The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-12-19

former. Does he mean 10 inform Congress that
twenty -three are less than twenty-elghti II
not, why are the two thus placed IN JuxtaposI-
toni The Secretary Of the Treasury treats
the matter in much the same way He speaks
of the deposites with the States as Of funds in
the Treasury. Look at his report In stating
the resources Of the Treasury, he mentions the
20 millions ON deposite with the States What
can be the purpose OF such statement When
a Secretary Of the Treasury presents TO the
world statement Of the means OF his Depart
ment, il is universally supposed that his state
ment Is confined TO what either exists IN the
Treasury, or is likely TO accrue under the opera
ton OF existing laws. But this deposite with
the States is no more under the control OF the
Treasury than any other money in the country
He knows full well that an act of Congress Is as
necessary TO his disposal of any part Of that
sum, as il is 10 augment the rate Of duties at
the custom house. The Treasury can no more
use the deposites with the States, than il, can
lay direct tax. What can be the purpose-the
fair purpose-of presenting sums as funds in the
Treasury when they are not In the Treasury
Oh what can be the fair purpose OF referring TO
fund as a means OF payment, when II cannot
be touched, unless the President means 10 re-
commend to Congress to recall the deposltes
made with the States2 That Congress can do,
and so il can augment the rate OF duties; but
till it does, those deposites no more means
in the Treasury than if they belonged to an
other nation. The day, hope, will COME
have long desired it-when we shall see plain
fact plainly stated; when the reports Of our fs-
cal officers will deal less in guesses at the future
and will use forms and phrases will not say
which are designed to mislead or to mystiiy, but
the result of which is to mislead and TO mystify
the nation.
! said that though the honorable Secretary
pretty clearly intimates that we must resort TO a
new issue Of Treasury notes, yet the result OF
all is, that if Congress wish to avoid the neces-
sity either of increasing the duties, or Of issuing
new Treasury notes, he has resource ready for
them, viz to rednce their appropriations below
even his own estimates This is much like what
he told US last year: and yet when we did re-
duce our appropriations within even his estl-
mates, still the Treasury is in want of money.
One other remark is suggested by what the
President says to us on the 9th page of his Mes
sage. He tells US that it is possible to avoid the
"creaton of permanent debt by the General
Government and then goes on to OBSERVE
"But, to accomplish so desirable an object, two
things are indispensable: first, that the action
of the Federal Government be kept within the
bounds prescribed by its founders" Now, did
suppose that this duty of keeping the action of
the Federal Government within the bounds of
the Constitution was absolute; that il was not
affected by times, circumstances, or condition,
but was always peremptory and mandatory
What is the inference to be drawn from the
Presidents language If the Treasury is empty,
you must keep within the Constitution and
what if il is full2 Are you to break its bounds2
To transcend the Constitution had always
thought we should neither be tempted 10 this by
an OVERLOOKING Treasury, nor deferred by an
empty one from taking such course as the exi-
gencies of the country might require.
There is also an important omission in the
Message, to which would call the notice of the
Senate and of the country. The President says
the revenue has fallen off two and half millions
of dollars under two biennial reductions Of the
rate of duties at the custom-houses under the
law of 1888 Be it So But do we not all know
that there is before us, within year, much
greater REIMBURSEMENT" if that is the term to
be applied to it, and within year and half
more another and the last of these reductions
Do we not see, then, from the present existence
Of large debt, and from this further reduction
of duties Chat is, if nothing shall be done to
change the law as il now stands) that case is
presented which will call for the deliberaton and
wisdom of Congress, and that some effort will be
required to relieve the country2
But here is no recommendation at all on the
subject of the revenue. No increase is recon-
mended of the duties on articles of luxury, such
as wines and silks, nor any other way suggested
Of providing for the discharge Of the existing
debt. Now the result of the whole is, that the
experience of the President has shown that the
diture; that the Government is spending seven
millions year beyond It's income; and that we
are in the process of running right into the jaws
of debt; and vet there is not one practical recon-
mendation as to the reduction of the debt, or its
extinguishment; but the Message contents it.
self with general and ardent recommendations
not to create a debt
know not what will have to be done TO meet
the deficiency Of the next quarter. ! suppose
his recommendation to issue Treasury notes will
be followed. | should, myself, have greatly pre-
ferred tax on French wines and silks. II Is
obvious that if this something like IT is not
done, the time approaches, and is not far OIL
when the provision will have TO be made by an
other Congress.
have thus stated my views of this portion of
the Message think il leads TO what may rem
der an Extra Session necessary-a result great
" deprecate on many accounts, especially on ac-
count of the great expenditure with which It
will unavoidably be attended. hope, there
fore, that those who have now the power IN
their hands will make such reasonable and ade-
quate provision for the public exigency as may
render the occurrence Of an Extra Session
avoidable.
Mr. WRIGHT rose and observed that il was
his duty to answer the remarks Of the honorable
Senator who had just taken his seat. The Sc
nator had referred TO but one point on which Mr.
w. was not in possession of the requisite docu-
mentary authority: II II were the pleasure Vi
the Senate, he could wish the further considera-
ton of the resolution postponed; but if not, he
would now proceed.
The postponement was ordered by general
consent; when,
Mr.. CALHOUN moving an adjournment,
The Senate adjourned.
THE DAY AFTER A BATTLE.-There are few
sadder things IN life than the day after battle.
The high beating hope, the bounding spirits
have passed away, and in their stead comes the
% neiin,, hu which every nver pyrnuphI