Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-08-31
TuE pISTRIRIrrIoN BILL.

the criticism.
THE DISTRIBUTION BILL.
This obnoxious measure is now before the House OF
Representatives II has called forth most powerful
opposition in the Senate-n which hessrs. Calhoun,
Benton, Wright, Woodbury., &c, distinguished them
selves The thanks of every Republican in the Union
are due 10 them, for the manly and eloquent efforts
they have made to arrest its passage We shall publish
these speeches hereafter Our two Senators spoke and
voted for it. They deceived in their two main posi-
tons Virginia is against not in favor OF this scheme
Though some years ago, distribution report did
pass the House of Delegates, it arrested in The Sc
nae-and never received the sanction of the Leglsa.
ture. That report too adopted under very differ
en circumstances from the present Then, there was
money enough in the Treasury. We did not squan-
der with one hand and borrow with the other. There
was no occasion, as alleged by the distributors
themselves, contract loan of twelve millions; or To
raise revenue by duties on tea, coffee, and blankets,
&c, &c. There was debt then to pay, as they J..
tend there Our Senators may be assured that
the Democracy of Virginia will not submit 10 this folly
and madness, the part of the Federal Government
but Repeal will be in all probability the wofd-and
nsru ctions may be carried through the Legislature,
for them retrace their steps. But 2ndy, the alter
native on which they rely is sophism They seek to
reconcile US TO the Distribution by pleading that other
wise the public lands will be wrested from by ecsson
| The Western States will seize them, &c, &c. Now
do Senators that if these States were deter
mined and strong enough in public councils 10 seize
this very law, and then seize the lands'
The whole scheme bad. II lays the States MS sub
salaries at the feet Of the Federal Government. Ii
teaches them to look mp to its hand for bread &c. &c
1t moreover forces upon Congress TO raise the duties
and in fact to tar the people much hgher than the dis
tr;hutable fund would amount to. But the following
sketch from the n. Y Sun gives such strong common
Of the consequences that beg leave TO subst
tute it in place Of our own remarks:
| "THE REVENUE AND THE PUBLIC LAsDs.-We stated
\ fha af tha nd rh
been adopted in the Senate to the bill for distributing
the proceeds of the public lands Whether these
anne nd ments will be concurred in by The House, is
doubtful If not the bill viii probably fall for the Sc
nate will insist upon them 1t they are concurred n
the bill will pass, but it is doubtful whether
go into operation. It's nature is entirely changed.
"By the amendment of MIR. Berrien, distribution is
TO whenever the wants of The Treasury shall
qure duty of more than twenty per cent. al uaorc,n
upon any imported articles As We understand, the
state of the Government. finances the amount of expen
dtures and of revenue the very contemplated by
the amendment, exists and likely continue for
long time &c come tariff Of twenty per cent. would
be insufficient, now, 10 pay The current expenses
of the Government aside from the income of the public
lands If this be So the passage Of the distribution bill
in its present shape renders it mere dead letter The
contingency which render it imperative, already
staring II in the face.
"There is then but way 10 escape from this dI-
lemma that is to increase the national debt By bor-
4
increase Of the tariff may be avoided, and the proceeds
of the lands may then be distributed. But what would
this be in effect but borrowing money to distribute
among the States: What il matter whether the
thing be done directly indirectly. Can it be sup
posed that any American Congress would ever sanction
such proceedings Or would President Tyler, who
has ayowed his incorporating hostility TO national
debt countenance the creation Of one for such
constitutional purposes: No, never. ~
II "But suppose all these difficulties surmounted, and
the process of distribution under way; what will be
the effect of it, Suppose New York to receive five
hundred thousand dollars as her parton-does this en-
rich New York to that amount: No. on the contrary
it mpoverishes her. her citizens pay it back dollar for
dollar with the interest and expenses of collection
added The whole revenue of the Government is paid
nv the people All contribute towards 1.-THE poor old
woman who sips her cup of tea and coffee, as we'll as
the rich nabob who the costly fabrics, and con
sumes the uxuries Of other lands Abstract the in
ofthe lands from the revenue, and we, the peo
Pile, the consumers, must make up the deficiency by
payment in some other way IL debt is created, we
must pay both interest and principle; fhgher duties
are levied upon food and clothing, must pay
those also The five hundred thousand dollars, there
FORE ostenatiously given TO the State of New York;
generous gratuy, would in reality cost her citizens
a much larger sum. "
VI "These are simple truths, which commend IL n.
selves to the common sense OF every intelligent nan
We state them, because the public ought to know and
consider them and not from any hostility the friends
Of this bill We in favor Of raising all the reve-
nue. necessary enable Government to 90 pros
perously at home and abroad. Ii must be raised too,
by taxes direct or indirect, and long the latter
mode not used to cheat the people out of their mo
ney for improper purposes, it does not matter which
But this Government travels entirely beyond it's pro-
per sphere of action, when it raises from the
pockets of the people to distribute amoug the States
By direct taxation it would dare do this. Ought
it then to do it by indec,ion' All honest must
answer, No. If the States want money, let them tax
their own people, and not call upon the Federal Go
yernment TO do it for them. The people not mass
of FOOLS They know it will cost them less 10 pay The
money in direct taxes to their State governments
than 10 paw it indirectly to the General Government
there to 90 through with TIC further process Of division
Is it not far better therefore, and al to
let the public lands remain they are and let the States
rey upon the wisdom and justice of their citizens fol-
such financial aid as they need"
/ Mr.. Tyter's Position.
The following well.wF',ten article from the phila
delpha Pennsylvania, processes to define MIR. Tyers
views and resolves If he carries them out, he may
defy the threatened denuncatons of Mr. Botts or the
thunde rbolts of Jupiter himself from the top Of his
Otunpian Senate. There closing passage in MIR
Bentons Speech of Thursday last, which deserves to
be quoted here-and it will find an echo in every Re-
publican bosom. 1t is this
H