Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-08-12

,;on act of the 4h September last Wisely a'' hpb ~
w n two couditions-having reference, ooch u
,io,, IN possible state OF the lreasu,y n. -
.'e,, hcL had been anticipated by the secretary y,
| ,ho Treasury and 10 The paramount hecesSs 80;
h,;c ,etvce 1t ordained that IT. nj any Time ou'ns
p'o'1 ,rCo of that act there Should be an IMPOSE
80, - tut;,s on imports inconsistent WIN "e r.
',;., Of The act of 2nd March, 1885, ano oey""u ~.
mia of duties fixed by that act, no wiz ~ p ,,a
nm The value of such imports or any u ' non.
i 49,, ;.t,hpticn should be suspended ana s"ou'u 80"
| Wv 90 .rsn.nded until that cause shoua NC ~ r
"u md Hva prey ious clause il lad, IN IKE sT'''t u
,.a and cautious patriotism, rr"Vioeu io' '"o'.'
49,, I'm which all are even now agreta') ,'a' 'iI
,,c.eds of the sales OF the pubic amos S"ouu VI
~ tho defence Ct the country. it was enacted tna'
49,, 40, should continue and BE- in force until otherwise
;dod nv law unless the u. 5. should become IN
pied IN war with any foreign power; in wh;ch event.
rom the of host'ltles, the act shoui'
he SUSPENDED until the cessation OF hosl"u. . Sc
Iona after the opening of the present session Of
f,nrees The Unprecedented and extraordinary UNI
ouI,,r. that have recently embarrassed Tue hhahe
of the country began to assume SERIOUS "spe.
oo, became o1ite evident that the hopes ufdel Which
the act of the 4h September was passed anu WIZ
Lane justified it in the eyes either oil Congress VINO
n,nossd or Of the Executive who approved, the hfsl
r i've two conditions just reclted were NOT desneu "
he fulfilled Under the pressure, therefore, OF uie
nh,,,assmerts which had thus Unexpectedly arisen,
:, ,rrcared to me that the course to be pursued
:. 30 cl,,rlv marked out for the Government by
In, act itself The condition contemplated III IL, as
.o,irrr suspension of It's operation mao occu!ftu'
II became necessary, in the OPINIONS OF al, 10 RAISE ~
,o,e of duties upon imports above ~ per CENT anu
with view both 10 provide ava'sole means - "rc c
rssent exgencies and to lay the foundation Tor sue
aosrl NEGOTIATION Of a loan, felt 1t incumbent upon
NO N urne mon Congress TO raise the duties accord
;nqly. imposing them in spirit OF WISE d!scrimina-
inn for the two.fod object oil atording ample re-
yo,ne for the Government, and incidental protection
l.. hmm domestic
rcssed in the most emphatic but respectful language
could employ he nsGsayv as tie asg u pdbe
credit did not think that could stand excused,
much less justified, before The people OF The u b, nor
could reconcile it myself, 10 recommend the impo
sliou of additional taxes upon them, without, at The
:, same time urging the employment OF all the Legitimate
means Of the Government towards satisfying It's wants
These opinions communicated in advance OF any
de6ni,iye ton Of Congress the subject either OF
the tariff or land snles, under high sense OF public
duty, and in compliance with an express injunction
of the Constitution; that if collision Extremely
IN he deurecaed as such collisions always are) has
seemingly arisen between the Executive and Lcgisa-
tive branches Of the Government it has assuredly not
been owing to any cuprcIous interference, or 10 any
want of plain and frank declaration of opinion on the
mar, Of the former Congress differed in lis view S
with those OF the Executive it had undoubtedly
righ, to DO; and passed bill virtually for time re.
healing the proyiso of the act Of the 18th September,
lSIl The bill returned 10 the House III which ii
n oriainatcd with my objections to lis becoming law.
