Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-01-20
RICHMOND, JANUARY %.

Remarks made by Dir. Crump (ef Cnm6erland) in
theHonse Of Delegates on Thursday last, on the
resolutions respecting CARTER B. PAGE.
Mr.. SPEhkER-I regret that so much i'm
portance has been attached to this subject as
TO impose upon me the unpleasant but irresis-
tible obligation 10 add few remarks TO what
has been said.-On The one side see with
lively senslbIlity, the character and dignity of
TINS house-on the other, the sacred rights of
the citizen. trust the house will see i'm the
substitute offered by the gentleman from the
city OF Richmond, course which does not call
upon MS, either 10 cOmprOmt the one, or to in.
wade the other.
shall not here enquire into the power of
tins house TO institute the investigation which
mas Oeei had, or the propriety of its exercise
on that occasion, (as those questions have been
decided( hut confne myself 10 the terms of the
instruction under which we acted-I saw we
for too, was a member of that unfortunate
committee, 10 whom was assigned "A novel and
interchangeable duty-having no attainable
object in view.
We were instructed to enquire into the truth
OF numerous (shapeless) reports of still more
shapeless mal-practices of the president and
directors of the Farmers Bank in the manage.
ment OF the funds thereof. call theattention
OF the house 10 the words of the resolution
fands oftbo Bankr-lf words have any definite
meaning, these must have beenused in contra
distinction mal-practiceS in the management
OF any other fluids, save those of the Bank A.
ny other Interpretation wonld place this house
IN the undignitied character of "a board of frnit-
less and idle enquiry or the still more odiuus
one, OF an understanding inQuisitiou, to ferret
ont, and furnish TO the executive, the foibies.
misdeameanors or qualifications, if Won please
oievery man who might perchance, be APP
pointed by them director OF a bank. Nor can
l suppose th.t il would have beent the object OF
the house to invite either contempt or cdium
Now Sir, lay il down as d broad and undeuia.
bic fact that the directors have no more con.
trout over the funds of the Bank, except ,ghi!s
sitting as a board, than you or l or any person
within the hearing ofmy Voice. If they have
not, where is the propriety Of examining into
such oftheir transactions, as cannot by pussihi.
lily have any sort of connection with E" NAL.
practices IN the management of the funds of
the Bank"
III the questions put TO Mr.. Page he intend
ed to draw from him any information respect
ing the NAL practices of the directors in the
management OFT funds of the Bank he has
answered i, most fnlly.--But if on the other
hand, it be intended to iuterrogate him in re-
lation TO the transactions OF the directors in
situations, totally nncOnnected With the ma.
uagement of the funds of The Bank lie has
assigned reasons for refusing to answer, which
~ IS not1n my power TO strengthen or impair
they are compacted i'm small area but every
sentence is a fortress every wsrd "A catidei
while thus fortified, the roaring Of the nlsuil.
ta,n torrent or the oceans storm, will only
serve to assure him of his safety.
wish not to addto the Juror lingua of the
house on the present occasion, and will only
add IN conclusion, that felt myself bound by
my duty TO my constituents 20 make known
my sentiments upon subject, which deserves
all its Importance from tue ferment il has ca.
cited.