the day.


In SENATE, message was received from the
President relative to the abuse Of the American
flag IN the slave trade also, enclosing a report
from the Secretary of State in reference to the
number and compensation Of American Consus.


Mr.. BAcBY presented petition from Messrs
Levy, II. Dodge, and A. c. Dodge in favor of the