Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-03-01
POLITICS.
From me GiObs.)
fIstIt. -. A. A. AIN

must take llia, scheme as lis bass.-.E ! Er. Past.
POLITICS.
From ne Gobr.)
THE GAG AGAIN.
Our readers will have seen III the Congressional pro-
ceednrs of last Monday, that the proposition 50 to al
Ter the rules o! the House To give 10 minority the
power at any time they may think proper OF taking
hill out OF TIE Committee Of the Whole on the state OF
the Union, once more inifoducrd MO The House
When tins innovation wns Introduced nj the last SEES
s,on ct Congress- 1t defended on III" 9rnund That
The emergencies Of an extra Session required II. We
had then no ih III t,s excuse for the measure itself
yyas too conaen;a the temper Of The majority and
their mpruous commander in the Senate, 10 be the
result Of circumstances Accordingly, now at long
session. with the whole year before hein comes forth
again We will endcavor 10 explain TO our readers the
object and effect OF Tins move.
rhe Constitution SAYS that all revenue bills shall orr
ninac in The House of Representatives. The reason
for this provision that the people, who pay the taxes,
should lay them. 10 their immediate representatives,
therefore, IN the popular anc .! Congress- best coy
nizant II Is presumed, with their feelings and interests,
Il entrusted the delicate aud important power OF lay
in. taxes on the people To the people the greater
protection in The exercise Of this power, from the origin
ii 0ur Government, handed down /" us through cen
turtles o practice by English ancestors II Para-
menl j, has been Il rule Congress that III money
bills sia ~ first considered and discussed n the
| Committee Of the Whole tie safe 81 the Jaon,
before they can become Laws. Dat why Is TINS, our
| ~
The pcnne that such balls should be considered aud ds-
cusscd in this committee, any other committee, or
any committee al ALI We answer il is III consequence,
on account of the parliamentary character ct The Com
ni,tee Of the Whole In that committee The previous
question The form Of stopping debate cannot be applied
rea conference takes place. Debate IS unrestricted;
and the bill he reported To he House nnlii the
committee satisfied with its principles and details ana
m more discussion is desired. The minority stand on
footing oi perfect cquny, rs 70 privileges, win the
prf,, l;tI1
ertsis ii the people they represent, without c"ntf"l-
Here uny docs freedom debate fx's ana the preserv-
lon Of liberty and right government, so lar as they are
pendnr upon debate, rest on the maintenance oil the
rule The reason for sending all money bills TO Tins
committee is therefore obvious. The revenue 1t has
been empna;caly said, is the State Taxes are thr
great source Of political power and political abuses; and
on them in collection and application, manly depend
the liberties OF the people when taxes are u " 10
ar opned il is the interest Of the people that the Ut
mos, freedom Of debate should be enjoyed hy Their re-
representatives. Hence The policy, IN free country axe
ours: country where the people RUE; that there should
be parliamentary arrangement, By winch ihs OBJECT
may he accomplished and ii IS accomplished oy ihe
Committee Of the Whole on The Stale al the Lnlon, and
the privileges attached IT, Abolish the privilege OF
free debate ,hs committee, and exists no where IN
Congress The House and the minority are ever IN
der the ,espotic VII, Of the majority. blll may De
pn, into the House. and forced through all the forms
Of IL rislaon without word Of debate. The abuses
OF the Government might BE- enormous and no voice
might be permitted he heard in the Capitol 10 expose
them. The taxes nigh; be most oppressive, ana tx
acted contrary 10 every principle OF the Constitution OF
liberty and lht representatives., whom the people have
tscnt here 10 protect their interest and MAINTAIN lheli
rights, be compelled 10 tie silent
Having thus endeavored 10 render ineligible the
character aud privileges Of the COMMITTEE Of the
Whole on the state Of the Union, orr readers, We
trust viii be at no loss 10 understand the object OF inc
proposed innovation Tie majority have proposed
nila rh rc mo
five millions of dollars, and add this much 10 The pub
tic debt They propose 10 increase the present "Ne'
, f-om ,:.en'y 10 thirty per cent on all nporalohs
Their deceptive professions 81 rctrenchment and reform
stare them in the face; whilst Increased expenditures
debt taxa,on and cxtravagance ofeyery kind IN eg'sIa
ton characterize their despotic and dangerous career
They fear free discussion-ihey fear fhe pcopk Hence
their representatives must be gagged; add liberty se
is TO Re struck down. that their msdeeds might be con
cealed.
!, (Fran nc sane..
BANKRUPT Act.
II will be by reference 10 the Senate proceed
ncs, ,ha the amendments proposed by Mr.. Benton L
this act are made The special order for Friday The 22ii
INST and severa! Of the Senators who voted aga'ns
posiponement declared themselves 10 be IN iavor o.
amendments IL may be well expected thai some o then
Will pass. BE THIS as II may, We can say that the OPP
mon becomes stronger from DIV to-day ha, there vii
be no final action under this bill FIR than gear t.
coehat the question al the val dty al the act VII DC
ade in the different District Courts and carried to the
Supreme Court of the u. >, W1!ch VII. not Eoio ino
Their term until Congress shall he session. and again
entertain the question of repeal The progress OF the
act exciting the public Neutrality-suspicious. see the oh
legation OF contracts impaired by the debtor wipng ou
his debt without their consent when all bankrupt laws
require the consent Of the Of the creditors two
thirds Ihree-nurths IN number and vaue:} ard the
friends OF State Rights the sovereignty Of the States
invaded and overborne in the extinction oil all Tue
State nsolyent laws, land that in TO which nc
.ankrup; systems extended aud The assertion oil
power by which all the great relations Of debtor and
creditor be withdrawn FROM The State courts and
State laws and brought under the Jurisdiction of the
Federal courts and Federal laws For these two rea-
sons, TO mention Others the most serious opposition
To the consuonaily of the law may be expected By
the public.
We see sad effect of the law mentioned in several
papers, that of creditors compounding debts for ere
trfies, for fear of having the whoc wiped out. TINS
species of duIess imposed b. law creditors, the
more TO be amcnted because the abolition of the debt
hy the will of the debtor, is manfes,ly unconsu
tlonal, con;riry 10 all bankrupt systems and I'M
moral itself that must be altered, either b. amend
,nent or judicial decision.
TIE Prfteaces for The Prescription Of Major Barrier
The Pennsylvania thus dsposcs Of the grounds as
sumcd BY the Independent for the rejection Of Nlao
Barker BY the Senate
sit is we'll understood that Major Barker was reject
cd solely upon political grounds his conduc, pub
lie officer was such that other objection could posi-
lily be urged against hn-yet the Independent revive:
the exploded alsehood tina, he guilty of that gros.
neglect of official duty which suffered the de
felt which appeared against Mr.. Swartwout, 10 60 on
accommodating, unchecked, from year 10 year Now
the Independent either does know, ought to know
that this is wholly nntrue-that the charge has no
the shadow of q foundation 10 rest upon. Mao
Barker went into Office Comptroller of the Treasnr,
after the swMtwoas defa!cs'ens bad occurred, an