The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-02-08

commenced yesterday, and as vet scarcely an
attempt has been made to act on any Of the
great measures in which the interests of the
pay of the members themselves and of their Off
GERS, and the law authorizing the issue of Trea-
sury notes. are, we believe, the only important
acts that have passed. In nine weeks, only two
measures have passed the ordeal of legisation,
and both of them were accompanied by very
little discussion All the important bills in rela-
ton TO the public service, all the great ques-
tons which are to influence the interests Of the
country, are slumberng on the Speakers table,
or have not yet emerged from the privacy Of the
committee rooms. Every one of these will pro-
duce in all probability, protracted debates. The
civil appropriation bill has invariably been test
on which to hang innumerabe speeches long
drawn out. 1t has been reported from the Com
mitee Of Ways and Means, and been referred
10 the Committee of the Whole on the state of
the Union When il will be taken up, none,
we believe, can give probable conf lecture, for
no one can possibly foresee when the speech
which engages the attention of the House will
be brought TO a close. And when it has fully
discussed all the questions which it promised to
investigate, and been expanded to the fullest
size which it is capable Of attaining, by the in
Production of countless episodes, who can give
pledge that it will not be followed by 9th
ers? But, suppose the case of Mr.. Adams
decided-no matter how-a months discussion
may flow from the civil bill Then will fol-
low in succession the Army bill, the Indian bill
the Navy bill, which may probably be subjected
to the same process Of intended publication
In addition TO these bills Of regular annual oc
currence, which must necessarily be passed,
though perhaps with some notifications in their
details, we have the prospect besides of an acri-
monious and heightened discussion on the tariff,
as well as on many other subjects of general
policy. The Secretary Of the Navy has ear
nestly urged on Congress the necessity Of a
complete reorganization of his Department, and
the establishment ofcertain reforms in the Navy.
Time will be required TO mature bills on these
subjects, and the arrangement Of their details
will no doubt furnish occasion for frequent in
terchange of opinion, of argument and replica
ton among those members the most conversant
with the topic.
We mention last though it certainly will
not be brought the last into the arena of legis-
lative warfare-the most important of all the
topics which will employ the wisdom of Con
gress, the settlement of the financial question
for this subject, the distress in which the whole
country is involved and the voice Of the people
in every sectivn. demand the immediate action
Of the Legislature. The consideration Of this
bill will be and ought to be subjected to the
slant temporary relief-but prospective perma-
nent benefit. With an object so comprehen
sive in view, every step must be taken with
caution. Prolonged debate is therefore inevita-
BILE, and no one will be found to oppugn its pro-
priety
We are not opposed to the freedom of discus
sion, nor have we made these remarks with the
intent ofinsinua,ing any objection to the utmost
latitude of debate. We make no opposition to
debate, but we condemn long discursive speech
es on questions in no way involving the int
rests of the people and of the country
We wish to call the attention of our legisla-
tors to the immense quantity of the real business
Of the people which remains to be done, and to
impress on their minds the impossibility of its
performance, unless a revolution takes place in
the manner of conducting business in the House
In nine weeks two bills have passed involving
little or no debate-wil it be possible with a
necessary discussion on each, to determine the
fate of nearly twenty others, within the limits
of reasonable season, if the same rate of pro
gress is retained We do not wish TO infringe
on the rights of Mr. Adams; but we are moi
willing to concede to him the privilege of being
sole Judge OF his rights. And granting that the
| speech which he is now employed in delivering
absolutely necessary to set his character righ
before the people and the word--which, how
ever, we do not believe - his vindicatior
should be waived, and his personal interests be
made to succomb to the interests of the nation
The prospect of the work that remains to be
done should prove a sufficient stimulant to in
duce Congress to set about its performance, ant
to tread under foot minor and personal matters
at least until the duty owed to the country is
discharged.
The above was written and put int
the hands Of the printer before we bac
learned the action of the House on the cas-
Of Mr.. Adams. The issue is no longer left L
conjecture. The debate, the continuation o
which we have deprecated, is at length brough
TO termination. We trust that the select com
mitee on the Exchequer scheme will not long de
lay TO make report. This is the most mportan
| question of the session. whatever modification