Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1838-02-17
TWENTY-FIVE CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION.
IN SENATE-January 81.
SCB-TREASURY SCHEME.

~
SUB-TREASURY SCHEME.
Mr.. HUBBARD having moved that all pre-
ious orders be postponed for the purpose Of TAX
ing up the bill imposing additional duties as de-
positories certain public officers ard for other
purposes, and n brief conversation having ensu- |
ed, relating partly to the Cumberland road, and
other subjects on the Ia be in which Mr.. WRIGHT |
urged the grca, importance OF the sub-Treasury
bill, and Of acting upon II speedily,
Mr.. CLAY rose, and addressed the Char as
follows:
Mr.. President. The proposition of the Senator
from New Hampshire, l understand it. to
postpone all the orders Of the day which prccede
that measure which is usually called the sub
Treasury bill, for the purpose Of taking that bill
up. Sir. for myself am ready. and always ready,
to meet that bill when it does come up, and TO
discharge my duty in respect to it as far as can
with sach power and humble ability as possess
But Ihave risen on the present occasion to make
a proposition, rather 10 recommend TO the
friends of this bill themselves TO make one.
1t has been said, and said correctly, by the
honorable chairman Of the Finance Committee
that this bill IS of immense Importance; and, sir,
it is my deliberate opinion tnat there has been
no bill, from the commencement of the Govern
ment, of such Tomentous magnitude. or fraught
with such tremendous consequences. as this.
Sir, have no desire to create undue prejudice
against this measure. but l declare my full! and
solemn conv lotion that all the calamities Of war
with the most potent Power on earth would be Il
blessing compared with the consequences OF
This measure. Sir, ! believe il will lead 10 the
consolidation of the Government, or rather the
powers of the Government, in its federal author
ity, andthat will tend to destroy the power and
Influence Of the States themselves. Ii will place
at the feet OF the Secretary of the Treasury a
power equal to the combined power Of the SOC
or 900 banks dispersed throughout the Union and
superadded to this, the whole power Of the late
Du-1 e - g IL.
innate result Ofthis measure, il adopted; it will
place all this power at the feet Of the Secretary
o: the Treasury who himself at the feet Of tho
President of the L. S.
! Entertaining these opinions Of this measure, il
Is my wish, not on my own account, nor OH tina
Of the friends " ith whom am in the habit of act
ing, ut for the sake of the country that this inca
sure should not be taken up. wish that VIC
should receive from our constituents, States and
the People. such instruction expressions OF
their will and opinion they may transmit to
this city The Legislatures Of scv cral S:atesarc
now celebrating ON the subject and some ofthen
have adopted resolutions upon it which have no,
vet reached us. At Richmond know some.
thing has been done Sir, I want hear from
the West, from Albany, from Richmond, from all
quarters of the country that are deeply ard vi
tally interested in this measure before we take
. the vote upon it; and from Harrisburg especially
though last not least, that may hear wha
, the keystone State has to say on this subject
SIR, say, with surprise, that cannot comprc
! bend the recent reversal Of the course of legis
Iation in Congress In the good old days Of for
r mer times, what was the course Of legislation
1hcnlpil great measures OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
In this branch! No, sir; they originated will
the Peoples Representatives IN the other end O
the Capitol. Measures relating to taxes tn,
: public treasure. to orr armies and navics, orr
ginated where they ough, to originate, with thos.
who are nearest the People. There these grea
and important measures were ma:ured and sen
: to the Senate. Bat this safe, republican, demo
cratic source of Legislation has been totally re
> vcrsed. Sir, why is this? Is il the result of aa
peculiar composition of,he Senate, making il near
3 or the Executive, a better mirror Of its view:
that these reversed proceedings have been ad
0 opted! At this session the Army bill has origin
a;cd here; yesterday !hc Land bill THAT grea
4 Agrarian projecD WINS passed here; and now W
= have the Sab-Freasury project here introduce
Sir, is this the proper branch Of Congress for tn
II origin Of such vast measurcse Why are they OF
n iginated here?
g But again; is it not consideration Of pee,
n liar fitness, that we should hear from the otlc
g House before we send them this bill again
!, Last year We sent il, nearly il now is, cxccI
&C that the present bill is far more objectionable
e mschIevous, and monstrous than it was; an
r what became Of it! Sir, it was unacceptable
l. the Representatives, Of the People. They did M
D choose to adopt this new experiment on our pre-
S PcINN, duu tucf Idiu IL OH the tdOc, WncTC i w
$, ped it would lie in perpetual and eternal repos
., Why then, is this measure again brought before
e before we hear from the other House? Let it b
y considered there, and let US hear from the Rcpr
IL senta,ives of the People their views this sui
$, ject.
4 Sir, do not know what will be the fate
e tins measure; but put it 10 the consideration
e the honorable Chairman of the committee and h
Of friends whether II is not more in character 1;
the Senate to wait for these instructions from De
'e 'sativc bodies and other proper and popular sou
II ces, in relation to this measure, rather than tn,
he to hurry its passage Sir, is it right thus to a.
1t to commit ourselves, our judgment, and 0,
vi opinions to this measure till these high and le,
is!a:ive authorities shall be heard from!
| shall make mot ion; have risen for
such purpose: but to recommend to the friends
the measure 10 wait few days OF weeks longe
~ till We hear from those bodies Who have the su
"a iect under consideration.
=, Mr.. WRIGHT, in his reply, went briefly in
the history Of the progress Of the bill; again all
ded to the compia; nss Of delay which he said h
re been made by The opponents Of the bill, and c
81 pressed his readiness submit the will Of q
n Senate as 10 further delay. He would not no