The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-02-18

almost the only Injuries which poor man and his
! family are permitted to enjoy' win il be contcn-
ded TINT such an act meets the appreciation Of the
people! So Ear from it, if rumor speaks truly an
| honorable gentleman, late a member Ofthls House,
but since resigned, who voted for the tax ,has been
defeated as n candidate for Governor Of his State,
in consequence Of having given that odous vote.
Mr. Meriwilher Of Georgia denied that his COL
league, Col Dawson, had been defeated in conse-
quence of that vote.
Mr. Eastman. do not pretend 10 know the (act;I
speak Only ofrumor an d,hut is, that the gen
t.cman referred to lost his election chiefly in
sequence Of that vote. BE that as it may. no ore
could deny that deep indignation was evidently
manifested throughout the community when the bill
to tax tea and coffee passed this House. The pro-
LESSONS ofsympathy for the poor man, which had
so often been expressed before the election by the
federal parry, were, by this act, shown 10 be be ar
rant hypocyicy; and the people did not hesitate to
express their feelings in the s,ronges, and most i'll
| dignunt terms.
| Ipass now, sir, to the bankrupt bill This bill,
so oiien characterized rs " the poor mans bill, lis
but another piece Of political deception. Concciv-
ed for political effect, to operate vpou the fall cleo
tons, and produce division in favor Of the par
ty in power, 1t was carried through this House. as
is doubtless within the distinct recollection Of every
gentleman present, not without the most strenuous
efforts Of party leaders, and not till after repeated
dIls Of cduchs dic,atlon. Striking at the very
foundations of society," it meets, as il deserves, the
stern rebuke of every well wisher to good govern
ment, and every upho'der Of good morals. "'rhe
poor mans hl' Sir, it is the E" iogue's biil.''--
No man, trust, will 60 farther, or do mole to aid
the mcrltorous, the unfortunate, tho laborng poor,
than would myself But this bill is for IN en-
,re!y different class, 1t is for your splendid poor
who live in prohigacy and easc-who squander
fortunes that have been amused by other mems
iabors--who ride in coachcs--vish watering
p'aces--run up bills at the most fashionable and
expensive hogscs, and plunge into all kinds Of
gambling and Specializing operations. WHY, sir,
10, one man in hundred Of the really poor can
raise money enough to pay The fees and costs Of Ia
king the benefit! Of the act |, Is qaiIc out Of his
reach; it is entirely too seaiee an affair for him;
none but n gentleman can take the benefit Of this
ATT And permit me 10 say, sit, that however much
ofPuh'ic sentiment and public opinion may be man
uiaciurcd in iayor c( this measure in some Of the
| fashionable streets of our cities; however much
few newspapers, controlled by few sduaIs,
may dole out their personal lamentations, the great
mass Of The people, the honest he industrious, eco
nomical Of all grades and cGsses, view It IA n
measure Taught with the most alarming and dire
iul consequences.
Nor, sir, are these the only measures OF your
extra session which the people have condeWucd.--
| Your Loan hl--lhc corner stone o.! consolidation
and federuli,nl--rccciyes no approval. Your ah-
orvn attempts (t'anl,S 10 picsiIcE, Tyler for
making them suchl to iJslcn upon !heit necks
National nnnk, have been most sgnally rebc.:ca
| If IN the recent elections any one issue was more
particularly pat 10 the people than anoiher, it was
that Of Il Bans; and upon it, sir the Federal party
have almost every where heen completely swept
out.
Let INC now pass to the one hou- rule.
MIR Davis Of kentucky hero called Mr. Eastman
to order 70: irrccvnncy in debate, He wished the
gentleman from New Hampshire confined 10 the
naked question before the House.
The Speaker sad that it would not he fair to
conline tie gentleman (iom New Hampshire to the
naked question before the House, after so much
latitude had been allowed to other gentlemen who
had preceded him; and decided that The gentleman
from New Hampshire was in order.
Mr. Eastman. The gentleman from Kentucky
is the first one that has ever called me TO order
since member Of this House | desire sir, nj all
times to keep myself within the rules and orders Of
this House, and when cannot do il, | will resign
my seat and 90 home. And | am hnppy to find
that am not now iransgrcsSins the rules Of this
body but am prcnoun by the presiding officer to
be in order. ] am aware that | un induging in
much latitude Of debate, and | assure gentlemen
that should not have proceeded thus far, hid
not deemed it necessary in order TO meet the al
lacks and answer the statements that have been
made by gentlemen who have proceeded me in the
debate. viii 20 with the gentleman from Ken
lucky at all times in combining the discussions strict
~ TO the question under consideration; bat the rule
must be enforced at the commencement, and not
partially applied TO one member after others have
been allowed the widest range.
! Let inc now come back, sir, TO the one hour
rule" I am aware that there is much, too much
talking rpcn this floor ! am aware, too, that in
many, perhaps most instances an hour il sufficient.
| y long enough for gentleman TO say what he mny
deem necessary; but TIM. the representatives. Of
irecmcn should be confined 10 the ticking Of a
watch or the moving Of the hands upon dial plate
that they should be compelled. when their sixty
minutes are ont, 10 close their lips in III, ms. Of
Il subject needing calculation, needing explanation
or in the middle Of sentence hah' uttered, is not
what irecuen want. Sir, let ne tell the gentleman
from Tennessee lir Arnold who has commen.
dcd this rule so highly, that the people who send
Representatives 10 this House calculate thu. they
are mcn Of scnse--and that men Of sense know.
hot only when 10 speak, how long 10 speak. ana
what to say. They look upon this rule ~ childish,
rs unhecouing the NATIONAL councils Of their cnun-
irv, aud ~ ~ ranica in its consequences. IL their
inc.rs.s and tn, Interests Of the country require
hal their Representatives shall be heard in tins
great forum of the nation, they wish and demrna
that they shall be heard as long rs their good sense
and good judgement. shall di'ia'e; ua'ramneled by
any Of the piraphernal that may be necessary
to keep within hounds those who know rot when
to begin nor when to end. The gentleman tells US,
sir, that " one boar is long enough for i man of
sense 10 spaal,and great deal to long Tor fool"
Whether the gentleman intends 10 make anv APP
plicalion Of hi' remark TO the members Of Ills
House, do ne, presume 10 know; cc.1iny shall
make no such application, neither will contend
with the gentleman in deciding which part Of his
proposition is mos, applicable 10 himself.
Bu; whatever the gentleman nay think Of the
.lour rule, and w1icvcr difference ofopi1icn may
lc IRE ,umed 10 cxi,. in regard 10 it, the other rule
adopted at the extra session, by which bill may
he taken gu, Of committee Whenever it shall sni, |
the caprice or be required By the purposes of the
MINORITY. do rot hesitate 10 pronounce gross