The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-21
THE FISCAL AGENT"

Why lUiW Congress not act upon u
Congress seems determined not to act upon
the subject Of Fiscal Agent of the Govern
ment. The People of the United States of all
parties are loudly demanding action on this inte-
resting subject. They know that, without a
well regulated currency, all hope of revival of
business is vain-all thought of receiving fair
reward for industry futile. The People, through
public meetings by petition, by instruction to
their Representatives, have made known their
will, and yet that will is scoHed at, their hopes
made the subject Of ridicule; their sufferings de-
risively sneered at. The farmer, toiling at his
plough, feels that his labor is in vain, and that
his industry will go unrewarded. The mechan-
ic, if he can obtain work, receives but 1.-THE of
what ought to be his recompense. The mer-
chant is also the victim of the present deranged
state of the currency. And yet Congress will
not act. The leading friends of Mr. Clay, men
who profess to lament this distressing state Of
things, forgetful alike of their duty to their coun-
try and the promises they have SO frequently
and so freely made, seem alone intent on vent
ing their mpotent malice upon the Executive,
and in planning small schemes Of party aggran-
dizement We ask the People to examine the
acts of these men. One day we see them in
Producing resolution Of inquiry as to applicants
for office. In reply, they receive merlted re-
buke. Undismayed, they again return to the
charge and gravely appoint select committee
to inquire why clerk was dismissed The
next day they wish to know where all the reci-
pients of Executive appointments were born,
and we have been expecting daily to have them
inquire whether they are married or single men,
their age, &c. On all these grave questions
they can act with celebrity and hot despatch.
On the vital question Of a Fiscal Agent they
maintain a determined and culpable silence.
We do not intend to argue the Importance
of action on the part of Congress on mat
ter in which we are sure nlne-tenths OF the
whole People feel an intense interest We
only wish to call public attention to the fact that
the Executive is not responsible for this delay
and disregard of the public will.
The President, according to his promise given
at the Extra Session, has, through the Secre-
tary of the Treasury, furnished plan for
Fiscal Agent;
The friends of the Administration in the
House Of Representatives reported, months ago,
bill on the subject;
A committee of the Senate have also reported
bill
Why, them is the subject not disposed OFF,
Why are the People not released from that
anxious suspense in which they have so long
been held Are the friends of Mr.. Clay afraid
to discuss the subject? Are they afraid to
come to an issue, direct and palpable? Have
they determined in caucus that the bill reported
to the House shall remain untouched 2 1t would
really seem so; for Mr. Cushing has again and
again attempted to obtainaeton upon it, and his
efforts have proved unavaiing. Surely if these
men are as bold as we take them to be, they
will not shrink from discussion on the merits
of this Administration measure. AT all events
the People will hold to just accountability
those who thus trihe with the power entrusted
to them, and who wfully and purposely, for
party purposes, neglect or disregard their near
| est and dearest interests. Let the farmer, the
| aborer, the mechanic, the merchant, all look to
this state of things in Congress, and learn who
| il is that holds their known will in contempt
The Petersburg States nan, In series of We