Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-11-28
DOMESTIC.
LEGISLATURE OF NEW YORK.
IN ASSEMBLY

the proprieiy of answering the same, re-.
| ported
| That The practice of presenting an an
swer TO The speech Of the Governor. was
dispensed with by the last Legislature, i'm
| consequence of special suggestion.
| made by his Excsllency OH that occasion.
! me reasons urged by the Executive at
'hat time, were general in their nature,
and applicable as we'll 10 the present as to
| any iorme. period. He remarks that
| answers are not demanded by the con-
stitution, nor by expediency, and besides
| pr0longlng the session, aud frequently
| inIerruptiIg lis harmony, they exhibit
iormalliy and pageanfry, moi altogether
| wen adapted To the simplicity Of our re-
publican institutions" The force offhcse
! reasons must he acknowledged, and if
ihes were sufficient TO justify departure
from an ancient uease at one time, they
must be so at all times, provided their
soundness remains undisputed Tho COM
miitee are therefore of opinion, that AN
| answer TO The speech of his Excellence.
may be emitted Without amy disrespectie
bIm, although he has not parii ularly in
vlted The attention of the legislature 10
| the subject at the present session.
| IL is obvious, however, thai most of the
| preceding arguments apply with equal
| force 10 an entire abolition of the whole
ceremony, as well of making The speech,
as OF returning The answer The consi,
luton demands neither the one, nor the
other nor does the committee believe,
that either is required by expedieucy.-
Both occupy time, aud both exhibit
iormaliiy and pageantry not altogether
well adapted 10 the simplicity of our re
publican institutions" Had the commu-
moaiion OF his Excellency at this Session
oeen by message. tile committee believe
that II could not have been deemed dis
respectful by the Legislature, and should
this supposition be correct, then il can
| not be INDIGENOUS 10 express an opinion
upon this branch OF The subject at the
preSent time. His EXceIlency. IN his
| speech, delivered al tue last session. oh.
serves thai custom has prescribed a
personal, instead of written communi-
cation, perhaps as being most respectful.
10 the representatives Of The people,
HE committee think il fair inference
10 be drawn from this observation, that
Ills eXcellency was impressed with the
propTe,y OF abolshing this custom !;
should The representatives of the peu-
PIE Intimate 10 him ihsir Willingness 10
dispense with il. A. no such inIimatioD
was then given, his excelency has again
complied with The established usage Of
delivering his speech in person. This
practice also prevailed in the general
government, until NJ. Jefferson became
President of The United States. He
thought proper, Tor reasons nearly SINH
lar to lhos. which have been already
urged, TO discontinue custom which is
| III truth, mere remnant of royaliv
more honored IN the breach, iIran in
the Observance" To follow HE example
OF so venerable patriot, and so disiin
gulshed republican weuld be applaud
ed IN any executive of any state, and the
committee feel confident That the people
would never regret the absence Of dis
play oil court pageantry in their legisla.
| lure, incompatible with lie uniform sim
phcily OF their habits. If any part of
the ceremony, either OF delivering the
speech, or OF returning an answer, is
worthy of preservation. The whole o1ph,
10 be preserved; ifany part be abolished.
lei the whole be subjected 10 similar
tate neither, has any thing Ia recon-.
mendit, except IFS long establishment,
and both are conceived To- be without a
single feature OF public utility.
The committee having taken iIris gen
eral view of the subject, il remains TO en-
qulre, whether there be any pariic ular
sxcelIency on the present occasion. Ii
will be recollecicd that the subjects re-
commended TO our consideration by his
excelleucy, or mentioned by him, (wiib a
single exceptiOn) have all been referred
10 select committees and that TeSpecia
iul attention 10 which they are spverally
entitled, viii without doubt be given to
them. Should this House, therefore, de.
lermlne TO return an answer, II would pro
badly be an expression of their opinion
upon the subject alluded to, and which
has moi been specially referred. In dis
cussing the question whether there be any
special reason for answering tie speech
OF the executive, the committee hope That
they will not be charged with having
transceDded their powers by calling The
attention. OF the House 10 tie subject be-
fore adveTied 10. They deemed II leglti
mately within the scope Of their authority
and indeed, required OF thea, by cohside
raIions OF self respect and Of attachment
TO Tic general government. THAI " al
organized aud disciplined corps OF officer.
appointed by the geBeral government,
, existed among the free people of this stale
5 was unknown TO the committee until ib,
, alarming fact was solemnIy cummunicat
od by his excelleucy and that the puril,
: and independence OfOUT local government
! had been violated by their interference il
Our slate elections, is circumstance still
( more alarming, and OF which the com
mi'tee are also Tree To confess their eniiT
| ignorance. The committee have bearC
that the posi- office establishment had be
= come somewhat deraBged, IN cOnst queue
e OF The improper conduct of some Of il
= officers. and that few removals lad bee
II necessarily made-bni as tie commute
/; are informed That large majority OF ili
! rihreTs OF the general government, in tn
g state, are The Jealous political friends