The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-02-06
WORCESTER:
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8. 1928.

Dccu III OOHHI65S IT'S dtIcuIlOu lAdS
been principally occupied during the last week
by the resolutions of Mr.. Chiffon, of Kentucky,
on the subject of retrenchment. This junior
member of the House, who +" has come out of
the west" with all the chivalry of young Lord
Lochinvar," signalized his appearance by an at
tack on profigacy in all the forms in which it
is imagined TO exist in Washington If he
would have first procured the passing of res
olution to retrench the tediousness of debate,
something might have been saved toward pay
ing the national debt, in that which has taken
place on those which he submitted. introduce
ed, as they evidently were, with design to
bring reproach on the administration and its
friends, their fate has been singular. Where
he expected " a thunder Storm" to use his own
expression, the sky has been quite clear, while
in another quarter of the horizon, where he
looked for nothing but sunshine, there have
been very lowering appearances The friends
OF the administration were willing the inquiry
should be instituted if the majority thought
proper, while, among the knowing ones Of the
opposition, it was evidently viewed with doubt
and apprehension. Mr.. Randolph moved to
lay the resolutions on the table, promising that
he would not cali them up again during the
session; but, as this motion was negatived, he
had no other alternative but to stand by the
mover, and make the best of it not negecting,
however, in the course of his remarks, to give
. some plain intimations that he considered him
as little better than mar-plot. Mr.. McDufiie,
of the Committee of Ways and Means, pro-
tested against the reference of the subject TO
them, and a member of the Committee on Ex-
penditures expressed like aversion to it. As
it was determined to consider it, however, these
crude resolutions have been made the subject
of grave and sometimes angry debate for sew
eral days. Various attempts have been made
10 lick them into shape, ard amendments fur
Their amended haye followed each other, and
been successfully advocated and abandoned.
What will be the result time will determine.
We hope the season is now over for resolu
'tions of this character which are, to the speak
ing men in Congress, much Ike the title of a
book to the reviewers. 1t serves as a conve-
nient starting point, from which they consider
themselves at liberty to diverge without limita-
ton. In propositions for retrenchments, gem
orally, we have little faith, however fair and
plausible they may seem. The subject is often
er introduced rather to crafty the prejudices
ofigDorance, than from conviction ofits mer-
its; and those who are loudest in the cause,
have usually quite as much regard for their
personal popularity, as for the public good As
for Mr.. Chiffon, little thanks has he received
Tor this premature manifestation of his zeal
but he will profit by experience, and return to
his constituents wiser than he came
BY private advices from Washington of
later date than the letter which we this day
publish, we learn that the testimony before the
Committee on Manufactures has most signally
disappointed those who promoted the investiga-
ton. Witnesses, whom they had been at much
pains to procure from a great distance, and
whose opinions were supposed to be hostile to
the tariff, testified to facts, showing most con-
olusively the necessity and good policy of pro-
tecting the woollen manufactures. 1t was I'M
derstood that the Committee would report on
the.3lst ult. 1t is now thought that the char
acter of the testimony before the Committee
will induce them to report favorably, though
out little hope is entertained of the passage of
ANY bill affording the requisite protection.
CONGRESSIONAL DIGNITY. The Honorable