The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-01-11
From the Baltimore Patriot.

Roam OF ExcHEouER.-The report of the Secre-
ary of the Treasury the Board OF Exchequer con-
tinues to be fruitful source of comment In the news
papers, and as far public opinion may be gathered
from them we may reasonably infer that It is IN Ia
yor of the plan of the Secretary with certain modl-
fcations We have heretofore freely expressed an
opinion on the subject and we have seen no cause to
change by what has been said in the United States
Senate. where very unwise and premature debate
has taken place. The report with which the Secre-
tary accompanied his bill IS agreed on all hands TO be
a most able one. 1t challenged our Judgments, and
has unquestionably created strong conviction
throughout the country in favor of the bill Decla-
| matory denunciation will not serve to remove tins
conviction even if it be erroneous; for men are not
apt to give up what they believe to be sound opinions,
4 merely because others find pleasure IN abusing
| them The report then, for this reason, as well
as for the importance of the subject OF which 1t
treats deserves the camest consideration, from those
charged with acting on it. The people expect that
will receive t-and more, that wise counsels will
prevail in deciding on the advantages and practlca-
i bility of the plan of finance 1t proposes.
The evils which the establishment of the Board OF
4 Excheouer are designed to vital They al
feet every relation of life, and fast breaking down
what little of certainty there is left in trade. There Is
EsAar }rr Hit f Of t&chequer as
the wisdom of Congress may amend and modify it
then let some other practicable and efectual one be
prepared. This is the prevailing sentiment every
where. Among the people there is not found such
tcnacity for favore plan as we among mem
bers OF Congress, which would go to exclude all
others. Ii may be well for representatives To look tc
this else in precpitatng themselves into the oppos
ton to all practicable financial schemes they may be
separating from their constituents.
In the spirit of these remarks we might fill oui
columns with articles from numerous papers-sound
4, Wing ones too-throughout the country. We have
not space for them, but the following remarks from
the American of yesterday, which are in accordance
with views we have heretofore expressed so well re-
iectsthe opinions of the business people of Baltimore
that we must make room for them
From the Baltimore .4n,eyscan
THE EXCHEQUER BILL.
The course of debate in the United States Senate
on the new bill from the Treasury Department viii
be regarded, we presume, with some surprise by ma
ny people IN the country.
The thing to be remarked upon is that an opposi-
ton, unqualified absolute, and peremptory should
have started up against the bill a mere motion of
reference before the subject had been considered BY
committee, and brought fairly before the Senate
1t is usual, we believe in legislative matters less
important than this, to bestow upon a new PROPOSE
ton the courtesy OF considerations, or at least the
sembance of it, according to the forms Of parlia-
mentary proceedings Is there any thing in the bill
now before the Senate so improper in itself SO
unconstitutional in its character manifestly impo-
lite, as to forfeit for the whole claims to
ordinary observances. The country will ask this
There are laws of necessity in the political world
as well as IN every other world that human beings
have to act IN. In all Of them il holds good as a
maxim Of wisdom-if cannot get the best, tc
make the best of what can get. While princ.
pies are to be held sacred, discretion may find much
room for exercise within the circuit of expedicncy
i Whatever may be the faults of the Exchequer
plan there is this to be noticed in it, that its features
are disclosed openly and without reserve If the
powers which it asks for are too great the precise
extent of them at all events may be SEEN and wher-
ever danger is apprehended, il may be guarded
against We are not prepared to uphold the plan IN
all respects, il has been submitted; but its claim.
to fair and full examination are not to be over
looked.
1t is urged that all who opposed the Sub Treasury
on account of the great power which II gave TO the
Executive, must reject the Exchequer plan because
it conters greater; that the germ of Government
Bank contained in the one appears in full-blown ma
turty i'll the other; that, in short the new system
with IFS developed scheme of operation in fact the
old one advanced beyond its crysalis state and
ducd with the vigor Of enlarged growth.
If these things are So then is there the more need
Of full examination OF the project at the hands OF
commttee--so that the condemnation which il
shall merit may come with due weight. To sen
tence without fair hearing is to bar the idea
that Justice has been done And, If this is
TO fail by the force of dcnuncatory speeches. in adj
vance of regular consideration there will be room
for the suspicion that something besides patriotism,
has been active the business
We like much the tone and spirit exhibited by Mr..
Simmons, of Rhode Island in the debate of We'd
ncsday Ii will not be forgotten that it was this gen
tleman who stood up with much manliness and
good sense the constitutional question involved in
the first fiscal agency bill at the extra-sesson His
opinion will have its weight.
/ II is an easy matter for those who are determined
To oppose thing to find objections enough against
But would it not be more commendable task IN
considering an important measures 10 seek out what
parts in 1t are really good 10 strive 10 remove such
objections are fairly to be found and to adapt it,
if such adaptation is practicable, 10 the ends it pro-
fesses to aim at-the good of the country and the
common interest If every statesman in the Senate,
or every who thinks himself such, TO have the
forming of his plan of finance, and to stand out
against all proposals that do not coincide with ms
views, the country will doubtless have plans enough
| without being the better Of any