Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-05-21

evidence on winch the grovelling ind unworthy
charge oi pecniation was now attempted TO be
Drought against the hrst officer of tho Iscpubiic
had been IN tie possession of a co.nmiiioe o,
this House ever since last winter. lie expressea
high sentiment of respect for the character of
Nir. .Honroe, and thought that he was the very
last person against whom the charge of an ava
nclous love OF money, and base COLLISION with
asubortiinate officer, would ever be brought. or
could ever be substantiatcd. He trusted the
House, at tins late period, would not enter into
announcer Investigation, probably OF groaniless
charges.
Mr.. Cooke then rose, and stated. that since
there seemed much objection To the motim i'm
point OF time, he would consent TO Withdraw !,
till the next session.
The question then recurring on concurrinr
with the committee in the resolution remarked
by them
Mr. Hamilton, of South Carolina, rose. and
wisheu distinctly to understand whether or no,
the gentleman from Tennessee meant to CHARGE
the Chief Magistrate of the Union with an en-
bezzlemcnt of the public money. IF nc did !,
was proper that that gentleman should remcrn.
Der, that 1t was due to this House and to this ma
ton that an accGser, bringing such CHARGE
should be himsey without suspicion. That qen
tieman could appreciate the effect of injurious
charges on the reputation of persons holding
distinguished stations, having been himself the
Here MIR. Little called the gentleman to or
der.
The Chair pronounced him to he ont of order.
MIR. Hamilton proceeded, and observed that.
IN certain public prints of this city, the gentle
man from Tennessee had been openly CHARGED
with fraudulent conduct
l'lere Mr.. Speaker pronounced Mr. fIamil-
ton to be out of orLer.]
Mr.. Poinsett, of Sonth Carolina. rose II COR
fpIloop AL
from Virginia, and was proceeding TO say that
nc mad seen an explanation of these transactions
the most satisfactory AMI honorable TO the Presi-
dent, when
Mr.: Speaker asked him to give way to allow
Mr.. III. to proceed.
hir. Hamilton then resumed, and expressed
ms reprobatIon of the course pursued in intro
aucing charge ofths magnitude and complex
ION at such period of the session. and his conf
dence in the unbemished purity of the charac-
ter now attempted to be destroyed.
Mr. brent stated that the delay in bringing
forward the report OF the committee was to be
attributed TO the chairman alone, (NIr. Cooke, !
and stated certain facts in relation to the course
OF the committees proceedings.
nr. Cooke rose in reply, and denied that he
had ever been absent from the committees
meetings. His sole object was to have a full
and fair investigation, &c. With respect to
himself he admitted that nsinuatons had been
brought forward against him in 4 certain print.
and at proper time he meant to notice them.
and to explain the facts to which they had refer
ence. He declared his determination to perse-
we're IN doing his duty to the People in this House,
Whatever feeling it might excite in the minds
OIL some gentlemen towards him.
Mr.. Wood, of New York, then rose anil oh.
served, that, having been three years since on a
committee TO whom these accounts had been
submitted, he felt it to be his duty to testify 10
the vigilance, integrity, and perseverance in his
duty OF the honorable gentleman from Tennes-
see-whom he commended for probing radical
~ every rotten part of the public expenditure.
lie thought that gentleman had, on the present
OCCASION done himself immortal honor, BY
breastIng the storm in this House.
| Mr.. Vinton, of Ohio, asked an EXPLANATION n!
Mr. Cooke, which " gave: when
WIZ. bartlett, of N. III. moved to lay the re-
port oil the Committee on the table.
Inc question beng taken, it was decided in
the nesative-Ayes II, Noes SO.
The resolution having been again read
Mr.. Forsyth, of Georgia, rose and observed
that' approving the resolution reported by the
committee, nc should vote i'm its fayor-but pro-
tested against that votes being construed into
commitment on the merits of the matter
"b, Die; mad tins morning occupied the House.
ne Speaker suggested the proprety OF dis
penslng with the Yeas and Yays on this reso!n-
ton, there seeming TO be no opposition to it;
but Mr.. Mercer, who bad moved for their be-
ing taken, continuing to insist upon them, they
were ordered accordingly.
MT. Cobb and Mr.. Williams, OF ". C. made
IN substance a similar protest to that of MIR.
Forsyth.
When the question on concnrring with the
select committee, in the resolutions reported
by them to the House, was decided by Yeas.
unanimously inthe aiIrinatiYo-Y 1871, NAYS
none.
So the resolve was agreed to.