With view TO prevent if possible, open disagree
II ment of opinion point so important, took occa-
sion TO declare that regarded 1t an indispensable
pre requisite increase OF due. above 20 per cent,
that the act of the 18th September should remain
peaed in its provisions M for that opinion
were deliberately set forth in the message which accom-
panied the return of the bill-whic constitutional
majority appears 10 have been found for passing into
. law
/ The bill which is now before proposes, in its 9th
section the total repeal one OF the proysocs in the
act Of September and. while it increases the duties
above 20 Ier cent directs an unconditional dlstrbu.
" ton of the land proceeds. am therefore subjected
second ii.Tc Tie period Of few days, 10 the neces
Il sity of either giving my approval TO measure which,
e in my deliberate judgment, is in conflict with great
public interests Of returning it 10 the House in which
n il originated with my objections. With all my anxiety
l. for the passage Of law which would rePensh All ex
" Eausted Treasury and furnish sound and healthy
encouragement TO mechanical industry, cannot con-
e sent TO do the sacrifice Of the peace and harmony
OF the country and the clearest convictions Of public
= duty.
For some of The reasons which have brought me TO
e this conclusion refer 10 my previous messages TO Con
e rtess, and briefly suhoin the fuliowing:-
:, / The bill unes Subjects which, so far from
r having any affinity TO another, wholly ncon-
gmous their character. IL is both revenue and an
IS appropriation bill 1t thus lmposes the Executive
in the first place, the necessity of either approving tina
al which he would reject rejecting that which he might
d otherwise approve This species Of coustaint 10
d which the Judgment Of the Executive ought not in my
% opinion to be subjected But that is not MY only Oh
lection 10 the in lis present form. The union Of
n subjects wholly dssimar in their character in the
same BILL If it grew into practice, would not fail 10
eid to consequences destructive oil oil wise and con-
scien,ious legislation. Various measures each agreea
ble only TO a small minority might by being thus united
IL land the more the greater chance OF success lead
the passing Of laws, OF which no single provision
" cou d. fstanding alone command majority in lis aycr
e. . While the Treasury is in state of extreme en-
barssmen requiring every dollar winch It can make
d available; and when the Government has not only 10
e Law additional taxes, but 10 borrow money 10 meet
pressing demands, the bill proposes to give away a
IS fruitful source of revenue-wh!c is the same thing as
raising money by loan and axaton-not to meet The
ID wants of the Government, but for distributions pro
Z ceedng which must regard as highly lmpolic, moi
y unconstitutional
d A brief review of the present condition of the pub
lie finances will to illustrate the true condition oil
d the Treasury, and exhibit its actual necessities Or
ID the 9th OF August FRIDAY ast there was in the Urea
sury, in round numbers, S2,l5O,OO(
Necessary 10 be retained 10 meet trust
lie funds 100000
e Interest on public debt due in oc-
= tubcr SU,UOU
Is To redeem Treasury notes and
J. pay the interest 100000
" Land distribution under the act
Of of the 4,h September, leil 100000
W - 1,ls0,00t
e Leaving an available amount of 800, 0OC
s, The Navy Department had drawn acquisitions thu
Treasury, at that time, TO meet debts actually due
among which bills under protest for 81 4l4 600
thus leaving an actual deficit Of S444C00
n There was on hand about 100000 Of unssued Trea
sury notes. assisted by the accrung revenue amonnt
o ing to 600 per week. exclusive Of receipts
, on unpaid bonds to meet acquisitions for the army,
u the demands of the civil list
The withdrawal OF the of 100000 10 be dstri
c bued among the States, the statements ant
J. accounts can be made up and Completed by virtue o
the provisions Of the act Of the ih September last, 70
T. which nearly moiey goes TO few States, and only
J. about 1888 300 is TO be divided among all the States,
= while il adds materially to the embarrassments Of thu
81 Treasury, affords 10 the States decided relief
j, No immediate relief from this state of things is anti
cpaled unless what would most deeply be depored TIN
Government could be reconcIed TO the negotiations o
. loans already authorized by law, rate of discoun