Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-11-15
Communications is directed. This is the language of

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nifty of the Executive do see how 1t can III the
remoes degree, impair any ether of its constitutional
prerogatves The President not sufficiently to
have appreciated the distinction between conference
and call for information, although the distinction
seems obvious. The first requires comparison, and
interchange, Of opinions The other, statement OF
facts Facts are, other words Information is not
Only often called for but directed by either house OF
Congress, from the heads of departments. But con-
ference, or in other words an Interchange opinions,
from the heads of departments is never requested by
either house of Congress If opinions from the heads
OF departments should be called for they celibers
ted upon by the house calling for them but opinions
OF the house are ipferchanged for them he PRESS
dent certainly upon his principle, must have over
looked this distinction, when he permitted hs Secreta-
ny OF State propose in his stead, to Confer With
committee Of the Senate 1t certainly did not occur
him. that in the contemplation of the constitution, his
secretary coordinate, cordi9dfus, together
in ORDER with the Senate-bu sR6 ordinate, sabordi-
natnS under in order. he could have authorised
him confer with a committee of the Senate, which
was clothed, as shall preseHtly attempt to show,
quo ad hoe, with all the attributes of the Senate itself
Nor do conceive, that the President has been
fortunate in aiding his conclusions by his illustrations,
upon the principle of analogy with the proceedings of
the TWO houses of Congress in relation to their confer
ences upon disagreeing votes between them The il
Illustrations are contained in the following extract from
his message:
The relation between the Senate House of Represent
atves in whom legislative is soncurreny vested,
is sufficiently analogous illustrate that between the tx
ecutiye and Senate making appointments and
The houses are like independent Of
ordinate with each Others and the invaabe practice of
each appointing committees OF conference and consua-
ton is to commission them TO CONFER not with the coord-
nate body ITSELF but with committee OF that body And
although DO branches of the Legislature may be
hold conveniently conference WITH committees.
were lney 10 DC appointed by eer 10 confer with he en-
tire body OF the other, 1t may be fairly presumed that It
the whole number of either branch not too large for
the purpose the objection 10 such conference, being
genst the principle defcgatory IRON the coordinate
relations of the tive Houses would retain all its force.
The reasoning of the President drawn from this all
tedged analogy, is somewhat remarkable. 1t Common
1 res ofr.r all hat
conference conducted the part of each house through
the medium of committees as he without his usual
tenton TO critical correctness, calls them and
terence conducted directly between the two houses
their entire character and POUNDS this distinction upon
the suggestion, that the invariable practice of each
appointing committees of conference and consultations
IS TO commission them confer with the co-ord-
nate body ITSELF but committee of that body" do
not know that either branch OF Congress gives to its
conereas, commissions specifying the precise tribunal
with which each is confer; bat in fact from pnci-
pie ot convenience and reciprocal equality the confer
ees do confer with each other, but expressly and
Practically The fart Of their restectiOe houses.
These conterees are not properly aud strictly speak
ng committees faH, nor are they SO called III the Jour
nails OF eler house, bat saalqgers The tart Of Le
boUSe8 reSftectiueiy The of critical attention
to this distinction may have been the of
on the part OF the President this point If indeed. il
should be conceived, he has unntenonaly fallen into
one. The object Of this arrangement is that the man
ayers on fAe farI u each hCuSe, may make or receive
propositions Tor compromising, III any way adjusting
the disagreeng Of the Two houses subject in every
to the final control Of the entire bodies Of the two
houses themselves and the managers the confr.
ence are Tor these purposes invested with the attributes
OF the entire houses and completely far, Unidentified
with them--and so scrupuouslY attentive, the two
hoAses composing the general assembly OF Virginia to
the Identification of each with its managers a con
ference, that during the sitting of the conferees TO
the best OF my recollection, all business is suspended
by both houses The due understanding of this point
Is so important, to the due estimation of the distinction
upon which the President POUNDS his refusal of the pro-
posed conference the part OF the Senate, that beg
ontroduce full journal of the two houses of Congress
in particular of conference upon the dsagree-
ing votes of the two houses the last session 1t is
follows:
"July27 1915
"rhe Senate proceeded consder the amendments disAv
greed to By the House OF Representatives 20 the b eRtted
AN act laying duties licenses retailers of Wines spi-
ritnous liquors. and foreign merchandise
ResoIged That they insist on their amendments and
ask conference on the disagreeing votes Of the two Hou
Ordered That Mr. King Mr. wortbington, and Mr. Giles,
be me managers fbe seia conference on the paTf ofke Sc
ordered Th,tthe Secretary notify the House of Repre-
July SO, 1873
The House proceeded TO consider the message from the
Senate insisting certain Of e amendments disagreed
to by this House, the bill laying duties licenses 60
retailers Of vines pruous liquors and foreign
die :" whereupon,
ResolUsd Tbit this House doth insist on their dsa
grcement the said amendments, and agree tho eoae-
renee reqRed BY the Senate upon the subject
and that Mr.. Bbb Mr.. Taylor and Mr. Roberts be appoint
ed managers at The same on The Payt cfthis House.
They also insist their disagreement the amend.
ment OF the The bill, entitled An laying du.
ties on licenses to retailers OF wines sprtoous liquors and
foreign ntrchandize They agrsc the conference pro-
posed on the subjects and hare aepoied nHaaGgss fhc
July %, 1913.
Mr. King from tic munger on the 9a't etLe Senate at
che conference the bill, entitled Az act laying duties on
licenses retailers OF vines spFituous liquors foreign
merchant zc reported certaa notifications Of tie amend.
Inents disagreed to.