The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-12-17
in SENATE.
TUESDAY, DEC. !

TUESDAY, DEC. Is, 1910.
REPEAL OF THE suB-rREssURY ACT
There was a most animated and interesting debate
to-day on the following resolution, submitted by Mr..
Clay of Kentucky
"Resoired That the act entitled can act TO provide
for the collection safe keeping, transfer and disburse
ment OF the public revenue ought to be forthwith re-
pcaled and that the Committee on Finance be IN
structed TO report accordingly
Mr.. CLAY said il was not his purpose TO invite re-
newa of the discussion of the sub Treasury policy
participate in any reorganization OF that con-
demned measure He would urge TO cupnt
with the rope around his neck, and while in the cart
the road to execution that the conviction was ac-
cording TO law and JUSTICE he would go into course
of reasoning to show that the sub-Treasury system
ought to be abandoned But he felt it due 10 the Sc
nate and the country to state why he thought the
binary Of legslation-which was to raise re-
solution OF inquiry into the expectancy OF repeal or to
introduce bill for the repeal OF particular measure
ought to be dispensed with the present occasion
Ii (said he) we should look back to 1900, when Mr.
Jefferson into power but by far less general de-
csion Of the public in his faver than that which has
called General Harrison to the Chief Magisracy. If
we should suppose that the Alien and Sedon act had
been passed for permanent duration, would we not
think il idle in the majority in Congress ut that time TO
have introduced resolution instructing Committee
to inquire into the expediency Of repeating measure
so generally censuredl This ub-Treasury bill has
been discussed for than three years longer than
the Whole period of the last war and half as long as
the war oethe Revolution; and after this discussion,
the nation has, in the most unequivocal manner, ex
pressed its feelings and opinions respecting it,
"The nation" exclaimed MIR. Clay with peculiar
emphasis mills its repeal-the nation commands its
repeal" There in this Chamber Senators from
nineteen States who stand instructed to vote for its
repeal
We may contend as to what was, and what was
not involved in the late contest There are many
measures and many questions, as to whether and TO
what extent they connected with the struggle.
Gentlemen on the other side have heretofore been
fond Of declaring, that such election decided this
that and the other that the people had sustained,
the upon the banks the removal of dcposites,
&c, &c. There was room for controversy IN all
those cases but to the Sub Treasury system there
cou be doubt all about the decision of the peo
pie. The nation had pronounced judgment against
the measure; and when the nation has spoken, has
,oiiled has condemned what should be done in SO
clear and Ineligible manner, what necessity was
there for committee Of the Senate to inquire as to
what the Senate ought to do Who of the Senators
from these nineteen States referred to, will stand up
and say he WILL under these circumstances oppose
the repeal2 Those Senators whose constituents have
given different verdict may, indeed, oppose it-but
surely the obedient republicans from the ant-Su
Treasury States will find no difficulty in complying
with the wishes of their fellow citizens
Mr.. CLAY said he had hoped that the President
would with that magnanimity which might have been
expected from his office, have announced the will of
the nation and recommended to Congress course of
policy conforming to that will He had too much re-
spec for Mr.. Van Buren,, and too much consideration
for human nature to have wished that the President
should come to Congress and say have been wrong
all this time | have been urging you measures
founded in error But he did expect that the Presi
dent would at least have referred to the nations i'm
perative will SO decsiyely pronounced Least of all,
added Mr. Clay, was prepared to find the resident,
instead of recommending repeal of the Sub treasury,
gravely proposing amendments to the b-emcnda-
tons Of the details Of which the country has
Overwhelmingly condemned IN the principle, and in
the whole scope Of its tendency and character and
where both the President and the Secretary know that
it could not endure, act of Congress longer than
the first day of the first session that could be called
der the administration of President Harrison, if the
majority in Congress will persevere in resisting
its repeal.
The President had spoken of the successful opera
ton the Sub-treasury Mr.. Clay said ii would have
been satisfactory if the President Secretary
had gone little into detail on this point, and stated
what alterations had grown up in the fiscal admins
tratlon and under the new system Instead of doing
that simply told in very general terms, that the
system has satisfied the expectation of It's authors
and is now in successful operation. The country
would inquire into the truth Of this general declaration
He lived (thank Heaven !! far from any Receivers
General but he would ask the Senator from New
Hampshire, (Mr Hubbard, who does live IT. the vi
cinty of a Receiver General, (lsaac Hill,) and who
has often defended the Secretary of the Treasury
with much zeal and carnestncss-by the way, (con-
tinued Mr. Clay in laughing tone,) the Secretary
has been very ungrateu in deprvng his distinguished
advocate Of seat in this body He would ask, ALSO
the Senator from New York state what the ope-
ration-how it worked, and how il affected the none
tary concerns of the Government. Mr. Clay believed
there was not the slightest difference between the fs
cal practice of the Government now and that which
had preceded July last and he entered into number
OF details to prove this position, and To show that there
was in point of fact divorce of the Government from
the banks. he maintained, Therefore that no incon-
Venience would result from the rcpcal-that things
would be precisely they were in July last with this
that the accounts instead of being opened
with a Collector or Receiver on his own individual
credit he hoped would be opened with the Treasurer
Of the United States had been the in other and
better times. But whatever inconvenience might re
suit, the duty of the Senate plain and he for
was ready TO discharge his He would obey the voice
Of the nation.
Mr.. Clay concluded with saying that, if the Sena-
tors on the other side wanted time to make up their
minds he would agree to let the resolution lie for
The present
After MIR Clay sat down, Mr.. WRIGHT instant
y rose, and thanked the Kentucky Senator for having
presented this issue. lie did desire to discuss il,
but wanted the Senate to be full when il should be
decided. MIR. Wright then passed on to the old and
topics of abuse against the Harrison party
hat they had declared their principles previous
the election and argued that the country had given
no judgment on the Sub treasury. He maintained
hat the verdict had been given at the Congress
,ional elections year ago. He asked had the late
Election decided the question of National Bank p
~ ol the State Bank Deposte System had it settled
my thing but that this Capitol ought To be taken
iown and Log Cabin erected in its place and that
we should have gourds and coon-skins suspended
where those magnificent paintings were hung Ger
anly the late contest proved this much that the
independent Treasury ought TO he repealed He said
he was ready always 10 obey the supreme will but he
protested that the verdict OF the people against
the Sub Treasury. II the law had not been carried
out, that was reason for repeating it. He would
have preferred If Mr. Clay had taken his examples OF
he practical operation of the measure from Philadel
phia instead of New York In the latter CITY, he adj
mitied that sigrwoTiusDs or THg RFvEsuE ARR