Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1803-12-02
FRIDAY, November ,2.5.
(Coae!a6ed. ]

hlOA1, 4SOVChiSCl zoe
(CoHeladed.J
Mr.. Gregg hoped the gentleman, who had
offered this resolution, would agree to let il lie
on The table. MIR. G, said he was himself at
first induced to think with the gentleman, that
from the remarks which fallen on both sides the
House, on the bill respecting salaries, such an en-
,quiry as that at present proposed would be
highly proper; aud had himself contemplated the
offering similar resolution. But on farther H.
quiry be had found, that oy the existing rules of
the House, the committee ways and means wer.
already fully infruGted to make the necessary en-
qniries; and he thought that such resolution,
under those circumstances wouldwear the appear
ante of censure on that committee. 1t was known
to the House that the committee had much and
important business submitted to them. They
had already done much business, and much, he
understood, was 10 state Of preparation. He
hoped, therefore, that the resolution would be
suffered lie or tire table; and that, at some future
day, it world be called up, in case the committee
did not, In the interim, pay due attention 70
the duties er Joined upon them.
Mr., Nicholson. j am.persuaded that the gen
tleman, who offered the resolution, did not intend
In the most distant manner to oensere the conf
mittee of ways and means. /, as a member Of
thai committee, do not feel that the leas! was In
tended or deserved. Nor do think that this
woe,d be the effect of the resolution, If adopted
BY the House. 1t is true that one part Of the
resolution contemplates objects embraced in the
general rules; but it is also true, that it emh.a
ccs other objects, not mentioned in the rules. 1t
is more than probable thatit was to these last
particular objects that the gentleman meant to
dreA the attention of the Committee of WAYS
ard Means. ! alude to that part of the resolu-
tion that contenplates the discontinuanoe of such
cfhces or establishments, as are useless The rule
OF the house does not empower tie committee, in
express terms, 10 make such an enquiry; though
[ have no doubt that the object is substantially
embraced by the spirit Oft. The power Of the
committee of Ways and Means were materially
changed at the beginning of the seventh Congress.
they were then empowered " to examine into the
state of the several public departments, part;cu.
laryinto the laws making appropriations otmonics:
and to report, whether the monies have been dis.
bursed conformsbly with such laws; and also to
report from time TO time, such provisions and ar,
"a" 'i,t"'o 40 pi'3 " hSeCSs6i( 10 2QQ TO the
economy of the departments, and the zscounrs.
bility of their officers" This power was en-.
grated on the previous powers of that comn-
tee from Gill that originated with the co,api,.
tee, usually styled the committee OF investigation.
The 5l wasslnsradaced TO destroy the t4yo off ,es
OF tie accountants OF the war and navy denart.
meats aud the title of it was tfansfused into the
standing rules Of the House. It is extremely
probable that the gentleman who has offered
this resolution, as well as other gentlemen. had
no idea OF the extent of the powers given
to tie COMMITTEE OF Ways and Means. Under
this view, I do NOT think the resolution vii, an
swer any useful purpose, as the committee Of
Ways and Means bave already the same duties de-
volved upon them which; assigns. an, convinced
The gentleman who offered it will have no ob;ec.
zion 10 It's postpanenent till the Iss OF January
and IN the mean time, the committee OF Way.
and Means viii, il they see it, make the enouirv
which appears to be the object OF it.
MIR. Rodney. With my friend from Virs;n;a
Mr. Randolph will on all occasions exercise
an independent judg nlenr on any proposition sub
nntted to the House, without regard to the QUAR-
ter tom which 1t may come, aud with nv
friend from Maryland Mr.. nicholson am sa.
tished that the idea Of censuring the committee
ot ways and means, WAS the rnosr remote from the
intention Of my friend from Virginia fMy. Eppe.,
rom has known character. shall consider fb.n