The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-12-11
WORCESTER,
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER IL, 1922.
CONGRESS-.
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04S1@'1Os
A quorum of both Houses was formed, the
first day of the session. In the House of Rep
resentatives, on Monday, six ballotings were
had for Clerk-the former Clerk having de-
ceased since the last session. No choice was,
however, effected until Tuesday, when, after
five more ballotings, Mathew St. Clair Clark.
Of Pennsylvania, was elected. There were
about twenty candidates for the Office, the in
come of which is three thousand dollars.
On Tuesday the Presidents Message was
communicated. 1t is, for the most part,
plain, unadorned statement of the situation of
domestick affairs, and is, we think, in every
point of view, creditable to the nation from
whose Chief magistrate it proceeds. One can
hardly fail of being impressed with the pecu.
liarity of its character, and of the condition
of the people whose affairs il discusses, when
he reflects upon the manner in which the peo-
pie of other countries are addressed by their
rulers.
The Message does not contain much which
seems necessary to be particularly pointed out
to our readers. With regard to the revenue,
favourable account is given: but experience
has proved that these general statements, fur
nished to the President and by him to Congress,
at the opening of the session, are not always
to be relied upon as strictly accurate. Here
tofore, subsequent minuter examinations have
detected errors in the Treasury calculations,
which very materially affected the result. We
have therefore some forebcdings that there will
not be surplus of three millions at the end of
the year.
The language held in relation to the Greeks
isproper and gratifying. Unshackled by any
OF the causes which restrain other powers, this
government is not under the degrading neces-
sity of silently beholding the struggles of that
interesting people to shake off the cruel yoke
by which they are oppressed.
The Presidents observations in relation to
the encouragement Of manufactures, will, we
suppose, furnish matter for various specula-
ton They seem to have been made from a
conviction that the situation of the country re-
CURES us to go on with policy, heretofore par
TALLY adopted, so far as may be safely done with
out introducing sudden and violent changes.
Whether the remark, that 6 the utmost econ
Onay is secured and observed, in every depart.
OF the administration" be not too broad, will,
we think, be questioned by many. In a gov
eminent like this, abuses will creep in; and
scrutiny generally detects, in some quarter. a
lavish expenditure of the publck treasure. If
we may judge from the experience of the last
twelvemonth, such scrutiny will be had; and
the event will show whether there is occasion
for it.
On the subject of Piracy, the President is
far less animated than was anticipated. Some
notice of the death of Lieut.. Allen was. at
least, looked for; and we hoped for recon-
mendation to Congress Immediately to send an
armament adequate TO the extrpation of the
pirates who are waging war against the COM
merce of the country. We hope, still, that
Congress will Immediately take such measures
as the interests of the country and of humanity
demand.
Nothing was done in either House on Mon
day and Tuesday sufficiently interesting for
detail. We find, from the list of members
present, that Mr.. M'Duffie was not in his place.
1t is said, by the way, that another lodging
match has been agreed on between him and
Col. Cummings. This must be altogether for
their own amusement for the publick are
now wholly Indifferent as to the result.
On Wednesday, the House of Representa-
tives, on motion of Mr.. Taylor of New-York,
resolved itself into Committee of the whole
I" on the state of the Union; :" when the vari-
Gus topicks of the Presidents Message were
referred TO the appropriate Committees Sew
eral resolutions, not Immediately interesting,
were offered, and laid on the table.
We hope to be able, next week, to announce
the. entrance of Congress upon the interesting
business Of the session. We shall then COM
mence and continue, regular journal of all
such proceedings as may be of general con-
Germ.
The December term of the Court of Com
mon Pleas is held, in this town, this week, by
Hon, SOLOMON STRONG.