Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-02-13

There was, in his opinion, no good reason
for passing this BILL That was a point,
(which appeared to him worthy of some de-
liberation
1t had been mentioned, in the debate,
thatin the whole history of our government,
notwithstanding two instructions, the ha-
tbeas corpus had, in no instance, been sus-
Gpended. twas true. But an instance had
been cited from one of the states. During
the insurrection in Massachusetts, there
was such suspension, in pursuance of a
constitutional provision and it was gene
rally acknowledged to have been neces-
sary and salutary measure. He had ne
yer understood that it was abused, or that
1t was considered by the people of that
state dangerous example. 1t was usti-
fed by the occasion. But il did not, there
fore, follow that a similar suspension would
lbc justihable on this occasion.-Ihat must
depend on the present state and circum-
stances of the nation. Although rebeli-
1 on existed, he was not satisfied that the
public safety required SO strpug and severe
a measure. But as it was an important
question, on which the House had not yet
taken time to deliberate, he was willing
that The bill should go, according to the u
sual course of proceeding, to committee
of the whole; and therefore, he should not
give his vote for rejectingit in the present
stage.
Mr.. J. RANDOLPH. / shall give my
vote in very different manner from the
gentleman who has Just sat down. ! was
extremely happy to witness thevery prompt
and decided opposition this measure recei-
| we'd in the House, and from the quarter
whence that opposition originated; and I
subscribe with great pleasure to the sound
constitutional doctrine, which the gentle
man from Pennsylvania advanced this NOR
ming before our doors were opened. We
are nov told that to reject this bill at its
first reading, will be to depart from the IL
sual course of proceeding IN this house, and
an attempt Is made to enlist the feelings
of members so far ut least as to permit the
bill to progress one step farther, that we
may avoid violating that decorum which
ought to be observed between the two hou-
Ses.-I do not, however, consider the sub
ject in this light. / conceive, on the con-
trary, it is as competent to us to reject the
bill on its first as ON any other reading
well recollect that about eight years ago an
inportGat bill was smuggled through the
house in that fastidious mode ofprocecding
Gentlemen we're allured from their honest
: opinions, and finally by fnesse aud manage
mcnt the bill was carried through the house.
! understand that this course is pursued by
the other branch Gf the legislature Oh bills
carried from this house and | believe it
win be found that with regard to the pas
sage of bills between the two Houses, the
course ofprocedure on the part of this house
is more liberal than that pursued in the o.
Their. For | do not recollect a single in
stance IN which the vote Of single mem
Der can stop the passage of a bill in this
house received from the other branch of
the legislature. ], therefore, feel no scru-
pies on this score. l think it just as well to
say, that We will permit this bill TO pass to
! q second or third reading, as TO say that
though we are opposed to the principle con-
tanned in the resolution which may ORR
einate in this house, we will nevertheless
permit committee to bring in a bill to
carry it in.o effect because we may destroy
the bill at its last stage. This appears to
me to be IL strange course OF re Sonlng. 1t
is like permitting yourselve be bound in
chains that you may be loosed again, or go
ing into prison that you may afterwards
come out. Gentlemen talk Of the proprie-
" of discussing this subject, but when sub
jeCt is so clear chat every man has made up
his mind upon it, where is the need OF dis
cussion is it is not so clear, will any gen.
tleman say that the discussion now had, in
which every member has right to speak
twice, which is once more in my opinion
E than is necessary, win not be sufficient to
develope all the merits and dement's of the
. bill? will gentlemen undertake to say, if
/. every member shall give the mature, or as
| it NAV be, crude suggestions of his mind,
that the subject will not be sufficiently dis
cussed, and lead to the formation OF a COR
rect judgment bclieve it will. And there
fore on this ground, n bill may as well be
decided in its present stage as before COM
inittee of the whole.
Some gentlemen to whom have listen
ed with considerable qualification, tell US
that out of respect to the other branch, we
ought not at this time to reject the bill l
however feel no such respect on this ocCa-
sion, and shall express none. On the con-
trary, am free to declare, that when a
measure, tending to impose q burtncn on
the peuple, or 10 de,ract from the priyie-
ees Of the citizen, comes from that quarter.
= ! shall always view It with jealousy. The
! inequality Of the representation in that
branch, the long tenure Of office, and the
| custom ~ which they arc so familiar OF
p conducting their proceedings in cOnclave
, 1.-THE house will recollect how long it was
; after the adoption OF the constitution before
! the public could get admission even into
their two.penny gallery)--render all their
I proceedings, touching the public burthens
= or the liberties of the people. highly suspi
{ cious. And 10 say the truth, am not at al
y surprised that they did Close their doors Or
-.