Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-03-10

vernment vested with the power of procuring so
expensive job TO be executed--who should dis
pose Of u TO private applicant without taking the
course have described 10 bring competition
TO reduce the prices, would, in my opinion, and
say it with due respect for the opiAions Of others
forfeit all claim 10 honor, honesty public
fdence. Our resolution furnishes no guide on
this subject, while duty calls the clerk to the
course have prescribed be is left to the action Of
every cause and every consideration which can by
possibility DO employed 10 induce him 70 give IL TO
some private applicant or friend. We lead him in
tctemp,a,ion; and will punish the evil re pro.
duce? Shall our course OF proceeding and the
measures we adopt tempt and destroy him. Will
we at first seduce and then destroy! Every feel
ing OF gentleman, every principle Of virtue and
all the obligations OF duty forbid IT, IL is not an
argument merely for his ,afety or preservation;
but asserts great general .rincipe of public poll
Ey.-Wc mus, frame assures to prevent mis-
chief, and punish that which our own course so
obviously leads to.
We have long acted together, and generally
with the kndest feelings. We must soon sepa-
rate. Let the resolution he amended-iet the
clerk collate ana report these documents TO the
House, and at the next session can act with
light and knowledge OH the subject. This is the
course advise, as safest for the country, best for
the clerk and most consistent with the character
OF the House.
Time, Sir, forces me to adopt a system of re-.
treachmcnt.
Mr.. Kremer said he would briefly give the rca-
sons why he should VIC against this motion, 4, he
cared little whether the expense amounted to fifty
or thirty thousand dollars. Such obbing should
not be permitted-the people were dissatisfied
with it, and are Of opinion they have guarantee
in the election OF the illusrious chief, who is
about to occupy the Presidential chair, that all a
buses and extravaganza Of the public expenditure
will be remedied and diminished.-I'he ex-
perience of every country and Of every age,
shews that power has been abused. He pro-
tested against the investment OF power in other
hands, as proposed by the gentleman from
North Carolina, (Mr. Barringer.) He referred
to the project of granting discretionary power to
the clerk, 10 choose what documents he thought
proper to print.
He repeated, he was opposed to extravaganza,
because he thought system Of extravaganza was
the ruin OF every repnblic.-An governments
should be influenced by public opinion; and in REL
preventative republics, the moral influence of a,
system of careessness of expenditure was extreme
~ vicious Even as great stream which being
polluted at its source, contaminates all its tributary
waters-so the vicious and extravagant waste OF
the public treasure was not confined TO the 10 miles
square, but spread like incubus over the
land. He hoped and trusted that all the friends
of the distinguished chief, who is soon TO preside
oyer the councils of the nation, will vote against
this resolution. Ii he in his administration would
fulfil the promises of his supporters throu,e Ju
the contest, in executing these works of econo-
my and reform, he would acquire for himself ci-
vic wreath as unfading time, and the leaves of
which would be as green as those ofthat military
crown of laures, which his glorious exploits gain.
But he would ask for what useful purpose were
they going to vote away this money. He under
stood there was parcel of old documents 10 be
printed, which we're OF no impottance-as none
would read them. He did not believe they were
ofany use, and therefore would not vote for them.
lie considered il was due TO their characters to
set their faces against such propositions. For him.
self, he would not sanction il by any act or decla
ration OF his He repeated, that he did hope and
trust that all such propositions would be rejected
in that House; and whilst such was the case
he should no, despair OF the safety of the Repub-
bic.
Here the hour for considering resolutions ex-
PRED.
Mr.. Allen, of Massachusetts, moved the follow
ing resolution:
Rcs0irca. That the thanks OF this House be pre-.
sented to the Hon. a. Stevenson, for the able, i'm
partial, and digGtied manner in which he has pre-
sided over its deliberations, and performed the ar
duons and important duties OF the Chair.
Mr.. Brent asked if the rule alioiiing only one
hour to the consideration of resolutions extended
To to-day, being the last day OF the session.
The Speaker, (pro ten. Mr.. p. p. Barbour) de-
clded that according 20 the usage and practice of
the House, the resolution Of the gentleman from
Massachusetts,, had priority over that of the mem.
Dr. from North Carolina. (Mr. Barringer.l
Mr.. Brent appealed against the cision.
long discussion ensued, in which Mr.. Polk,
Mr.. Taylor, Mr.. Allen of Mass, Mr.. Reed, and
MIR. Everett took part.
Mr. Hamilton said, that however seemingly.
tlon OF deberatiye assemblies, they were, never
theless, modified by the construction, which COM
lty and good breeding enforced among gentlemen
That the resolution was itself one OF great deIica-
cy, and whilst the rules OF the House implied
that the Speaker was in the Chair, the fact was
he was always out of it, when subject, so init
mately connected with himself, was under discus
sion. The convenience of the House was there
fore usually consulted to the moment when the
Speaker could be best spared from his d,,ie in Or
Ger that this compliment might be paid without
obstructing the business Of House. As, there
fore, in the hour for motions and resolutions the
Speaker can usually be best spared, he undertook
from an experience of seven years on that floor,
to say that he had never, in a single instance. |
known the resolution submitted within that hour |
30 entirely was this motion regulated by the conf
ty OF the House that in several he had known
the Committee of the Whole TO rise and report
measure for the express purpose, when the House
was even on the orders of the day, to allow the
resolution OF thanks 10 be offered. He recolect-
ed an instance of this kind, when the object of
this compliment certainly united neither To
him the friends with whom he acted, by any
political sympathy attachment. Although on
that occasion, he had voted for the resolution
he felt it due to the spirit OF generous forbear-
ance, not to interfere with the mode by which the
friends oil that gentleman had decided 10 honor him.
This spirit was due TO that magnanimity which be-
longs even to the srfes of party, perhaps in their
worst forms, and he had no hesitation in saving
that by the custom and courtesy of the House on
the last day, the resolution under consideration
was always in order; and that no execution had
hitherto been taken 10 such a course since the
foundation of the Government.
III, however, he TO understand from the
starting OF this preliminary difficulty that the re-
solution was to be opposed upon its merits, he hop
Nfns