The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-08-08

1.-THE CASE BEING ALTERED, ALTERS
THE CASE

NAoEs
The "New York Courier and Enquirer" reads a
long lesson on the folly and Inconsistency Of the
administration in regard to the constitutional reasu
ny, the tariff, &c. Our readers may Judge from the
following specimen of the justice Of its criti-
eisms
"Ths sub-trsasury bill having passed both houses,
ia now the law of the land doubtless. a
We must therefore resign ourselves to the sub
treasury bill which establishes gold and silver as
the only currency and in time of war, when re.
course to treasury notes and other paper credits be-
comes unavoidable, and almost in the same breath
in which the issue Of them is authorized in such
form as 10 make them receivable in all debts aad in
all payments TO the United States, the Congress Of
the United States passes subsequent law, declaring
that nothing but gold and silver shall be received
or paid by the officers and agents Of the govern
ment.
"Can inconsistency go farther True il is, this
specie clause does not go into operation ill next
January; but after that what is TO be DONE when
merchant, for instance, presents in payment of du-
ties at the custom-house treasury note bearing
its face that il is receivable for debts due TO the
United States IL the specie clause Of the sub
treasury bill is to prevail the note must be refused
But that very receiysbity at the custom-house is
precisely the quality which recommended this note
to the merchant, and If il be refused he is defaud-
ed. On the other hand if the treasury note be ac-
ceptcu, inc suD-uedSufy Dill IL OF none elect Tor
debtors on a large scale-men whose habits and
means Of business enable them TO obtain the use of
treasury noes-for the satisfaction Of their debts to
the government but the poor debtor or foreign emf.
grant, who wants TO purchase a few acres of land
must the risk Of collecting and transporting the
gltterins coin from the seaboard TO the interior be-
fore he can be in position to make his purchase.
Altogether the course and policy Of this admin
istration do wholly peable upon any prin-
cple Of common sense or common yagacity. There
is indeed, remarkable consistently in their leading
measures; all of which, protesting TO be for the ben
eft of the poorer portion of the COMMUNICATIVE
combined to make the rich richer"
Now, this whole piece Of criticism is founded on
incorrect premises. The bill for the establishment
OF a constitutional treasury originally ran as the
New York Courier describes il; but an amendment
was proposed in the Senate, adopted by that body,
and agreed to by the House of Representatives,
which blows this criticism sky high The 18th section
ofthe bill concludes follows "And from and after
the last mentioned day, fixed to LIST Of January next
all sums accruing or becoming payable to the Uni
ted States, for dutes taxes sales Of public lands
or other debts, and also all sums due for hostages,
Otherwise, to the General Post Office Department
shall be paid in gold and silver only" This sec
ton was amended by the Senate and agreed to by
the House, and now forms a part of the law, so as
to read, "Or in treasury notes. issued under the au-
thorty Of the United States" The whole criticism
Of the whg editor Of New York therefore, falls to
the ground; and equally frivolous is the objection it
makes to the tariff act, &c.