The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-12-27

nee whist IN that capacity, or from serving
IN any Office created whilst lie was mem
Der. but IN what respect would this re-
striction affect the cnmmunity, Could not
Offices as we'll he filed out of Congress as i'm
IT. congress had already legisiated as far
us IN tneir power on This subject oy passing
a law topreNent contractors from holding a
seat on this noor.
he Independence Of the Legislature was
the object. 1T there was no covetousness of
c'Ece, IL human nature was perfect we
should "ani no laws. But laws have be-
Come necessary to check the frailties of our
nature, and this provision would serve to
repress The inordinate desire of man for of
nee. Indeed. said he, it is as necessary
Almost To guard against virtue as agains,
vice lake the case of n man who has
long been in Cong ess. whose worth all &C
knowledge. about to retire, and we know
that he has not whcrewihal to support
himse'f-we should almost, for citing our
duty 10 the constitution, be willing to make
place expressly for Elm.
Nc. NJ. said, 1t appeared to him that no.
thing could be NOR. incorrect, as related
to The Independence OF the Legislature, than
tor men TO be sitting Mere. knowing that
when they retire.! they were to have an Of
ice. Rnowihg that they were to have it
was not worse than wishing to have it; be
Cause IN either case the in~ ependencc of the
expectant was destroyed. The practice of
bestowing Offices On members of the Lepis
iature had already attained to an extent nor
before known. IL was a practice pleasing
to members. and it would grow. Suppose
any memhcr wanted an appointment, ard
should GO to his friends and get recommen
CATIONS from twenty thirty, or forty of them
Would It not operate almost as q command
On the Executive, when he saw a majority
oi the Legislature declaring that this man
enSht to have an otiicet If he were to re
fuse he would soon fee! the consequences.
believing the purity of the Legislature to
uepend ON the existence OF such provision
as he had proposed, Mr.. NJ said he could
not consent to strike it out. Every thing.
SAD he, depends on The Legislature Make
me members OF the Legislature otiice-hun
ers, and you make the nation so. If the
Executive archives could be consulted, j,
would be seen that the applications for of
ice IN the nation at large had progressed
mach IN the same proportion as those from
the members OF Congress. And is il no,
natural, sir, that the people who send a
man to Congress. seeing him provided with
snug place would want the same thing /,
am Wiling 10 extend the principle am
almost willing 10 g. as far as upon the Jury
principles in trials for life. l am willipy
not only 70 eHcluue ourselves. but TO ex'
GUIDE onr kihdred. Could any thing be-
moro mortifying. Mr. M asked than
Z" see every little ppointment in the nation
gwen to the Legislature! To him 1t was
iNortiiying Circumstance. H could men
tion names /; but that it was always painful
'or hl"' to dose. He had seen this prac
NcS growing with our growth; and, i not
checked, IL would come TO be one of ne
greatest OF evils. If the gentleman from
tennessee could demonstrate thar there
was SUCH poverty of talent in the nation
tha', by the exclusion Of members or Con
Sress from Office, the bushes, of the nation
would be arrested. he would vote for his
motion; and not otherwise.
1t Fad been said that the proposed a
-mendmeht 10 the constitution, went to de
PrIve the citizen of his right. IL appear
ed to Mr.. Macon, that this right of Office
~ was not good thing. He knew that no
man IN the House was farther from Office
hunting, than the gentleman who made The
motion-his remark applied to the subject.
and had no particular application to men.
II experience had not convinced gentlemen
that something wanted doing, ne despared
OF convincing them He hoped the motion
would not be agreed to.
Mr.. BOYD said that of the Republican
principles ofthe gentleman last up, he had
no doubt; but these PRINCIPLES might be
Carried too far to support themselves
Sentieman's argument supposed that the a
biiiiy OF those persons sent here being known
to the president, they therefore ought not
TO be appointed to Office. The argumen,
was, because person was recommended
to office by the best men in the nation. he
ought therefore not to be appointed. l.
went upon the supposition that the Pres,
dent all officer chosen from the people for
MS superior virtue, would appoint venslIv
But let us beware, said Mr.. b. of tinkerinp
the constitution. From the veIy innovation
watch tie amendment proposes. l should
oppose II because 1T is necessary TO the
HE and vigor Of the constitution that we
Ineddle with it as little as possible, By so
frequently altering the constitution. we
Shall keep the people in perpetual fer
ment, not kHowing whether they have a
polar star or not
MIR. BnrWeH considered the part pro
posed to be struck out as the most valuabIe
part OF the amendment. If that were s,fuck
out, there would be hardly any part of n
worth retaining. This question, he said
was particularly fortunate for those com
posing the majority OF Congress. II far.
hished them an opportunity TO convince the
world at large, that they were not governed
by mercenary motives; that the course
they pursued WAS dictated by their Judy
ment alone. what could tend more To re
concile all parties in the nation, than
perfect confidence that no sinister mo
gives governed the vote OF any member If
this Houses And who wonld charge aov
member with corrupt motives when the
constitution had prCclJded him from Office
4 his was indeed 2A occasion at which gen
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