Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1837-01-05
EOR 1EyE ENONLRER.


Enclosed send you copy OF the remarks ol MIR.
Rivrs in the Senate of The IT, States the 2sl ult. as
corrected by himself and published in the Globe. The
sketch published in the Enquirer last week was imper-
feet, and u.s. therefore, The necessary TO give the
enclosed speedy insertion NJ.
January =. ISl7.
REMARKS OF MIR. RlvEs, CT VIRGINIA,
In Senate, Wcdncsday, Dec 2-on the reference Of Mr..
Ca!Aouns bill for continuing the provisions Of the
Deposte bill.
MIR. Rrcs said he in favor Of referring the propo
sition of the Senator from South Carolina Mr Cnloun)
to the Committee Finance and The honorable gen
tcmun seemed to think there would be Of cnur
iesy in giving il that direction, he wOud state briefly
why it seemed to him that, the very principles
which the Senator from South Carolina placed his pro-
position, il ought 10 90 20 that committee and to
other Tic proposition itself assumed that there
would be surplus during the Coming year, in making
provision for its Geposi:c with The States The first in
CURRY, therefore. is there likely to be such surplus
under the existing rates Of duties, combined with the
land sales: The Senator from South Carolina had
tered into calculations 10 show That there would b"
surplus of eght ten millions the next year. Blu,
this matter for difference CT opinion. The Secre
aTy Of the Treasury thought otherwise. The Commit
tee Finance, being specially charged with the cstl
mates Of the public and expenditure, 1.-The
proper tribunal take cognzance oil this question: and
report its opinion the subject 10 the Senate. But,
again: The gentleman from South Carolina had dis
timely said, that if plus be prevented by alter
ing The existing rates OF duties, without serious injury
to any Of the great interests of The country he would
prefer such reduction Of the any
for farther Gcpose with the Safes But whether, and
in what mode such a reduction be effected, is pre-
cisely question for the Committee on Finance The
genlrmans proposition, therefore, drpendlng IN his
view Of it, that question, ought clearly 10 take
the same destination.
For my part, said MIR. R., do no, hesitate TO say,
that il there By any danger OF another surplus arcruing
during the coming year, timely and etlectua measures
should be taken TO prevent by adequate reduction
of the He had given his hearty support 10 the
deposte bill Of The last session. lie considered it,
der the peculiar circumstances Of the case wise,
full and necessary measure, and every days observation
and reflection since had convinced him more ard more
of lis Importance and happy consequences He was
lie should regret The vote lie had given that
casion But situation is essentially different
Then, 4 large surplus had already accumulated our
hands, and the problem was not how to prevent bur how
to dispose of in tine manner least ernicous and hazard
to The country But at tue beginning of
session of Congress, and with the lights derived
from the past, may look ahead, and form
BILE estimate Of The financial prospects of tile Year. If
we cun foresee surplus beyond the just and consu
iiona wants Of the Government as at all probable we
bound every principle of legislative duty, to an.
lcipaie and by suitable Of reduction
The first duty of lie representatives, OF the people is, to
relieve them from unnecessary taxucn, and tn adjust
the public income to prudent and economical c1pendl
lure.