Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-03-19
CONGRESS-.

ives on Mr.. Cooks resolutions calling for
further information respecting the examina-
ton of the Land Offices, the following were
the remarks Of Mr.. Gilmer, of which we pre-
sent full report, inasmuch as the arguments
in favor of the resolution have been hereto
tore given at large:
Mr.. G,tmer observed, that he felt no DISPOSE
ton, and was scarcely able to take any part
In the debate, but viewing ii in the light he did
he felt himself bound to do so.
A resolution has been introduced into
this house, by the member from Illinois, call
ing Tor information with regard TO the con-
duct of the Secretary of the Treasury, and a
member ofthe other branch of the legislature
The member from Illinois, in explaining this
resolution, has Reproduced in the strongest
terms the conduct of the Secretary, etc The
member from Illinois, states, he rs induced To
act in this manner by his zeal for the public
good. MI. q. observed, that he had heard
much OF boasted patriotism before he had no
doubt, that the house would put the proper
construction upon the motive which the mem
Der from Illinois. Mr.. G.. observed, that there
was generally to be found in the public SER
vice, some few who were ABOVE selfish feel
lnSs and devoted to the interest of the people
but they were the chosen few. The purity of
the administration of government could not
be preserved by their exertions alone TWAS
|
that mixed and blsermotlves were often found
urging investigation, which the public service
might require. Mr.. g. would not say, what
motives influenced the member from Illinois.
he would leave that to others to Judge Mr..
u. sand, that the member from Illinois had
alluded to his particular duty to his consti-
tuents, in inquiring into the conduct of the
Senator from the same state with himself
Mr. IL SAID, there lay the" rub" This inqui-
ry was iorthe people at home (The Speaker
here called Mr.. Gilmer to order) He pro-
ceeded by stating, that the member from Hi
nofs had, the other day, when this subject
was broughtsbefore the house, prayed 10 his
God, that the Secretary might, upon enquiry,
be found to have acted correctly. Mr.. Gil
mer observed that, he hoped that it was not
the God whom he worshipped. He went on
10 say, that the member from Illinois had
stated, that 1t would give him the most con-
Sammate happiness 10 find the Secretary fault
less. Consummate He thought that this
word was, IN ordinary style, much more
commonly attached 10 some other words
than happiness, and which would have applied
much more appropriately for the member
from Illinois.
MIR. Gilmer then proceeded TO reply to the
remarks of the member from Illinois, in which
he had asserted, that the Secretary had vio-
lated the constitution of the United States, in
iappclntlng Senator 10 examine the land of
noes IN the western states. Mr.. Gilmer OBJ
served that, if such an appointment came
within the meaning of the word officer i'm the
constitution, the member from Illinois had
misdlrected the whole of his charges that his
attack should have been made upon the Pre-
sident, who alone could appoint to such Off
ces, and not against the Secretary. But the
truth was, that such an appointment had not
the smallest connexion with the prohibition
contained IN the constitution, which had been
SO much spoken OF, and that it was impossible
Tor any one TO dllfer with him in this opinion,
who would put himself to the trouble of read
, ing the 9Th section of the LIST art of the con-
sttutIon. But, suppose the Senator from H.
lnois had accepted of an office, in violation of
the constitution, IS this the place TO inquire in
to his conduct. This is the duty of the Sc
nate, and we should be violating the privileges
5 OF the other branch of the Legislature, to
institute such enquiry. The House of
2 Representatives would be committing gross
breach of the constitutions, were they directed,
IN their investigation, by the opinions express
ed by The member from Illinois, Mr.. Gilner
went on to say, that if the member from Hi
{ nos had been actuated by those pure motiy es
( which he talked so much about---this ardent
zeal for the public good-why did he not
/ prosecute the member from Illinois instead of
: making this inquiry, which could lead to no
, punishment? Mr.. GiImer then read the law
r which imposed a fine of three thousand dol
lars upon any member of Congress who en-
tered INTO any contract with any officer of the
United States. Mr.. Gilmer would not now
/ express any opinion, whether the service
which had been rendered by the Senator from
Illinois, and for which it seems he is to receive
compensation, came within the purview OF
this law. But he would say, however, that
there was no law that gave 10 this house the
power OF Furnishing member Of the other
branch OF tlllslegslature, whether it did or not
= why then inquire wlthTegard TO this Senator
was 1t Tor the purpose fprocurng evidence
f fora prosecution The dignity of this House
. would not pel0lt such an imputation. He
: hoped, that before thisinyestigation was over
the motives of il would be understood. Ii
this House, it was easy, by intimations and in
;. slnuations III debate, TO give circulation t.
: charges throughout the United States, against
the character Ofthe person charged, even tC
& the people ofllllnois. He trusted that the at
tempt to make the House the medium thro
q which such motives were to be INDUCED
! would be viewed in the manner which it de.
n served With regard to the attack made II
such positive terms against the Secretary o
4 the Treasury, he would only say that whate
yer disposition he might have thought ough
to have been made of this resolution at first
/. that he was now clearly ofopinOn that the in
y yestigatiOn ought to be had that he was If
favor OF keeping the most watchful eve owe
all the departments Of this government tina
o he would not sCrutnZc into the conduct n
Y, one department, and, when information wa
wanted lirem another, to talk about the high
II confidence he had in such Secretary. III
y would say nothing about his confidence in In,