Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-12-21
E'ridQu. Dec. IL
TTtHHU, Dtt. IT.
HOITSE OF PERSONALITIES

Mr. FILLMORE asked what would be the first bu-
siness in order'
The SPEAKER replied, that the unfinished business
of Yesterday would first come up.
MIR. WISE asked if Fridays and Saturdays were
not private bill days. and suggested that the practice
was when any subject introduced public day was
left unfinished when the private bill days came, they
were laid till the next public day. lie hoped that
this would be the taken now, and that the private
business would not be neglected it had been for the
last four years
The SPEAKER having decided that the unfinished
business must have the preference,
The resolution of Mr.. Fillmore for the reference of
the Presidents Message, taken up, the question
being on the amendment of Mr.. Anterior to refer the
subject OF the tariff TO the Committee Of Ways and
Means instead Of the Committee Manufactures, as
moved by Mr.. Fillmore.
Mr.. JONES of Virginia, who was entitled to the
floor addressed the House at length in support OF
the amendment While he commended that the Commit.
tee of Ways and Means constituted for the purpose OF
taking charge fhe subject of the finances the most
appropriate one consider the subject of raising
nue. lie did not deny the power of the House, for good
and sufficient reasons, to take from any OF the standing
committees the business that properly belongs to IT. and
10 give it TO another but he said that il ought TO be for
GOOD and sufficient which did not appear TO
isl in this case If the intention was TO make tariff
for the protection of manufactures be readily admitted
that the reference should be TO the Committee Ma
nufactures; but no such proposition was contemplated
so far as he had understood To decide properly the
question before them they should first look the
aanization of the two different committees, and the
purposes for which they were constituted. On turn
| ing TO the rules he found that no duties were as.
signed to the Committee Manufactures, while the
duties of that Of Ways and Means particularly
specified. II the immediate duty of that com
mit!ee to take into consideration all the reports
of the Treasury Department, and all such PROPOSE.
tons as related To revenue that might be referred
to them by the House. II was their duty to inquire
into the state Of the Treasury and the public debt
and TO report from time 10 time thereon. Nor were
these the only duties of that committee. 1t also
made their duty within thirty days after the commence
men of each session of Congress TO report the genera
appropriation bills. MIR. j. said he quoted from the
rules the duties ofthat committee, in order TO show tina
the whole subject Of finance, the whole subject of re
venue was intended TO be conGded TO their charge.
that were not So how would il be possible for them L
perform the last branch of the duties assigned them
Mr. Jones referred 10 the vast amount of appropria
tons that must originate with that committee, as
additional reason why IT should have the charge o
bills for raising revenue AT the last session of Con
| press we had two permanent sources of revenue
that derived from the public lands, which bore equal,
in all parts Of the country, and that derived from TIT
customs, which operated unequally. Now the first o
these was taken away by the Distribution act
and we must rely on the customs alone. Why, then
take away from the committee whose duty il is 10 TAKE
into consideration all the reports of the Treasury De
parment, the subject of raising revenue, and give
in charge 10 another committee? Ii it was intended Il
enact tariff for protection lie willing TO ADM
that reference TO the Committee Manufacture
would be The appropriate one. But no one, he believed
| contemplated such measure Such not The re
commentator in the Message Of the President of tn
IT, States. MIR. J went TO show, from various pa
of the Message that the President did not empla
tariff for protection, but admitted discriminating du
ties only within the limits of the economical wants
the Government. After Mr. J. concluded
Mr.. HUNT Of New York, took the floor and spol
some time in opposition 10 the amendment considering
the Committee on Manufactures the most appropriat
one for The reference Mr. H. commended for protectio
to our manufactures and for discriminating duties 10
the purpose Of cocrcng foreign nations. He was, how
ever, not for high tariff, but preferred taking the mid
die ground.
| MIR. RANDOLPH next addressed the House on th
same side, and advocated the policy Of protection.
| Mr.. JOSEPH r. INGERSOLL supported the refer
ence of the subject TO the Committee Manufactures
and advocated incidental protection. lie showed ho,
domestic industry, in many instances, had prospere
under moderate protection, and how our nanufacu
had thus been enabled in eral nporiant branch
of industry, successfully to compete with, and final
~ 10 excel, the foreign importer. lie denied the rul
of the position advanced yesterday by Mr. Rhel an
by Mr. Jones oday, that protection and revenue wer
incompatible with each other, and contended that III
interests Of the country were best promoted BY impc
sing duties with view to protection.
Mr.. SLADE having obtained the floor, stated th;
be wished to address the House on the subject, but Ii