The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-02-15
SKETCH OF THE DEBATE IN THE HOUSE
ON MONDAY

SKETCH OF THE DEBATE IN THE HOUSE
ON MONDAY
The Presidents message the state of the Trea-
sury having been read and the previous question de-
manded by Mr. FILLMORE on his motion to refer il
to the Committee of Ways and Means, and the vote
taken,
MIR, WISE moved reconsideration of the vote,
and asked Mr.. FILLMORE, Chairman of the Commit
tee OF Ways and Means if he agreed in opinion with
the Secretary of the Navy, 10 the correctness of
The calculations of that officer, in relation 10 the
ability of the Government to meet its expenses.
Mr. FILLMORE said he had made up no settled
opinion about it,
MI WISE said he here asserted, in the presence
OF the House, that he had asked the gentleman what
his OF non was, and that he had replied that il was
he duty OF lie Secretary Of the Treasury 10 inform
Congress of the condition of the finances. Agreed:
SO 1t was And that the Secretary had informed the
fioue on that subject at the beginning Of the ses-
sion that was true, but il was no answer vet
The committee, either believing or doubling
ing, as II seemed-the statement laid before them
had called on the Secretary for additional niorma-
ton, and that the Secretary had not as yet (a that
It, and IT confirmed that previously communicable
ms took place before the House on Friday or Sa-
turday. Alter this public interrogation the gentle
man from New York had come across the House to
Mr.. w seat, and inquired whether he had answer
ed 10 Mr.. WIS satisfaction MIR. w. had replied TO
him that he evading the inquiry; and he had
then put the direct question TO him again, /" Do YOU
agree with the Secretary of the Treasury that there
VIII be in the Treasury the Fl st of January
next the balance he calculates there will - and
al, l..
he had made up definite opinion, did admit
that he did not entirely agree with the Secretary
VIII the gentleman, exclaimed Mr.. w deny that
Mr. FILLMORE. Yes | told the gentleman
had no opinion TO express.
Mr.. WISE. Did | not ask you whether you
agreed with the Secretary in his opinion and did you
not ay that you did noti
MIR. FILLMORE No.
Mr.. WISE. affirm before heaven and earth that
he did.
MIR. FILLMORE. care not what the gentleman
afirms the facts as state.
Mr.. WISE | will not get into a controversy with
the gentleman here shall not call on the gentle
man TO reply do not-whoever denies It may and
according TO his manner, he shall be responsible
The gentleman declared that he declined giving
any specific opnion-that is, entering into any calcu-
lation about the matter but | here affirm again
that he declared TO me here, AT this desk that he did
not agree in opinion with the Secretary that the sur.
plus he expected would exist MIR w. had told him
tnat nc knew uslincllN enough what ~ that MIR.
w. wanted, viz TO know whether he (Mr FL and
the committee agreed with the Secretary of the
Treasury but that they willing the Sccretarys
statement should go TO the country so that Ttle Pre-
,ideni should be compelled 10 call extra session Of Con-
gres the whole reproach connected with that mea-
sure might rest upon him.
Mr.. w had asserted then, as he asserted now that
II was the duty not only Of the Secretary Of the
Treasury TO report TO Congress on the subject of the
ways and means Of the Treasury but that it was the
duty of the Committee Of WAYS and Means also. for
themselves, TO examine and TO report and 10 test the
accuracy Of the statements of the Secretary Ashe
had remarked the other day. the Constitution took
double security, an Executive and legislative Sc
curity both.
And had the gentleman come TO this2 When il
suited him TO throw all the responsibility of legisa
ton en- the Executive, and discharge himself and his
committee from II ALL TO evade nquiryi To say that
all rested on the Executive and the Secretary OF the
Treasury, and none Of 1t the Committee OF WAYS
and Means' That they had part Of the duty y
Such not the language Of the gentleman on other
subjects. oh, no. Then they could be very stout
and declare that they not to be led and govern
ed by Executive messages and this, although it wa,
as much the duty of the President to communicate
and recommend on subjects Of legislation as it was
that Of the Secretary the finances The gentle
man was one of those who repudated with the most
warmth every idea OF Executive dictation." This
was his doctrine at one moment but in the next the
Secretary alone responsible. Congress must
wait for him, and rely upon him.
Many as were the laurels the gentleman had won,
and justly won, from his administration during three
sessions Of the duties Of the chairman OF the Finance
Committee Of this House, he now declared for him
self and for his committee that he had formed no OPT
Mon as to the ways and means Of this Government
What a chairmaa Of the Committee Of WAYS and
Means, on this 18th day Of February, within two
weeks Of the day Of adjournment, here at this last
hour Of his third session as head Of that committee
to say that he had formed opinion on the ways and
means!
Mr.. FILLMORE. Isad that had formed no opi-
Mon independent of what had been reported TO us |
from the Executive Department.
Mr.. WISE. ask the gentleman IL he believes the /
statement. from the Treasury Department to be cor
rect'
Mr.. FILLMORE. | have no means of showing
that the Secretary Is incorrect in his statement and
believe him to be an honest man.
MIR. WISE proceeded by begging the House TO |
take notice OF the form Of expression used by the
chairman j have no opinion independent of the J
Information received from the Secretary And
when asked what his opinion Of that information |
was' he replied, al have no means Of forming an
opinion" And what did 1t all end in Just nothing
at all The geniltman said 10 me that il the Secre.