Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-06-16

tleman represented Massaehusett. asa, he did not
know very well how TO proceed; he came at length
the CONCLUSION thai the provision the ball should
be retained the tariff would stand bu, poor chance.
but for this he gave reason whatever nor
| could Mr.. +. Tor his lite trace any connection be
tween the premises and the conclusion. In word,
| the gentleman seemed to him to be very busiy de
v1slns some scheme Jy which he might serve God
and Mammon. loud laushter.) But so fixed
vas Mr.. T.. in his adhesion to the distribution act,
that sooner than shake tina: IN the least de
July.
MIR FOSTER expressed his satisfaction that the
present discussion had disclosed state OF things
which he had long suspected, but which was at
length openly avowed lie had not been prepared
Tor such an avowa had lust fallen from the homo
rsb'e and distinguished gentleman from Vermont,
tMr Evefett.l Mr.. L. diselamed ali intention oil de-
hvering homily 10 the committee on national tsi,h
or individual faith, or on the obligation oi good
morals; but this he would say, that in morals he
held himself bound 90 act in lis public capacity as
he would in private life. In confirmation OF this
position Mr.. F. referred to his IN the case Of
the Bank of the United States. where, though sire
nously opposed IN principle and policy to that IN
stitution he had nevertheless opposed and voted
gainst the removal from it OF the public depostes
because he held the Government bound in honor,
10y contract with the bank, to allow It the CUSTODY
OF the public money as consideration iot what the
bank had undertaken to DO for the Government.
lie never would consent, any csSe 10 violate the
pledged faith OF the United States. Such was his
view Of public faith STILL
He had heard with deep regret from the gentle >
man tIom Vermont flor whose talents, intelligence
and Tr vate virtues no man entertained higher
respeet) the avowal that he had voted for the prov-
50 IN the distribution bill merely in order TO pass
the Jaw, but with purpose, as soon as that was
accomplished. TO take the first opportunity TO repeal
the provsc He fully admitted that the acts OF ono
Congress not legally binding on another, and
that personal pledges could alter this state OF
things: but what not binding in law might be
strongly binding in honor and conscience, aud he
appealed to gentlemen who were here when the DIS
tributon bill passed. to say whether it ever could
have received the votes of "A majority but for the m
ser,ion of the provisol And II not, whether the
same gentlemon. now here, were not bound TO sus-
tam that pcovisol
MIR +. iquoted the words OF the proviso, which
were too plain TO admit of any dispute: long
the duties % per cent. the distribution
was to be suspended yet here was bill declaring
that the distribution should not be suspended; and
the House were plainly told that II was designed
from the FIRST to do this soon the opportunity
should be presented
This was not dealing 10 good faith either with
the opponents Of distribution with the President,
who never would have signed the distribution bill
unless the proviso had been there.
MIR GOGGlN was understood to inquire whe-
Their the provso had been inserted by the request OF
the President his frends7
MIR FOSTER said he DID not know. lie hoped
no member OF the House would be so indicate as
TO consat the President in such matter. Mem
bers OF the House acted their responsibility, the
President acted on his; and Mr. F. did not know
how he was connected with the matter in any way
TIL the bill was before him. MIR F. concluded, from
the sentiments previously avowed by MIR Tyler,
that he would not have signed the bill whou the
provso.
MIR F. made the fullest disclaimer of any inten-
ton TO cast injurious imputhtions the motives OF
gentlemen. He hoped every man would consult
his own conscience, and act according TO its die.
tates. For his own part he believed that the pre-
serva;on Of national good faith of more import
ance than all the tariffs that ever had been or would
be passed to the end Of time.
Asio the warning which had been thrown out
that certain grand spectators intended 10 ship their
goods for the benefit Of drawback and after the LIST
OF July re import them under the low duties. he
was confident the ingenuity OF the chairman OF IN
Ways and Means would devise little bill to pu,
stop to such schemes. A voice, ayes. here ii
Isl knew 1t, said Mr. FL knew IL. am not
10 be scared with humbugs. 4 taught
lie referred to the circumstances in which the
compromise law had been enacted, and TO his own
course IN reference TO that bill. He had at the time
gwen notice, openly, that he did not hold himself
pledged by 1t TO any future course; but had he sal
silent, and suffered il TO pass, he should have con-
sdere1 himself bound to maintain it. He then re
verted TO the avowal OF MIR Everett, and implored
the committee 10 consider well before they acted in
such a cas-.
Dir JOSEPH r. INGERSOLL. next addressed
the committee: but the Reporter regrets his inabii
" from Mr. lis relative position and the distance Of
his seat 10 do any justice TO his speech. But a
part OF 1t could be distinctly heard at the seat as
Hol.
| tlc was understood to say that he believed
neither the gentleman from Georgia, mir Foster
nor himself To be personally committed by the mas
sage OF the Oh section Of the distribution act o
1871, and 10 disclam being Influenced IN his vote
any Tune by considerations personal TO himself, o.
o'heT Than those OF the interests of the country
large. In reference 10 the present bill its objects
was 10 guard against the recurrence Of state o
Things which, when IL arrived, both Congress ant
the country would deeply and alike deplore. VIVA
was 20 become OF Government situated like ours
with nine millions IN Treasury notes outstanding
ond loan the amount OF which was not at pre-
sent distinctly known, and still anxiousIy seeking
| TO increase that amount; when, as would be tn
case on the LIST of July next, the effect OF the com
promise act would off half the last install
ment OF duty IN the descending scale of reductions
1 What would the Government do without reVenu
70 meet It's wants and It's engagements Its wheel
must stand still.
The object OF this bill was TO prevent the occur
renee OF a result so caami,ous, by suspcnding IN
enect OF existing law until Congress should hav
further time TO provide for the emergency. Coul
any gentleman refuse to support a measure so rea
sona6le, so necessary Would he consent TO Sc
the Government OF his country brought to an aciua
o-st'l Tor want OF the timely In,erposition
COlsItss4 Let gentlemen remember that tim
waited for none. While gentlemen deliberated an
hesiiaied, the shadow the dial continued 20 move
and the LIST Of July would arrive whether the Gov
eminent was ready TO meet Il or not. Should It fu
us without revenue, the country must he disgrac
ed. To save us from such dishonor and embatrass
ment, was It not better 10 adopt a 7recautionar
measure like this, IN order 10 afford time Tor the ma
turing OF permanent snd well considered arrange
ment Of our system oi national poicy7
Mr. !. could assure the gentleman from Solt
Carolina (hr Pickens) and all others who felt an
doubt on the matter, that this was the honest an
the sole purpose Of this bill. II they thought it
PROVISIONS Objectionable, they were open 10 amend
meni. The difficulty the committee had TO en-
counter was that the laws touching revenue provi
ded not only Tor the present. but extended thei
provisions TO the future likewise. So that in July
l912, the last remnant Of duty over 20 per cent
must be stricken from the statute book; and tn
mode of estimating duties on foreign valuation wa
to be exchanged for different and un,ried plan
that OF home valuation OF oil goods imported -
The efecto this bill would he, not to repeal bu
70 suspend these provisions OF law. Tie distribu
ton OF the proceeds OF public lands would HI
Kept IN allegiance for momcntarY space unit
Congress should have time to deliberate on that a.
well as on the great subject Of the tariff generally
Mr. ]. protested 10 have his mind entirely opei
70 conviction on this question oil the public land :
! which he had not had occasion fully TO consider
As TO the obligation 10 maintain the proviso n
whith the gentleman from Georgia had spoken
| Mr. !. was ready 70 maintain that: except IN case
, Of contract, no acts could be passed by one Legs
lature which might not be sposed bya Legislature