State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-04-19
In the House Of Representatives, .narch 25
INCENDIARY PUBLICATIONS.

Mr.. HALL, of Vermont, from the Com
mit,ee on the Post Office and Post Roads,
asked leave to make Il report OIL behalf of
the minority of that committee, on that part
ofthe message relative to incendiary publ
cations.
On rising, Mr. Hall said it was proper
he should prccede the report he was about
to submit with brief statement. About the
first or second week of the session, when
the Presidents Message was dissected by
the resolutions of the gentleman from New
York, mir Beardsloy,) so much of it as re-
lated to the Post Office Department, in
Guiding the subject Of incendiary publica-
lions was referred to the committee on the
Post Office and Post Roads. The commit
tee took the subject into immediate consld-
Grafton, and in the course of some two OF
three weeks came to the conclusion, by a
vote of six TO three in favor of the constltu
tionality and eXpediency oflegislaton, TO
restrain the mali circulation of these pub
| locations. The committee then proceeded
to discuss various bills, proposed by differ
ent melnbers of the committee, and contln'
ued the discussion from week to week, and
time TO time, until about three weeks since
when majority not being able to agree on
any mode oflegisiatiOn, the whole subject
was by vote Of tho majority laid on the Ia
bic of the committee, with the view, as he,
(Mr H. understood of waiting the further
action of the Senate, and getting further
liqht on the subject.
Mr.. II. said he did not complain of thi
decision of the committee, and he was rea
dy to accord to the majority the same up
right motives which lie would claim tO
himself They doubtless supposed there
was reasonable probability of their c
ventually coming TO an agreement. Eut
: believing as he did, that the more ligh
gentlemen got, the more difficulty the.
would find in agreeing on n bill, he coul,
not help considering the subject us dispos
ed of for the session. Whether this wa
the case or not, the minority Of the com
mittee, having come TO the conclusion tina
Congress possessed no constitutional powe
to pass any law on The subject were through
with their inquiries, had completed thei
investigation and were ready to report
And the nature Of their report could no
he affected by the future action, or want q
action, on the majority. This report of til
minority was now and must continue I
be, that Congress had no power to act o.
the subject.
Mr. II. said the position of the minorit
was very peculiar. The subject reierre
to the committee was one of much intercs
The President, in his message, had recon-
, mcnded legislation to Congress; his argu
, ment, the argument of the Postmaster Gen
cral, and that of II distinguished Senate
, the chairman of committee Of auolhe
f body, NIL in favor of legislation, had bee
: printed, laid on the tables, and read Il
I every member In this hall not a wore
/ not whisper had been heard in oppos
ton 20 the principles thus promulgated
In the face of this official array of inge,
ious argument, the minority, acting undo
the oath they had taken TO support ii
Constitution Of the United States, had ft
it to he their irnperious duty 10 oppose
: committee every form Of legislation wlc