Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-03-04
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
February "a.
EXTRA SESSION


j he House In committee of the whole nm
the bill to alter the time of the next meet
ing of Congress- motion being under con-
sidcratiOn to fix on the fourth Monday in
October.
Mr.. Grundy spoke in reply to some obser-
vations of Mr.. Johnson ION Yesterday i'm IA
vor OF that day. Mr.. G. was decidedly in
favor of meeting in May he believed il ne
cessary to the support of public credit that
the house should meet ia May. Had not
the committee IF Ways and Means first
taught him that an early session was neces
sary with that view, if revenue should not as
1t would not, be provided at this session. he
should not have been found advocating an
extra session. The house had been told bv
their financial committee, that it was indis-
pensabiy necessary Forthwith to provide a
revenue and that paper system without
foundation OF permanent revenue would
involve the nation in disgrace or irretrivea
bic ruiR. Mr.G quoted various reports Of
the committee of Ways and Means to shew
that they had made such statements
With these facts staring him in the face.
how could he do otherwise than urpe an
early session! If it was Indispensable ne.
sessary day or two ago to provide a reve-
nue., what had since occurred, obviatinq
that necessity Nothing War had been
declared, and it was the duty of those who
declared it 20 provide the Ways aud Means
Tor carrying 1t on. Mr.lG protested against
the idea which had been advanced of giving
enormous interest for loans and against C.
cumulating large debt, almost without the
knowledge OF the people on whom it W u!d
De saddled, and expressed his determinati-
OH, as far as lay in his power, to go on and
provide the Ways and Means.
Mr.. Johnson rose to explain He had
said yesterday, that if money could not he
had for six per cent. he would rather than
cease the contest on that account. give 1e
per cent. or as far as the whole property of
the nation would extend because he consi-
dered it to involve principles on which the
existence OF the nation depended. If mo-
ney was wanting, the people would clothe
themselves and fight without pay. But
money was not wanting. The gentleman
mad admitted that taxes to be levied in
May, II Congress then met, would not be
wanteduDtll 1874 Mr. ]. contended that
they might be laid in the autumnal sessionin
ample time Tor 1914. Why then meet ear
lier
Mr.. Bib said, that the committee had
reported that it was necessary TO provide .
permanent revenue to a certain amount fo,.
the service of the year 1914. IF the NIT
meeting Of Congress were DELAYED unti
October, he did not believe the taxes could
be levied in due season. In support of this
belief he adduced various considerations.
mong which was the inexpedency of delav.
ing the imposition Of taxes until the farm
ers of the Country had disposed of the an
pual proceeds Of their labor, without making
provision for the payment Of the nece,sar re
taxes Nothing, he said, had turned mn r.
Change the opinion the Committee of WAYS
and Means had first expressed ON this sub
lect; the necessary revenue bills could not
b passed at this session : and he was there
lore in favor Of an earlier session.
Mr.. Roberts said, subsequent reflection
bad convinced him that the motion which
he had yesterday made for October was
perfectly proper; though he felt no an,siety
Oh the subject, and should cheerfulIv ac
euiesee IN any decision in favor of AN earl
or day. The gentleman last up had ouo,ed
the opinion Of the committee Of WAYS and
A'eaus. ltappear, q there was, as very ma
turaily there might be, a difference of ooi
s'eH among The members OF the committee