Litchfield enquirer., 1830-12-23

I. proposed to refer this subject He did not himself feel any particular interest in this matter; either for or against the Bank. But, at the last session of Congress, very able report upon the subject had been nude by the Committee of Ways and Means, which he had no doubt placed the subject iB as fair point of view as it could be placed by se- iect or any other committee. He had heard DO sufficient reason why the subject should now be taken out of the hands of that com mlttee. As this subject, moreover. had been heretofore referred to the Committee "i Ways and Means, to give 1t different direc- ton now. would be to cast reflection on that highly respectable committee, at the head of which stands a gentleman whose character for 6rmness on the one hand. ana
 integrity and abilities On the other, MT. MIG
 Dufie, could not be questioned MT. Chn-
 ion was therefore opposed to the amend
 ment.
 Mr. Tdylor, of N. Y., said, that, # the sub
 iert referred to in the Message had been en- Itjrelv new. he should have no objections to
 the amendment proposed by the gentleman
 from Georgia, (Mr. Wayne;) but when Il
 was considered that, by the rules of the House,
 the repOrt made at the last session by the
 Committee of Ways and Means was Contln"-
 ed as a part of the business of the present
 Session, that fact, he thought, furnished an
 obi.ction against the sending of the same
 subject to a Select Committee. Such a
 measure would amount, in substance to send
 ing the report of one of the Standing Com
 mittees of this House tO he reviewed by
 Select Committee. Would this be respect
 mi? Would it be treating the Committee ot
 Ways and Means with that deference which
 was due to them, [" take their report whetn-
 CT it was before the House, or had neen re-
 ferred to a Committee of the Whole House
 on the state of the Union, (Or n Committee
 of the Whop,) and send 1t t" n select com
 mttee? What direction had been gwen 10
 the report of last session. he had been unable
 to ascertain. the means not being at this time
 within reach of the officers of the House, but whatever it had been. the report was n part of the business of the House, continued over from last session and was to be viewed in all respects the same as if it had been rem dered at the present session. And he put Ut to the House whether 1t would be proper to send a report now made by one committee Of the House and submit it to another F1
 Mr. Hoffman, of N. Y., said. that, in mak- ing the nHotion he had done in reference to this clause of the Presidents Message, he had
 not intended to express either appreciation, or the contrary, as to the reasoning or the state.
 ment of facts it contained; nor had he sup posed that his motion involved the slightest disrespect towards the Executive. He had been led to propose the disposition to be giv- en to the subject from no friendship or hostil- ity to the present Bank of the United States no expression of opinion on that subject was now called for. That subject had always, heretofore. been referred to the standing com aliitee of the House, having cognizance of the finances of the country. He could not bring himself to believe that the opinions of the gentlemen forming that committee were 80 irrevocably fixed, as not to remain open to the developments of time and the influence Of sound reasoning. Could he suppose this, he should certainly he in favor of referring the subject to some committee which should be differently constituted. It was indifferent To him what mightbe the disposition made by the House of this part of the message. lift was referred to select committee. he hoped that such committee would be selected as would he perfectly competent to the consider ] atiOn of the matter; and if it was refrrred to the Committee Of Ways and Means. he trust cd that they would consider it dispassiOnately. | aud without prejudice. Either course would secure, he doubted not, full and able inves- tigation.' a .+f .. 5l....
 Mr. Wayne, again rose. It was, he said. from no want Of respect to the Committee of Ways and Means that he had been indu- ced tO desire that this important subject should be referred to Select Committee. | He again insisted, that when the subject of National Bank had been second time, and 1 tn more explicit and particular manner, re- commended to the consideration of the House. it would not be respectful to the Chief Magistrate to send it back to a Com mlttee who had made up their opinion in op. position to that intimated by the Executive. He had not the least doubt that if the light of truth could he made manifest to them, the
 minds of those gentlemen were open to con- viction on this as on every other subyect: but Ilknew that truth Was often difficult of ac. cess, and sometimes not less difficult to be received, and this acknowledgement involved no imputatiOn whatever on the uprightness of that Committee. He had another reason for wishing the amendment to prevail it was not to be expected that, unless the question was submitted to few minds which felt strong interest in regard to it, it would be ex- amined with that application and industry which were indispensable to the full develope-
 msnt 0f the subject. The suggestion of the
 President involved reference to the amount
 and places of deposit, their effect upon com
 merce. &c. Sc. which could not be gone into
 at large unless by committee specially de-
 voted to the subject. It the House approach
 ed the investigation through its Committee of
 Ways and Means could it expect as full and