Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-03-02
REVISION OF THE TARIFF.

10 amend ne Sererti acts laying dulles Oh Imports
ME-. Mirtni'i;,le resumed the speech which he had
yesterday commenced on his own motion to strike
out the enacting claus, OF the bill and having con-
cluded them
Mr.. A. Stc!c rose, not, he said, to make any
remarks III reply to the speech which had just been
delivered, out TO Gissuadc both the friends and the
opponents OF the bill, from gong discussion of
rs general principles, on the present motion. He
thought the course pursued by the gentleman from,
New ork, was without pa ralcl. After the House
had, Tor two weeks, been engaged in discussion
which touched the vital interests of the country
after the two sides OF the House, i'll relation that
discussion, had agreed, first 10 so into the several
items of the bill thSu to take up its general princ
pies; and, il decided majority should appear
in its favor, then to agree make its provisions as
little cxceptionabe as posSibe-for that gentleman
to get up and occupy the Committee for two DAYS,
with a speech against his own motion, and on the
general principleS of the bi--this was Offering an
indiguity TO the House, aud d course which this
House ought to spurn-he hoped that unanimous
vote would pass, without discussion, ainst the mo-
ton, and he called the friends well Us the cne-
mics of the bill, to pass such vote.
Mr.. Floyd hoped that the House would vote for
the sentleman's motion, and against his speech-in
which 1t would appear that the gentleman had been
peculiarly unfortunate, since scarcely any be-
tore ever tailed OF convincing least HIMSELF that
the measure he proposed was proper. In ordinary
cases, Mr.. f. said, he against Il motion of this
Dut THIS Dill was al SuCn enormous CharaC-
ter, that he should advocate the motion ii ougat
rather to have been entitled bill to tear up COM
mercc and destroy agriculture, than TO amend the
duties, on imported articles.
Mr.. Clay was glad aiat gentlemen would, with
whatever views, now vote OH the general question ;
buthc saw no cause for much excitement against
The course OF the honorable gentleman from New
York. 1t was, to be sure, unusual it was not one
10 which ne should have advised him. BUTT had
only been adopted to bring up ioc discussion the ge
neral principle of the bill separated from its de-
tails. But, though the course, i'll its form was unu-
sual, 1t was not so very unusual to gentlemen
make Il speech on side of a question: and after
wards vote the other. He had seen frequent in
stances OF this Ill his public life. He trusted gentle
men would not vote in favor of striking out. AS to
the bill going to tear up commerce, and God knows
what-al that belonged to the discussion of its me-
rits And If the honorable gentleman from Virginia
Thought that such was its tendency, he should shew
It by argument rather than by violent expressions
He hoped to hear that gentleman (to whom he al
ways listened with interesD in answer to the argu-
Insu;S OF the bill.
Mr.. Martindale rose, in reply to Mr. Stevenson,
and observed, that he had yet to learn that mott
on which had been pronounced in order by the chair
COULD with propriety, be considered as an iudanity
TO the House, and II not with proprety, in what sp-
rit had the remarks been made upon it which fell
from the gentleman from Virginia? He would not
say that those remarks offered an iudignitv to the
Ing to the rules of this House. He had prefaccd his
motion, at the time he made it, with the explanato-
ny remark that the bill contained general principles
equally applicable to another its items
-thattwas proper these principles should first be dis
cuSsed, as otherwise their discussion would come I'D
under each separate item, and might be rope ated a.
gam and again, and it was likely they would since
gentlemen had given open warning that they Inc ant
70 oppose the bill, step by step, and inch by inch-
Would this be economy of time In making the
motion he had submitted, Mr.. Nj. said he had taken
his own Judgment alone for his guide and the esta-
blished rules of this louise, and he consci-
Gus OF having offered TO II any indignity.
Mr. stevenson, In reply to the Speaker, Observed
that, while complaining of excitement in others, he
seemed to have shown quite much himself. In
answer to the gentleman from New York, he dis
claimed all reflection the motives OF that gentle
man. He spoke only of the aspect and bearing of
his motion, in connection with the speech that ac-
colnpanied it, He thought the course not only UNI
usual, but disrespectfu- inasmuch as, by parlia-
mentary usage, the motion to strike the enact
ing clause of bill should proceed from those who
opposed to its passage.
Mr.. Martindalc said, that when he made the mo.
ton, ne was not aware of any understanding enter
ed into to the course of discussion, nor did he
think that any such understanding could properly
exist.
Brr. Cook said, that the gentleman from Virginia
tMr. StevensonO would docat his object, If he
succeeded in obtaining silent vote on the motion
10 strike out, as such motion, passed upon |
could not afterwards be repeated and thus all gen
eSal discussion would be precluded. But ifhc had
rightly understood the gentleman from Virginia. OIL
his left, (Mr. Barbour) it the wish of members
that the general principles of the bill should be dis
cussed in the first instance.
MIR. p. p. Barbour explaned-that he did not |
mean before the items had been gone through with
Mr.. Cook advocated that discussion, i'll order that
the general objects of the bill might first be settled
If it bill to advance the general It'll and
prosperity of the country by-a system Of home pro-
lection, it would require kind OF discussion but
ri it was merely revenue bill, ii would require |
quite another. |
MI. McDuffe said, that there were no general |
principles that applied to the whole bill. 1t was a
of particulars; and different principles were
involved in each OF its hoO hundred and sirfyitcms
He, therefore, suggested to the gentleman from New
York, the propriety of Withdrawing MS motion.
The suggestion not being complied with,
MI Clay observed, that some experience in legis- |
fative bodies had taught him that more stress was
often laid upon the modes and forms of doing public
business than at all necessary. If discussion
of the general principle desired, it might be
brought up any &c of the items of the BILL Ii
would necessarily come up i'll variety OF forms. 1t
was, howeveJ, tine established parliamentary usage
that motion to strike out the cnactmg words (ior-
may the first section) Of a bill should precedc the
motions to alter its several features. This was the
course lately pursued the bill for internal i'm |
provements. Mr.. 6. again defended the gentleman !
from New-York.
Some further conversation took place the mode !.
of proceeding to be observed in the farther progress
of the debate. Mr.. Floyd made some remarks, which
We heard but mpcrfectly. Mr.. Livingston protest.
ed against his vote strike out, being UNDER
stuOi committing him FOR I'm, bill