Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-05-03


saying that the conduct Of the Department
was tyranical and oppressive, and that we
should disg &C ourselves five did not, like the
Senate, present to it an effectual oppOsition.-
The gentleman from Va. (Mr. Smyth) had en-
tered in explanation, with regard Ia the mis-
fake Mr.. II. totally acquitted Major Gen.
Scott of blame or dishonor in the alteration
subsequently made in these " rules and regula-
tions.' Mr.. Il felt confident that no officer Of
the Uuitcd States army would be guilty of
any act unbecouing gentleman, and ptricu-
IaIly the high minded and gallant officer au-
ded to. He, however, could not but add that,
although he might have felt honored by, being
the auihur Oft the first copy presented to Con-
gress (which did not contain the odous section
allude d to) he should not deem it an honor to
have been the author of the last particularly
after having attained to rank which would
place him ADORE the operation OF the section
objected to. He hoped the house was prcpar-
ed to pass the bill.
Mr.. STEVENSON said that, during few
moments absence from the House, the bill
under consideration had been takenup, and
some remarks made which he had not heard
but which he understood might be calculated
to inculpate the conduct of General Scott in
This business. Mr.. S. said that whatever the
nature of the charge might he, he felt assured
that nothing. improper could he brought
home to that gallant and distinguished officer.
No accusation or nsinuatiOn ever ought To he
made without alfordinS an opportunity for cx-
PLANTATION. Mr.. S. knew him well :; he had
known him from his youth,and he felt justified
IN assuring the house that if the hill were laid
on the table till tomorrow, satisfactory ex.
PLANTATION, as far as General Scott was con-
cerned would be- given. 1t was due TO this
high-minded aud gallant officer whose repu-
rntinn ,y,c daar ia hp country. II ,ras DIN,
the house itself, to suffer the bill to lie till to-
morrow and he moved it accordingly.
Mr.. FLOYD again. rose. The alleged alte-
ration of regulations after being sanctioned by
law was no mistake, he said as his colleague
seemed tn think: for the documents were
here to establish the contrary. The book as
promulgated, was not that which the law de-,
clares shall be established. The interpolation
could not BE- otherwise regarded than as al
gross fraud practised upon the country, To the
injury of The rights of brave officers Uf The arr
my. Those officers he said. had suffered The
blacklist injustice by here6uction ufihe army
bat not from those who had any agency in
passing the law for the reduction. Had The
reduction ofthe army been left 10 the friends
oi tiieaUsv reducing the army, 1t would NOT
have been executed as it had been and it
was not fihem, but of those who executed
the law, that the officers who were Afiircd
had a right To complain.
MIR. ARCHER, then, with the sentiments al
ready avowed, moved TO lay the bill onthe
sable.
And the bill Vas laid on the table
The engrOssed bill for the preservation and
repair Of the Cumberland road, was read :;
third time
Mr.. TAYLOR said, he considered this bill
as SO important in its character, and as being
such violation Of the constitutions, that he
felt himself impeiled to cali for the yeas and
nays upon it,
The yeas and nays were thereupon order
ed.
Mr.. REED of Nd. moved 70 rccommit the
bill, for the purpose of causing to be strick en-
out GIFT the section that authorizes the Prrsi
dent OF the u States 10 lessen or Increase the
rates of rae tolls That was an act OF leglsli-
tion, he said, which it was not competent 70,
the President ofihe L. s. To exercise. The
motion was supported by the mover, and
opposed by Messrs. Little, Ross, Trmblc,
and Stewart.
Nlr. REED Of Nd. called for the yeas and
nays, which were thrrcupon ordered and the
qaes ion on "a commitment being taken. j,
Svas decided in the negative, by large ..n;ljo
rity.
The question was then taken on She pas.
sage of the BILL and decided yeas 81, noes .68
SO the bill was passed, and sent to the Sc
nate for concurrence
COMPENSATION BILL.
The bill to reduce The compensation of the
members ofCongress, &c. was then taken
up, anadhequcstI"n REQUIRED upon the amend
fnent offered lay Mr.. RocuEsrER Io tb,.
proposition of Mr.. ALEX. SMYru TO reconmiI
the'bIll with instructions 10 report the same
IN such Il manner as To reduce,aI,e conpensa-
ton OF The officers of the government 30 per
cent.
Mr.. Ton called fer the previous question.
but the cal! was not sustained by the House.
Mr. BArLY occupied the floor for some
time and gave notice in conclusion, that if the
present propositions before the House should
BE rejected, he would move the following;
That they bring in bill to allow the rev
Fesen!ati'eS oi each state il Congress the same
per airiI', and the same ilinerant charges, TO
winch the representatives of the t,ost hume
'rous bra6ch of their state legislatures are .eu-
tledr'
Ite question then REQUIRED upon Mr.. Roch-
fester'S proposition, which was 50 modified by
Nne mover, as to provide that no clerks salary,
snail be reduced below 5000 After few
remarks by Messrs. Tucker of Va. and Rock
ester, the question was taken, and the motion
prevaIled-yeas 6G--nays G1
Inc questions then REQUIRED upon the :
mended proposition of Mr. Smyth, which was
put without further debate, and decided in the
aihImatl e-yeas 69-nays 81.
The question then recurred upon the re.
commitment with the said instructions, upon
which Mr. SToDDARD called for the yeas and
nays, which were thereupOn ordered.
Inc commitment was opposed by Mr..
MoNTGoMERY and Mr. HUBBARD, when
Mr. WReBr submitted an addition to the
instructions which had been agreed 10, the
Purport OF which was TO provide that the rate