The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-06-06
FRIDAY, May s6.
VOTE. OF APPROPRIATION

Mr.. randolph said that for the last eight
years OF there abouts an alteration had tn.
Ken place III the manner of doing business
AT the commencement of each session OF
Congress. He said he recolected when tbs.
first Congress under the administration of
MI: Jefferson had met at this place, instead
OF congress oelng opened as heretofore by
the PRESIDENT III person and by speech, a
note IN these words had been received by
tne speaker, inclosing message from the
President:
"sIR, . ''oi'
The circumstances under which
we md ourselves at this place rendering in
convenient the mode heretofore practised, of
making by personal address the first com
municatlons between the Legislature and
Executive branches, have adopted that
oy message as used Oh all subsequent occa-
'lons through the session. In doing this
nave mao a principal regart! to the convent
ence Of the Legislature. to the ECONOMY of
their time, to their relief from the embar-
rassment OF Immediate answers OIL subjects
not yet fully before them, and to the benefits
thence resulting to the public affairs. Trust.
ing that procedure founded in these mo-
lives viii meet their appreciation, l beg
leave through You. sir, to communicate the
inciosed message, &c"
1t Is UNNECESSARY, believe {said Mr.. r
to state that the hint contained i'm the mes
sage that no answer was to be expected.
was taken by the House and from that dav
no answers have been given to the messages
OF the President at the opening of Congress-.
jt would I'LL become me, sir, WIN so highly
approved then and who so highly approve
now the Change introduced By communi-
eating to the two Houses by message in
stead nj 80,
might imply disapproba;ion of it. / like
it, sir. To tell the truth, the stile of com
municating by speech was more in the stile
OF the opening OF the British Parliament bv
the king Therefore like the mode OF com
munlcation by message. But ! am not so
clear, though we were then half right.
that we were wholly right; though on this
subject i do not mean to give definite
opinion. NO man Can turn over the jour-
nails OF the first six Congresses of the u
nited States without being sickened, fairly
Sickened with The aduiation often replied by
the houses OF Congress to the Presidents
communication. But nevertheless the an
Swcr to an address, although that answer
might hnaiiy Contain the most objectionable
passages. was i'll factthe greatest opportuui-
ty which the opposition to- the measures of
the administration had of canvassing and
siiting ITS measures; and, in my mind, what
ever goes to take away this opportunity.
goes SO lar to narrow down the rights of the
minority or opposition commonly so called.
and In tact to enlarge the rights of the ma
Jority and the administration party so called
--and beg leave not to be understood as
speaking OF the state of parties at this time
but OF that which has always existed. This
OF discussion of the answer to
an address, however exccptimable the adj
dress might be when it had received the las,
seasoning for the Presidents palate, did al.
ford the best opportunity to take review
OF the measures of the administration. tn
Canvass them fully and fairly, without there
being any question raised whether the gen
temah was in order or not--and | believe
the time spent in canvassing the answer TO
a speech was at least as we'll spent as a great
deal that we have expended since we dis
continued the practice. j do not say that
any answer is proper or ought to be given
put do believe that when this House goes
into committee of the whole ON the state
OF the Union, it is for purposes little more
elevated than to dissect the message of the
President of the United States, or to strip |
u up and transfer it to select and standing
committees. If that be the whole object Of |
gong into committee of the Whole on the |
state OF the Union, can see no reason for |
havihE any such committee. por why the |