Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-06-10
Erop, the M,, York Commercial .qdrertisr.


r;u,cof Florida. from Cape Codto the w abash,
there has arisen one universal burst OF indigna-
ton against both houses Of Congress, for their
idle waste of time in much speaking. But still
The magnitude Of this tres1ass upon the pubic
natience, is scarcely yet known. The people
know that a great deal Of time was worse than
wasted, for which great deal OF their money
was paid; bu, how much, they have not general
" the means of knowing. From review OF
the session, however by the editor OF the Ma
1ional Journal, il appears that fUe weeks were
snent Gin discussing the Judicial Bill in the
House Of Representatives, which bill was after
wards indefinitely pOsipoasd;-seyen weeks were
devoted TO the debate Oh ,h< Constitutional a.
mendments, from the further consideration oil
which the Select Committee ,cds ultimately dis
charged. ,citaout coming TO any resuH;-fOW
weeks were occupied in dsputallon on the re-
strictive amendment of the resolutions oil the
Committee on Foreign Affairs relative TO the
mission 10 Panama, which was finally rejected,
and the appropriation bill passed without re-
ference 10 any resolutions:-t,co weeks were al
lowed 10 the claims Of the revolutionary 9th
GERS. which were laid on The tGbhs;---so thai eish-
Teen weeks out Of the t,cenfy.four weeks, COM
prising the session, have been monopolized in
ed no efficient result; or, in other words, IN "a
borriye legislation" What a picture Is tais.
And vet how is the evil to be corrected? In this
country. above all Others, the doors OF free and
ample discussion must not be closed; and
vet, standing as widely open as they do, 1t is
completely in the power of a iactious OPPOSE
ton so 10 embarrass any administration as
20 paralyze its energies, and in effect de-
~
ever potent the one, or wise and salatary
the other. In our view, however, there IS
very safe, simple, and equitable mode by which
an efectual remedy ma! be applied, winch
will at once secure 10 the people The Tree
dom Of debate, and restrain their representa-
,ives from the abuse Oft. Let rule be adopt
ed, that in all cases of private bills which, to-
gether with the facts, have been reported by
committees, the question shall always be TAX
ken before adjournment. And IN regard 10
all public acts, :he question shall IN like man.
ner be taken before the close OF the fourth
sitting thereon. 10 be sure, Georgia must
stop sending factious members, and Virgil
MIA cease from electiHg crazy Senators, to
talk six hours day upon all matters and things
having no possible relation 70 the ubjec; in de-
bate. Look at the British practice upon this
I. II
before ii is rare indeed that the question is post
poned beyond the close Of the first sitting Du-
ring The present session Of Parliament, which
commenced on the lst OF February, not"lih-
standing the unusual interest OF the crisis, and
the vast importance Of The measures that have
been agi,ated, there have been but two or three
instances Of an adjourned debate. No matter
how great or imortant the subject, her states
men 90 prepared to grapple with it, and speak
TO the purpose; and in almost every instance,
in both lords and commons, they do not think
of sdjourniug until the question is taken. How
will they smile at our logocracy, when they hear
of debates upon single question, OF tour and
oven seven weeks duration. And we'll may
they laugh, for our practice is the most ridicu-
lous and yexatious in the world. Alter three or
four able speakers have occupied an hour piece
upon each side Of any question-we care
not what or how important it is-in ninety
nine cases of a hundred, no further light will be
thrown upon it by thousand set speeches.
Why, then, cannot some means be taken to pre-
vent these vain, idle, and endless repetitions!