The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1842-08-20

CO N G. liz II = 9 4 y N AL.
Correspondence Of the Baltimore Sum
WASHINGTON, AUGUST II, 1912.
SENATE.

hs flrst hour was occupied IN the pre-
senlaion of memorials and other miseel-
laneous business.
The consideration OF the bill legaliz-
ing and making appropriation for items
which have been usually inserted in the
annual appropriation bills, was next taken
up and debated for some hours.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTA- IVES.
After the disposal Of some preliminary
business of no general importance, Mr.
Adams from the select committee appoin-
ted to consider the reasons OF the presi-
dent for ve!oiDg the tariff bill, made re-
port from the majority of that commit
tee.
Mr.. A. desired that he might be permit
ted to read his report himself After some
conversation Of rather an animated charac-
ter on this point, Mr.. A. was permitted to
read the report in his seat, The follow
Ing is hasty abstract.
The report, after some introductory re-
marks, sets forth, that this veto message
is the last Of series of executive mea-
surcs, the effect of which has been 10 de-
feat the whole action Of the Legislative
power Of the Union. 1t next refers 10 the
accession of Harrison to the Presidency.
| At that tine the revenue Of the country
was found insufficient to meet,he expendi-
lures. Hence the first act of that lamen-
ted president, was to call an extra session
of Congress, to devise remedy for the
| financial diseases of the country, and 10
adopt means Of supplying the treasury, by
the passage of additional revenue laws
This deficiency in the Treasury had been
| caused by the extravaganza course of the
| previous administration of Mr.. Van Bu-
ren During that administration, from
year to year, the rich resources of the
Treasury were swallowed up, and the ex-
pendltures greatly exceeded the income.
This state Of things exhausted at las. the
patience of suffering people, and they px-
erted their power by removing those then
in power, and supplying the vacancy by
others in whom they had more conf
denee. After this act Of The people, there
existed perfect harmony between the
President Harrison and the newly cleo
ted Representatives. The Presiden, of
the United States, and the members Of the
Legislature were emphaticaly one. On
the 3lst Of May, three months after the
extra session had been called, the mem.
bers Of the Legislature assembled But
the reins Of Executive power were in 9th
or hands.
By the DEGREES Of an inscrutable frovi-
! dence, he who had called the extra ses-
sion was laid low in the grave. The Pre-
pident who had called The extra session of
Congress, was no longer President when
that Congress met. Another man had as
sumed the name, of totally different prin-
cipleS, although protesting the same This
fact was soon made NANTES. by the fai-
lure of the great measure of the extra ses-
sion-the bill establishing a National
Bank, by the exercise Of the veto power.
This first attempt having been defeated,
Congress, out Of consideration Of The dis
trcss OF the country, introduced new bill
That see ond bill was presented 10 the
Preslden, in the very terms and shape in
which he said he would sign it, and
which lie had sanctioned. But strange to
say, this was also returned with a vc.o.-
The reasons assigned for this second veto
conilicted with the reasons assigned for
the first veto! Thus the second great
measure of relief for a suffering people,
was annulled by the weak and wavering
obstinacy of one man accidentally placed
in the Presidential chair
The first consequence Of this Executive
Legislation was to perneiuate the rulnous
system Of the preceding Administration Of
Mr.. Van Buren,, by continuing the expen-
ditures beyond the receipts; an excess
which during the preceding four years had
amounted TO eight millions per year
! Yes, by this double Executive veto the
present party in power were compelled
to continue this ruinons system, by which
the expenditures in eighteen month only,
exceeded the receipts BY fifteen millions
Of dollars. This state of things was now
forced upon Congress, by the exercise Of
the veto power alone. The grea. object
| of the extra session was thus frustrated BY
the act of one man!
The report next alludes to the passage
ct the extra session Of the revenue bill,
containing the prohibl,ory distribu ton
clause, which states that when the duties
on imports shall exceed 90 per cent, then
the distribution of the land fund shall
cease, and which bill was signed by the
President. Ttuext advsrts to the bill pass
ed at the present session, which proposed
to continue in force the operation of the
compromise act for one month; also sus-
pending the distribution Of the land fund
for similar period. This bill was no:
only vetoed by the President but in or
position to the avowed belief Of his own
secretary Of the treasury, and the opin-
ions of some Of the best lawyers Of the
lard; but relying solely on the hesita,ing