Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-26

gentlemen contractors on this floor. This
resolution only went to affect contracts here
after TO be made. Although no member Of
this or any future Congress might be affec-
ted by existing contracts, he wished to do
away every Involvement whatever either "a
increase salaries or remunerate officers.
AS 10 the constitutional power of adopting
TINS measure, moments reflection would
shew that 1t was not intended to add a QUA
iiscas'on to member of Congress. If a
man holding contract became a member
oi congress, 1t was intended that his con-
tract should thereafter cease.
Mr.. Key. Suppose contract made with
a person not a member; if this person be-
comes member, his contract is Absolutely
void. 1t would operate as an enconraye-
ment for violating contracts. Every per-
son holding a contract on which he had re.
.ceived advance or which he did not like.
might by being elected n member, vacate
his contract; which could not be intended
by the honorable mover the resolution.
Mr.. Basset said he was more sensible
now than heretof"re of an embarrassment
IN speaking on subject of so much impor-
vance, proceeding from his having been so
httie IN the habit of addressing Dublicbo-
dy which prevented him from expressing
with ease those sentiments which occurred
TO him. He did feel, however. that there
was not principle contained in these re-
solutions which was NOT perfectly cnnson an,
with the constitution--not position which
did not bear properly ON the subject. Mr..
Is. referred to this clause in the CONSTITUTE
on No Senator or Representative shall
during the time for which he was elected
be appointed To any civil Office under the
authority of the United States, which shall
nave hEen created, or the emoluments
whereof shall have been Increased during
81 u time and noperson holding any office
mder the United States, shall be n mem
ner ~ either HonSe during his continuance
III Office He feared that even in reading
this clause he could not be heard hv eyer,
gentleman but it surely was not necessa-
ry to tell gentlemen that il was funda-
mental principle that no man should have
vote IN creating anv of?ce in which he
would he Interested. What was the case
IN making contracts Didthcv not vote AL
most daily large sums fpr contracts. and
might they not become part;cipators in their
proh's ! and IT this had not been the case
heretofore, how had they been resi raTnca !:
by the disposition of the officers of govern
'ntht not 10 make Contracts with members.
ana ny the conviction of the members Them
selves that 1t wonid be contrary to the spi-
rit ot the constitution. IF this conviction
did not exist, the largest contractors in the
nation would be found In this House. If If
we're only to guard against this principle Of
tavoritis'n, he should perhaps have suDDor-
ted the proposed measure hut there was
a constitutional ground on which he wish.
ed to act. The constitution had declared
that the representatives osthc people sbould
be pure. Was there not n door cren
here for undue influence BY PERMITTING q
person to conc here and vote for n contract.
and 80 the public Offices and immediate
~ become arties 10 the same contract ,
lie Thought there was, and this ne wished
70 guard against. lie was net surprised 1T
o1Iectious made to any general proposition ::
human nature was so prone TO differ on ps-
N@Ta trplcs, that he supposed gentlemen
migat d:iier with him in opirion. But far
TINS ne should have been much surprized at
tie objection made by the gentleman from
MARYLAND; for he being a professional man.
must know that mnnrv advanced on y CON-
tract could be recovered by law on a breach
ct That covenant; and surely it was in the
power of the Legislature 10 annex any con-
Idition to contracts. The objection taken
| ny the gentleman from; Massachusetts world
have weight Fit were correct on DrincipIe .
! y could be remedled by making il reccssa :
nv TOR contractor 20 accept tie Office be-
tore his contract would be void Mr.. r.
5ad no idea ola mans having an Office for
| ccd upon him % his prejudice or injury.
lie Thought II better to let zine propositions
stand o. the broadest possible basis: and
wnen the bill was brought forward, If oh
lieciionaIlr, il could be amended. He was
willing TO admit any notifications but no.
Iped gentlemen would be content to take the
sense Of the tonse on the general principle
and see whether tho constitution would bear
| them out 10 running this parallel, for paraI.
/ lei he might be permitted to call IL, as the
same principle which prevented man from
voting for the establishment Of an Office
which he might obtain, would prevent y
MAN from voting for contracts in which he
might participate and If the constitution
prohibited public officers from having a seat
on this floor the same principle would applv
10 contractors. Had not a contractor The
same lines on his mind, as if I've received
money as n public officer lie believed
when they saw the practice of the countrv
so strongly enforcing this principle, when
they saw the public officers RETAINING from
making contracts with members of Con-
gress, and members refusing "a accent Of
them from conviction VI its improprietv.
IT would not need argument or cloqnepce
to she'y that they should provide by law T.
sainst the possibility Of contrary practice
taking place.