Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-02-08
t''VTf e~1 tt's1 9 II
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
-Appeal of the Speaker.

@1ppeof " PH OpcAhD,
Mr.. CoNDICT rose, and moved that the House
take up the subject of the communication made
by the SpeaiSer; which being agreed to- the
House went into a Committee of the whole on
the state Of the Union.
The question being on the motion of Mr.. r Or
s7TH 10 refer the communication TO a select COM
IDlttee of five, which committee should be chosen
by ballot
Mr.. Archer (of vrginia) addressed the
House.-Atboug'h labouring under severe in
disposition, he felt himself urged to say few
words on the subject before the Committee. No
member was ever more disposed than himself to
indicate the dignity of the House. OF to allow
an opportunity for member to be heard in his
defence against charges which mplicate his no.
nour and integrity. But he did not consider
the presiding officer of the House to be i'm that
Predicah'ent and he asked the House fit would
lend its sanction TO proceedings like those on
which it was called To enter; and appoint
COMMITTEE to investigate charges which came
before them on the authority of vauge rumour,
and through the channel of a public newspaper.
Dad SUCH d course conportwth the dignity of the
House? Did it not involve implications against
tire Speaker which were not warranted, What
are the objects ofthe inquiry? TLey are very Pc
cuiar. The accusation on which we are call
ell 10 decide is extra official Let gentlemen
refer to the paper, aud say whether the charges
letter in the newspaper refers only TO rumours.
Does he make any specific charge against the
Speaker? Docs he accuse HIN of any mafea-
sanCn? No: He speaks of number of gentle
Does he charge any thing against the
Speaker winch, if proved, could excite the m
diGnation of the House: He saw nothing in the
publication which could induce such result
He though gentlemen could not have adverted
to the newspaper. The only part of the publi-
Ici q am in
ter OF report, relating to- something which has
been whispered here. What is ;he preuicaincut
then, IN which the House is placed? 1.-THE char
ges should be truc--which i!e could never bring
himself 20 admit, except Tor the sake OF argu-
ment, whit could the Committee do' They could
only max. their report to the House, and the
House might CONCUR in it. But if true--f the
Speaker should have been guilty of every cor
ruption, the House could not convict him. IT,
then, there could not be any ultimate procedure,
this proceeding would amount to nothing more
than solemn mOCkeTy, TO which he would never
consent 10 lend himself. But even admitting
that the House ought to go into the inquiry
When ought it to take place, Why, after the
act has been Consummated, and not before
What does the charge amount to- Does it &C
Cuss the Speaker Of having BETRAYED his coun-
try Does it charge him with having accepted
a broe. No. tIntImate5 merely that he means
to do 50, When we can obtain the proof that
he has done so, then, If the matter is one With
which tue House should interfere, is the time for
inquiry. Suppose it sIiCuld be prov ed that he
designed it-suppose the Committee should re-
por that he mad such intention, ard did Conicin-
plate such gross abandonment OF his duty, could
the House pass ATTY other sentence upon him than
tina; If neifable contempt for his corruption and
bis foIly' We must have to wait until the act
IS pcrpetratcd for then. and then only would it
come before uain form which would enable the
House to Interfere then prJcee Ings might DC
instituted and the Speaker, If found guilty. might
he be subjected to punishment. But, at present,
hoped the House would refuse to go into tic in
vestigatioD.
Mr. FORsYTH(of Georgia. said tic communi-
cation was made TO tie House Yesterday. The
o5jrc; Of mis- prcse7t motion was 10 refer this
CON nuuica:ou to a committee. If that com
Inittec should report 10 the IIousr that tlns is
matter which requires is ln!crgo,ition. the
House could either reject, or acccdc 10. the re-
port. He knew Of no ether course which could
be adopted. We have before us ONLY the com
municatiOn from the 1pcrSer. II is true, there
have been publications Of cards i'm the ncvyspa d.
pts. but we have no e,iicDcc that these are The
p~JdnciiOas referred 10 by tHc Spsaker.-Thev
are not before the House ~ any official form -
l. is inpossloio that we can know what the char
q ) are until we have examined them. Ii is I'M
.Yte1 10 him that nc has acted most corrupflv.-
r. co 0mittce vii! ortrr INTO inquiries. They
e7i' il ,.lr tie he accuscr, whether he meant
. casrre the presiding officer with making COR