Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-06-02

OF the gentleman's modifying his FIRST
motion so as to meet the ideas expires
sed by himself, viz. that more conf
dence was to be placed in the new
than in the old army. AT present his
resolution went to retain the old army
and disband that in which he placed
most confidence. He had rather have
seen general resolution that the ar
lmy should have been reduced to "A GER
tain number of men. Such a mode OF
procedure would give an opportunity
of selecting those which were most
lproper to retain. As to the second
resolution, Mr.. Eppes conceived it to
clash with the powers of the commit
tee of Ways and Means. whose duties
he quoted from the rules of the House.
The gentleman from Virginia cannot
have forgotten (says MIR. Eppes) that
in the ear 1902 on this very subiec,
1 submitted resolution almost in the
same words. He was at the same time
at the head of the committee of Ways
and Means and my motion was oppo-
sed by him and OVER lied by the House
on the ground that it was on subject
exclusively appropriated by the rules
OF the House to the com mittee of
Ways and Means. I assure the gen.
tleman, however, that though [ would
adhere to the rules of the House, vet,
were there any specified case of ex-
penditure in which he supposed the
laws had been violated and money i'm
properly drawn, L should not have the
slightest obj ction TO the resolutions
taking that form, that he may have an
opportunity of investigating the sub
ject fully.
Mr.. Randolph said he felt himself
called up by what had fallen from the
gentleman on his right. He said he
was not unapprised of the existence of
n committee of Ways and Means,
whose duty it was to enquire into this
subiecs; nor was ne unapprised of the
same fact at the time (the l4th De-
cenber, 1901 when his friend from
Maryland (Mr. Nicholson) then but
no longer, to his great regret and the
detriment of the public, q member of
this House, made a motion from which
the present was copied verbatim. |
Csaid Mr.. K. WAS then chairman Of the
committee of Ways and Means, s. yet
sawno improperly in the motion. With
due Difference to the gentleman from
Virginia & MS memory too, think he
has not exactly recollected The motion
which he had made on former occa-
Sion, and which, he says was over-ruled.
This, however, is but of little moment.
| recollect perfectly well the gentle
maa's making motion which did i'm
ply, If any thing, want of confidence
In the committee of Wavs and Means,
and that l opposed the motion on that
ground. But had thought, sir, that
a precedent from the first session of
the sixth Congress, the first under the
late presldency--thaE precedent from
those days would not be rejected In
these. The committee Of Ways and
Means were appointed on the 9TH day
OF December. On the Monday fol-
lowing, one week after precisely, mo-
ton was made by Mr.. Nicholson that
a committee be appointed to enquire
and report, &c. And it was ordered
that Mr.. Nicholson, and another gen
tleman, both at the same time mem
bers OF the committee of Ways and
Means, should, with others, compose
that committee. l am very unwell
sir and will conclude what ! have to
say at this time by observing, that if
the gentleman supposes me to be cleo
pioneering for the place of chairman of
a committee, he is much mistaken. If
[ have ambition, it flies at nobler game.
Aud again, the state Of nv health and
particularly of my eyes, would unfit me
from sitting on any committee where
much writing was necessary, even if l
had interest enough with the chair to
be appointed on such committee, for
certainly | had contemplated, in case
the Speaker should put me on either
of the committees which | hope will
grow out of my own motions, to re-
quest to be excused from serving, for
II is lamentable fact that whilst 1 was
quoting the journal few minutes ago
L could scarcely see to read it. AS e