The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-07-21
CONGRESS-THE BIG TARIFF.

and again condemned the present Congress tor
its total derection of duty and its prostitution
of the time and money of The People to Presl-
dent-headng and President-makng. These
animadversions, on the neglect of Congress TO
devote its energies to its appropriate functions,
are directed against that body in general only land
makes room for numerous individual exceptions.
instances, worthy and respectable men," To
these, the denuncialions of the press unques-
tlonably do not apply. Their own conscious
ness, as well as the testimony given in various
quarters 10 their recttude OF purpose and con-
duct, will prevent them from wincing under the
oboquy to which the course of Congress, as a
body, has been deservedy objected.
Having mentioned that there are many by no
means obnoxious to the charges urged by the
press against Congress, we find no better proof
not only of the truth of the accusations, but of
the consciousness of guilt than in the lameness
of the attempts made to vndCate its conduct
from the imputalions alleged against it.
Some time since, an elaborate list was made
of the acts passed at the present session, for the
purpose of showing that the present incumbents
of the Representative Office had been as indus
trlous as most of their predecessors. BY long
array of private bills respectable list was made
out. But, however specious the attempt, it was
unsuccessful The People know that the pre-
sent session had assembled for the purpose Of
acting on public questions Of the highest impor-
4 md fhn chat ho inn
should be as energetic and prompt as could be-,
consistent with caution and deiberation. The
Loan bill was passed after sufficient delay. But
six months had elapsed, not only before any
other bill of paramount importance was decided,
but before the House condescended TO consider
such bill. And what is the apology now
Why, that Congress can do no good, because it
is thwarted by the obstinacy of the President
Secondly, as we read in an exchange paper, that
the long delay in the action Of Congress on the
Tariff bill has been produced by the anxious eff
forts of Congress to frame the bill so as to suit
the views of the President
On the first excuse, we have but the one re-
mark to make: that Congress having passed no
bill vetoed by the President until within the last
few days, Congress itself must be responsible
for the delay of legislation.
On the second excuse, we feel that as short
comment is sufficient. 1t is acknowledged in
the first place, that the discussion of the tariff
bill has been long delay ed-has been delayed
until the period when according to usage the
House adjouns. We might refer to many au-
thorities, without adventuring any opinion Of
our own, that the revenu. bill, or the tariff,
is the great question-s the question, Of the
session. We'll, there has been an unprecedent-
ed delay in the action of Congressman the con-
sideration Of the Tariff bill, the most important
of the bills, has been deferred until July. The
delay is acknowledged. So much is granted.
What has caused the delay? The anxiety to
meet the wishes of the President? Now we
conceive those who watch the course of public
business, as it is called, need not be informed
that, so far from any attempt having been made
to meet the wishes of the President, the effort
has been so to frame the bill that veto mis- ht
be insured, or the President headed. The
supposition that any anxiety has been manifest
ed to consult the wishes of the President, is
"but the stuff dreams are made of,"-to quote
from late authority. That the great Tariff
bill has been framed SO as to provide in the most
efficient manner for the general good, is ques
ton on which we are not called at the present
moment to pronounce; but that any portion of
it was framed or worded with disposition in
Difference to any views of the President, or to
make compromise with any Of his objections
we utterly deny. The bill itself as it was re-
ported and as it stands is papable proof of
the falsity of the assertion. The delay in the
consideration Of the Tariff bill has not been
caused even thus indirectly, by the President.
FOR THE MADISONIAN.