The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-07-11
REMARKS OF Mr.. JOHN w. ALLEN
OF ONO,
ON THE SUB TREASURY BILL,
Delivered in the House Of Representatives,,
lime "a, 1910.


Delivered in the House Of Representatives,,
June "a, 1910
Mn cu.,RMAN When first endeavored to
obtain the floor several days ago, intended to
speak at length upon some topics that have since
been discussed with very great ability bv gen
temen who were more fortunate than myself in
catching the Chairman eye; and at this stage
Of the debate, and of the session, il would be
an unjustifable waste of time for me to travel
over ground so ably pre-occupled by others. !
shall, therefore, sir, omit mentioning some mat
tiers that had occurred to me, and shall be more
brief in my remarks upon some to which | pro-
pose to alludc than otherwise should be-
1t has been said that every gentleman here
was elected with special reference to the vote
he would give upon the bill under consideration,
and that he could not now vote otherwise than
was expected at the time of his election without
violation of the understanding, express or inn
Piled that existed between himself and his con-
stituents. There may be some force in this
mark, but it must be greatly qualified; if we
come here with our minds fixed-our opinions
immoveable-our ears closed against all argu-
ment, we can hardly be entitled to the tppella
ton of a deiiberaiire assembly. Whatever
weight may be attached 10 the proposition by
some gentlemen-for myself do not feel its
force TO any embarrassing extent-I was elected
as an opponent of the administration and its
measures generally but whether should sup
port or oppose this or that particular measure,
neither my constituents nor myself knew with
certainty. They knew was originally and
strongly opposed to this bill, but since the time
now almost two years, that Judgment was pass
cd ure. ..ld upon tud., many occurrences
NAV have taken place to induce change In
some individuals Of the opinion then entertain
ed, both by its friends and its enemies
have, therefore, been an attentive listener to
SOME of the arguments that have been presented
By the advocates of this proposition, with an
anxious desire to ascertain its real merits, If
had before Inexperienced them and to review
thoroughly the opinion heretofore entertained
and expressed its friends urging its adoption
after repeated defeats, with pertinacty show
ing their confidence in its expedlency to be UNI
impaired. If fully satisfied that the welfare
present aud prospective, of the country demand
ed It's adoption, might be constrained, by high
sense Of patriotism and duty TO disregard the
euanglements of party alliance and all personal
considerations, and adopt course OF action
Numerically opposite to that have heretofore
pursued.
was opposed to the Subtreasury plan when
presented al the extra session of Congress IN
1887, and have so continued to this time, and
Tor these reasons among others: because, 1t
will expose the money of the Government to
new hazards Of loss-because it will tend to
make two currences, the better one for the Go
yernment and the poorer one for the people-be-
cause il will involve at the commencement, and
annually thereafter, great expense for which
there is not the slightest necessity OF
The enormous patronage il will put at the dispo-
sal Of the observation-disclosures, practically, II
Will put the public money under his absolute con
troll thereby, contrary to all sound republican
doctrine, to the lessons taught us by history, and
IN utter contempt of the dictates of common
sense, uniting the purse and the sword in the
same hands and, finally, because il is one of a
series Of experiments that has been in process
Of execution for eight years back, and which has
proved little else than a series of disasters and
msiortunes to the country, alike destructive to
the morals, the prosperity, and the happiness OF
our people.
These were some of the objections ! had
70 the proposed measure, and after again hear
ing and considering the arguments presented by
tsinends am obliged to say, that my objections
instead Of being obvialed, have received addi-
tona strength
The questions now in ISSUE understand TO
refer to the mode of keeping the public funds
between the times of collection and disburse
ment and TO the kind of currency in which
4 they shall be received
and SIMPLE and isolated as they appear at
hrstslght, II seems 10 me they involve conside-
TalonS Of the highest Importance to the safety
II ~ P.tui'l VI oul hlslilutlpnS, anu the wei
lure Of our people.
u had the ability to examine them all as
Aty merit, time would not permit at this late
PERIOD ~ the discussion and OF the session and
sa. therefore very briefly alude to but a
FNoi them, and to some Of the reasons urged
" 'ae friends of the bill in its behalf We
wtr told SIR by the gentleman from New
hampshire, (Mr Atherton,) that the banks
XXX We custody and use of the public money.
n y, m banks, or but part and il a part which ?
"heh and how did they do it, and by whom
-" 2 whom was the claim preferrcd2 This is
question OF fact, and like other matters of fact.
must be susceptible of proof Where, ask
Hs' = ne proof! Let il be shown, or let the
M5t ~ withdrawn. do not believe it is well
lluu'd Or that a particle of evidence can be
"N'fd TO warrant such an inference, and my
pWoh =, that the banks would be reluctant &c
7" Ui' public money at all; and they certainly
"l luNc i i they were to be vilifed as
hiF' been Tor three years past, by the party
1--we But il ! am incorrect as To the fact
oae nave preferred claim for which Their,
uo foundation whatever. A claim presup
'rS rgh; and the banks have no more right
" custody Of the public funds than has :
tPlEe company. II is not upon any basis %
tW mat The opponents Of this measure woulc
me money ia them, nor on account of III,
hsaS Such-buAfor its safety, and for the be
W y NE people, and 10 avoid the manifol,
"seI' incident to the contemplated system