, 1841-10-23
THE JOURNAL.
SATURDAY, OCT. 9, lS4l.
TIE DISTRIBUTION LAW .4has.
THE BRIBERY ACT.

increase his popularity, particularly IN the
indebted States, and to provide him capital
for the election Of 1914. Atany time, and under
any circumstances, it could not receive our
support; but in the existing 6nanc ial condI-
ton Of the Government, its policy sinks be-
meath animadivision. On the score Of con.
stitutionality, it is wholly indefensible.-
"The Congress shall haze powsr to dispose Of
sand make all needful rules and reg u~lations
prospecting the territory or other property,
"5elonging 10 the United States," is the provls-
ion of the Constitution. How dispose of
this territory, and for what PurPoses' 1t
must dispose Of it under limitations prescri
bed by the Constitution. 1t must dispose OF
it for purposes known to the Constitution
tn cary into effect ZONE Of its enumerated
powers-to do what is authorized Ia he done,
and nothing else. If the whole instrument
he not taken together. and construed rs
parts Of one whole. the power TO dispose OF
this property. will only he limited by the
| discretion Of Congress. According 10 this
mode of construction. Congress might sp-
proprilte the proceeds arising from the sales
nf this property. towards the establishment
If Literary Institutions in The States the
conversion Of the Heather. or the Prurrra-
tioI Of Temperance principles. Congress- Is
vested Nth power srn borrow mnney"-n"i
for graruititous and arbitrary disposal. but
for the purposes limited by the Constitution.
So il is, with the power TO dispose OF the
Territory Of the United States 1t must
ne disposed of under the grants "f the Com
stitu;ion, and according To its lIni'ati"ns.-
Bat, again. The public Lands have been
purchased by the revenue derived from the
customs. The income arising. from the sale
Of the Lands, has never cqualled the same
expended in their purchase. No man will
contend tina, Congress can distribute the
revenue derived from the Customs, among
the States. But there IS no difference, in
distributing The money arising from the GUS
toms. " hen originally in the Treasury, and
distributing i, when it is returned to the
Treasury, after being temporarily vested in
the Lands. This is indeed the real charac-
ter of this Law. Ii is in fact 4 distribution
Of the custom House revenue, among the
States.
But Objectionable as this Law is or the
score OF conSli;utionalIty, II is lar worse, on
the score OF eIpediency and political policy.
The Congress that gave birth TO this measure
was called together to replenish a pretended
bankrupt Treasury, and TO relieve the anti
cipated financial embarrassments Of the M.
ton. Accordingly a loan Of S12.OOo,Ooo
was authorized. and 4 heavy duty laid upon
many OF tine necessaries Of life. With one
! hand between 3 and 4 millions Of dollars,
are distracted from the Treasury to give TO
the States-while with the other money is
borrowed, and heavier taxes, imposed upon
1 the people to meet the deficiency in the ordl
> nary revenue created by the act Of distribu-
ton. VIVA, folly! what madness does such
!, Legislation exhibit. But its enormity would
be less, if the people received back as much
. as is taken from their pockets! Instead Of
! this for every dollar. they receive under this
Law. they pay from one to two mo the
, National Treasury. Suppose the share Of
: Missouri to he $4,000. This sum NUT be
made mp by increased taxation. But in al.
|, di,i"n t" the $4,000. we mus, pay the ex.
: pense of collecting the duty at the custom
r house. and the profit put upon the duty paid
: L. the wlo'rsrle merchant. 1t is not only
: the increased duty. aud the charges nj the
u Custom House that The consumer has tn pay
J., hut the regular profits Of 'hr Wholesale d"a
: er upon the charges and duty also. The>,
: are at least equal to the duty Of 90 per cent
p and which added to the $4,000 aill run i
up to SIS or 100000 the sum I" he pai'
=, bv our citizens, fr the $4,000 received
= under the distribution Law. Such will b'
+ the operation of this Stock Jobhing and Bri
berry act and its legitimate offspring, a Higl
Tariff: Such is a specimen Of Log cabin
l1.u;J,,;on cy;pp ,way with nne h,nd an,