Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-12-14
THIRTY-sEcoND CoyGREss--2p SESSION.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1852.

On motion Of Mr. Houston, the House went into commit
of the whole the state Of the Union Alr. Stuart OF
Michigan in the ca and proceeded 10 consider the annua
message Of the President Of the United States.
Mr. Houston offered the usual resolutions referring the
various subjects embraced in The message To appropriate
committees He remarked that he did not now propose 10
discuss the questions growing on OF these resolutions
less there should be opposition 10 Their adoption lie
believed they the usual resolutions with exception
and his opinion that they proposed proper reference
the vIriuus PORTIONS of the message. lie horcd that the
Committee would adopt them, ana not consume time IN
their discussion that the various standing committees OF
the House might have The opportunity of considering them
in the carly days Of the session.
Mr. Brooks moved amend the second resolution (Which
poposcs refer much OF the message a9 rcacs 10 the
tariff and The from customs TO the Committee o.
Ways and Means) as follows:
"kxcept 80 much OF the message relates the tariff
and HE from customs which shall BE- referred to
select committee of seven, with power 10 examine witness
and collect testimony here and elsewhere, and with
structions report by bill otherwise or before the 18th
Uf January next"
Mr. Brooks remarked that he proposed 10 submit few
remark. this subject in addition to and in connexon with
those he submitted the other day he did not desire 10
cruc what lie then said 10 dacuss the rinclp" oi col
Letting the revenue; for such discussion al this time h"
thought would be prcature nevertheless he nd moi dee.
cac discussion M this early day the session. for il
far the House TO be employed in the discussion OF
grave and important subjects in which the whole country
wap interested adlOuruing from day day,
without rarsacting any business whatever Discussion,
therefore, would not be actual waste 6" time but would
prepaTe the members iJ action upHn subject
winch could not be well avoided now hereafter
He would repeat that his objection 10 the Committee Of
Ways Means having The custody of this whole subject
Of revenue was first that il not subject rgitlma'ry
within their controls; ;nnL i. wcrc il would be WIS.,.
part of the House 10 throw INTO the hands "f that
committee control of the legislation al the House
than they had under the system of doing bust
In the pacs he would repeat what he said the
ay-that it utterly impossible for The Committee
of Ways and Means, aboring assiduouy properly pre-
pare tile ninety days of the session. the appropriation
bills consisting Of the deficiency the army The navy The
post Office, The civil and diplomatic ard other bills II would
therefore be no injustice that committee 10 separate this
frum would
transferring it 10 another committee who could give their
exclusive attention it, Ii this subject should be delayed
until the appropriation bills should all be prepared it would
the be- late upon ii this session. il
late il would have TO be noted upon without discussion
investigation He had therefore proposed IN his amend
men instruct this committee, If raised TO prepare AM
collect their facts forthwith and before the 18th
OF January next
Ii was beyond his comprehension 10 understand why his
proposition voted down the other day. No doub its
coming from him prrjudiced the minds Of gentlemen tic
other side against it, Some of them must have thought
that no good conid out of Nazareth" He then,
however disclosed his hand and told them the OBJECT he had
in view He thought that his proposition should have
their support for when the details Shout! have before
the House. both parties could have acted HpOn it In any
they thought proper Nevertheless, it rejected in The
in which it was then presented and he submit
ted it in a somewhat varied form.
he would say 10 gentlemen both sides OF the House,
that something be done. As respen,a!ise Of the
commercial and trading interests of the country lie OPP
posed 10 allowing hlleen or twenty millions OF dollars Ia
cumulle in the Treasury and permit that accumulation
be still going The Smb;reusury best mser
hoarding up the treasure Of the Government. Whenever
eight millions accumulated in The Suairca,nry at New
YORK, ana corresponding accumulated in 0Icra ps-
Of tn county, he Whole currcacy Of the country
af less affected 81 it. There be panic when
these million. Withheld from tade and commerce. ard
boarded up in the Suhreasurcs Of The Government.
He had therefore taken this early period present the
subject 10 the consideration Of the House. Ii uuGsg
intended that this surplus should remain 10 the Treasury he
intended 10 vote for just proposition for the dsbn.sc
meni n the public money So far Is his vote was concern
ed he did not intend allow twenty millions OF surplus
accumulate In the Treasury, but would il
out in every possible way that would brnei: the country
He would rather vote for the largest and widest Of
internal improvements, he would rather double the
army and navy than permit twenty millions 10 remain idle
withheld from the commerce and trade of The country In
deed, il would be wise for them be cxr0vagant Their
than misery and he would rather make extravagant appro
pra,ions than have commerce, trade and manufactures in
Jured by the accumulation Of this large surplus Before he
voted for any appropriation oi he desired know how
much there was in the Treasury and how there
was likely TO be 70! year 10 come
Mr. B. then alluded 10 the suggestion made by Mr. Brown
OF Mississippi, when this subject under consideration
few days since that the surplus could be used for
The payment OF the public debt and said that the il
should become known that the Government in the
ke for the purchase Of the debt The stock would rise
twenty or thirty per cent.