Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-05-15
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

CHESAPEAKE AND OHlO CaNAL.
MIR. Mercer now moved the consideration of
the bill charging the powers OF The Corpora
tons of Washington, Georgetown and Alex
andria; and The question recurring on the
amendment moved by Mr.. Mercer, on Friday
last. as published in the Daily Paper Of Monday
last
Mr.. Mercer suggested verbal alteration,
which was agreed 10; whereuPon The amend
nent was adopted.
The question then being en- ordering the bill
to be engrossed for third reading, 1t was
opposed by Mr.. Wright, oc New York, in
speech Of considerable length, in which, after
minutely recapi,ula'ing the provisions oi each
section, he objec ied to ii on the ground that, II
any failure occurred on The part OF the Corpo>
rsions to meet the interest oil their loans; the
United States would be considered, however
incorrectly, as under obligation 10 make up the
deficiency, aud Congress would be leased with
applications until, at last, they would have TO
do it. He objected, also, 10 the counerslgnlhg
Of the certificates Of stock by the Secretary Of
I've Treasury, as being calculated TO foster This
deiusion, and practically deceive those who
nigh, embark their capital, especially foreign
ers. As the bill proposed that an agent should
b. amounted by the President Of the United
| y
was intended to send him to Europe for that
purpose, it could scarcely but happen that an
impression should prevail there that the Amer
lean Government was in some way responsible
for the sountlncss Of the stock. He also con-
sidered the bill as rendering the United States
responsible for the solvency and fidelity of the
collector who was to be appointed on the part
of the Government, to collect the extra tax, in
case OF Deficiencies. Taking the whole provi-
sions Of the bin together, Mr.. w. concluded
by confr ssiuc that, if he was a holder oil
the certificates, and any failure took place on
the part Of the Corporations, he should fonsld-
er himself as fully warranted 10 apply to Con
gress to make good the deficiency.
Mr.. Wickliffc then offered the following pro,
viso TO he added 20 the last section:
Provided, That nothing in this act shall be
so construed as 10 make ;he Uni'ed, States, d.
rec,y or indirectly, responsible Tor any act Il
be done by said Corporations, under, and 10y
virtue Of this act, or for any liability incurred
by said Corporations, or any failure to co'iec
the taxes hereby authorized 10 be collected b!
said Corporations: shall any tax Be impos
ed o. he properly Of the United States within
the District Of Columbia.
MIR. Mercer sisnl6ed his cheerful acceptance
Of it, as modification the bill, and it wa
lhereupon adopted by the House
Mr.. Mercer now replied 10 Mr.. Wrigh,
meeting and explaining his objeet tons in order
As to the United States being liable in an,
case, tina, Object ton, if there had ever been an
force in it, was now completely obvia'ed by tn
ado tion OF the proviso just offered by the gen
tleman from Kentucky. Neither the signing
nor countersigning Of the certificates OF tn
1 stock, rendered any body liable but the 1Corpo
ra,ions in whose name the stock was issued
, I, was true thai the Corporations had unlimi'
y ed power TO subscribe stock, and correspond
ing power 10 Law taxes, bu, they were repu9ll
can bodies holding Office by the free election
S Of their constituents, and liable 10 be removed
: at pleasure. This was sufficient guarantee
, against any abuse of This power. On the sub
( ject of taxation by The United States, the bill
S did no more than adopt the system prevlous
), followed during The last war, when NOT les
: Than Sloo 900 had been collected In this DIS
n irict, 10 meet the exIgencies OF The public ser
b vice. The collector proposed 10 be appointed
r will be responsible 10 the President, and liabl
r to prosecution in Court, with heavy damages
5 for misconduct in Office Mr.. NJ. expressed
: his willingness to strike out that part Of TIT
bill which required The certificates 10 be coun
tersigned by the Secretary the lreasury. |
had been adopted as the best mode OF yeritca
ton, and guard az aims, forgery; but ii serou.
obj ctions we,eeD,eraned against It, he shout;
not insist upon its being retained.
MIR Ward moved that that feature OF the bill