Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-01-03
Twcnty-sccond Comgrcss.--Sess. >.
IN SENATE.

IN SENATE.
.uD1ddy, December 2i.-r Cf0ncIttled1
MIR. Smith said two three words in explanation OF
what he had said concerning The Snctness between the
opinions OF the President and those OF his Secretaries and
added that the Secretary had confined himself gener
al expression aud that the details which were now de
manded did not lie Within his reach.
Mr. Sprague stated uat this not in his opinion a
resolution calling for information facts IL was only
calling Tor opinions in specific form than that in
which they had heretofore been given He was opposed
this practice. He thought that the Departments had
already influence enongh and he would not magnify that
influence sill further by calling them for their opinions
The facts already before the Sei.,te. The fact
that the revenue was greater than the wants of the
soWn'ry uemamed' was before the senate. They also
knew the amount OF the duties protected articles and
mey knew what the articles were on which duties were
Coec'e" nc amount OF The revenue and expenditures,
the amount Of The duties which accrued, and the names
OF the articles were MI before the Senate. And what
more required! They propose ask The Secretary
OF the Treasury his opinion what articles reductions
should DO madcl He would not consent o 10 this He
thought the Senate were competent to do for themselves
1T might be true that he would be willing in this ms ancc
to draw out ;he Secretary The subject the reductions
which ne lad in view; hni he against the general
practice and not O It, 1t the Secretary had
certain opinions, he (ir 50 disposed to ask him
Tor more lie objected TO this resolution substantially
the same reasons which had induced him oppose The
solution calling the Secretary bill. But lie was
in fact more opposed that resolution than the present
because it called for the opinions of the Secretary sl
more emphatic manner. il had been predictc, that the
Senate would become merely the recorder of the
oil the Executive; but he had yet heard the sug-
gcs,on laws were to he prepared at The
and merely sent 10 the Senate of passage. II had hccn
said that the Plan convenient He knew it
was convenient, and it might be still convenient to
have the laws prepared by But he thought it
Wcud ne much better to submit TO the Inconvenience OF
the established practice than by concentrating all bust
ness in one, 10 all influence there also and
mus 70 prepare he way Tor ihe introduction OF still great
er evils The two Houses OF Congress had already less
ami the Executive Department more Influence Ihan ,cy
ought 10 have.
Mr.. Frengmyscn rose and expressed his regret HAT
lac should be obliged this instance, to differ with his
friend from Maine The Reports of the Secretary of the
Id he
special act OF Congress aud the rcqui,,ion of the
President 1t official document. called for by bll
Houses OF Congress, 10 have all the influence winch lis
character would enable 1t to exercise The call was
therefore addressed to the Secretary the President
oocd"Se I've freseh cOul exercise no control over the
matter lie would call on the Secretary for this
The Secretary had stated that by Tariff policy, based
proper principles reduction of six millions might he
made, without prejudice TO the claims OF existing establish
ments. Here then very important fact /; was
desirable to know what the Secretary means by ga Tariff
policy based proper principles One object of the re-
solution of The Senator from Mississippi to fix these
gencralies. An Executive officer bad told the Senate
Idn passed proper principles In another part Of his
report the Secretary explains his meaningto
i0regn essationlo protect our own industry-to chera
those branches within ourselves which supply the
Of preserving our national Independence
The resolution proposed 10 ask the Secretary what
his view of the extent Of these general terms which did
not depend their grammatical construction, but the
in which the mind of Secretary was brought TO
bear the subject If the question the most import
ant article to he protected to be put his colleague
he would unquesionahy reply from ana majority OF the
the country, that reduction could be made of millions
1t was necessary to know how this could be effected
And TO obtain this knowledge they send 10 The De-
partnen whence the suggestion had been communicated.
Their constituents know what was meant was
plain, practical, common sense inquy-what in
teidcu Dy means oil national defence? Dill the phrase
Ter to arms and munions-iO powder, balls, and
the lke' II was proper lnt they should have definite
md practical answer. Thus viewing the subject he must
give his in favor OF the resolution and against the
amendment of the Senator from Alabama
Mr. Holmes acquesced in the correctness of the views
had lepf, u bff
sey as TO the relative duties OF the President and the
Secroary anil to revive the Eing rccoleclions of the
provisions Of the act Of 1889. which created the Treasury
Department he read 80 much of prescribed tho duties
OF the Secretary Ie then adv, rcd o the facility will
which the present Secretary suited his opinions the
tone OIL the congress TO whom they were addressed. Ht
views appeared 10 be in constant OF mutation
he very well disposed ix him on this point, and Il
discover what lac really did mean. In the opinions o
some, iron and lead would be deemed articles Of tie high
est Importance Tor defence. But tic fable Of the gentle
man from Mississippi did not strictly apply here, wher
there were no fortified towns To- render iron, wood
leather the most essential articles. Olher cOmnodi
ties here superseded those. Tho soldier i'm these time
must have his bankotto cloho and protect him Con
scqlehliy, hAnnti was an article OF great necessity
The soldier IL true dust fire his iuske' but II liz
were to perish OF cold for want Of blanket ho could
longer hrc u. 50 also, on the principle. IL uigl,
become necessary impoc protecting duty on flour an,
beef, and pork because the soldier eat; and
ton, bccause hsin.t i've shirts to wear Thus voo mic
protect every thing, nothing The Secretary now re
CURED TO io precisely what hs views and when th
Senate had got at bis meaning, hey could then Judge 10
themselves Ac'mg under tic provisions Of the act
lI5D, they ssc on te Secretary give in sdtisfacior
manner, those views Fhich Joe Ad given unsaisic
tonly II desired to know 30 be was i'm favor of n
Tariff, Of Tariff, and b. rffiG ifof TarG up 10 I'M
hub One section Of the country had claimed this Admin
'ration as andIorh while nnoihcr bad garded them
advocates Of Tariff II was wshod 10 have this problem
solved, to have this question settled The Prcicnt mig
have this subject different views from the Secretary
Under this resolution, tic Secretary would be bound
give his opinion 90 ihe points go which De differed lroi
uie President The senate would then determine whic
uIey houghi nsh, 'nl which wrng, or whether either
them was right Amiln So tc conflict OF opinions IL
the proper course 0 tc s5nae go right on and to
thcir duty.
Mr. Brown ti ~ nas Vie ris', 10 CRAFTY the ge6d,
man hon, ainf. .J3 ot3l ,ueH iniormsdon 40 woul