The republic., 1851-02-21
Tho Public Business.

Our readers may have noticed in our report
Of the proceedings in the House of Representa-
tives, on Wednesday, that when the West
Point Academy bill was under consideration in
Committee of the Whole, pending an amend
ment, Mr.. MORSE moved that the committee
rise, and that among the nineteen members who
voted in favor Of rising there was not single
Wing. Mr.. STANLY called the attention of
the chairman Of the Committee Of Ways and
means to the fact that the nineteen votes in
question were by gentlemen on the Democratic
side, and Mr.. BAYLY replied, 81 can't help
that" 1t is true enough, we have no doubt,
that Mr.. BAYLY could not help it, but it is i'm
portant that the country should understand on
whom the responsibility should rest for the de-
lay of the public business.
At the commencement of the session, the
PRESIDENT anticipated the usual time of deliv-
ering the annual message, communicating it to
the two Houses the very hour that he was in
formed of their organization and their readiness
to proceed with business. This was preg-
nant hint on the part Of the Executive that the
public interests required that Congress should
proceed to the discharge of their Legislative du-
ties with all practicable or possible despatch.
But the Administration could only recommend
despatch-they could not enforce their recon-
mendation. The majority of the members of
every committee in both Houses were of the
Opposition, and the whole responsibility Of
legislation, or neglect Of Legislation, was of
course upon their shoulders. The Admi-
nstration could have nothing to say as to
the time or manner in which the public bust
ness should be presented.
In his message the PRESIDENT discharged
his constitutional duty by recommending to the
consideration Of Congress such measures as he
judged necessary and expedient. He expressed
his opinions frankly on the leading subjects of
such Legislation as he recommended-and here
was the end of his influence or responsibility.
Beyond the due performance of these constitu-
tional obligations" he said, "both my respect
for the Legislature and my sense of propriety
will restrain me from any attempt to control
or influence your proceedings. With you is
the power, the honor, and the RESPONSIBILITY
of the Legislation of the country"
Among the recommendations of the PREsI-
DENT was modification of the present tariff,
and the imposition of specific duties sufficient to
raise the requisite revenue, making such dis
elimination in favor Of the industrial pursuits Of
our own country as to encourage home produc-
tion, without excluding foreign competition. In
this connexion the PRESIDENT also recon-
mended the remedy of that unfortunate provi-
sion Of the. present system, by which higher
duty is placed upon the raw material that enters
into our manufactures than upon the manufac-
tured article.
The PREsIpEnT also desired the earnest at
tcntion Of Congress to the subject of the gross
and various frauds upon the revenue, disclosed
by the papers accompanying the report of the
Secretary Of the Treasury.
The PRESIDENT suggested, in terms that
implied an earnest recommendation of the mea-
sure, the establishment of mint in California.
The PRESIDENT recommended the establish
ment of an agricultural bureau, TO be charged
with the duty Of giving to the agricultural in
terests of the country the encouragement which
they so justly deserve. In view of our i'm
mense mineral resources, he advised the EN-
ployment OF competent mneralogist and che
mist, who should be required, under the direc-
tion Of the head Of the bureau, to collect,
examine, and analyze the various specimens of
minerals and the different qualities of soils.
The PRESIDENT recommended provision by
law, at an early day, for the publication of such
abstracts Of the returns Of the census as the pub
lie interests may require.
The PRESIDENT called attention to the i'm
portance of "opening line of communication,
the best and most expeditions Of which the ma
ture Of the country will admit" between the
valley of the Mississippi and the Pacifc--in
pursuance of the recommendations Of his prede-
cessor.
The PRESIDENT recommended that provision
be made by law for the appointment of commits
sioners to examine the land titles in California,
with view to their ultimate adjustment.