Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-04-19
From the Philadelphia Daily Chronicle

From the Philadelphia DAILY Chronic'e'
The mode of rIansacring business IN the
Congress Of the United States is one Of The very
few subjects Oh which men Of ali parties, III all
quarters of the Union, show any thing like an
approach to unanimily Of opinion. Writers
and speakers, "wide IS the poles asunJer," OH
most matters of public interrs:, and often even
bitterly hostile TO eoch otner, agrrc in this, that
no puUnc nouy ever wasre,, moro time, or did
less business in proportion 10 The duration OF
their sessions, than our Legislative Assemblies
a, Washington That The defect has, by ma
ny, been aggerated, we are not disposed to
deny; but no one Can look to the rapidty Of
proceeding. and the immense despatch Of bu.
siness, in the British House Of Commons, with>
out wishing that our representatives would en-
deavor TO follow their example. In that body,
an adjourned debate is thing OF such rare oc-
currence, as to be particularly noted. de-
bate on any subject Of importance, concluded
in our House of Representatives, without an
adjoul nment, would here be regarded as won
der.
One principal cause of the evil we take 10
be ,his-that, al The meeting of Congress, there
never appears 10 be more business than can be
easily disposed Of. SO MANY Of the duties OF
domestic regulation are reserved to The State
governments, that the subjects committed 10
the Federal Legislature are comparatively few,
though Of primary Importance. When the con-
Germs Of an individual are so numerous and
complicated thai he sees, al once, the necessi'
~ Of strenuous and cons'a ant exerton, he is not
apt TO leave any thing undone, He goes TO work
vigorously, & soon finds himself al the end OF
his |abors. On the contrary, he who thinks
that he has hut little to do, very often leaves that
little half finished The case is not very differ
ent with public bodies. Witness the cart less
ness shat often prevails at the commencement
Of a session, and the consequent hurry towards
The conclusion.
The great proportion Of new members, in
each successive Congress, is an additional i'm
pediment 10 despatch Few men among US
have the inclination and the ability TO sacrifice
their own affairs, for series of years, TO the
public service; and those who have both, are
by no means sure 10 feIain the favor Of the ir
constituents long enough to acquire the expe-
riencr necessary 10 form skiiful legislator.
The root OF the evil is, no doubt, the propen-
sity to speech making; and we see very little
reason to hope tina: this will ever be mended.
Ii has been suggested that when Tie House of
Repre- sen; ativcs shsl have bee ONE as numerous
as the House Of Commons, a reform will of ne.
cessiiy take place; and hat those only will ven
ture tn speak who have some title to be heard.
Blu. England is comparatively of such small ex-
tent, tina, the interests of different districts are
in most respects The same. The member is not
very intimately connected with those whom he
represents. He is never Of necessity, and sell
dom in fact, except In The case Of counties, an
inhabiiaut oftheir districts. The discussion OF
measures is Therefore generally confined to the
confederation of their irhurn-e on the nation at
large. In 4 country Of such vast extent as ours,
divided, 100, into several states, whose union is
not altogether urtaiued with Jealousy, the num-
her Of local interests is almost unlimited. Eve
~ member na,u. ally seeks TO recommend him
self 10 his constituents by the appearance OF at
lention to their peculiar concerns. debates
are, in consequence, spun ost 10 interminao'e
length
There is one remedy, which would prove in
a great measure efee,uai; bat i,s adoption is