The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-12-18

49,. ahS'tSNs Nhdl TUG ll.lSEE recommended
the preient bill, is an innovation. The appoint
nent of this Office by LaSv, is in fact late thing
1t we look back to a former period, we fhail
diicover that tometimes the clerk of each houfe
appointed Its own printer and fometimes the
choice was made by joint vote.---In exarnin-
ing the relative claims of the executive and Ie-
gilature to this appointment, the former had
iome advantages over us which NUT be ack
nowledged by all. They are here; thev arr,
acquainted with the mechanics and with the va
ue of their work. Whereas this Houfc meet
here only once year, and cannot be expected
to acquire the neceiiary information far
Mr.. Smyth iaid, he was willing to go. He wonlt,
turnlih the executive with money and comrc-
tency. If it ihould be objected that the period
OF months was toe ihort, it may be extended
by the bill.
Mr.. p. Jobn9on ob!trved, that he had one or
two other remarks to offer on this fnhieGt A
faicinatisg argument has been ufed Mr.. Speaker.
Patronage. The paons of this houfe have
bten appealed 10. They have been aiked how
they could devove a power upon another de-
partment, which they have held themfelves fo.
10 long time. But, fir, this is not fact. Our
right of appointment has been acquired by u,ur-
patton. Under the former government, the
choice was made by the sxecutive--and under
the prefcnt government it was not made BY this
houte before 'es.-But, iir, LEI re ak where is
the advantage. Soush-Carolina is, believe, the
only eate in the union, which has public prin-
ter. In al the Others the work is done b. con-
tract and the price is regulated by competi-
ton. Surely then the experiment is worth
making in our own fate.
Mr.. Bar5our--Sir much more intereanr ouec-
ton has been introduced than the appointment of an
oheer. We have been accuied Sir, Of uiurpation-
Tell me, when We We're guilty of this abominable act
Shall then be laid. tba A.
refduary egatees Of all power, expressly gven to
this houte IL uch be the cale then is the Executive
inveited with exnrbltant power, and this hou. is
| nothing. What Sir, becsuie the power OF making
this appointment was formerly given to the Execu-
tive under the regal government, hall we conceive.
ourfelves bound to purdue its Rlaxus? Shall we erect
the Enghlh Executive INTO . kind of Prototype for
| our own If 70 then let gentlemen tell me how far
they go-Shall lay that the election of the
Auditor BY this houie is ufrpaton III the pow
or OF appointment cannot be fatey contded to u.s. the
immediate representatives of The people where can we
iafely place it ?Uiurpaton, Sir , Uiurpation for
years fay, Sir III compariion with this interetirg
queition the Office inks in the duff. have too high
| an opinion of this hou(e believe that their pro-
ceedings will be influenced by any fear of thi; inn
puta;ion.-'The gentleman from Wythe f.ys W do
! want patronage. I declare it as my opinion Sir
that Ia he iupport of government. L may be ca
lumny, Sir, upon the human race for any man 20 de-
clare that matt men are governed by ff in.cren !:
But my experience ahures OF the melancholy fac
Ills my belief that AZ Leaf third of mankind are
led by the loavcs and fihes. In this tate, and Under
the former federal administration, almoR every thing
has obeyed their influence believe, Sir, that from
tire moment IN which reign our patronage from
that moment may date the downfall of our Ii
BEETLES.
On the quelion Of reference, the ayes were CO. the
nays 81, of courie the biz was rejected.
III Stenographer were prefent TO take down
tie proceedings and Debates of the VIRGINIA
Legislature, it would probably be productive
of great benefit to the people and to the mem
berS themiclveS.
Many a law is now p2fed, the rcafons Of
which are never completely unfoldcd to the
view of the people, on whom it is to operate.
II is not every law, which has an explanatory
preamble 70 It; norris If every preamble that
takeea compleat view of all the cafes on which
it is intended to operate. Were fome Steno-
grapher preient, this inconvenience might gene
rally be remeded. 1t is the practice of every
member, when he Introduces 4 motion to a.
mend fome old act TO frame new one, TO
mention at the fame time fome of the principal
reaGms ot!o'i, GRIN ether
the principal advantages, which may be antici-
pated from this new arrangement Thefc rea-
ions would no longer aiiume fugitive form.
They would be recorded by the pen Of the
hort hand writer, and Afterwards illuminated
among the people through the channel Of our
public papers. In this manner, every law would
go abroad accompanied by It's reafJns, and the
people might thus become more extenfvely
acquainted with what may be called the b,Ji!2Jo-
ply of our laws.
The prefence OF the Stenographer would
perhaps have more ftriking effect upon the
menberS themlelves. There are feyeral mem
bers who rife in that houte without much elabo-
rate preparation. If they can for a few mo-
uemts intereft the attention of The ahcmbly by
ihort and unitudieG aatcment of their rcaions.
they feem to have Attended to the fImmit Of
their ambition. They DO not appear at all
anxious to throw their argument into that lear
and didaesc form, and convey it in that terfe,
elegant and mpreilive llyle, of which their fib-
je9 mas be fulceptible, and TO which their own
powers are completely competent. Butwcrc a
,, Stsrographer introduced, the fceae would be
materially changed. A new teft oftzlent would
now be introduced, and ltronger inctemeass
would exiit for active and luminous diicuiiions.
The photographer aud the prels would enlarge
the iphcre Of criticiin and likewife of diRin6ti-
on. il would not 6s in the Capitol only, tina!
| thele fpeeches would b. heard, examined and
converted into flbje3t ofapprobation or CEN
iure, nor would they he Judged of in other
parts OF the fate by the Imperfect Retcbes
which tome iiftefs auditor might carry away
with him. They would tbe1 be brought home