Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-10-24
From the National Jntelliseocer.

The Session oil Congress is at hand,
and we naturally look forward to the sub
jects which are TO occupy its attention.
Little change has taken place 10 The COM
position Of either branch OF Congress since
the termination of the first session OF the
present Congress. There have been two
or three designations, indeed, in the House
Of Representatives; but it is presumed
they will not materially vary the complex
ion OF that body. With some allowance
for the operation Of public sentiment, the
views Of Congress at the next session may
be presumed to be the same as they were
at the last.
On no point have the manifestations Oh
public opinion been more unanimous, or
less equivocal, than on the necessity OF abb
prevailing the debates in both houses. In
the opinion that by such abbreviation the
public money, and, what is equally inn
portant, the time Of Congress, may be
beneficialy economised, we entirely Con-
cur. We are net among those - he aa..la
have Congress act without sufficient de-.
liberation; but We think there is no ques.
tan likely 10 arise a, the present day. on
which every thing useful may not be said
within a week, and that most questions
may be discussed and decided within a
single day. There is no advantage in a
repetition Of arguments already advanced !;
and he who has nothing to advance but
what is new, will have very little to say
after a question has been debated for a
whole day, not 10 speak Of month, TO
which extent we have known debates to
be protracted. Hit be waste Of time TO
debate new question for weeks, il would
be certainly biameable consumption Of it
to employ many days, or even hours, on
question which, at preceding session OF
Congress, had been completely exhausted.
Applying this remark TO the first ques-
ton which will present itself at the next
session-for we have reIinqnished The hope
that it would not be made queslion-we
hope that the Missouri subject will be
speedily disposed of. When the Senators
and Representatives from Missouri pre-
sent themselves at The bar Of the two hous-
es, they will Of course be refused seat,
unit the constitution; OF the state be rail-
fed. Expediency and comfy, therefore,
unite 10 recommending an early decision
of that question. If the question be again
opened. at large, we have no hesitation in
expressing our opinion that it will swal-
low up all other questions, defeating the
end and object Of the meeting Of Congress,
by destroying that concord aud good feel
Jug among the members, so important to
correct legislation. We sincerely hope,
therefore, that the matter will be deter
mined by silent vote, SO as to leave Con.
gress at liberty TO give the attention
which is due TO other important national
concerns.
The Missouri question being disposed
Owe will suppose within the first week
of the session--the next most urgent
question is that which arises from the
consideration of the Ways and Means
There was last year a deficiency in the
revenue, which was supplied by a loan.
There will be this year greater deficien
cy: ia what manner shall il be supplied ?
By another loan or by at once meeting
the occasion, aud submitting to system
Of internal taxation, of moderate amount,
and judiciously distributed? We have
no doubt that, though it may be subject
for debate, the first course will ultimately
be taken. II is easy TO borrow, and the
people scarcely know when they are run
10 debt. 1t is unpopular to lay taxes,
and more SO TO collect them. In this par
ticular, governments are about as provi.
dent as individuals. This year they have
full pockets: they empty them in the
qualification Of pleasures, or at best the
supply OF wants, imaginary at first, but
which become real by indulgence. The
next year The income lessons, from causes
beyond their conirol-perhaps from re-
Taxation of attention aud application: it
is too small to fulfil existing engagements.
What then? Why, borrow. The year
following the income is still less, and ex-
penses increasing rather than diminishing.
What then? BORON more; and, il
the money we're never TO be repaid II
would be an admirable plan. Blu. sooner
or later, when you can borrow no longer.
you must provide for the payment of the
debt, which IT would have been far wiser
never 10 have incurred. To this general
remark there are certainly exceptions
Money may be wanted for an important
object in one year. and loan for that pur-
pose is not only jas'ifiable, but prudent.
To make it so, however, you must be GER
tain that the income of succeeding years
will be sufficient to pay the interest, and
gradually to extinguish the debt 10 be
contracted. We do not know thai !, is
in the power Of Congress at present to SET
tie the question, 10 what manner the de.
ficieucy in the revenue is to be perma.
nently made up: We are pretty sure. al