Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-04-17


Cumberland Turnpike, the dis ances and varia. |
tons from Straight line, &c, and any other in
formation the Pres dent may possess on that SUBJ
Ject and think proper to communicate.
The resolution for amending the rules of pro-
ceedmg, submitted by Mr. Hopkinson yesterday,
was called up for considerations.
After some conversation rs to the mode of ar
rvlng at the general object of the resolutions to
which there was no objection as 10 the proprie-
~ OF making it joint enquiry and Of appoint
ng the committees for the whole Congress, &c
tie resolution was agreed to IN the following
words:
Resotved, That committee ie appointed to en-
quire, in conjunction with such committee as
may be appointed by The Senate, into the expe-
diency OF making the following alterations in the
mode OF transacting the public business ofs,0n-
greSs TO wit That the standing committees
appointed at the commencement of any Congress,
shall not be dissolved AT the end of The SESSION 1t
which they were appointed that on the adiourn-
ment OF Congress the unfinished business, to wit
bills resolutions and reports ofcommitiees, shall
remain over 10 the next session of the same Con-
gresS, IN The same situation as they wee at he
time of adjournment.
a committee of three was appointed accord
ngiy on the part OF the part of ,hiS House.
MIR. Jso1Slde5, after f.w PREDATORY remarks,
offered the following resolution, which was a.
greed 10 without objection
IfeSofUed, That The committee on Naval Affairs
DC instructed 10 enquire INTO the eXpedIency Of
so amending the laws relating % the Marine
Corps, rs TO reduce the number of that corps TO
ne retained ON tie peace ablshment to a num-
Der which shall bear just proportion 10 the naval
force Which II IS proposed 10 keep IN service.
Inc bill from the Senate TO reward the officers
ahc crew OF the frigate Constitution, was read
anu referred To the committee on Naval Affairs.
The amendments of the Sena.e to the blI in
ADDITION TO the ac' regula ing the post Office es
adjustment, were taken up. One of these amend
ments 1eInS TO Increase the compensation of a
particular deputy postmaster, gave rise to a de
sultory debate OF some length, OH he merits OF
othef deputy post masters, and Their CLAIMS to
additional cOmpenS -uOn, &c.
The House then proceeded to that amend ment
oil tue Senate which stru, out the Sd section OF
the Dill, which section granted 10 the members
| OF both Houses and their Secretary and CLERK,
tie privilege offranking during the recess a. well
| a. during the session
NJ. hando,ph hoped the House would not con-
cur WIN the Senate III tins northumberland pro-
| ceeded TO argue at some leag,h an oppOsl tIon
thereto, He sad substantially. that there were
hiaiy Oh the petty oitlcer9 oil tire government no
| possessed the privilege lof ranking that the
members OF Congress were great officers of the
state, at all times liable 20 be called here at a
| moments warning upon national concerns thai
the Clerk OF this House and the Secretary of the
senate were also high ard respons bic officers,
| III TIE puDilC service, and better
entitled to the privilege than many who possess
| eo IL and concurrence in The amendment,
| would be conserving to take rank below the sub.
ORDINATE officers of the government. He knew
ulat great clamor mad been attempted TO be "a. sea
on the subject ofanother, (the compensation; bill
| winch IL ely passed The House but u hat poll
'lcal materials are there, SAID MIR. r. which fac
| touS printers will not work up to serve Their
! PusPoses Was there shadow of reason why
| the Nice-'Tesdent of the United States should
| De invested with this privilege, that was not G.
quaily strong IN fsvor of tue presiding officer of
ms House; privilege possessed by the highest
and the lowest officers IN the public employ
from the President of the United States, 10 a de-
| putty postmaster, who does not receive five dol
lars year in postage. Compare this privilege,
SAID he, with the exemption from militia service,
! winch rs conferred on post masters, and then de
/ eide the question. He could not agree TO the
| practice OF stripping the members of Congress of
Unnecessary privilege, like many livery servants,
| twenty days after the end OF the session.
| MIR. Cuth6ert was IN favor of Concurrence If
the privilege OF franklin were claimed as a mat.
| ter of compensation, then as a matter of compen-
| Aauon ne was opposed to It-t as matter of prl-
vhege, then as mat er Of privilege he was opoo-
Sod 70 it. lie thought aisi that instead OF man.
taIning he dignity of the members by con ending
| for tins power, they were putting themselves OH
| a footing with the subordinate officers of the 90.
|
States he sad, was thechIef executive maglstra,e
constantly engaged IN corresponding on national
| concerns, and required an exemption from he
payment of postage. Whatever privileges are ne.
cessary TO AID III conducting public business, AID
not 10 suit priYsIe convenience, tor the purpose
OF corresponding with friends, &c. was proper,
but none o Hers.
MIR. He6sler spoke agaInat concurriDr with
the Senate ia their amendment. lie tnogght At
there was any necessity proprety m the yrIy,-
l. sc during the session, 1t was equally ~ oper
during the recess, If members were To- lie regard.
ed as public men. The power of abusing The
| privilege vas no argument-hOw NAV thousand
deputy pOst-masters were there WHO could abu q
the privilege, yet II was not urged against grant
ing II TO them. lie thought II was proper 40
coniine the privilege strictly TO the session, or to
extend 1t TO the recess also.
! Mr. ReynOhis was also in favor of retaining the
| privilege. An important reason for it was, the
resolution this very day adopted, to make the
standing committees permanent during the VIII lie
| Congress, which would involve them IN cores.
pondence on public business.
| Mr. Jactr11a spoke sbO tine against the a
| mehdmtht; lie thought IL important that com
| muncatIon should be Kept up during the recess
| between ,Ile members and Their copstuuents nm
| thls case SAID he, we should not he pre yentino
petitions on the last day Of Tie session, # a free
| channel of Communication could be kept ore,,
In every point Of view, without gong over lie
elevated, acknowledgement on which In. o,res-
tion stood, ought to be Maintained by lie uouse
Mr. Utigh and Mr.: GrOsvenor also made ,Dme
remayi-s IN favor of the privilege after winch.
The question was decided II favor of concur
ring with the Senate, as follows.
fEAS--Messrs. Adgate, Alexander, Archer
Athectoi', % lker Baouber, Bsssett, Bennett, Betts
bradbury, Brooks, Burnside, Caldwell, Cillev
Comstock, Conner, Crawford, Creighton CT
eron, Cuthbert, Darlington, Davenport, neshs