Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1802-08-11
rCoErrNueD.3


VI fnc Soth al ncS 1mbcr MIR, Davis
rnoved the appointments of q committee
10 enquire into tbs expedicncy OF repeal
ihS - 1:ts imposing duties or sGns and
tbs'i!isd spiilts, on refined sugars, on sales
at auction, and on pleasurable carriages.
Mr. Davis said his Object in making this
notcr, was that the house should accom-.
l'i'sh that directly, which had been this
SESSION attempted in so circuitous way,
IS TO srnbawass and deiayit proceedings.
lie saw no reason for gong Into u come
nnttee OF the whole, in order TO arrive at
decisions that might better be made di-
rect.y by the house itself.
On this motion debate Of considera;
dc length ensued, in which, ON the one
SIDE the references to seleet committee,
and on the other a reference to COM
rn!ttee of the whole house, was advocated.
10 decision was had, ara of course the
motion of MIR. Davis was ordered to lie
an the table.
Notwithstanding the marked indisposi-
ton of the house to adopt the resolution
proposed by MIR. Davis, MIR. Bayard vir-
.uaily renewed it, by moving that the com
mittee OF ways and means should be IN
structed 10 enquire into the expshency
OF repeating the laws laying duties on stills
and distilled spirits, on refined sugar, on
sales at auction, on pleasurable carriages,
Oh stamps, and on the postage of letters.
his motion was supported By Messrs.
BsyaHdi Rutlcdge, Griswold and Dana.
They expressed their opinion that it
was full tune TO put subject, which Of
f1ctec he vital principles Of the revenue,
IN tran for decision that the propriety
e tne repeal would depend upon the re-
duttons madc>on = comprehensive view
OF our finances, which could only be taken
oy the committee Of ways and means, 10
whom was committed generally whatever
related TO revenue that, however delight
'ii reduction Of public burthens might
ce, II was nor ascortained that the govern
rnent was prepared to take This leap; that
z great question, first TO be decided, was
whether the impositio1s earliest removed
S3ouid be subjects of internal taxation, or
Imported articles, and particularly the du-
81 on salt; that III order to form a correct
decision ON the subject, 3 reference oussht
70 DC made to the committee Of ways and
means, who would report 70 the house the
necessary infornation.--
Mr., Macon supported the motion on
Ground somewhat different, and entirely
ftetived from the propriety of giving the
enriles- attention 90 a subject of so much
Importance.
sc rlo,ion was opposed by Messrs.
BGccp, I.ustis, SmIIie, Yarnuln and Ran
daph.
they coatended that the reasons urged
u ;GyCf OF the motion were conclusive D.
& ast IS adoption that It was manifest
- bis vas not the proper time Tor CON
..idcg;ng the subject, Cor that until the re-
ti0G;iors that we're to be made in the or
tinary expenditures of the governmcat
'Fere ascert9ined, it was impossible 60 de-
eide WIKI correctness how far a reduction
or abolition OF taxes would he expcdient.
No such decision had yet been made on
the reduction OF the army, the navy, or
aay other specific object; and that under
such circumstances, it would be both rash
and premguire 70 precipitate decision.
II was, therefore, moved, that the COM
,nittes, into which the house had resolved
ITSELF should rise, to avoid decision.
On this last motion the committee di-
vided---Ayrs 29--Noes as.
When the reference TO the committee
was carried, and Immediately confirmed
In the house without division.
During this debate, il was remarked by
Messrs. Bayard, and Ruuedge, that diff
ference OF opinion appeared to exist BE-
tween the President and the secretary Of
rhs Treasury or the repeal Of thelaws re-
speeding the Internal Revenge; as was
evident from the report Of the hitter, who
IL MS calculations, reckoned on their con
.,nnancs.
To this it was repyei BY Messrs. Ma
con ard Varnun, that the inference was
f9rccd and unjust; inasmuch as the secre-
,4rY Of TIC treasury in bic view ofthe Uni
Ted STATES acting in his ministerial cEarac-
ter, had tlseh the revenue laws Of the u
nitcd States IS they stood, and predicated
his calculations upon their continuance !;
that TO have aetcd otherwise, and Assumed
lheir 7epeai az the basis Of his obseryati-
ons, would have been a departure from
propriety, and woulea 0 doubt, haye been
dcnomineted arrogant and assuming. It
Vas evident, therefore, that this c!rcua
stance proved 40 diversity OF sentiment,
Is the recommendation OF the President
was involved Ia his constitutional discre-
ton to advise the adoption OF any measure,
while the rcrorf ri The Secretar,- osr,.,,