Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-09-22
CONGREss s.

peareu mat MT DICKENS nhu all tne No'cS,
and he was consequently elected. Mr. Dick
ems was then sworn.
On motion of Mr. GRUMPY, the Senate
proceeded TO the election of a Chaplain,
On the third ballot, the Rev. Mr. Slicer had
33 votes out Of al given, and was elected.
Mr. WRIGHT from the Committee on FL
nance, reported Bill to postpone the trans
fer of the 4th instalment of the revenue to
the States, which was read first time.
Mr. WRIeHT said that he was instructed
say that this Bill would be called up to-
morrow when the Committee hoped to re-
port more fully.
MIR CALHOUN hoped the Bill would be
pressed through, but that the whole OF the
measures would be acted on together.
Mr. WEBSTER expressed his hope that
whatever measures were to be adopted to
meet the exigencies of the country, they
would be acted on promptly. He had not
the good fortune TO concur in that report, not
regarding it as suited to the existing exigen-
cies. But he should do nothing to impede
the progress of measures, beyond brief
statement of his own views. He desired to
leave the matter in the hands Of those ma
iorities in the two Houses which sustain the
Administration.
Mr. CALHOUN thought it due to the coun-
try that there should be early action. but II
was due to Congress that there should be
deliberation.
The Bill was then ordered to second
reading.
Mr. BENTON presented memorial from
the Chamber Of Commerce of ST. Louis,
praying for the incorporation Of National
Bank, which was referred to the Committee
on Finance.
| Mr. ALLEN presented memorial from
Ohio, against all Banks, which was refer
red.
| Mr. HUBBARD presented some petitions
and moved their reference, which led to a
conversation concerning the course Of busi-
ness. Mr. Calhoun and MIR Buchanan stat
ed their wish that no general business should
be taken up. On motion Of MIR BUCHANAN
the petitions were laid on the table.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. heSpeak-
er announced the appointment Of the Stand
ing Committees.
The unfinished business, was the resolu-
lion heretofore offered by Mr. Biddle OF
Penn. directing the Secretary Of the Treas
ury TO report to the House, whether letter
purporting to have been addressed by him
TO the Clerk of the House, offering pay.
men, in specie to the members Of Congress
was authentic, and il SO, whether any dis
tIncton was made in payment OF the differ
ent classes or Government debtors.
Mr. Bidde said that the litter referred 10
had struck him, on the first reading, as be-
ing exceplionable, and that, on further reilec-
ton, he had found his first impression con-
firmed. He would now call the attention
Of the House to it, although il was with ex.
IRENE repugnance that be felt himself com
" tide Bfef contained IN the letter was in.
tended as a matter OF grace on the part of
the Secretary OF the Treasury-if il rested
on the absolute discretion OF that officer to
say how the limited specie in the possession
oil the government should be disposed Of
II followed as matter of course that fayors
thus bestowed might thus be Withdrawn at
any moment. They might be Withdrawn
from the whole House. or merely from GER
tain obnoxious Members OF the House
The specie nigh! be taken from them and
given 10 any other class of claimants on the
Treasury, whom ii might sun the interests
OF the Secretary TO conciiate or reward. Il
''S"' " bi'NH " VIC SuuScS Ot tue gu
Preme Court who were now paid in depre-
oiated paper; thus, by the mere FIAT of one
individual, increasing or diminishing their
compensation at will. 1t might have been
given TO Judges Of the District Court whilst
the Mandamus case was pending, and sub
sequenty might have been taken away
Under such circumstances, was it not to be
expected that the people should see with as
PUNISHMENT that the amount OF pay awarded
to their Representatives depended on the
will OF single Executive officer, and was
liable to huctuate with his caprice2 Was
it consistent with the safety of our Govern
ment, and the purity of our institutions, that
our condition should be thus precarious2
But, continued Mr. b., looking at the mat.
ter in another light Congress had been
called together for the special purpose of
considering the state Of the currency, and
the President of the United States was desi.
rous that the attention OF Congress should
be confined 10 that point. The Representa-
tives there assembled were supposed to be
fresh from the people--coming directly from
among them--and bearing with them due
sympathy for the distresses of people who
had been suddenly reduced to extreme suf
fering, by irredeemabe promises to pay in
silver and gold on demand The members
OF the House had seen the evils under which
the people labored at every turn of their
path, they had been engaged in decypher-
ing mysterious scrolls and paper enpray
ngs, which they were compelled TO receive
as money For what nurooe. H., - :.