The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-08-23
CONGRESS.


adjournutent, sine de- Of the two Houses of Con-
gress He said that he did not intend to discuss the
question, but he merely desired to amend the resou
ton, so as to afford them little more time for the
transaction Of the public business.
The resolution was taken up, when
Mr. PRESTON observed that he thought il mpos
sble for the Senate to concur in the proposition
the House, and therefore he desired to move an
amendment, fixing the day Of adjournment for Mon
day week, the 29th instant. The resolution, as it
read, proposed that by the joint action of the two
branches, they should adjourn the god but they
not in condition to do so,-the public business
would not permit it. He trusted that it would not be
improper to say that they had now two treaties be-
fore them, which would PROFESSIONALLY occupy the
Senate the entire day and in all probability afford
sufficient business for Monday, as they contained
principles and details of much Importance and should
not be hurried through without elaboration This,
if no other was reason why the resolution should
be amended according to his suggestion. There
were thirty-nne nominations of the Executive to be
acted on, many of which were controverted, and
some of which had been before them ever since the
second month of this session Action OF some kind was
undoubtedly necessary on this mass Of business
Besides there were forty fifty bills from the House,
and about the number of those of the Senate,
several of them relating to the army and also eight
nine bills for the reorganization and advancement
of the navy. All Of these had yet to be acted on.
Therefore, it seemed to him that they would not be
true to their duty under these circumstances if they
did not allow themselves few more days of intense
labor for the purpose of transacng the public bust
ness. BY the Constitution, the House alone could
originate money bills, and any system of revenue
measures must there commence.
tHorln he of fhD ,anf he
embarrassment of the Treasury, and the situation in
which the loan stood, he thought that he might truly
say that nine-enths OF the members of Congress be-
leved that adequate income for the next year was
not provided, and further, the hardly fur
nished for keeping the Government in operation until
the first Of January next. For one, therefore, he
not disposed to adjourn, until the patience Of
Congress exhausted in an effort to perform this
paramount duty. If any thing could be found in the
sacrifice of individual convenience and party policy,
it ought to be resorted to, due to our
mon country. In this disastrous condition of
our affairs, he had objection to mitigat-
ing their action down to the lowest point even
if it would allow the Government more than its
daily bread and he hoped that he might be permit
ted to say that he would consider it great if
they denied under these circumstances, this feeble
sustenance which necessary for its daily preser
walton. There was little difference between that le-
gislation which arrested supplies at the commence
ment of government, and that system which ar
rested it in its progress. They were, then, call,
ed upon to do every thing which they could
to relieve the Treasury There had been strong
array of party feeling pressing upon Congress,
but in his opinion it should to some extent, at least
be renqulshed, and they should proceed to perform
their duty to their country He would put it to the
Senate and as far his voice could reach, to the
it should turn out that Congress
had adjourned without providing any system of reve-
nue. how should they for the neglect to their
bleeding country; how answer to their constituents
I A voice: Answer it with veto. Answer 1t with
veto the gentleman says. But would this be suti-
cient answer Would it be sufficient answer for
their responsibility Should they play game of
party when the country at stake and the game
lost? No: he could not indulge in this chase, and in
no game of this kind could he stake his country He
thought duty to remain here to DO all that ne could
Ito furnish the house with extended opportunity to
mature some measure to answer the purpose desired
If they abandoned the country without revenue how
would it stand? The great weight of authority, and
which preponderated on one side, was, that there
were now no laws under which revenue could be col
lected Merchants had so decided without an ex-
ception; all the leading lawyers had SO decided and
as far as he had heard almost every one had given
similar decision Ever since the first OF August, du
ties had been paid under protest. and this remained
a subject for judicial decision On this floor, with
one or two exceptions, this the general opinion
and it was SO in the other branch 1t seemed to him.
therefore, that, as there was doubt this subject,
they should have farther time to and settle it.
If ever they were called to put themselves in a
position to do their duty without reference to any
thing personal or PARTISAN this the moment. He
could help the expression Of the belief he could
say that he was allowed to know that those who UNI
der these circumstances would permit themselves to
rise superior to those considerations, would receive
the appreciation of their constituents in consideration
of the sacrifices thus made the altar of our COM
mon country. He then moved to modify the resolu-
tion fixing the day of adjournment for Monday week,
the 29th instant
Mr. TALLMADGE remarked that if the resolution
should be amended according to the suggestion Of
the Senator from South Carolina and the House of
Representatives disposed of their business before that
time, he supposed they would propose an earlier
day.
Mr.. HENDERSON. Say Wednesday.
Mr.. TALLMADGE was of the opinion that the
Senate were not prepared to fix any day for the adj
iournment but he believed that they should by-and
BY be able to do so, with much better understand
ing hnn they had whether the time shorter or
longer than that proposed He concurred in what the
Senator from South Carolina had said as to the i'm
portance of action on certain subjects. He would
not undertake to say one word In relation to what
had already transpred, but he felt to be duty to
himself and his country not to leave here as long
there was any hope of passing of revenue.
He was not sufficiently informed to say whether the
House would originate one or not. However, he was
for waiting longer to see what the other branch
would do, and he hoped that it would be
able to agree upon some system OF revenue
In the meantime they would act wisely by lay
ing the resolution the table, while it was in their
power to take tup at any time they might desire to
do so. The magnitude of this question could hardly
be realised. If they adjourned, and left the country
in its present condition, the result would be really
appalling Even allowing such duties as are on one
hand supposed to exist and concedng that there are
laws sufficient for their collection, there would be
influx of foreign goods. And how could it be ex-
pected that this state of things would be better the
next session than it was now' In the interim, for
want Of action the country would be filled with these
goods and the interests of the domestic manufactu-
rer Frustrated and even if they passed adequate
tariff under low duties they would receive sup
plies from abroad sufficient to answer the demands of
consumption for four or five years to come la this
condition of things, the domestic manufacturer ought