Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-06-30
From the United States Telegraph.

PLUS REVENUE BlLL.-FeW events have
occurred in Congress for many years more
remarkable and important than the vote of
the Senate upon the bill regulating the do
posltes and making a distribution Of the
surplus revenue, after discussion of ma.
ny days, distinguished for moderation, abb
lily, and the absence of all party feelings
The question came up on the bill, and the
vote stood, for the bill, 40. against it, c.
two members were absent, Messrs. Clay
ton and Brown. Those who voted against
1t were Messrs. Benton, Black, Cuthbert,
Grundy, Walker, and Wright. The two
Mississippi Senators it is said were main
ly influenced 10 voting against the bill on
the ground Of some difficulty arising from
provision OF the constitution of the State
which might prevent it from accepting the
deposite.
Considering the importance of the sub
Ject, and the circumstances under which
the bill passed to a third reading few votes
have ever been given in Congress more
remarkable. When the bill was taken up
many doubted the possibility Of passing it
and the most sanguine in its favor antici
paled but small majority. To what,
then, are we 10 attribute a vote SO nearly
unanimous
Ii can only be accounted for, first, from
universal feeling that it was necessary
something should be done to regulate the
deposites, which for so long a time have
been under the control CT the executive
and to make some permanent disposition
oil the vast surplus revenue, which is so
deeply deranging the monetary system OF
the country ; continually transferring the
pu bIlc lands from the people 10 the specu-
lators, and threatening at no very distant
period, TO terminate in the permanent de.
rangement of the currency. 1t is next to
the calm and deliberate mode in which the
question was discussed, which kept down
all party feeling, and gave full scope TO the
patriotic sentiments which exist in the bo
SONS of most Of our citizens, and control
their conduct when not blinded by party
feeling and excitement.
The consequence Of the vote, shonld The
bill become law, which we cannot doubt.
VIII be, first, 10 place the deposites under
the control OF law, and the banks in which
they are placed, beyond the influence and
power OF the Executive branch of the go
vernment and next, TO place the heavy
surplus at the end of the year in the trea
sury Of the several States, IN be used by
them without interest ill the wants Of the
government may require their return,
which, with economy, we trust will not be,
so long as the peace Of the country may
be preserved. The addition of so large a
sum TO the means of the States, cannot
fail TO give mighty impulse to internal
improvements, which of late have been so
ardently commenced under their auspices.
We may, under this impulse. confident
ly look forward 10 a vast extension of the
system of rail roads and canals, which will
penetrate the country in all directions, and
give corresponding impulse TO its wealth
and prosperity. II will do more. II will
restore the equilibrium between the States
and the General Government, on which
the safety of our system depends; the ex.
ls'ence of which has been, and still is
threatened, by the concentration of so
much power in The latter. We see in this
measure should it become a law, as we
confidently anticipate, the commencement
oil a reform which must in few years res
tore the institutions of the country to their
primitive purity, by putting down the
extravaganza and corruption that have
within the last few years struck such deep
roots IN every direction, and which cannot
be eradIcated by any other conceivable
measure but the one in question.