Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-05-20
CONGRESS.
From the National Mfelhgo.cer.

resolution of Mr.. Ialiaterro, proposing gradual
reneaI Of the daty on Salt-the motion for the
preyious question pendiny-which being announc-
ed by the Chair, :,
Mr.. Brgesmoved call of the House.
Mr.. Chiffon deprecated any attempt to defeat
the proposition by unnecessary motions, which
could only produce delay. He hoped gentlemen,
would not endeavor, BY such means, to prolong
tax which grinds the people in the interior OF
the country, to degree which gentlemen on the
sea board had no idea of. While the latter were
wallowing in luxury, the poor people of the inte-
ror had often to sell their very clothes to procure
salt, without which they could not subsist. The
high duty on this necessary of life produced ex-
IRENE distress amongst hundreds and thousands
of the people of the West-he might call them
scenes of carnage, which the gentleman from Il.
Island could not look upon with composure. he
entreated him. therefore, to withdraw hlsopposltlon
to the resolution, and that other gentlemen would
not endeavor to embarrass the proposition by use
less motions.
MIR. Burgess replied and justified his motion
for call of the House. His object was not 10 e,
embarrass the proposition, but to obtain full
House for its decision, and that whatever was
dome on a subject so important should be done by
a majority. As to the duty itself, he was opposed
| high tax on the people, but to preserve system
by which salt as well as other necesSarles would
become cheaper, &c.
| Mr.. Hoffman rose to Justify his course in the
motions which he made on this subject, and was
proceeding to make some remarks. when
| Mr.. McDutfe rose to question Of ORDER
! He hoped the time of the House would not be
consumed by debate which was out of order; and
as it was out of order to debate the resolution on
the motion for call of the House, he trusted the
rule would be enforced.
The Chair sustained the call to order, and re-
quired the member TO confne himself to the pre-
else question, which was on call OF the House
Mr. Hoffman said, he intended only to reply
to the remarks which had been permitted to be
made. He avowed that, as the mover OF the re-
solution had followed up its introduction with
motion for the previous question. ne felt himself
justified i'm embarrassing the resolution by all the
means which the forms of the House permitted
him to use.
The motion for call of the House was mega
tived without division, and
The House refused to second the call for the
previous question, - rising forit and SO against
It.
Mr.. Reed, of Massachusetts, then offered the
following substitute for the resolution, viz:
"That the Secretary of the Treasury be in
structed to inform this House at the next session
of Congress. lst. The quantity of salt manufac
tured at the various salt works in the United States
and at each factory Cd. The price exacted for
salt at each of the manufactures. Sd. The quail
ity of the salt manufactured at each of the manu-
factories. 4th. The prices of salt IN various parts
of the country"
Mr.. Reed followed his motion to amend with
an argument of considerable length. to show the
improperly of hasty action on so importanta sub
iect, without full information on it. He combat
ted, by train of reasoning, the falacy, as he
conceived it, that the repeal OF the duty on salt
would render the article cheaper, or conduce to
the general interest; stated briefly the reasons
why he was opposed to the tariff laws, and his OBJ
iectiOns, since the system had been adopted, to
breaking in upon it to relieve the pressure upon
one interest while others were suffering greater
pressure and mentioned particularly the naviga
ton of the country, in which every person in the
Union was interested, and which was depressed
by heavy tax, and the only direct tax imposed
by the Government. He was willing to go into
the tariff subject generally, for the purpose of
better adjusting and equalizng the system, but
was decidedly opposed picking out one subject
of duty alone, and which was, in fact beneficial
to the country. Before he had concluded his re-
marks, he gave way to
Hr. 7aliqtsrro, who said, if it was in orderhe
would withdraw his resolutions; and was pro-
cceding to explain his reasons for so doing. when
he was admonished by the Chair that, if the mo-
ton was withdrawn, 1t would be irregular to
make any remarks. Mr.. t. acquiesced, and
the resolution was withdrawn.
The engrossed bill, providing for the distri-
button of certain books, printed by order of Con-
gress, was read third time, and. after an inef
fectual call by Mr.. Russell, for the yeas and NAYS
on its passage, the bill was passed, and sent to
the Senate.
The amendments of the Senate to the bill for
the relief of certain (additionar officers and SOL
diers of the Revolution were taken up.
Mr.. Bates moved that the House concur in
them.
Mr.. Martin moved to commit them.
Mr.. Taylor observed that as every case in his
District, and in which he was particularly inter-
ested, was stricken out of the bill, he would be
excused for the motion which he made for the
previous question, fearing that the bill might be
L., e