Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-05-02
CONG REss
OF THE
UNITED STAT E S.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
THURSDAY, January S.
Debate
On III. Randolbh's motion for the app0int-
.nent eta committee.of enquiry tnts
the o6cial conductef
Sd NUEL CHASE.
(Continued.)

table. cannot Dut SA t1Ieso 4iiY out " ioe
that the gentleman from Virginia should
oppose this motion, when several gentle
men have declared that they are not pre-
pared to vote on his resolution. Gentle
men ought to recollect that, according 10
our rules, on all motions which require
the concurrence of the two houses, enc
days delayis necessary. Althoug1 -
resolution is not of this kind yttir s4rstz
is not of inferior Importance.
believe that the gentleman aJla&a1
by the motion would rather Court, than
shrink from an investigation O. MS OH,
cia conduct. believe also that has Sc
come necessary from the discussion OF dis
day that an investigation should take place.
am not therefore prepared at this time
to saw whether shall net ultimately vote
fer an enquiry. BUTT appears to me that
the course proposed isinverting the natural
order of things, inasmuch as it institutes
anenquiry not growing out Of facts, but for
facts. | believe also that the facts stated,
if authenticated, will furnish no ground for
impeachment. Circumstances attending
his motion shew that the gentleman from
Virginia does not consider them as a
sufficient ground for impeachment. The
refusal to hear the point of law discussed
was the act of the court. Mr.. Chase did
not sit alone on the bench. Another Judge
must have been associated with and have
concurred with him. If so why does not
the resolution allude to the other judge?
+ Why select one Judge when both are equal
ly impl1catedin the charges
| believe the most parliamentary way
would be for gentleman to state IN the
form of a resolution the grounds of i'm
parchment, and then to refer such reso-
luton toa ssleet committee for investiga-
ton. In this mode the house may correct
ly institute an enquiry and send for per-
sons and papers. This is the only Parlia-
nentary mode of proceeding. In every
case where impeaehments have been made
the facts have been stated in a resolution
concluding with a.motion for an lmpeach-
ment. The house possesses no censorlal
power over the judges, except as inciden-
tai to the power of impeachment. If gen.
tlemen are possessed offacts, why not state
them in the form of resolution, and move
an impeachment, would not object to
their going to select committee, though
F believe the most proper course would be
for the House to send for persons and pa
pers, and to examine for themselves. But
it is extremely novel ard unprecedented
|. for the house, without facts, to institute an
| enquiry into the character OF high officer
1eof government.
May theysnot in the same way extend
7 their enquiry into the conduct OF every
| nudge in .he United States, without stat
ing any facts on winch the enquiry is found
i ed :? For these reasons | shall vote FOR
postponing the farther consideration OF this
motion for one day, on account OF the lm-
portance and delicacy of the subject, and
the serious deliberation it is ehtitled to. [
do not know whether, if sufficient time is
allowed for consideration, and | shall be
convinced that this course is consistent
with parliamentary usage, shall not be In
favor o. an investigation.
Mr.. Elliot. When the Yeas and Nays
are called, shall on every occasion rise in
favor Of taking them. Il wish the votes |
give in this House entered on the journal,
and known to every citizen in America.
The more contemplate the course pursued
on this occasion, the more extraordinary
and unprecedented it appears to me. The
gentleman from Virginia rose, and after an
elegant exordium, stating that the streams
Of justice should be preserved pure, and O.
ther fine things, told us that he had receiv-
ed information of facts that convinced his
mind, that an enquiry ought to be made
;nto tba cond,ct Of iudUe SuDnoce the