Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1849-07-14
COLUMBUS MISSISSIPPI, SATURDAY, July "A, 1870.

I
preparation Of money BY the federal government
Ter what he deemed the unconstitutional purpose
Of constructing works Of internal improvement
within the States. He took ground early against
the consiilusionalily as well as ezpedisncy Of a
Of a national bank and in August, lsae, con.
sequently several months before the appearance
Of General Jackson's first message, announced
then his opinions ia published letter to his eoG>
slituents. He has ever been opposed TO tariff
for protection, and was, at all times, the strenu-
Gus advocate ofa reduction Of the revenue to the
economical wants Of the government. Enter
tanning these opinions; and entering Congress,
as be did al thei first session aiter the election Of
John Quincy Adams 70 the Presidency, be prompt.
" took his stand against the doctrines developed
In the message THAT Chief Magistrate, and was,
during the continuance of his administration, res
/ olutely opposed 10 its leading measures.
When Mr.. Polk entered Congress, he was,
with one or nso exceptions, the junior member
ofthat body. His first speech was in favor of a
proposition 10 amend The Constitution In such
manner as 10 prevent the choice Ct President ct
the United States from devolving on Congress in
any event. This speech at once attracted pub.
lie attention by the force Of its reasoning, the CO.
piousness of lis research, and the spirit Of ndg.
nation with reference TO the then recent election
/ by Congress, by which il was animated. At the
same Sc sion the subject OF the Panama mission
was brought before Congress, and the project was
opposed by Mr.. Polk, who strenuously protested
protested against the doctrine ofthe friends Of the
administration, that as the President and Senate
are the treaiy~making power, the House Of Rep
AZ
the appropriations necessary to carry them into
effect. The views of Mr.. Polk he embodied in
series Of resolutions, which reproduced, in
tangible shape, the doctrines. on this question,
Of the republican party Of 1908. The first Of
these resolutions declares, shat II is the consi.
tutional right and duty of tho House Of Repre-.
sentaliyes, when called upon for appropriations
TO deGay the expenses of foreign missions. to de-
liberate Oh the expediency Of such missions, and
to determine and act thereon, as in their judg-
ment may seem most conducive 10 the public
good"
From this time Mr.. Folks history became in.
separately interviewer with that Of he House,
He is prominently connected with every inpor.
iaht question, and upon every one took the bold.
est democratic ground. lie continued to oppose
the administration Of Mr.. Adams until ils ermi-
nation, and during the whole period Of General
Jackson's terms he was one OF It's leading sup.
porters, and at times, and on certain questions
Of paramount Importance, IFS chief reliance. In
December, 1927. Mr.. Polk was placed on the
committee OF foreign affairs, and sometime after,
as chairman ola select committee, he made re.
port ON the surplus revenue, denying The eonsti-
tutonal power Of Congress to collect from the
people, for distribution, surplus beyond the
wants of the government, and maintaining thu,
the revenue should be reduced TO the cxigcncies
Of the public service. III 1880, he defended the
act Of General Jackson in placing his veto on the
Maysylle road bill, and thus checking The sys.
tenn ofinternal improvement by the general gov
eminent which had been entered upon by Con.
gress.
In December, 1892, Mr.. Polk was transfer
red TO the committee Of ways and means, and at
that session presented the report Of the minority
Of that committee, with regard to certain charges
against the United States Bank this minority
report presenting conclusions utterly adverse to
the institution which had been the subject Of in
CURRY.
The course of MIR. Polk arrayed against him
the friends OF The bank. and they held meeting
at Nashville to denounce his report. His re.
election TO Congress was opposed but, after
violent contest, Mr.. Polk was re>electcd by
majority of more than three thousand. In Sep>
temher, 1888. President Jackson determined up.
on the remoyal. Of the public deposites from the
Bank Of the United States. This measure,
which caused great excitement throughout tic
country, was carried into effect IN October fol.
lowing and atthe subsequent session of Com
gross il was lie leading subject Of discussion.
In the Senate, the President was censured for
the measure but he was sustained in the House
Of Representatives. On this OCCASION Mr.. Polk
as Chairman oil The Committee ofWay and Means
indicated the Presidents measure, and by his
GOODNESS, prompitude and skill, carried through
the resolutions Of the ommiitee relating To the
bank and The deposites, and sustaining the admin.
isiration, after which the cause Of tho bank was
abandoned in Congress.
Towards the close Of the memorable session
el 1884. Mr.. Speaker Stevenson resigned the
Chair, as well as bis seat in the House. The
majority Of the Democratic party preferred Mr..
Polk rs his successor, but In consequence Of
division in ils ranks, The opposition united with
the Democratic friends ofJohn Bell, Of Tennes.
see, and thereby succeeded in eleCting thai gen.
tleman, then proiessed friend, but since d de-.
cided opponent, Of the President and bis meas.
ures. Mr.. Pok'sdefeat produced no change in
his course. He remained faithful to his party.
and assiduous In the performance Of his ardnoiis
duties.
In December, 1895, Mr.. Polk was elected
Speaker Of the House Of Representatives and
again chosen to that station in 1897, at lbe extra
session held in the first year Of Mr.. Van Buren's
administration. The duties Of Speaker were
discharged by him during five sessions, with
ability, at time when party feelings ran high in
the house, and in the beginning unusual Difficult.
ties were thrown In his way BY the animosity OIL
bis political opponents. During be first session
in which he presided, more appeals were taken
from b decision than had occurred in the whole
period since the origin Of the government; but
he was uniformly sustained by the house, ncIu.
ding many Of Bis political adyersaries. Not
outstanding the violence with which he had