The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-16
no passed ii, and therefore, it ought to be re

who passed il, and, therefore, il ought 10 be re
peaed.
The fact that il passed by but one vote is no rea-
| son why Il should be repealed, provided It's pract,
cal operation has been beneficial; but on the con-
rary, II precedeats entitled to any weight il ID
an argument In its favor. A single vote has deter
| mined some very important measures. The great
/ English revolution Of 1858 was determined by one
| or Two majority in Parliament Jefferson was
elected in The place Of Burr after thirty trials
by one vote. Most Of the acts Of Congress in the
memorable session of 1874 carried by the cast
| ing vote Of the Vice President. The vote Of New
York which finally led To the convention for framing
the present constitution after the failure Of the An
| napolls attempt, was carried by one vote. bill
charterng bank Of the United States once failed
by the casting vote Of Clinton, the then Vice Presi-
deaf And last, though not least, the resolutions
providing for the admission Of Texas into the Uni
ted States carried in the Senate by one vote.
well recollect the night they passed, and the deep
anxiety, the mingled hopes and fears which were
expressed upon that eyenu occasion. But il is de-
nounced a wing measure by southern gentle
men. Sir, these gentlemen ought TO recsllect that
the Texas resolutions were submitted by wing
from Tennessee, Mr.. Bsows,l and that the resolu-
ten Of notice 10 Great Britain, which they support
ed with so much zeal, was drafted by wing SEN
ator from Kentucky, MIR. CRrrEsDEs.l | speak
Of the body and main features of the resolutions.
beg leave TO say to these gentlemen, some Of whom
seemed to rise SO much above party considerations
upon the Oregon question, that upon a subject like
this affecting the living and the business Of the peo-
pie, leave my party flag at tho door. cannot for
get that have country TO serve as well as party
to obey"
The act Of 1912, as revenue MEASURE, has been a
good one. At the time Of its passage the govern.
ment was largely in debt. Treasury notes were
issned, and loans were resorted Tn. We became
har n hrokar. in Nayu Vntk
doa, 10 carry on the government. Under this act,
and the proceeds Of the land sales, have obtain
ed revenue enough not only 10 pay the expenses Of
the government, but To pay of a considerable por-
tion Of the public debt which, on the Let Of Octo-
Der last, amounted to sl7,075,i45 SO. During the
last fiscal year, the Presiden. informs u.s. in his
message, that eight millions of the public debt
was paid; and he adds, "further payments of the
public debt would have been made, in anticipation
Of the period Of its reimbursement, under the au-
Ihority conferred upon the Secretary Of the Treas
ury by the acts Of July 81, le4l, April Is, l642,
and March g. lS43, had not the unsettled state OF
our relations with Mexico menaced hostile collision
with that power" The Secretary Of the Treasury
informs u.s. in his report, that the receipts and ex.
penditores for the fiscal year, ending the 30Ih OF
June, lS45, stood as follows;
RECEIPTS AND MEANS.
From customs SAT .S2s,II2 70
trOm sales Of public lands a071,oll 30
From miscellaneous sources .09s 80
Total receipts 29769,ias Sd
Add balance the treasury lat July s4i 1881 39 "a
Total mean. s7.Sa6,SIs 30
amoanted to the sum o. 70 s6s, 2O6 ss
Leaving balance in the treasury on the LIST
July Isi5, Of s7.ess 500 %
This certainly exhibits prosperous condition OF
the treasury. And, sir, this balance has continued
to increase; and we were lately informed that we
had over hctlSs millions in the treasury, to begin
and carry on the war with Mexico, in order to OBJ
Tain indemnity for the past and security for the fu-
;ure Sir, suppose this money had not been
in the treasury, and we had been obliged to raise
the millions by direct taxation: Pennsylvania,
already taxed TO the ultimatum of financial device,
would have been obliged TO pay over one million
hereof and how would Indiana, illinois, and
Michigan, whose representatives so loud in their
denuncietiobs Of the present tariff paid their
QUOTA; But, it is said the money 30 necessary TO
sustain the rights and honor of the nation could
have been Obtained by loans. | admit it; but it
would have been by paying a most exorbitant rate
Of interest," and TO the great depreciation of State
stocks, and by passing tax bill TO provide for the
pa yment Of the interest, and the creation of sink
ing fund. In the then state of foreign relations
loans could not have been obtained upon favorable
terms; and, besides, just at that time, it would not
nave looked very well to have had the agents Of the
government begging for loans in New York or Lon
don.
But, Mr. Chairman, the Secretary of the Treas
ury argues, in his report, that the present duties on
many articles prohibitory, and hence there will
shortly be deficiency of revenue. Sir, this is not
position; and II 10 as incorrect and untenabe
noiu it was two years ago, when taken by the
honorable gentleman from North Carolina, (Mr,
McKAY.] And here permit me, although little
point Why il il that the gentleman from North
Carolina, the chairman Of the Committee of Ways
and Means, did not submit a report with his bill,
now under consideration, in conformity with the
uniform practice of the House, showing the reasons
in detail, why the bill should be passed, and placing
them on record to guide the future action Of Con.
gress' A bill granting an old soldier pension,
regularly reported by standing committee Of this
House, would not be considered for moment
without written report: and the gentleman from
North Carolina would be the first to call for the
reading of the report, and object to the passage
il it was not forthcoming. Yet we are gravely ask
ed to pass bill changing revenue policy which Is
cocvai with and has been acted upon since the or
ganization Of the government, without having any
reasons upon the record. This great Committee of
Ways and Means, with the experienced gentleman
from North Carolina at its head, has had this sub
ect under consideration for four months, aided by
the Secretary of the Treasury, and this bill is the
result; poor bald concern, without reason to sus-
tain it, or leg to stand upon But there Is rea-
for not accompanying The bill ,oth a report be.
cause report, TO sustain it, must Of necessity cut
the throat Of report made by the same gentleman
Two years ago. Two years ago we were asked to
modify and change the present rates Of duties, in
der to obtain more revenue. 1t was then gravely
argued that the present tariff of duties was too
high to produce sufficient revenue. The gentleman
from North Carolina, in his report then, estimated
the deficiency to meet the current expenses for the
fiscal year 1874 and l845, at two Millions He
says: ....