Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1837-01-12
TWcnty-fOurth Congress,
SECOND SESSION.
REMARKS OF MIR. RivEs, OF w.
N sENArn, me. ~, 1896.


Nies,) showed conelu,ivcly that there were
nsuperoble objection, 10 tho adoption OF The
resolution proposed by the honorable Senator
from ohiu (Mr EWing) for resembling The
Treasury order OF | lth July hast In the first
place, thu form OF the proceedings was alto
gcthci unusual and Inappropriate. II proposed
10 rfscind an Executive act. But the business
OF Congress was mol Ia luvalidatr or confirm
Executive acts, but 10 pass td,cs or in other
words establish rules operating in future, To
which executive action would thereafter con
lorm.-The action oi the legislative authority
ought TO he original, independent, aud pro- pee
i've, and bear on lis face no reference 10 The
acts of any other department.
Indeed, it's difficult 10 conceive what reason
there can be for giving tho particular form pro
posed 10 the action of Congress IN this case, IN
less II he TO imply censurc on the act To be re
scinded. But however unprcpared may be,
al present (saId Mr.. X make the provisions
OF the Treasury circular the permanent policy
oi the Government, | will not concur IN any
proceedings which shall cast a censure on, the
Executive ior issuing IT. Whatever may hay
been, Or may still be, its actual operation (nnd
ON chs point the diversity Of testimony aud %
plnlon among those far better informed than
have any means OF being IS So great rs 10 render
any judgment might be able To form of but
liltle weight otone thing am well persuaded,
that the motives which induced the Chief Ma
gistratc to direct II to be issued, were of the
most honorable and patriotic character. must
say, also, tina, Notwithstanding the ability and
talent displayed on this, rs ON all other occa-
SONS, by the learned Senator from Massarhu-
sets, (Nlr Websier) he has not in my hum
Bile Judgment, succeeded IN establishing any
want of legality IN the measures adopted by the
Executive. Whatever rule, therefore, Congress
may deem II necessary and eXpedienl 10 csab-
lsh for the future collection Of the public rcy,-
nue. shall, for one be opposed 10 any mode of
action on the subject, which shall lmpy "A cen
sure for The past
The honorable Senator from Connections
(Nr Nilcs) has, in my Judgment presented the
Executive order of July last in its tru. liaht, n,
temporary and occasional act growing oul of
an extraordinary state of things then xistinu
II was designed To meet that state o, things, and
may have been wise and salutary ms A lempora-
ny act to operate until the meeting OF Congress
while lis continuance rs a permanent lepisla-
i've rule would be inexpcdien, The prcsi-
dent himself evidently regards it in thi, light
In his message at the commencement of the
session, he submits the whole subject for the
consideration of Congress- and while he recon
mends To them earnestly the adoption of some
measure for limiting the sales of the public
lands, he attaches but little importance to the
future rcqusilion of specie in payment for them
Now, sir, BEG leave To say, in advance that
any practicable and equal measure which shall
be diges,ed by the gentlemen Of the west, 10 pre-
vent the great evil of a monopoly of the public
domain in the hands Of spectators, shall meet
with my hearty concurrence A bill for thai
purpose ia already before us. and without hay
ing examined, or being prepared Ia express
an opinion of lis details, | hone il will re
ceiee the prompt consideration and action of
Congress
But to return 10 The Treasury order The Pre-
sident ha, done what he deemed his duty, under
the peculiar and extraordinary circumstances of
the cmergGncy.-We ,arc now called upon To
perform ours, in establishing some definite aud
permanent rule for the future collection oil the
revenue. An indispensable characteristic of a
ny permanent system must be its uniformity -
The genius of our institutions demands equality
in the laws, and especially in the fiscal opera
tons OF the Government 1t does not allow, as
a permanent regulation. that specie shall be re-
CURED in payment of one branch of the feye-
nue., while bank notes received for anoth
er--that one rule OF collection shall prevail in
the west, and another in the east Whatever
medium of payment therefore, Congress shall
prescribe for one portion of the public dues,
ought to be extended 10 every other.
Shall that medium IN public receipts and dis
bnrsements be specie exclusively Even If
this should be the ultimate policy of the Gov
eminent, the currency IS in my opinion. not
yet ripe for It's adoption. Specie must first diff |
fuse itself more generally through the ordinary
business of sociely,-thc common channel, OF
must be better filed with the metal |
lie currency before the Government can, with |
justice 10 the rublic debtor, sternly demand pay
ment of its dues in gold or silver exclusively.
The only cflcctual means by which a larger cir
culalion Of gold and silver in the general trade
and business of the community can be obtained,
is the suppression of bank notes of the smaller
This is that practical reform
of the currency, which has been held steadily
i'll view by the present administration and IT'S
friends ; and in preparing for which, much ha,
already been accomplished in the important
steps {, putting down the Bank OF the United
h. l., a., la, al