Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-01-24


Mr. Bocers from TIC Joint Committee to oxamin
the Peoitentary, made report that subject, whc
was ordered TO be printed.
The Speaker presented communication from ID
Auditor of Public Accounts. transmitting the balanc
Of Accounts due from individuals TO the public on Il,
LIST of Oct last. On motion of Mr., Carter of Rich
nond ordered 10 DO printed.
DR.. Garland OF Amherst offered resolution 70
adoption The resolution in substance was, send
Committee of the II Fs2 accompanied BY a Commute
Of the Board OF Public Works and the Public Engineer
10 examine the James River Canal, the state of tn
works, the manner IN which they had been executed
and To report the same, with their opinion TO the 20
hey OF continuing the Canal to the Lcgsature.) Mr.
u trusted there would be opposition TO the resolu
ton The public had embarked large sums in the en-
terprtze, great interests involved and the
things required information for the guidance of the lie
gslaure lie hoped that however opposed to tle Ca
nal, gentlemen would oppose an enquiry which was
necessary for the public service.
Mr.. DTomgooie moved to amend the resolution b,
striking the part requiring the attendance of
Committee of the House.
Nh Blackburn hoped the amendment would not pre-
van. tie viewed The resolution rs lie did every thing
else from that quarter, with the highest reSpcc-
ms rouse would have to act at last upon the subject,
ana IL was proper that they should have full inornla
tion He was friend of the Canal, but he did not
know as much on the subject as he desired.
mr.. DFomSoofe disapproved of the resolution; and
even with ITS amendment, he should still vote against IT,
lie took various views OF the subject, showing the i'm
practIcahI,y OF obtaining information in this
manner its clusive tendency the badness of the prcce
dent in sending Committees distant duties and tho
nnroPriety of thus taking members from their other
dut, s.
.ur. May moved for the pres, nj to lay tie resolution
on the table Hc wished a short delay, and he remind.
ed the House that similar order prccipateIy adont
ed, had been re:cindctl.
Mr. Blackburn stated that The Board of Pubic
Works adjourned day. Consequently if adopted
after day, ii would be too late
.Hr Garland enforced the view, and hoped the
hp c1nfio Inst
Mr. Garland opposed the amendment of Mr.. Drom-
goo!e Ii might he said suit others to cgslate in the
daIk but lac desired 10 proceed himself with full nfor-
nation He stated the practice of the House 10 ra Use
Committees on all important questions. Committees
were appointed annually To examine the Treasury,
Pententiary, &c. Was this matter of small conse
quence TO the State? The State had 1 900 900 en-
barsed IN these works, and it time to know how
II hal Teen expended
.Hr. D7Vnagoote repealed the idea of wishing TO a-
gslae In the dark On the subject of this Canal the
House rat egslated III tho dark for every report had
but tended 10 darken and pcrpIex. He was opposed
10 the principle Of sending Committees all over tho
StateH was impossible that information thus obtained
was to oe relied upon. The rst fresh might oy throw
'cir Theory He thought the precedent dang rous
II the reports OF Engineers, and the Board of Public
Works were not To be relied upon, the report Of Com
mIiiec could not be trusted. The next proposition
'ngs't be to send Committee to examine the Monon
gala River, the Dismal Swamp. He disclaimet
ane cn'nity 10 Internal iInproyemens--lie was more
than ever friend TO them, to keep them from the hand
! OF the Co neral Government.
mr. CIrier of Pr. William, said HAT This was en-
phatlcaly the age of exploration. Capt. Parry hal
penetrated many degrees the North Pole thar
former navgators, and J c. SyumeS proposed 10 enter
the cavity of the earth, &C. He thought this House
had no right TO despatch Committee on distant OK
ped'ton al time when important business wa be
! fore it.
Mr. Garland replied to Mr.. Garter and Mr.. Dron
goolc lie itcaptuiatcd the reasons which Urgent,
required this pr0cecding--the importance OF thes,
| c,.t
and the doubtful propriety NOT, of continuing IT,,
Canal as 10 tle talents which the Committee won't,
draw from the service Of the II he hoped the gen
t'eman from Pr. William, (hir. Carter would remain
| and that his presence would save the nation.
.''r, Harric OF Richmond, advocated the amend
rnen' expressing al tic same time, his concurrence in
the P;opriey OF sending The Board OF Public Works
lie expressed his attachment to the James Riyei
Canal, and to all other improvements in the State
.fiF Booker opposed the amendment. In relation t,
The remark OF the gentleman from Pr William, nc con
tended that duty could be important than ihi
TO the country, and hat their absence would not b.
long. MIR. B. stated that the late tariff of tolls had orr
ginated with the Board of Public Works l; was ma
ura that they shonid be attached their own scheme
and he wished their pariaity in this respect might b.
conne'valIed by Committee Of tie House.
Mr.. .MaSsie opposed the amendment. and supporic,
inc resolution lie saw 30 danger in the precedent, 70
the tfouse would never carry it to the extreme appre
hcnded by MIR. Drnngooe. The same reasoning NIGH
prevent man from eating. lest he be choled. 1t ia,
been complained that legjslang in the dark
he admitted it, and wished for light. lie enumeratct
various particulars of information on which tie Com
| mittee might ACT benefcialy.
| Nh. Prticson of Augusta, hoped the amendment
would prevail and for the stated opposition lc
H. BY the gentleman from Amelia (NIr. Booker.) III
was afraid Of the Information thus obtained while hc
still had confidence in the Committee. lie hoped i
would be left TO The Engineers aud Board Of Publ,
Works He should he glad to n amendments nc
curing the whole of that Board, instead of Commit
tee, 10 make the examination. He feared chat th,
Committee would he too much influenced in relation It
tho tariff, by particular considerations.
.GessrS. Garia7ld Paheson and Booker mutually ex
planned The amendment carried in the affrrna
tiye--ayes u, noes 81.
On motion Of MIR. Moore Of Fairfax the resolution
was so amended to require the whole Board of Pub
Inc Works, the affirm members excepted, 10 attenc
the czaminaton-aler animated opposition by Nh.
kigsr.
The question recurring the adoption of the reso
luton as amended mir. ,1iqso, of Southampton oppo
sed IT. as being unable 10 discover any benefit resulting
from IT. Information in relation 10 this work had al
ready cost the State more than that of any other Cana