The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-01-20
TWENTY.EIGHT CONGRESS-.
FIRST SSION.
Senate.
WASHINGTON, jan

WASHINGTON, January 10, lo44.
GoD, JESUS CHRIST, SABBATH AND BIBLE.-Mr
BUCHANAN presented petition, which was received
and laid on the table, praying Congress so TO alter
the constitution as that 1t shall contain recognl-
ton of God Almighty as the Sovereign OF the
Unon-Jesus Christ as the Savior OF mank ind.
the Bible the great statute book OF the United
States-and the Sabbath day for serenity, SER
mons, and solemnity. 1t emanates from western
Pennsylvania.
Mr.. WRIGHT presented petition from certain
New York looking glass manufacturers, asking to-!
certain reductonof duties upon glass plates, &c.
MCDUFFEs COMPROMISE BiLL-Ihe Commit.
tee of Finance to whom this bill was referred, re-
ported resolution for indefinite postponement, tor
want OF jurisdiction. Some debate arose upol
postponing the whole. subject, and upon somt
o. nts of order, in which Messrs. King, Evans,
Huntington, and others took part The Committee
of Finance were OF opinion that this Is a bill to-
raising revenue, and therefore cannot originate in
The Senate, which has no jurisdiction OF such bills
The resolution postpone for want OF jurisdiction
was argued. .
Mr. EVANS thought no bill for reducing the tariff
had ever originated in the Senate land eventuaypas-
sed into law. The whole question, ne said, turn
ed upon the meaning of that clause In the constitu-
ton, which speaks Of 'raislng revenue" Ihls
DILL he admits, is bill for red ucing the revenue
The word is not equivalent to the word duty Ne
venue means the sum total OF all receipts. The
constitution does not look at quantity OF revenue,
be more or less but at any revenue, however SINAI
it may be. And no such bill can originate in tn.
Senate. The question is, Is this bill to raise re-
IT, d
feet to raise revenue? Will revenue, if the bill be.
comes law, be collected under it :! On the other
side, it will be argued, doubtless, that the law toI
raising revenue is already established and that thl
merely till for renting part ofthe present revenue
dues-not enacng duties to be raised bur to be
mitted MIR. Evans thought this was a mere verbal
technical argument and that evasion, and per
version Of the Constitution which is not to be SO inter
preted You must look at the effect and operation OF the
law this is Bill to take effect at all must nave nm ant
that originate in the Senate Mr. Evans here CITED
cases. iron and its duties &c. by way OF illustrating
his position He referred to convention which framed
the Constitution in which it proposed that the Sen
should not even have power to amend revenue b
with the British House OF Lords, which
has no leg sative power all in their supply
bills, they there caed-the House OF Commons or
gnating and perecting all such bills He then cited
presidents bearing upon the case and closed his
arguments. He was followed by
Mr. McDuFrE-He said it was his intention to discuss
the merits Of the hill well as the preliminary question
Jurisdiction And any further remarks were to be mad
upon the preliminary question, he would give way unit
Mr. WoopsuaY answered Mr.. Evans argument respect
ing the House of Lordsby saying that the LORDS we't
not representatives OF the people Not SO with this Sen
ate which does represent the people The original pro
visions of the Constitution supposed that the Senate wouo
be apermanen body residing at Washngton-not going
home to their constituents nor mnglng it'll them The.
thought the would purchase estates here and
become part of the EXecutive-his counsellors Ant
viewing the Senate of such a character they thought
hey should have nothing to do with originating bills
revenue This the view to be taken Of the Constitution
Doubtless the SenaeI has no powerto originate bills it
Mr.. WOODBURY. Hhen cited cases in which the Senate
does originate bills and perfect them to laws affecting re
AS for example, bills relative to the revenues
from the public lands prices of those landslide Pos
Office laws postage letters &C. all which are bills fo
raising There have not been ten years sine.
1884, when the first revenue was paid in IRON the fos
Office where revenue has not accrued from the Pos
oicea department which in other countries is regarde'
rs legitimate source of revenue. Moreover the opposite
doctrine would cut off all Treasury bills and loans
which have often originated in the Senate Agan-.turi
the records Of this very Senate and in 1888 Will b
IN n If ind n
nate, and fully argued, and did pass to law-o
would have become law, had not bill at that point
| time come from the House. which took its place Mr.
Woodbury. is still going on, citing cases of laws and bill
for raising revenue which did originate in the Senate