Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-02-08

which adopted, as his own, previous letter. pu b.
hshed IN another print, containing serious ana
injurious ,mputatlons against hun, and which
the silthOr aYowed his readiness 10 substanuate
by proof. These charges implicated his con-
duct, IN regard to the pending Presidential cleo
ton and the responsibility of the station which,
tue member holds, who thus openly prefers them.
and that OF the people whom he represents, en-
utied them to grave attention. Il might be, in
deed, worthy OF consideration, whether the cha
raCter and dignity of the House itself did not
require full investigation of them, and an inn
partial decision on their truth. For, If they
were true, if he were capable, add base enough,
to betray the solemn trust which the Constitution
had conded to him; IT, yielding to personal views
and considerations, he could comprornit the high
est interests OF his country, the House would be
scandaiized 10y hls continuing to occupy the chair
"ith winch he had been so long honored in pre-
siding AT its deliberations, end he merited in
Simultaneous expulsion. Without, however, pre-
sunng TO Indicate what the House might CON
ceIye 1t ought To do, on account of its own puri-
ty aud honor, he hoped Lhat he should be allowed
respectfully 10 solicit, Ia behalf of himself an
inquiry into the truth OF the charges 10 which he
referred. Standing in the relations to the House.
which both the member from PENNSYLVANIA and
himself did, it appeared to him that here was
the proper place to institute the inquiry, in order
mat, II guilty, here the proper punishment might
pc aPphcd, and, II innocent, that here his cha
racter and conduct may be indicated He anXi-
ousiy hoped, therefore, that the House would be
pleased to direct an investigation to be made into
the truth OF the charges. Emanating from the
source which thew did, this was the only notice
which he could take of them. If the House
should think proper to raise a committee. he
trusted tliat some other than the ordinary mode
pursued by the practice and rules of the House
would be adopte dto appoint the Committee.
The SPEAKER having concluded his observa-
tons, and called 31r. TAYLOR to the chair, in his
place
MIR. FoRsYTH, of Georgia, rose, and said. he
hoped that the address Of the Speaker would be
entered on the Journal, and that the document
10 winch he had referred, should be laid on the
table; and that the address and the document
would be referred to committee of nine mem
bers to be chosen by ballot
MIR. kRENER, of Pennsylvania, rose. and said.
IT, upon an investigation being instituted il should
appear that he had not sufficient reason TO Justify
the statements he had made, he trusted he shouId
receive The marked Reproduction which had been
suggested by the Speaker Let it fall where il
might, Mr. hlemer said, he was wilino. TO meet
the inquiry, and abide the result. Mr.. krc,ner
moved that the ''card" of the honorable Sneaker
referred to in ''another card" should also be re-
feTred 10 the comInltte, and entered Oh the Jour
nal OF the House
MT foEtsi rH said he had not intended to
make any distinct motion about entering the
card" ON the Journal of the House; but had
supposed 1t proper that the Speakers communi-
Ca'i"h should be entered on the Journal and
with the paper which gave Use 10 it, be referred
to = committee.
Mr. MERCER, of Virginia, felt some difficulty
as I" ;hc proper mode Of proceeding in this case
ana the insertion of the Speakers address ON the
Jouriial 0i lie House, on account of the address
having been orally delivered. He had never
heard OF proceeding exactly of this sort. II
appeared TO him, that the preferable way of
bringing the subject before the House, would he
Tor the Speaker to address letter TO the SveaE
err PRO tcDtPore, setting forth the cause of corI-
plant which he had verbally stated to the House
ana 1t would then be proper To refer that letter
10 any committee that might be appointed He
suggested this course as most becoming the.
House; and ii was one which could occasion no
delay, as few minutes would be sufficient for
the Speaker to commit his address to paper.
On the suggestion Ofthc Acting Speaker. Mr..
kREMER Withdrew hSmOtiOn to rrlcrfhe ..card. -
the proposition not being before the House to re-
Ter ''anothcr card"
Mr. FoRSYTH suggested to the gentleman
no necessity for taking an order, such as had
been spoken of, for reducing the address of tl,c
Speaker to writing. He took it for granted that
the address of the Speaker, to-day, like his adj
dress when he enters the Chair, or leaves il. tho,
orally delivered, might be entered Oh the Jour
mai: tins was a matter to be arranged BY the
Speaker and Clerk; all that was necessary was
for the House TO direct the address to be entered
on the Journal.
Mr. L1vERMOEE Of New Hampshire observ
ed that he did not see how it was possible to enter
the communication OF the Speaker on the Jour
nal, since II was merely verbal and he moved
to lay the motion of the gentleman from Gcor-
ga, Slr. Forsyth, on the table. until the House
should be IN possession of that communication
III written form.
The question on Mr. Liyermore's motion was
put, and ncgativcd.
Mr. Foor, of Connecticut. said, there was =
manifest Propricty in the course proposed BY the
gentleman from Georgia. The Journal is. AZ all
times, under the revision Of ire Speaker of fine
House. The entry of this address, under tI,e
direction of the House, will of course be made
under the direction Of the Speaker and il was
not To be supposed that it would not be proprrIv
stated. There was, besides, manifcs, i,npro
pricty in the temporary Speaker receiving let
ter from the actual Speaker-it would be. in
tact, Mr.. Speaker LAYING before the House a
letter from MIR Speaker.
Mr. McDrFFtE, of South Carolina, express
ed his regret that a motion to law ths subject on
the table had not prevailed. II was very obvi-
ous that this was question of great MAGNITUDE
involving preliminary inquiry whether il is pro-
per for the House to act on the subject at all
II comes upon us suddenly, SAID he--it is new.
and unexpected. Under this sudden impression
by which the House Is excited, we are called
upon TO act. Mr.. McDuhie submitted TO tt,e
House whether il would not become IFS dignity