The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-27

"o Stranger than the argument urged Dy some Behte
men that We ought to keep up these branch mints be
cause they had cost people a mint OF money. The
Charlotte mint says these economists, cost S5O,OOO
the Dahlonega $4,000; the New Orleans $SOO,OOO
besides large appropriations 10 them every year since
their MISUNDERSTANDING like $40, 600 each TO
the Solth Carolina and Georgia branches, and nearly
$4,000 to the New Orleans branch-in all $4,000
annually The wise said " there Is no new
thing under the sun" Ii may be doubted whether he
would have held this opinion had his birth been pos
poned TO day, and his mind been addressed by the
argument that because an exlrayagant and useless
thing great deal Of money, ought TO continue
10 waste great deal more money on il. This Is an
idea, methinks, which would seem even to Solo
II is not likely to find favor with the American
people.
The whole Of this yearly expenditure can be saved
by aboshng these useless, and viewed as unnecessa
~ implements Of Executive power, these dangerous
branch minis. And yet, some gentlemen say tins Is
not the time TO of this wasleiu expenditure. Do
not, say my Georgia friends, withhold this apProprla
lion now IL is small matter; let enjoy 1t while
longer. MIR. Chrirman, was never more thoroughly
convinced than since the discussion the subject OF
these branch minis up, that the whole OF them
ought to be discontinued by striking out the aPproPn
alton for them. No member has shown-no member
show, their utility One of my friends from Geor
gia thought these appropriations ought to be continued
for the honor and glory of the country can see no
honor and glory in this wastefu expenditure OF public
money. consider the gu son purely matter OF
dollars and cents to the Governments the only thing
that be said TO be in its favor Isl that the nelghbo
hood around these establishments might be benefited
TO some extent at expense to the balance oil the
people and the Government of upwards of seventy
thousand dollars | am for economy in the expendI-
ditures of the public money, and for cutting down all
useless and extravigant expenditures. My friend from
Ohio is in favor OF economy, and Is against these
branch mint establishments, and greatly IN favor OF
aboshing them at proper time, but thinks this is not
the time; that should wait until General Harrison
comes into power and we have a ma ory Of his friends
and party in power; and then he should be willing TO
60 intoa general system of economy No man IN this
House is a friend of General Harrison than
am; my friendship for him sprung upn my early life,
amidst hardship and danger, and will there remain to
the end of life No man in this House or elsewhere
feels anxious for the honor and glory of his ad
minstration than do. But The honor and glory OF
his administration and of those who assisted In bring
ing him into power can be maintained only by faith
full and honest observance of all the promises and
pledges made TO the People before his election for
one intend TO keep them to the letter and spirit and
shall embrace every opportunity to cut down unne-
cessary expenditures of public money; and am for
commencing now-the earlier the better; now is the
accepted time. The Treasury is without dollar
borrowing money TO meet its daily expenses.
A few days ago had the honor of offering resou-
tion the sole object of which to raise revenue
upon wines and silks and other luxuries sufficient to
meet the economical expenditures of the Government
and pay the deficit of the Treasury. This alarmed
some Southern gentlemen, and they cried out " Ia
riff Tariff These same gentlemen were unwi-
ling to reduce the unnecessary expenditures of Go
vernment, and still more unwilling to raise money by
tax upon such articles the great body of the people
would not feel, and which tie compromise act autho-
rzed and required to meet any deficit in the Treasury
|, for one, am for carrying out the compromise act.
am the last man that would disturb that compromise
Kentucky's great and avorite had brought about
the act moved by patriotism and love of country, and
saved of the distinguished men of the South
from utter ruin and perhaps disgrace. would say to
portion of this House more attached than to GER
tain gentlemen of their delegation; and if not
duty which owe to my constituents, who stand first
with me before all other friends and the good of my
country, would be disposed to withdraw my motion;
but when their interests at stake must be excused
in going for it and the interests of my country in pre-
ference to all other considerations on earth.
The resolution to which have referred is in the
following words:
Resoiped, That the Committee of Ways and Means
be instructed to inquire into the expediency
sity of laying duties upon wines, silks, linens,
and other luxures as will be sufficient to meet the
economical expenditures of the Government, to re-
deem the outstanding Treasury notes. and pay OF all
such other debts may be due and owing by the Go
vernment.
By the act of 1882, silks, wines and linens pay
duty less than 10 per centum adj palore and come
within the provision of the compromise act By this
act ii is provided that Sin the contingency either of
duties on articles which, by the aforesaid act of the
fourteenth day of JULY 1882 subject less rate
of duty than twenty per centum ad valorem 1.-THE du
ties may be altered, In such manner as not 10 exceed
that rate and adjust the to either of
the said contingencies" Now, the value of these ar
tices imported into country is about thirty millions
of dollars and, at duty of 20 per centum adj vaorem
would produce yearly revenue of six millions of dol
lars TO the Treasury. am in favor of this increase
of duties articles of luxury not only for the pur
pose of raising revenue sufficient pay the debts of
the Government and to meet its expenses but
for another, and, In my judgment, a very important
reason. Our tobacco and wheat exported to France
England, and other parts of Europe, taxed to an
extent which greatly diminishes the consumption of
those articles, raises Of astonishing amount
for the Governments of the importing countries, and
greatly deprecaes the value of the articles to the
American producers In illustration of this topic, all
low me, Mr. Chairman, to call your attention to the
duty laid in England and France American tobacco,
wheat, &c. Wheat pays average duty in England
of about 40 per cent and tobacco duty of rs cents
per pound or about 500 per cent. In France these
duties are greatly exceeded.
Mr.. Chairman, my constituents are agricultural
people, and obtain the means of subsistence by their
honest laborious industry. Among these hardy cul-
tivators of the soil was born and bred delight to
60 among Them glory in my association with them
and consider it my first political duty to represent
faithfully TO the best of my understanding their inte
rests and opinions This l shall continue to do so
long they shall honor with seat on this floor.
believe that | echo however feebly their voice,
when denounce these branch minis useless esta-
blishments numbering the machinery of the Govern
ment wasting the money fthe people, and increasing
the fearful power and patronage of the Executive
My constituents sir their money too hardly not
to know its value. But while they would frown on
the unnecessary expenditure of single cent Of the
public money they would not withhold dollar of it
from necessary object. To pay the debts ofthe Go
vernment however recklessly and prodgally contract
ed, and to deay its current charges, necessary
objects | for meeting them by laying duties,
now, this moment on importations to the extent au
thorized by the Compromise act and in some measure
as countervaing the duties imposed by foreign coun
tries on our exports oftobacco wheat, &C. And sill,
so soon the Compromise act will permit, and the
commercial treaty with France shall expire Ivy its
own limitation, (which will be in 1922 | shall if
then member ofthis House. exert my utmost energy
In procuring the passage of law laying such duties
on wines silks, and other articles of luxury imported
from France as will compel her to receive the pro-
ducts Of our soil on fair and equal basis Such
law demanded by the painest rules of reciprocity
Il