The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-03


purpose, the duty might be twenty, thirty ory hity,
or even one hundred per cent. His fifth resolution re-
lated to the public lands and he would remark that
IL that source Of revenue should be recalled-which
was only million and half during the last year
the rate OF duty the million Of imports,
to obtain twentysix millions of revenue, including
the land revenue, would be only twenty-eght and
nall instead OF thirty per cent But If the lands
should amount to three Millions instead OF one and
hall millions, and they should be recalled instead oil
being permitted to remain where they were the duty
would only come down to twenty-six twenty-seyen
per cent instead of going up to thirty per cent AS
to the sixth and seventh resolutions he remarked
that he thought that members of Congress ought to
look to themselves already had steps been la
ken to reduce the expenses of Congress to the
amount OF one hundred thousand dollars, and
he hoped that something would be done with re-
gard to mileage, that might be better regulated and
more clearly defined. The eighth resolution stated
that the expenses Of the judicial department of Go
vernment hive of late years been greatly increased
and ought to be reduced and if he disposed to
be lnvdlous he could name single district court OF
the United States in which the expenditures had
been increased by four five times, beyond those OF
any other district court The ninth resolution assert
ed that the diplomatic relations of the United States
with foreign powers had been greatly increased, and
| ought to. De reduced. The number Of diplomatic
agents had nearly triped since the administration OF
Mr. Adams, and they had been seeking out Govern
ments which not to be found besides, they had
agents at Constannople, Austria and at Naples,
notwithstanding those Governments did not recipro-
cate the friendly manifestations of this country
by sending their agents to reside here. He had also
introduced resolution relating to the Thanking priv-
lege, which greatly abused for it would be seen,
from report of the Postmaster General, that ninety
five PEI cent. of the mails conveyed free OF
charge leaving it principally to the business men OF
the community to pay the expense. As to the last
| resolution if the Heads of the Departments would
not go 10 work with sincerity and industry Congress
could tiect but little good He then summed up the
advantages which would result from the adoption OF
his resolutions, viz L. The Government would have
an ADEQUATE revenue without depending upon disrepu-
table ekpedients, and thereby it would preserve the
public credit unsullied; g. retrenchment Of all un-
| necessity expenditures of the public money and an
economical administration Of the Government; g. A
check apon the eflux Of the precious metals from
| our country; and A. Incidental protection to Ame-
rican industry. He addressed the Senate for
more tan two hours and he concluded by express
ing the hope that Senators would in the spirit OF pa
triotisn discard all their former political prejudces,
I and unite upon of practical and eftec-
tive legislation for the relief of bleeding country
and suffering people.
Mr.. LINN rejoced that these resolutions had been
introduced, an opportunity would thus be given to
the friends of good and economical government to
express their sentiments upon the subjects involved
but he would as soon look for patriotism in the man
who would present petition to this body to dissolve
the Union, as he would in the resolutions of re-
trerching Wing.
Nr. WRIGHT proposed to amend the resolutions
as olows
ID Resolution. Strike out all after the word cob
taned," in the LIST line and insert without restoring
to he National Treasury the revenue from the public
lards the imposition of high taxes upon all foreign
IMPORTS, including the ordinary necessaiics of life
this making the tax to the whole people, be-
calse of those necessaries the whole people
suners.
Sd Resolution. Strike out all after the word 'there-
o%l c.zt1 A. Al.
ait entitled San act to appropriate the proceeds Of the
sizes OF the public lands and to grant presumption
ghrs," approved the 4th day of September, iS4l,
appropriates those proceeds to The States and Ter
Iories, and to the District of Columbia ought to be
npeaed, because it is apparent that this portion
Of the public revenue cannot be taken from the Ma
tona Treasury without creating the instant necessity
for increased loans, additional taxation, or BOTH to
an AMOUNT sufficient to supply the deficiency thus
prodlced
AZ Resolution. Strike out all after the word
&C AMOUNT" in the LIST line, and insert--of revenue
sucl as may be required, and above the means
to )e derived from the sales of the public lands,
which amount should always be equal to the current
expenditures Of the Government, economically and
properly administered, and to the gradual but certain
extnguishmen of any existing debt, the principles of
thdact of the I'd of March, 1888, entitled &C An act
to Modify the act of the fourteenth of July, thou
sad eight hundred and thirty-two and all other acts
imposing duties on imports" commonly called the
Compromise act, ought to be adhered to- as the gene
I'd basis of such adjustment.
9Th Resolution. Strike out the words C ought to be
rpeaed," in the last line, and insert: presents the
gound upon which only Congress has assented to the
distribution of the land revenue to the States, and
When it shall appear that the distribution cannot take
pace consistently with the terms of that provision it
Will appear that state of things exists under which
Congress- did not intend it should take place at all.
u, g. 9, TO- resolutions Strike out all after the word
| Resolved in the 7th resolution, and insert
/ Therefore that Congress is called upon to retrench
lis expenses;
| By abridgng the duration of the long -ions
| By regulating and more clearly defining the mileage
Of the members, and
By diminishing its contingent expenses, and
pecially those incurred
Il For stationary
H For printing
II For the employment of clerks for committees,
For folding printed matter to be transmitted
i through the mails,
! And that Congress is also called upon to make
trenchments in the following departments of the pub
liic service, viz:
To diminish the expenses of the Judiciary Depart
ment
To bring the diplomatic relations of the United
States within narrower limits by disseminating APP
preparations for charges daffares at Naples, Bogota
Caracas, Saint Jago, and Lima;
To diminish the expenses of foreign intercourse by
reducing the appropriations for diplomatic representa-
tives for Prussia and Brazil to the compensation
tached to the grade of ministers resident and for those
for Austria and Mexico to the compensation attached
10 the grade of charges d'atfaires.
To restricting the franking privilege ofmembers of
| Congress to letters and other communications in
writing only, and those not to exceed the weight
OF -;
To further limit and more clearly define the frank
! ing privileges Of deputy postmasters; and
To increase and regulate, according to the weight,
the charges to be made upon books, pamphlets, and
other printed packages, transmitted through the