Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-03

productive OF similar effects. Heiinporcd the C,n
ittec to reflect and deliberate well before they made
any changes, lest they should change for the worse
lie called them in their anxiety remedy evils
not to adopt system quackery by which that which
Is hcaltful may be made sicky. He referred thu.
proceedings III the Executive Committee to show that
the plans OF gentlemen not supported by those
solid reasons which ought to be exhibited before they
are made.
few facts, and to- suboin few observations lie had
done this, and proceed farther might be irksome
to others as it would be painful to himself He would
therefore not trouble the Committee any further
Mr. POWELL asked for q division of the question.
The question was then "striking OUT
Mr.. HENDERSON moved to amend this motion by
striking out the first branch of the resolution, which
"That the Executive Council, as at present organ
lied, ought to be abolished"
So as to leave the following words in the resol,l-
ton
Sand that it incxpcdicnt to provide any other Ex-
ecutive Council"
Mr.. C. JouSso~ said he understood the object of
thu gentleman from iloudoun to be merely TO strike
out the first part, without reference to the other.
ar. PowILI. said if the object "f the gentleman
was to take the sense of the committee the aboli-
ton of the Executive Cornell, he had not taken the
correct cours, anl with the of the mover he
modified tn. motion, to maSe ito strike out
hiuch OF. the resolution as abolishes the Executive
Council. --'
Mr.. SrANAnp thought the best mode to bring the
primary question befur. the committee, would be to
strike out the latter ,mbcr of the srltcnce
which would determine, her the Council should
be continued not.
Mr.. PowEI.I. said he was in favor Of the Governor
retaining an advisory council. lie believed the
committee woultl yeuse to strike out, and leave the
clause as the sense Of the committee.
Mr.. RAnDoIru thought this unparl
Inentary, for q gentleman to max. q motion, and to
vote against it.
Mr.. PowEL,. said he had male the motion for no
other purpose than to remove difficulty lie did
not think it was supplementary to make n motion
fhos nnIt
After few remarks from Mr.. lie 9Th, NJ.
PowEIL rose to admit that he had been wrong, and
the gentleman from L);ld,un right. He would
therefore modify the motion as to MIX, it the
same as that Wlich was ma by the gcn,l nan from
Louloun
Mr. MERCER made some ob -ervation- in which he re-
GREETED that his friend from Frederick had changed his
motian. He thought that if the Governor is TO hav..
. council, it would not be necessary to make n con-
stitutiona provision for H. referred the his
tory of the government of the u States shcw that
1t had been always the practice r the President to
have council, although there no constitutional
provision for He should vote against striking
out, because he thought it necessary change the
Constitution.
After few remarks from Mr. Stanard Mr.. Giles
suggested to change the word '.abulished in the re-
solution, for the word ''modfied
Mr.. TAZEwELL suggested that all the present
motions be wihdrawn, and that some Gentleman
move to strike out the syllable "n" from ..inexpe-
dent, and the letter "y, from 'any; so as 10 make
It read "itis eEpeient to provide anoer Executive
Council
Mr.. POWELL suggested that the gentleman from
Richmond withdraw his proposition 10 amend, which
agreed to, and tn. amendment of Mr. Nicholas
withdrawn and Mr. Powell then moved to strike
out the words, -------' .--~----
"And that it Is ncxpcdcnt to prov; lie any other
Executive Council"
The amendment was r,j@cte4-ayes SIS.
Mr.. NICHOLAS then moved amend the resniu-
ton, Us amended, by adding to it, the amendment
which he had before made.
The motion to amend was carried in the mega
tive--ayes 50.
Mr. Leigh advertcd to the pnculiarty in which
the question placed. The committee, by
striking out part of the resolution, had decided
that it was expedienJ to have Executive Council.
lie wished to know what kind of council the gentle
Ipen on the other side desired
Mr. FITzHUaH replied that it the opinion of
majority of the Legislative committee, that the
Governor should be enabled to require in writing,
the opinions of the officers of the Executive depart
Inent.
Mr.. LEIGH expressed himself ut loss to under
stand the propricty of this course. The amount
now proposed is that, instead of Council, the Gov
shall have the power to ask of the great Off
GERS Of the Commonwealth, their advice.
Mr.. FfrzuUGH said the phrase was not "to ask, "
but "to require"
Mr.. PowELL remarked that he did not know where
the Governor Of the Commonwealth now found his
power to coerce the Attorney General to give bis
opinions. If it be any where, nc would wish 10
know where lie bad the power conferred, TO cucrce
any of the officers to give their opinions. He knew
that in courtesy they would give their opinions, but
there was no provision of which he knew, to coercc
any opinions
Mr.. LEIGH, tthc Chair having stated that there
was no question before the conmittecl defended
himself from the charge of having taken an unpar-
liamentary coutsc, in putting his suggestions to the
committee at time when there no question be-
fore the committee Instead of complaining Of his
course, gentlemen should have thanked him for in
viting compromise Of opinions.
Mr. Powell disclaimed any intention to complain
Eir LEON expressed himself satisfied. lie would
not press his enquiry now, but would patiently wall
the disclosure of the schen,s of gentlemen At tho
game time he must say the question left in
very unsatisfactory manner.
Mr. BRopHAx moved to amend the resolution, BY
adding the last paragraph of the amendment propo-
sed by Mr.. Nicholas, and rejected by the committee
with the only difference Of making the number Of