Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-02-02
CONGRESSIONAL ANALYSIS.
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Pending the progress of the morning business III Inc
Senate Mr. Pierce of New Hampshire introduced re-
solution instructing the Committee the Post Oil &c
and Post Roads 10 inquire into the cxpediency of re-
porting bill to strike off all postage newspapers
when sent less than 30 miles in the mail from the place
where published; and he followed the introduction OF
the resolution by general reference to the revenues OF
the Post Office Department, the deep interest felt Tor
some provision Of the kind embodied III the resolution,
and of its promised advantages in the general spread
of intelligence among the mass Of the people OF this
country. Mr. Pierce made also a particular refer
encc 10 the condition of many claimants who were
now waiting, and had been waiting anxiousy Tor
years here, for the action OF Congress upon what
was legltimaely, truly and honestly their due; and
he warmly condemned the policy of Congress de-
voting their whole attention and time TO some bauie
roynl waged between the two conendng parties here,
on both sides of the Capitol, while the poor needy,
dependent claimant, whose appeal had been SO often
made amid the cries of suffering Children whom, des-
titution and want had reduced almost to the condition
of the humble mendicant, to be thrust aside as
unworthy the grave delbernton Of those whose duty 1t
was to grant relief. He did not impute Intentional ne.
glect but indifference carelessness or accident had
driven almost the honest claimant from the Legislative
hail. in hopeless despair lie was nstonished at this
course oflegsaton and trusted that some fitting RENE
dy all improvident waste OF time would be speedily
and ccctnally applied, that justice might not be so
slow in reaching the condition OF such as loudly demand
ed relief He no advocate OF lndscrminatc claims
He feared no charge ofexcessve liberalty in such
case; but instances OF suffering for want OF what
the Government owed them, had come to his know
ledge. Misfortune had preyed heavily upon some;
many had, to his knowledge, been utterly ruined IN
their private affairs by the extraordinary and nexcu
sable delay that had shut them from that aid winch
would have proved their preservation. When Mr. Pierce
resumed his seat,
Mr. Wright renewed his argument against the
amendment of Mr. Crittenden TO the presumption bill
proposing Mr.. Clay's land bill as substitute and
surely if any thing further was needed to EXHIBIT the
haseless foundation upon which the amendment was
made TO rest and to prove the policy OF ITS adop,or
both dangerous and impracticable, It might be seen
made BY Mr. Wright in the triumphant close OF nj:
mastery reply He repudated the idea of taking upon
himself the burden of discussing, even attempting
10 discuss the point whether II might be either const
uona or expedcnt TO distribute the general revenue
of the country accumulated by taxes upon the people
and through other sources, among the several States
of the Union That was PLAIN matter of cons
tutional authority, that needed other definition
Government itself He went on to define the powe
principle Of distribution, contended for there, wal
cession, the taxevying and the tax-paying power o
the nation would be confined in its operation to th'
walls of that Capitol. MIR. Wright drew many haPp.
comparisons between the natural operation OF our pre-
sent system and the very dangerous theory which
distribution OF the nett proceeds OF the public land
would introduce, should any such nett proceeds re
main in the Treasury subject to such dstrbution and
at the conclusion of his remarks, Mr. Clay proceede