The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-08-04
THE IRON RULE.

lHE IhO4N iNSISs
Some rather interesting secrets were suffered
70 find the light OF day in the Senate on Tues
day ast-nor are they the less important for the
repeated cry that the majority are not governed
by Caucus dictalion. When the Tariff was un
der discussion, Mr.. Berrien made some very
pertinent and sensible remarks respecting the
land clause. The honorable Senator suggested
the propriety of postponing the operation OF the
Land bill until the year 1914, and suffering the
proceeds in the meantime, to go into the Irea-
sury. He referred to the declaration OF Mr..
Evans, showing the necessity OF 1t, and ntl'
mated that an amendment to the bill. embrac-
ing his suggestion, would obvate all difficulties
in the way of its final approval, and be the means
of reconciling bitter aud conflicting opinions
Mr. b. then declared that he would move sue h
an amendment himself, but that he could not,
in consequence of the iron rule that had been
brought TO bear upon him and others. he did
not saw what this iron rule was, but II requires
no prophet to interpret his meaning; and mat
the world may know, we will give solution oil
this mysterious expression.
1t had been previously determined IN Cdu-
Gus, that the bill must pass as IT came from the
House of Representatives, and without any
amendments To accomplish this, with some
appearance o.. fairness, friends and foes must
be alike prevented from INDUCING IN grating or
pruning Hence the resolve OF King Caucus
was. that all amendments should be rejected,
no matter whence they came. This was the
iron rule alluded to by Mr. Bernen, and the ope-
ration of this rule introduced by the Wing ma
jority, WILL in all human probability, prevent
the passage of any Tariff bill at this session
The suggestion of Mr.. Berrien would have
opened the way for ad justng these vexed ques-
tons, had he been permitted TO have engrossed
his idea in the shape of an amendment; but
the goodness OF his heart was bound IN the let
ters of Caucus rules, and he could not sunder
the iron chain that CALLED his flesh.
We have been told repeatedly that the maJo-
rity holds no Caucus yet here Is one OF their
most inguished members rising IN his place
and openly coniessing the loalhsome collar that
is bound around his neck
1t would not answer the purposes OF the ma
jority TO allow any interference with the repeal
another Veto to carry on their game; and any
thing that would tend to induce the Executive
to sign the Tariff bill, would etiectualy destroy
their dark designs, and probably prevent Mr..
Bots from obtaining HI, lnquisltorlal Com
mttee.
For our own part, we consider the proposition
Of Mr.. Berrien yer, just and proper and we
should like TO have seen it in the shape OF an
amendment, with the yeas and nays upon It,
The impotence of gentlemen who really wish
to serve their country, and are yet bound by the
iron rules of party Caucus, i, the cause of one
half the troubles nov existing and the desire
TO make all legislation mere party stratagem
originates the iron rules. If those whose thoughts
are for their country's good, would allow their
acts to tally with the .'monilor Within" we
should have less party STITCHES Jaundlced
feelings and more permanent benefit from the
sessions of Congress; but while the rod Is
feared by those convinced of error. and freely
used on Caucus recreants, we cannot expect TO
see that free and unclaimed nobility of soul
which graces all legislative bodies and most OF
ALL should adorn the Senate of the United States.