The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-06

plain of any want of proper courtesy in holding
them to the same rule With regard TO the time
likely to be occupied in the discussion OF this
measure he believed he could refer TO another pre-
cedent. The famous compromise act"-whch
presented the tariff question in more important
aspect than it ever had assumed, or probably ever
would assume-occuped but ten days IN its discus
sion in both houses. And yet that great measure
arrested the progress of intestine hosttIes. Ii pass
ed the House of Represen tatiyes-my friend from
South Carolina tells me-in twenty minutes. The
present question has had a most thorough discus
sion Not only in the halls of Congress, but in
every town, village, and hamlet, al every cross roads
throughout the Union, has IL been discussed. Its
great principles are known 10 the of the peO-
ple-l speak, of course, Of its principles, not its
details why, then, should we be asked to give per-
haps months TO the consideration and discussion OF
a subject as familiar to the people as "household
word, and upon which ! suppose the mind of every
intelligent citizen is fully made up' Yet, for his
own part he would listen with pleasure to the dis
cusslon OF they merits Of the bill by gentlemen who
felt called upon TO make speeches, either for the
Senate or for home consumption. He would be
perfectly willing TO afford full latitude Of debate SO
long as any gentlemen desired TO express his views.
Mr.. }. M. CLAYTON read from the rules OF
order with respect to the procedure on the passage
of bills to hrst, second and third reading for the
purpose OF sustaining his former remarks with re-
gard 10 the understanding of himself and his friends
IN asserting TO the second reading of the Jill before
the Senate. He then proceeded TO remark that the
senator from Indiana Mr. HASSEGLsl labored un.
der certain degree Of Misrepresentation with regard
to the time occupied in The discussion of the COM
promise act. He trusted that he had not forgotten
the important fact that during that session Of Con-
gress, the senator from South Carolina who had in
formed him that the ball passed the House in twenty
minutes, being then member of that HOuse-a
measure OF similar Characteristic. Verplanck's
bil It called-had been discussed for nearly
two months. Indeed, no bill Of any character had
been more deliberately discussed than that. In the
Senate, the compromise bill was discussed a week
or more-he was not particular about the time-and
that after the subject had been exhausted by the
discussion Of "Verplancks bill" IN the other House
Mr.. &. went on to say that they did not desire a
protracted discussion Of the bill before the Senate
but in vain could a parallel be sought for
the course now proposed with regard to IT,.
He feared very much-he would not say that he
knew-that the fate Of the of
the country was decided. Gentlemen on the other
side possessed the power and they were determined
TO pass this bill or some similar measure. The vic
tim was TO be bound, and led TO the sacrifice He
could only ask that the decencies Of the sacrifice
should be observed.
Mr.. NILES then addressed the Senate. He
was IN favor Of the reference because that was the
usual conrse of procedure. II the rule had any
Proprety II was peculiarly proper in the present
case. This bill peculiarly required examination
by committee. He had just come from among
the people and knew their sentiments He be.
Iieved that this bill would come on the northern
and eastern sections Of the Union like a thunder
bolt. IL would produce great surprise He thought
that It would be the part of wisdom to refrain
from touching the present law for another year in
order that they might see what the financial con.
dltIon OF the country would be at the expiration
If hat -.sIr Il In A
and for that purpose wished 1t to go into committee.
In his opinion, there were great interests Of the
country not sufficiently cherished by the bill Iron
and wool were amongst those int rests and he
feared very much the financial effect Of the bill
would be injurious. Pennsylvania, with her inter
ests, was brought into jeopardy-struggng as she
was under weight of pecuniary difficulties for re-
lief from which she depended her coal and iron.
Would she not look to some Of the great features of
this bill with alarm! He thought she would. He
thought II would be her duty to look into it, and he
thought 1t would be the duty of the committee to
look to III sc things With that view, he was de-
srous that the bill should go into the hands of the
80 that they might do their duty But
this thing would he supposed take Its course He
knew what his course would be- He would stand
where he had ever stood, on that ground which be-
longed to the democracy Of the North. There he
would stand If he stood alone, firm, as he hoped to
the interest of his country. His countrymen
knew their rights and would not be betrayed by
any management, political or otherwise. They
knew the doctrine which they had maintained and
protested on this subject. There was no prin-
ciple better settled and undsrstood-none more
clearly defined than that involved in this
bill; and If It stood on that principle he should vote
for 1t; If not, he should oppose 1t. He would en-
deavor to cary out the opinions Of his constituents
which he believed were in conformity with those Of
the whole country north of the Capitol and, as he
an an1 q,ho taDt oil thn L.
country. The eastern folks were in favor Of a Ia
riff for revenue, with discr for protection
Was this bill based on these two principles 1t
might be so, but he inclined to think that it
was not He was inclined to believe that in many
instances 1t Disseminated against protection. In
deed 1t appeared that there was no fixed principle
about it, except one, and that ad vaorem-a
principle new novel, and experimental never acted
upon by any government on earth. He could not
sanction such principle, II reversed all the prn-
cipIes on which their finances had been raised. But
he saw the course the thing must take; it must go
through as it was and all discussion there would
be of no avail. Still, however, he would insist that
It was due to the country, from every consideration
Of duty and propriety, that the bill should have the
usual reference, and full examination.
Mr.. BAGBY remarked that if even there was a
possibility ofany good resulting from The reference
he would vote for it, He asked in the name of all
hat sensible what the object Of reference?
Was 1t for the purpose at that advanced period of
the session, Of going through forms which gentle
men admitted to be useess' He was amongst
hose who had voted against every proposition for
Well, the bill had come before them,
and what was the first proposition with which they
were met To refer it-for what purpose' For the
purpose ofdelay-forno had the hardihood to say
that he expected an agreement in the committee, or
any result tending to facilitate the action of the
body. He was prepared to take the bill as it was
not because he had examined it in all its details. but
because he approved of its great principles, which
to reduce and to equaze the taxation ofthe coun
ry If no member would vote for it until bill were
ound uneXceptionable in all its details, they would
'eman without such measure TO the end of time
He had participated sufficiently in the affairs of this
,ro republic to have reached the conclusion that if
thing could not be got exactly as it was desired
was best to take il as it was If the vote were to
re taken now, he should vote for the bill, because he
would have the supreme satisfaction of doing away
me Of the most odious measures with which the
country was ever oppressed-he meant the tariff of
AZ Refer the bill! For what purposei he again
sked So far from gaining time, as senators on
he other side seemed to imagine, it would be the
everse They would have a minority report to
atlsfy one portion of the community, and major
" nrt IN tIaIu fhor GO IL all ho