The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-07-20
gmemtp-Seosnth Congrfss.
FIRST SESSION.
IN SENATE,
SATURDAY, July II 1871

the extra session, in seven resolutions. They con.
sidered this extra session OF Congress eminenty min.
dcious and subJecfng the country to a useless ex-
pense They denied that the Bank question had been
at issue in the late Presidential CONTEST and declared
that Bank Of the United States was unconstiu-
tiona in whatever FORM and exercised the most dead
~ hostility TO the liberty Of the counlry-conferrng
benefits on The few at the expense Of the MANY cor.
rupting IN its nature and tending 10 smother The yoce
OF The people that II their right and duty 10 wage
an inteInlnable war against H. and il passed TO re-
peal IT. Also against the Distribution bill and as
unconstitutional
He needed NOT TO say that be fully concurrcd in all
these sentiments from this highly respectable quarter
IL the first voice on this subject from The ancient
Dominion, which had stood in the front ranks
for the defence Of the principles Of the Constitution
lie also took the opportunity to say that the repeal of
this was Their object, if it passed-that they had
right TO repeal IT, and he believed its existence in
compatible with the interests of the country
Al his motion the proceedings Of the meeting were
read laid ON the table, and ordered 10 be printed,
Mr. CALHOUN said as he had the floor he would
peifor personal duty He referred to an article
ia the National Intelligence Of this morning under
the editorial bead, which he said had for its object
recommend TO the good people of The United States
the propdety Of the gsg-law. He had no objection to
their advocating it, If they pleased but they had in
its justification referred 10 the proceedings Of Con-
gress in 1872 and very strongly implied if they had
not declared, tina, II was used and supported by him,
Mr. Calhoun m the passage OF The bill declaring
against Great Britain He then went TO cor
was not used in reference TO this bill, and relating
some Of the circumstances attendant It's passage
MIR. CLAY replied with reference TO the facts of
the case, showing thai another question then in
use which obviaed in great degree the necessity of
the Prerous question being question of eonstdera-
tion viz Will the House consider
Mr.. Clay said he was willing TO admit, that in
sultation with his political friends there had been dis
cussions in relation to the adoption Of mode Of
abbreviating the debates, and shortening the present
session. and ne for one was prepared To give the ma
Jorltv power OF terminating cessariy protracted
and useless discussion. The Senator from South
Carolina had doubt heard Of these little con suta
tioDs and this might have been the why he had
| used the term gag which he had endesvored TO
make out 10 be analogous with the alien and seditlon
law. But was that the fact The alien and sedltion
law was made to control the masters who spoke
against their sefcants-to prevent the people from
writing speaking against the high functionaries of
Government; while the one contemplated 10 be here
adopted woud he for the benefit Of the people
to make the servants do the business of the nation
and stop taking and spending their masters time and
money. Mr. e. said he ready, for his part, de-
privc the Opposition Of the power of breaking up the
session without finishing the business for which it
had been convened.
! Mr. CALHOUN said the alien and sedi,ion law
was bad enough; but what Mr. Clay proposed
worse. That gagged the people, while this would
gag the peoples Representatives
The Loan Bill then taken up.
Mr.. ALLEN offered amendment, providing
that the money raised under The loan after supplying
the immediate wants of the Treasury, shou be APP
piled only 10 the defence Of the country.
be said he had yesterday endeavored 10 ascertain
from the friends OF this bill, how much actually
required for the supply Of the immediate wants Of the
Treasury
I Mr. CLAY repeated the statement of the Secre-
tary of the Treasury, which he had yesterday pre-
sented, showing that there a deficit in the Trea
sury for the current year of twelve millions dollars
This excluded all reserve fund which had been uni
formy considered necessary by a the Secretaries of
the Treasury; TO include hich and also necessary
appropriations for Home Squadron for ordnance
and for the War Department made deficit OF nine
teen and half millions dollars But uding from
tins calculation the reserve fund, and The two and
half millions for Notifications, st left fourteen and
half millions deficit beng two and half millions
more than proposed by this bill.
Mr.. ALLEN said the present condition of the
Treasury was matter of doubt and the report of the
Secretary involved in much mystery that none OF
his friends agreed the present condition Of the
Treasury lie referred To article Of correspon-
dent of the National lntelligencer who progressed to
have an accurate knowledge of the condition OF the
Treasury which stated that the deficit amounted to
three and a half millions dollars. Now, here was a
bill for twelve millions and it was by j, proposed to
meet expenses Of the first part of next year. They
might as well bring in bill for hundred thousand
dollars making provision for future wants.
lie proposed 10 confne, by his amendment. the loan
TO the actual wants OF The Treasury, and the appro-
prlatons for defence of the country which might be
made at this session. and provide by any pos
sibiilty against distribution of the proceeds OF the
sales of the public lands. If this distribution
made they would have memorials from all the States
founded on calculations, give them their whole share
now, instead Of giving il in instruments The States
would never submit TO having Ibis distribution in in
8, almentsihe moment they admitted the right OF the
States to the land, they would claim inSanier and
the whole question now was, will you divide up
all your public lands now Then they would find
log-rolhng in our legislation here is called in the
West, when different, interests conflict. This propo-
sltion would rally TO its support the entire banking in
teress of The country,
MIR. HUNTINGTON, in his remarks on this
amendment, which would be very bnef should not
touch the Distribution bill but went on this bill from
the documents submitted 10 them by the Secretary of
the Treasury he amendment proposed 10 limit the
loan topaymcnt OF present debts and such future debts
ng hi be contracted for the deiences of the coun-
Try. His objection was first, that the Senate YES
terday decided that thew would not by this bill
stab future legislation; but from the of the
country they would vute for this bill, and then when
other bills came up they would decide them
Might not the Government be allied on for money for
objects other Than the defence of the country Should
they say in advance that they would tie % the hands
Of Congress- lie believed with the Senator from
Kentucky, that the whole amount Of The loan re-
CURED for the actual wants of the Treasury; and
hoped the amendment would he rejected
MIR ALLEN called the yeas and nays which were
ordered
Mr. CALHOUN was in favor Of this amendment
As TO the defences of the country no mo-
ney ought to be appropriated until the entire system of
orheations was revised As to the present prospects
Of war, he did not believe there would be a war He
should vote for this amendment committing himself
10 the support Of no system of fotlfca ons but go
ing Tor limitation n the loan
Mr.. ALLEN said there was no specified fortified
tons In the amendment, but It's design t. uu ho.
rze after The meeting Of the actual wants of the rrca.
sury the remainder TO he applied 10 Qualifications which
should be considered necessary by Congress,
Mr. WaLhER said II this amendment passed, he
alA tfI Ia.kr - IL 4.