The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-08-26
CONGRESS.

CONGHESS.
In the Senate on Thursday, communication
from the Navy Department was read, relating to the
transfer of money under the direction of the Presi-
dent of the United States, according TO the law OF
1884
Mr.. BAYARD, from the Committee tue Dis
trct of Columbia whom had been referred the bill,
amended by the House. TO suppress the sale OF lo-
terry tickets in the District of Columbia, made report
thereon, recommending non-concurrence in the
amendments of the House; and the report was agreed
10 by the Senate.
Mr. MERRICK called for the consideration OF the
resolution submitted by him yesterday, requesting me
President of the United States to communicate to the
Senate any detailed estimate report he may have
caused TO be prepared at the Treasury Department
since the passage by Congress, of the bill "toprovde
revenue from impors and TO change and modify ef-
isting laws imposing duties imports, and for other
purposes" showing the amount Of revenue which
probably would have been collected under it, if il had
become law; together with any brief explanations
of data and the reasons on which the estimates ac-
companying the based.
Mr. HUNTINGTON remarked that they had had
report from the head of the Department and now an
effort was made substitute for the calculations of
subordinate officer. The resolution would probably
excite discussion, and for the purpose OF asceraining
whether the Senate were disposed to adopt sugges
ton of this kind he moved that 1t be laid upon the
table.
Mr. MERRICK said that the resolution merely
asked for the estimates which the President had di-
rected to be made at the Treasury Department. And
he called for the yeas and nays, which were ordered ,
and being taken, resulted-yeas 10, nays FL, fol-
lows:
YEAS-Messrs. Archer, Barrow, Berrien, Bates,
Clayton, Crafts, Crittenden, Dayton Evans, Graham,
head, Phelps, Porter, Smith, of Ia, White-l9
NAYS-Messrs. Allen, Bagby, Bayard Benton
Buchanan, Calhoun, Choate, Fulton, King, Linn,
Merrick, SEWER Simmons, Sprague, Sturgeon, w ak
er, Williams, Woodbridge, Woodbury., Wright,
Young-2l.
So the Senate refused to lay the resolution on the
table.
Mr. EVANS moved to amend it by making the
call upon the Secretary of the Treasury, instead of
upon the President of the U nlted States.
Mr. MERRlCK hoped that the Senate would not
consent TO adopt the amendment for thereby the OBJ
ject which he had in view would be defeated. They
wanted the estimate which has already been prepared
at the Treasury Department. under the order of the
Executive, showing what would probably have been
the amount Of revenue collected under the bill which
had lately passed the two Houses of Congress- but
which had been disapproved of by the President and
he desired to have this information with view to
shed light on the bill which was now before the Sc
nate which, with two exceptions, similar
to the former revenue project. This resolution
did not call upon subordinate officer for
Inmates, but upon the Executive, The head
of the nation relative TO public business. =
Nothing could be more legitimate or proper. Ii was
true that they had had estimates from the Secretary
of the Treasury but since the time that they fur
nished that officer had been suffering by sickness.
Another estimate had been made, based for augh he
knew on different state of things from that which,
several months ago. existed in the country.
Mr. EVANS was not satisfied with any thing which
the Senator had said. If they adopted the resolution
in the form presented they would set precedent at
novel and dangerous; as it called upon the Pre-
sden to submit estimates OF revenue, for which, by
law, they had to look to the Secretary of the Trea
sury. He (Mr Evans) thought that he understood
this matter and where these estimates were made
The law says that there shall be Secretary of the
Treasury, and enumerates his duties; but these est-
mates now called for not made at the Treasury
Department. The Secretary had complied with his
duty. The President, however, passed to the First
Comptroller whose business it is to settle accounts
and act under the direction of the Secretary touch
ing such alters connected with the collection of re-
venue as may be designated The Comptroller, in
this case, is made the head of the Department and
the resolution contemplates him the head of the
Department! He would repeat, that the Secretary
of the Treasury had furnished estimates to the
probable amount of duties which would be collected
under the Revenue bill /; and he Mr. E.) autho-
rzed to say that after that bill its passage,
that officer made report to what is would yield.
Mr.. KING inquired, Where is the report?
Mr.. EVANS 1t has not been printed.
Mr.. KING. have not seen it.
Mr.. EVANS. The Secretary's calculation was
twenty six and half millions.
A voice 'Neti'
MIR. EVANS Yes, sir. The President had no
right in the Treasury Department; and he had sent
the First Comptroller there, with the design to over
rule and reject the opinion of the officer of Govern
ment the Secretary whose duty it was by law, to
furnish estimates. All this might 20 to throw dis
credit the bill, and hold it up in an unfavorable
light to the country and throw discredit, too, on
members of both Houses who voted for the bill 1t
was not only veto on the bill, but those who
voted for it and calculated to make the impress.
sion that while that measure pretended to be for
revenue, it was in truth, prohibitory in its provs-
ions And now they called upon to furnish
themselves with this irregular proof, condemnng
their proceedings, and justifying those who voted
against the bill on account of its alleged prohbitory
character. They were asked to reject the estimates
of the Secretary of the Treasury and take those fur
nished in the absence of law, and in pursuance of
dangerous usurpat n. One of the newspapers which
had set down the probable amount orevenue at twelve
and half millions, this morning. corrects the publica-
on,and asserts that the amount too small and that
there had been little in the calculations Now
this creaeda doubt to who the head of the Trea-
sury in these days. for it not in this matter alone
that the duties Of the Secretary have been undera-
ken by others. The Comptroller issues circulars in
relation to matter expressly placed in the charge of
the Secretary of the Treasury viz as to collecting
the revenues and fixing the valuations of mportations
This matter was to be sure subject to the control of
the President but after ALL was in the hands of the
Secretary; yet, without consulting him. these crcu-
lars were issued! 1t was therefore,, time to inquire
who was the head of the Treasury Department. If
the President the Comptroller was, be it so. He,
(Nlr Evans,) however, was for maintaining the au-
thory of law, and looking for estimates to an officer
who was responsible alone to Congress.
Mr. ARCHER said that, among other extraordi-
nary things which they had seen within the last few
years, this was the most extraordinary. Here were
some calculations Of the President which it was pro-
posed, by the solemn action Of the Senate to have
exhibited!
Mr.. MERRICk interrupted the Senator He said