Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-03-14

day on the table before it shalt be considered
Mr., Wood moved that the House do now pro-
ceed to consider The resolve: and, the question
being taken, the House refused now to consider
the same.
MIR. Dwight of Massachusetts,, moved that the
fiouse do now proceed to consider the resolution
proposing an inquiry into the expedency Of fixing
on day Tor adjournment but the House refused
now 10 consider the same. by a vote of 80 10 81.
On motion of Mr.. Moore of Alambama, the
following resolution, yesterday moved By him, was
taken up.
Res0ired, That the Secretary of the Treasu-
~ DE directed TO report 10 this House any infor-
'haion IN the possession of the Department,
eVihrinS the prepriety of legislative enactment TO
su'ru ihe public interest against the fraudulent
practices OF combinations of individuals in the sale
oi relinqnished lands. And whether, in the opin-
ION OF that eihcer the interest of the purchasers
pubic land, and the interest ef the Government
VIII not be greatly promoted by enacting some
PROVISION which will extend 10 the person or his
legal representative the right of re-purchase in the
'"hu lie may have relinquished, at 4 certain pro-
portion of the price for which it was originally
sok'
And the question being taken, without debate,
90 rose In the Affirmative, 10 in the negative.
quorum not having voted, a second vote was about
10 be taken, when
Mr. Moore rose and said, that not expecting ana
tue opportunity TO sly any thing of its object nor
would he detan the House now for more Than
minute, IN giving his reasons why the resolution
ought 10 pass. TWAS well understood. he said bv
many members of the House, and BY all of those
VINO represented the new States, that in the sales
81 The public lands, much fraud had been prartised
oy combinations, to the injury of the Government
as well as OF many individuals The subject was
considered sufficiently important to have been
drought to the notice ofthe House by the message
OF Inc President OF the United States at the opening
OF the session. In that document, SO much eu!o-
eised, said Mr.. NJ. attention has been called
10 the subject, and il is asked that something
should be done In relation TO it. / know that
something ought 10 be done on the subject, with
reference to the interests of nv constituents. and
win reference also to the public interest and
nave reason to believe there is in the Department
10 which the resolution is addressed some nforna-
uon which would throw considerable light on the
subject have, therefore proposed this resolution,
anu nope there Is no member of the House who
10 aiiaia Oh any information which may be elected
by ii.
The question then again taken on the reso
uon, and decided in the Affirmative, though not
without dissenting voices.
me Speaker laid before the House communi-
cation from the Navy Department on the subject
OF Vaccination in the Navy, in reply to call from
'h' House which was on motion of Mr. Con-
10 the Sel6Ct committee the e.
raj subject.
Mr.. Herrck submitted for consideration the
following resolution
hesolred ny the Senate and House of Repre-
sentoftUes of the United States of .4nleyiea, in
Congress assembled, t,co thirds of both Houses
eoncufTsig, That, the following amendment TO the
Constitution of the United States be proposed to
.ne several States, and when ratified by three fourlhs
thereoi, shall be part OF said Constitution
- HE CONGRESS- If fyv0 ,,Fl o,i,
snail deem 1t necessary, SHALL in the year 1880,
ana In every tenth year thereafter, and no oftener
propose amendments 10 the Constitution in the man
ner prescribed in the fifth article of the original
Constitution
On presenting this resolution, Mr. Herrick asked
the indulgence oil the House, whilst, in few words
ne should explain bis views in presenting the reso
luton. When, he said, he first heard the eorrnp-
ton and compatibility Of this House discoursed IN
on, he had been inclined to consider it as idle talk
and when the gentleman from North Carolina.
Inc other day, undertook to explain both how cor
ruption did, and how it did not, creep into this
House when, if Mr.. II. rightly understood him.
he said in substance, that when candidate for the
Presidency wishes TO corrupt member OF this
House so as 10 obtain his support he does not come
oectIy 10 The member, and say, you will aid my
views you shall have part OF my twenty five
thousand dollars; but friend is commissioned 10
whisper IN the ear OF the member, if you will aid
MI such one in obtaining the Presidency, YOU
snail DE rewarded with good fat Office I am a.
ware, said Mr.. H., that do not quote the gentle
mans language, for do not recollect its precise
terms, and hope the gentleman will correc, me
u misinteTpret his meaning. for have no inten-
ZION to do so. then thought, Sir, that the gen
tleman had inadvertently and uDconsciously wan
dered from the regions Of facts into the mazes of
fancy. For knew that such approaches had |
Deen made to me, and was that no man in |
the least acquainted with that gcntleman's purity.
integrity, and patriotism, would venture so to ap-
proaeh him; and confess, sir, that the impression
then made is not yet entirely oblitefsted
But Sr, observation and reflection have led me !
TO the apprehension that something may creep into
this House which, though il may not properly he |
called corruption, will be scarcely less deleterious
IN effect begin to fear Sir, that il will become
50 much matter of course for every learned menu
Der, either 10 propose an amendment TO the Con-
stution, or to make speech too long to be de- /
lIvered in day, or TO be published in one news
paper, even anewspaper Of very extraordinary size,
or both that even at time when the people are
perfectly tranquil, and, apparently perfectly satis-
ned with the Constitution as it is-wben no memo |
rial addressed to Congress voice Of any populs-
assembly, shall afford the slightest evidence of 10
puIar discomfort that even then some twenty or
thirty propositions to amend the Constitution will |
be made in session and so much Of the time Of
the House must be engrossed in listening 10 the
long and learned speec .luded to, and in discuss
ing the sll+mporian question OF the time when the
session shall be brought to close. for will be re-
collected that, in these modern times, very con
siderable portion OF the first session of every Con-
gress Is consumed in settling this question, not
that terrific weapon g the Ayes and
Noes is occasionally brsndished over our
heads-I saw sir that fear IL s,ili coros -, n.ss