The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-07-20
CONGRESS-THE BIG TARIFF.

Inc press, with nearly one voice. has again
ana again condemned the present Congress for
It's totai dereliction of duty aud its prostitution
OF The ume and money of the People TO Presi-
denl'l eading and President-making. These
animadversions, on the neglect of Congress to
devote It's energies to lis appropriate functions,
are directed against that body in general only and
makes room for numerous individual exceptions.
Members OF Congress are, no doubt, SO in many
instances, worthy and respectable men," To
these, the denuncialions of the press unques-
tonably do not apply. Their own conscious
! ness, as well as the testimony given in various
| quarters 10 their recttude of purpose and con-
duet, will prevent them from wincng under the
| ohloquy TO which the course of Congress, as a
body, has been deservedly subjected
| Having mentioned that there are many by no
means obnoxious to the charges urged by the
press against Congress, we find no better proof
| not only OF the truth of the accusations, but of
the consciousness of guilt than in the lameness
OF the attempts made to vindicate its conduct
from the imputations alleged against it.
Some time since, an elaborate list was made
purpose of showing that the present incumbents
OF the Representative Office had been as indus
trious as most of their predecessors. BY long
array of private bills respectable list was made
out. But, however specous the attempt, it was
unsuccessful. The People know that the pre-
sent session had assembled for the purpose of
acting on public questions of the highest impor-
tance, and with the promise that the action
should be as energetic and prompt as could be,
consistent with caution and deliberation. The
Loan bill was passed after sufficient delay. But
six months had elapsed, not only before any
other bill Of paramount importance wa. decided,
but before the House condescended TO consider
such bill. And what is the apology now ?
Why, that Congress can do no good, because it
is thwarted by the obstinacy of the President
Secondly, as we read in an exchange paper, that
the long delay IN the action of Congress on the
Tariff bill has been produced by the anxious eff
forts of Congress to frame the bill so as to suit
the views of the President!
On the first excuse, we have but the one re-
mark to make: that Congress having passed no
bill vetoed by the President until within the last
few days, Congress itself must be responsible
for the delay of legislation.
On the second excuse, we feel that as short a
comment is sufficient. 1t is acknowledged in
the first place, that the discussion of the tariff
bill has been long delay ed-has been DELAYED
until the period when according to usage the
House adjoulns. We might refer TO many au-
thorltles, without adventuring any opinion of
our own, that the revenue bill, or the tariff,
Is the great queston-is the question, of the
session. Well there has been an unprecedent
ed delay in the action of Congressman the con-
slderation of the Tariff bill, the most important
OF the bills, has been deferred until July The
delay is acknowledged. SO much is granted
What has caused the delay The anxiety to
meet the wishes of the President2 Now we
conceive those who watch the course of public
business, as it is called, need not be informed
that, so far from any attempt having been made
to meet the wishes of the President, the effort
has been so to frame the bill that veto might
be insured or the President headed. The
supposition that any anxiety has been manifest
ed to consult the wishes of the President is
"but the stuff dreams are made of,"-to quote
from late authority. That the great Tariff
bill has been framed So as to provide in the most
efficient manner for the general good, is ques-
ton on which we are not called at the present
moment to pronounce; but that any portion of
1t was framed or worded with disposition in
Difference to any views of the President, or to
make compromise with any of his objections,
we utterly deny. The bill itself as it was re-
ported and as it stands, is palpable proof of
the falsity of the assertion. The delay in the
consideration of the Tariff bill has not been
caused, even thus indirectly, by the President