The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-04-15

tn all the revenues derivabIe from the works TO be
constructed, TO meet and eStingush tie debt, In.
terest and principal; and while thEt policy was ad-
hered to- the credit Of that proud and wealthy State
remained untarnished, Blu, when that sound poll
cy was departed from, md the talents Of her finnn-
cial officers came 10 be exerted to find sales for
her stocks, not 10 my them, her credit, aso sunk
beneath The load heaped upon it. unsupported as
It was by any thing hut faith.
Still, even with this better feature of pledge Of
revenues in form, how far these propositions the
honorable colleague OF the honorable Senator were
calculated, at this time, to increase even confidence
in American credit abroad, Mr. w. would leave to
the two gentlemen to satisfy the country, declar-
ing his own most deep aud solemn convictions, that
the propositions of both were alike calculated to
strip from that credit the little footing already left
for it, by showing that our policy is either 10 de-
prve ourselves OF the means upon which credits
should be extended, OF, making formal pledge
of those means, to overtask them at the first
step.
Entertaining these views, Mr. w. had proposed
TO amend this resolution so as 10 express what he
believed to be the truth, at the time of the pas
sage Of the Distribution law, and also the conclu-
sion which ne thought should be pronounced from
the consideration arising out Of the question: and
he felt the deepest anxiety that the Senate should
udop, the amendment, and not. in the face Of con.
sequences so fearful, repeal the only restriction re-
naming upon this dangerous policy. lie was glad
TO see the resolution coming from the quarter ii
did, for it seemed to him to he distinct admission
that the distribution could not be made without the
further action of Congress He hoped that action
would not be obtained, but that the land revenue
would be permitted in this quiet way to pass INTO
the Treasury, and would be applied to the press
ing wants of the Government, and IN aid OF the
sinking credit of the country.
The resolution, if amended according to his mo-
ron, would read AS follows;
Resolved That the provision in the act of the
extra session for the distribution of the proceeds of
of the public lands, requiring the operation of that
act to be suspended in the cont gancy of higher
rate Of duty than twenty per cent. presents the
ground upon which only Congress has asSanied To
the distribution of the land revenue to the States,
und when it shall appear that the distribution can
not take place consistently with the terms Of that
provision, it will appear that state of things cy-
lists under which Congress did no! intend 1t should
take place at all
The six remaining resolutions Of the series relate
to wholly different class of subjects, and look to
reduction Of tho public expenditures. Although
important in their character, they require much
less of detail in their examination, and will be murh
more briefly noticed. The sixth resolution is in
the following words
6. Resolved, That it is the duty fthe Govern
ment at all times, but more especially in season
such as now exists of general embarrassment and
pecunnry Distress to abolish all useless Institutions
and offices. 10 curla all unnecessary expenses,
and 10 practise rigid economy.
Mr. W. proposed to make no remark upon this
resolution as he did not propose any change of its
form. Its language he thought might be improved
but 10 the general positions assumed in it, al least
so far as they concerned the action of Congress, he
took no exceptions
The 7lh, Sh, 9th, and 10th resolutions were in
the following language:
7. Resolved, That the contingent expenses Of
the two Houses Of Congress oush, TO be greatly re-
duced; and the mileage of members of Congress
ough, to be regulated and more clearly defined.
8. Resolved. That the expenses of the judicial
department Of Government, have, orla,e years, been
greatly increased and ough, to be diminished.
.. Resolved, That the diplomatic relations of
the U. 5. with foreign powers have been unneccs-
sariIy extended during the last twelve years, pnd
ought TO vbG. redgrfanr mo ,.,,,.
strained and punished, the postage on letters re-
diced The mode of estimating distances more clear
ly defined and prescribed, and n small addition to
postage made on books, pamphlets and packages,
transmitted by the mail, 10 he graduated and in.
creased according to their respective weights.
Ills principal objection to these resolutions was,
that they were too general in the mos! of their
declarations anil did not sufficiently bring the at.
tcnlion of the Senate to Specific points orNrlioh.-
Their passage, in their present FORM could not, ms
II seemed TO him, afford much aid to the Senate
or give any very useful direction 10 S committees,
when legislation upon the same general subjects
should he proposed. He had therefore, proposed
to substitute one resolution for all the four, which
h. had intended should cover Nil the ground oncu-
pied by these resolutions, embrace some sugGes-
tions not found in the or,ginnls and be more spc-
cilc, where he had found himself able 10 specify
the precise point for action. The following was
the substitute he had proposed.
Resolved, therefore, That Congress is called upon
10 reiiench It's expenses
BY abridgng the duration Of the long sessions;
by regulating and more clearly defining the mile
age Of the MEMBERS and
BY diminishing It's contingent expenses and es-
pecally those incurred
For Stationery,
For printing;
For the employment! of clerks for committees;
and
For folding printed matter to be transmitted
through the mails.
And that Congress is also called upon to make
re,renchmens ia The following departments Of the
public service, viz:
TO diminish the expenses of the Judiciary de-
partment;
To bring the diplomatic relations Of the U. ).
within narrower limits, by disseminating appropri-
atoms for charges d'afiiires at Naples, Bo;oga,
Carraccas ST. Jago, and Lima;
To diminish the expenses Of foreign intercourse
al pln
resenves for Prussia and Brazil TO the cDmpensa-
ZION attached to the grade of ministers resident.
and for those for Austria and Mexico to the com
pen'alion attached TO the grade of charges daft
flares:
To restrict the ranking privilege Of members Of
Congress TO letters and other communications in
writing only, and those TO exceed the weight Of;
To further limit and more clearly define the
frankng privilege ofdeputy poslmasiers; and
TO increase and regulate, according 10 the
weight, the charges TO be made upon books, pam.
Phlels. and other printed packages transmitted
through the mails.
Eyo h., h,I hoe ,har IF ,bo Coz