Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-08-04
IN SENATE.
MONDAY, August LIST, 1912

MONDAY, August LIST, 1912.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration OF the
Revenue Bhl-the question pending being the
motion OF MIR Buchanan 10 strike out the twenty.
Eeventh section, which proposes 10 repeal that part
VI the Land Act which suspends the distribution OF
the proceeds Of the lands in duties on imports
shall be made to exceed 30 per cent.
MIR BUCHANAN said that he understood that
tho whole revenue derived from the public lands
during the first half year was only S3s0,000. The
share OF Pennsylvania would, therefore, be but
S3s 900 and no more. And now, for the sake Of
this comparatively miserable pittance they 20
ing TO continue the Treasury in state OF bankrupt
cy, and deprive the vast interests Of the country OF
the incidental protection which reasonable tnrf
would afford 2 That was the question. The Pre-
sdent Of the United States, Il well known, had
declared in a solemn ana Official form, that he will
not, under any circumstances, approve bill which
raises duties above 90 per cent, and at the same
time distributes the proceeds Of the sales Of the
public lands.
The CHAIR interrupted the Senator. IL was
not in order 10 speak TO the views Of the EIeeu
tive; and upon this point, he desired to have the
decision Of the Senate.
MIR BUCHANAN said that he had o right 10
refer 70 what was called the little veto.
The CHAIR. Not ns argument, If my con-
stuction Of the rule be right
Mr. BUCHANAN remlrked that he was not
very we'll acquainted with the ruits Of order, but
from the practice Of the Senate, and from his Own
observation, he had not single doubt that nc had
right 70 refer to the veto message and the princ-
pies contained 10 il, and TO draw any inference he
poaicJ. lie had no right TO refer to any thing bot
the document, but he had always understood that a
document VISA fair subject Of debate. lie oppcaltd
from the decision Of the Chair.
Mr. KING presumed that 1t could not he the de-
sgn Of the Chsir 10 say that the Senator from Penn
sylvania could not reiet 10 public document.
The CHAIR, intofruptng him, observed that,
according 10 tho parliamentary rule, it was out OF
order 10 draw from public document any inference
10 bear on question pending before the Sena.e,
for the purpose Of influencing its action so far a'
ths opinion Of the Executive wGs concerned.
MI WALKER said that, on former occa lion
wien the subject OF the recognition Of Texas was
before The Senate, n distinguished Senator from
Kentucky (Mr Csy) did refer TO President Jack
son's mcstnec in relation 10 Affairs with Mexico
At that time he called the attention Of the Senate
% the fact, and asked whether It wss IN order tC
direct otte ntion TO the opinions Of tho Chief Masis
trate with view 10 influence The action Of the Sc
nate. 80 far as action was taken then, II wal
against bis point OF order.
MIR PRESTON inquired whether he understood
The Chair 70 say that any document Of she Pfesi
dent was not ht subject Of remark
The CHAIR repeated that an argument draw
from the document for the sake ofshoWing what va
the Presidents views upon the subject now belOr
tho sennto was out Of order, but that mere 70
ference to the document Itself was not.
Mr. KING said that oil the Senator from Penn
sylvans desired was to ask, in ef-ct, whether III
President, unless no he'd recently changed his views
sanctioned this measure, which was ~ dhec1 oPPo
siliOn 10 his Veto message.
Mr GRAHAM observed that he knew Of no IN
stance in the delibernton Of Congress where a cues
ton Of this kind had been made heretofore. II !
was now raised for the FIRST time, he hoped that en-
tire freedom Of discussion would be allowed, ami
that Il be the rule.
Mr. HUNTINGTON sustained the decision O
the Char.
Mo BUCHANAN admitted most ehserfully tina
be had not sdverted 10 the private opinions OF N
p,csident Bot was hsa SenatOr OF tho Unite
s,atssl and was he told that no could not take Up
Veto Message Of the President, in which he an
nounced in tho most solemn manner that he woul
not sign Dill countenanoing the distribution Of th
Public lands, because, in doing 50, he dro" On 10
t.,snc, "a 10 the Executives fdiurc scionl VIE
G,neral Jackson vetoed the Bank bI'l, e'uid h.
~, have said that, 10 pass ano,ber ID when hel
had conclusive argument that 10 wou'd no, sign D,
Il woald DO labor spent IN yainl lie had intendc'
merely 70 advert 70 this gpbjedln Passiog, snd hs'