The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-12

me that, under the present circumstances Of th
case, the House ought 10 be acting upon subjects ia
more important 10 US as a nation and a people thai
anything we arc now engaged in. We are workDl
IN the dark we are Flooding away at things not in
terestlng to Us.
But to the facts. Look to the character of th
news received on Saturday evening. IL my viii
could have prevailed, Congress should have been IL
session yesterday, Notwithstanding II was the Sab
bdthi and before the sun had set law should hav
been passed ordering million of freemen, if nee.
be, TO De raised and their way TO that from
tler But instead Of that we are living on our oars
no message from the President no action on the par
OF Congress; and here We proposing appropria
ions-Propoalng TO tax the people to the amount o
thousands OF dollars 70 support institution which
is a blight, a mdew, and a curse upon the nation
What have we heard from the army of occupa
tom The President, as | understand the matter
gave the officer at the head Of that army power 4
call forth the whole force Of the nation 10 his aid
That officer, either because he deemed il inexpe
dent TO avail himself of that power or for the wan
OF the requisite information has suffered himself t
be cut of, as II were; to be surrounded by the enc
my. Thus stands the case now. And here we are
the representatives OF the people, in the halls O
Congress, delaying our action, and the Presiden
refusing, am sorry 10 say, TO send US the informa
ton necessary TO that action. ...s
Mr. HARALSON here rose, and turning TO Mr.
SAWYER, and therefore very doubtfully heard) wal
understood to say, that the gentleman was Iaborine
under very great mistake. There had been nc
delay or negligence on the part Of the President A
message was TO be transmitted to both houses OIL
Congress at IL o'clock 1t could not have been
transmitted earlier, because the houses were not in
session yesterday. The dispatches had been re,
eelyed only on Saturday, late at night Nor had
mere been any negligence or delay on the part OF
the commander Of the south western army
Mr. SAWYER. am aware of that fact am
aware that we have been waiting on the action Of
the Senate, and that Il that body had not happened
TO have been in session to-day, we must have waited
until tomorrow. You the organ, as il
IS called. | am bound to say, that do
not see why it is denouncing this House
IN conneKon with the Senate for its want of action
upon these great and important subjects. Let il
turn It's batteries and its denunciaons in the proper
drectIoD-that Is, against the Senste-and shall
have no objection. What have zoe been doing;
Have tos neglected our dutyl No. We have pass
ed all the bills which the President so Ear, has ask
ed US TO pass And where are these bills now In
the Senate Yet the gentleman desires that we
should delay still longer There is a point beyond
which no republican can be expected to remain ST.
lent.
Mr.. HARRISON here rose. His remark was
not heard by the reporter but it was understood 10
be denial Of the statement that he or the commit.
tee Of which he was member, desired any delay
that he had made during the session. to take up and
act on the bills reported by that committee.
Mr.. SAWYER. | wish the gentleman to keep
perfectly cool. have the floor, and intend to say
fearlessly what believe is right | do not charge
the gentleman, nor do | wish to be understood as
charging the committee of which he is a member
with not having done their duty. They have re-
ported bill upon bill; and we have passed every bill
which the Executive has asked. | cast no cen .
sure upon this House; but do cast censure on the
other end of the Capitol How stands the case
now We have passed the notice. We have passed
the Oregon jurisdiction bill. We have passed the
bill which from the Senate to provide for the
raising of a regiment Of mounted rifemen and sent
il back to that body with a small amendment
These-all these bills-have been lying at the other
end Of the Capitol for a month"; and no action has
been taken upon them. say there is not prom
inent measure recommended by the President which
this House has not passed
Several voices. Wat do you say Of the tariff
Mr.. SAWYER. We are charged with neglect,
ing the tariff. II censure is to rest anywhere
IN relation TO that matter, which | do not mean
to charge, II is with the chairman Of the
Committee of Ways and Means; for every body
knows that the bill has been reported only short
time am prepared, and believe this House is
prepared, to take up that bill at the earliest practical
ole period, and to pass it, Why, then, are we cen.
sured? Because, suppose, 1t will not do cast the
whole of the censure on that highly honorable and
dignfed body that can sit only three or four days
week. They have time enough to attend to the
business Of their committees. Yet we are to come
in for portion Of the censure. | hurl il back.
A message from the President being now observed
at the centre door
Mr.. BRlNKERHOFF suggested that his col
league, Mr.. SAWYER, should yield the floor for
motion that the committee rise.
Mr.. SAWYER. | will do So | rejoice tina,
my voice has been heard.
Mr.. S. continuing. And that it has brought
message from the President Of the United States
The committee then, on motion of Mr.. BRINK
ERHOFF rose and reported progress.