Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-12-22
Twcnty-sccOnd Congrcss.--Sess. I
IN SENATE
Monday, December 1914
Benton,

message was received from the President of the
United States, through Mr.. Doneon his, private Sccre-
tary
On motion of Mr.. Holmes, the Message of the Presi-
dent and the accompanying documents in relation TO the
imprisonment oil American citizens by the authorities OF
New Brunswick, We're ordered to be printed.
Mr. iazeweil presented the memorial Of the General
assembly OF virginia, praying to be reimbursed for adj
yances made to the U. States during the Revolutionary
"ar-reiered to the Committee on Military Affairs
MIR. smith, from the Committee Finance, TO whom
was referred the petitions of sundry merchants and other
citizens OF the cities OF New York, Philadelphia Ptsbrr
ana Baltimore praying further reduction OF the duty
Tea made arcport in substance that was inc xpciient
10 act ON the subject at this time. II laid on the table
Mr. Clay rose to inquire of the Chairman the Com
lm.ee on finance what course intended TO be
pursued or what action TO be had the report which the
Hon: Chairman had just submitted, in relation TO the
petitions OF sundry citizens praying reduction of the -
lyon ear ne SUBJECT oil the report, he said, involved
principles OF great Importance His views were radically
different from those expressed in the report of the Com
,huce was eNpedient, on every account that
~ and positive decision should be had; he had there
lore, made the inquiry 10 the direction which was in
tendei by the committee that this subject should take.
Mr. Smith replied, that according usage the report
would lie on the table until Tomorrow when it would
come up in order, and could be then acted upon
The following resolution, submitted on Thursday by
MIR. Hanna, considered
Hesoired, That the Committee on the Militia be in
sruc'ed to enquire into the cxpediency of organization
OF the Militia, such will embrace those only bctwixt
the ages of wcntyone and thirty five and also of ncreas
ing he annual appropriation for arming the Militia of the
United States.
| desutory debate ensued, in which Messrs Foot
Hanna and Poindcxcr participated. The resolution on
being amended as to make the enquiry general. not
special or limited, was adopted.
Mr. Holmes moved to take up the resoution which xv,s
aid ON me table some days SINCE calling upon Prcsi-
dent Tor information relative to the North Eastern Bouna-
ry. lie had examined recent communication from the
Executive, made in obedencc-to resolution which had
been proposed by his colleague and adopted by the Sc
nate but had found that it did embrace the nlorma-
ion called Tor III the resolution which he proposed
| TO consider. TT
debate ensued to the proprety of pressing reso-
ton in the Senate which urged more properly he
the Executive confidential nj
dy The resolution finally on motion of Mr.. Holmes
transferred IRON the Legislative TO the Executive Journal
OFFICERS OF THE SENATE
The Senate proceeded TO the election OF its officers
Mr. Chambers and remarked, that much had been
sad IN regard TO the conduct of the present Secretary
inc senate hr Lowe) in his towards that body
In It's Executive capacity. He held in his hand letter
from gentleman who derived his information from an Of
fcerof the Governments i'm which il was stated that be
Secretary had communicated TO the President of the Uni
ted States, the proceeding nominations made at the last
session OF Congress lie desired TO know, whether any
member was authorized by the Secretary either to deny
the allegation, give any information the subject He
did not wish TO exclude the Secretary from making his
own explanation.
The Vice President remarked, at he was requested to
say II the Senate desired it, Mr. LowIic would respond to
the charge.
Mr.. Brown objected TO this course If officers were
permitted in this way forward and defend them
selves upon every charge which might be auced there
was no telling TO what extent the practice might be
red besides in this there no specific allega-
| ton made against the Secretary, sc.
Mr. Chambers supposed, that he had bcen sufficiently
"A
stated that Mr. Lowrie, pending the nomination of Ste
phen Simpson, had informed the President at different
up 10 the day when It was acted that said nom
auon would he conhrmed; but that on the morning OF the
day of its reflections he informed the President that The re-
SUIT was doubtful This then the charge. MIR. Low
RE could respond through any friend in the Senate He
would most freely withdraw the allegations if il was pro
pery cleared up He merely wished such information as
would be necessary to correct decision and which he
trusted the Senate would require.
Mr. Brown rose in reply 1t not his object to at
tempt to shield the President, any other officer but
he had yet TO learn, that there was any rule of prac
ticc which would require that an ofTiccs should re-
spond to such charge coming probably from disap
pointed occ-seekcr; lie did not desire TO shut out light
upon the subject lie however hoped that ballotine
would proceed, and the result would be a sufficient an
swcr TO the charge.
On motion OF Mr. Kane the rnle in relation IN tbc con
iidential proceedings of the Senate was read
MIR. Hayne said that the difference in The views of
gentlemen from anding of the true state
oil me question: IL not whether we had right TO
call ON the Secretary TO make confession II had been
stated by the Chair that the Senate desired il the Secre
tary would explain respond. This he had clearly
right TO do lie would grant it, 1t the practice and
the Secretary had done in many Senator ri
ses and states that charge had been made Surely the
Secretary should be heard. If his reponsc should not
prove satisfactory then there another mode of settling
the matter.
The Senate having determined that Mr. Lowrie should
be permitted TO explain,
The Secretary of the Senate, Observed that strictly
speaking he had no explanation TO give. That to the
charge as he understood 1T, he had nothing give but
decded, and lie must add indignant denial The
miserable publications on this subject he had seen; he
I"u hc"ru Oh thcn but he paid no attention TO thing
from that source He would say, however, since he had
acted as the Secretary of the Senate neither President
Adams President Jackson had ever asked him single
question in relation TO the actngs of Senate on nomna
lions. He (lr Lowrie) made this statement without
qualification, and he could with confidence appeal TO both
those gentlemen Tor its truth. understand (sad Mr. L)
that there lisa letter said to be from Mr. Lewis stating that
on the "a OF March, told him. that s. Simpsons nonna
ton would not be confirmed On this point my rccollec-
ton is this On the I'd of March was not at the Presi
dents I'LL took up the rejection of the nomination. But
some Time near The close of the Session, Mr. Lewis
just inside oil the door, in the Presidents house He ask
ca me some questions about the proceedings of the Senate
what nc asked me, what ! answered, have not the
most remote recollection of If he asked me whether
thought s. Simpsons nomination would be confirmed
certainly told him thought it would not would have
told him so the day madc month before il was
made Sach was my opinions not derived as these con.
tcmpube charges insnuate, from the members of the Sc
nate appeal TO every Senator who here Scs-
sion, whether mentioned his name, or whether they
mentioned his name in my hcaring-but mn 0pinion tcGs
derIred from my knowledge of his rooricssness
and uitness.ln word standing here in the presence
oil the Senate, say the charge is untrue. have too
much sell respect to communicate the proceedings Of the
senate 10 any one not ycthus prepared disregard
my oath OF Office, and every honorable sentiment in tho
discharge OF my public duty here rest the subject with
these remarks.
The baotng for Secretary then proceeded when Mr.
Walter Lowric received 80 Yotes-scattsrnp 1
The Vice President administered the necessary oahs of
Office 10 Mcssfs Lowric Bailey, and Shackforl
On motion OF Mr. Tazewe the Senate proceeded TO the
consideration OF Executive business and when the doors
were oPcncd-Thc Senate adjourned
TOIISE M pEppECENtTA rturc