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

the signature of the revenue bill passed at
the extra session, which it contends,
also embraced ''reyeaue aud appropria-
ton.
The public lands are next referred to,
and it is maintained that they belong exclu
sively TO the States, having been hereto
fore held to trust only by the general 60
vernment for the payment of the National
debt. So that the phrase "giuing away
the public land" could not apply, be-
cause by returning to the States the land
fund, they would be merely receiving that
which is their own. The report takes
the ground tina, taxation by duties on i'm
ports of otherwise, is the only safe and
Legitimate mode of raising revenue. Any
departure from that syetem being the pre-
Jude to bankruptcy and ruin.
The report next comes to the I'd reason
of the President, which is the "exhaus,ed
state of the Treasury" and that in this
etate of the finances whether it is the time
TO give away the proceeds from the public
lands. This giring away, says the report
is but yielding to the States their own pro-
perty, and would be infinitely preferable
to giving the money, in compliance with
the cries Of pinching economy, to suckle
armies and dry-nurse the land. To yield
these lands to the general government,
would be the only irretrievable giving a
way that which is cruelty and perlid-
ously attempted 10 be wrested from their
hands.
The report goes on to state that ninc-
teen of these States have, by their ardour
in the cause Of internal improvement, in
volveh themselves in debt. 1t was notori-
Gus that the greater portion Of this debt
had been contracted in the Improvement
Of public works and in increasing the ia
cilities of travel and communication from
place 10 place. 1t was no exaggerated
! estimate Of the value of these works to
say. tina! the saving Of time, labor and ex-
pense of the muti,u DIES who are enjoy
ing the benefits Of those works. is more
every year Il an would be necessary to de-
fray the total cost of their construction
But these nineteen State have contracted
mere liabilities than they are at present
able to bear. Where should they look
for relief? Where should they expec, to
find that relief but in the sympa,hies of
the Federal government TO what should
| they look but to the proceeds from their
own lands, to enable them to pay their
debts, and TO retrieve them from the pre-
sent pressure. The measure of relief
desired, is solely the distribution among
them Of the proceeds Of their own pro-
per!y.
Tho report regrets that the short time
allo~ed has not permitted the committee
TO touch upon many other important mat
ters. but the majority concur in the belief
, tina, the distribution Of the land fund u
mong the States, would be infinitely more
conductive to the ends of justice, and the
relief Of the country, than for i. TO be
swallowed up in the Unsuitable gulf Of
system ofexpenditnre like that OF the last
! administration, where il would soon
disappear, leaving not mark behind.
The report says, it remains now only
for the House to take the vote on the final
passage OF ME bill, and the committee
leave it to the House to determine what
other measure Of relief they may deem
necessary and practicable.
The report proceeds to say, that for
the last Is months the legislative power of
T the Union has been in state Of suspended
Observation-Disclosures by the cords Of Ex-
ecutive t.icta!ion.
1t claims that Congress has, in the face
of these multiplied insults ard injuries,
behaved towards the Executive with the
! most respectful forbearance. 1t then states
that the majority OF the committee believe
that a case has now occurred in which it
is the duty Of the House of Representa-
tives TO prefer articles Of impeachment a.
gainst The President But they are of o.
pinion that the Impeachment, in the pre-
sent state of public affairs, might prove
abortive.--[Great laughter. TO the peo-
pie, therefore, alone must the final appeal
be made. 1t vas cheering consideration
to tina majority of the committee that the
termination Of their own official existence,
and that of the present Congress, was
near at hand, and that the legislative pow
or of the Union would soon be placed in
other ha2ds, on whom would devolve the
duty ofprovidng revenue, SC.
The report proceeds to cay that impli-
cit obedience to executive will is the only
condition on which the present Congress
can act. Also that the President has as
sumed the exercise Of the uhole legisla-
tive power Of the union in leyying money
from the people withou, authority of
law, SC.
The report concludes by submitting a
joint resolution recommending an amend
ment of the Constitution so that in those
cases when the President returns bill
with his veto, a majority instead of
1.-TWO thirds" shall have the power to
pass it.
Mr.. Aazons then movaJ The nript,nu of