Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-03-08

w OVQ WdTu--1Vls
Mr.. Randolph then, after diselalm
ling any disposition to cmbarrass OF
I,lelay the public business by the mo.
|tion. moved to postpone the subject
until tomorrow-but subsequently
Withdrew his motion, TO make way
for one by Mr., Gaston-Shereup-
| ON.
MIR. Castor moved that the bill, as
lit was returned from the senate,
should be re. committed to the com
miltce of ways and means. Notwith-
standing he was 10 favor of the land
tax, as necessary 10 preserve The
EpubIic faith, and TO perfect the sys
| tenn of taxation and had hoped that
the other branch of the Legislature
would have been able TO restore the
bill TO its original character; yet as
the svstem had been broken up by
the limitation ofthe tax to one year.
and believing the revenue would e
yentnaIly be re,laee.l 10 the actual
expenditures of the country, he wish
ed the whole subject ag.'i referred
TO the committee which originally
reported ii, with a view TO attempt
the entire repeal Of the tax.
! MIR. Lowndes thought the motion
entirely irregular ; inasmueh as il
was properly impracticsbie to re
commit a bill whose provisions had
been asscnted to BY both branches Of
the Legislature. lie submitted il
TO the gentleman himself, as we'll as
the Speaker, whether such course
Was proper after The bill had reached
its present stage /; and ifany amend
ment which could be proposed by Inc
committee of ways and means would
be in order after the principle had
been fully acted en- by boeh houses,
sc.
Mr.. Castor, in reply, said it was
perfectly immatcrial whether any
amendment could be acted on or not.
The motion was made to try whether
a majority Of the House was willing
to repeal the tax altogether. or keep
lii on as o permanent tax-there would
he no difficulty 10 fading a way OF
carr5in their decision into effect.
Mr.. SheGry ayowed himseifin la
yor OF total repeal of tie tax, bat
could not see how that object could
lbe effected by reeommitting the bill:
because the committee coold report
no amendment 9. HIGH could with pro
Ipriety he acted on. Both houses
have agreed that tax of three mil
liens shall! be imposed, and a COM
Imittee Of one house could not now
properly recommend repeal OF It.
Besides, the question had Just been
tried TO postpose the bill Indefinitely
and rejected by-a large majority.
Sir. GoIasborough iikeN Use desir
Ted repeal &C the direct tag. ii it
could be dene consistently, with the
obligations Of the Government.
There are various modes, he said,
|by which the object could be yet
Effected. and among them. the mo
ton to recommit was perfectly re
|gular; for If the committee of ways
and means should, on reconsideFa
|tion, think the tax was unnecessary,
they could report such propositions
as would effect a repeal.
Mr.. Hardin had been in favor OF
an entire repeal Of the land tax !:
but not being able TO get that had
favored the smallest amo0rif propos-
ed. He eouId say with confluence
that three feurIhs Of the senators
who voted against the tx. did SO
because il w8snot made permanent
aud if we lose this bill, said he. |
am afraid sc shall be saddied with
Ia tax of six millions. Whe made
the present motion + A gentleman
i'm favor Of q permanent direct fax.
This excIled his suspicious; snH
fearing that The repeal of me tax
could nol be now effected, he should
vote against the nsoiion 10 recemm't
tie bill. In fart. lie considered the
motion not in o. der /; but. il The
tlennn Mnnld nrnnsse to effect