Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-08-24
CONGRESSIONAL.

Mr.. VAN buren, said that he had not been disposed
to partake largely in the present debate He did not be
lieve that any difficulty likely arise from leaving
the rules they had stood from the commencement %
tue government and was not at all apprehensive of ths
undue exercise of the restrictive pow now proposed tc
be conferred on the Vice President He had therefore
ielt almost indifferent as 10 the fate of the amendment
the progress and character OF the discussion had greatly
increased the interest of the subject PRINCIPLES had
peen advanced and earnestly supported against which
ne ie II TO be his duty least TO protest Nav more; such
was his repugnance TO the doctrines he had heard so eep
was ms conviction OF the errorn which they found
ed that he could not, without being dsoya TO the most
sacred OF his Official duties refrain from resisting them
IL could not, he was persuaded be necessary saw that
in expressing himself thus strongly not his inen-
uo 10 question: much less 10 assai the motives of those
with whom he differed. He in the habit of doing
so; and II he could lar forget what was due te
ms brethren as well as to himself the sincere personal
respect which he elt for the Senator from Louisiana by
whose remarks he had been induced to continue the de-
BATE would restrain him. He had doubt gentlemen
honestly entertained the opinions they had advanced and
il therefore, their right TO sustain them with the spi-
r and zeal which they had manifested on the present oc
cason II was the correctness, not the integrity of those
opinions, that Mr. Van Buren, meant TO contovert Ii
was TO carry them out to their legitimate results and pre-
sent them In their true and exceponable character that
lie had risen. To do this the effectuay he would
ehuea'or 10 strip the subject OF all irrelevant matter
check the discursve character Of the debate and bring
the questions before the Senate in their order and
most simple form.
The first of these questions said he is the extent of the
rights OF the Vice President under rules as they stand
II is one comparatively speaking, of but little Importance
at all material The relates the propriey OF further
Legislation on our part and the other gives il importance
only from ITS bearing upon the correctness of opinion
long since officially expressed by the present presiding
ohcer Mr. an Buren, said he had before remarked up
on so much OF the subject relates to the effect of the
old rules and would not dean the Senate bv enlarp
ing on that point 1t appeared him impossible consi-
derng the phraseoogy aud obvious sense of our rules
more especially when taken in connexon with those of
the House oil Representatives, that intelligent and I'M
prejudced minds could differ in opinion The laneuage
SAID ne is Pan the sense is plain; and from the njur
Gus consequences oil construction imparing this power
10 he wee PRESIDENT without appeal is also plain that
such could not have been their original intent Indeed
sad he l DO not remember that in the whole debate, ii
mas Deen distinctly contended that the right given by the
rules TO Senators to call 10 ORDER extended also TO the
Vice President. Some gentlemen have tits true Ito use
the language OF the aw) by way of excluding conclu-
son. imagined that there might be for question upon
the face OF the rules; but quite confident that il has
not been distinctly affirmed that they confer the power in
dispute on the Vice President. Upon the other view
OF the matter, said Mr. V. b., single word would suf-
hce Entirely Free he could but be- from personal
prejudice ON the one hand, and uninuenced by ndvidu-
al paraty on the other he felt interest in the subject
save DESIRE which he hoped common TO ALL TO see
that justice was done TO the conduct of public officer
VINO had discharged his official duties with fidelity and
ability lie could not but think that the warmth of
personal friendship and the influence of party excite
ment combined, had greatly magnied the importance
OF the matter in relation TO the individual concerned
surely no public man in this country, in any other
where reason and justice sway the public mind is reouir-
ed to be ntaibe, will be held responsible for more
THAN the honesty OF his opinions and the fidelity with
which he sustans them If he err occasionally it is be-
cause he is human and long his motives as i'm the
present case are above suspicious he has nothing fear
from public censure. But it appeared TO him that those
who wish confirmation by the Senate of the opinion
heretofore expressed by the Vice President so far as the
rules are concerned, could desire more distinct one
than would result from the adoption of the amendment un-
der consideration for where is the man. i'm this great
community who would, for moment, suppose that the
senate oil the United States could spend DAVIS not To saw
weeks, in gravey debating the propety of conterrip nm
on the Vice President power already given by its rules
No could, he was persuaded be found capabIe Of
such injustice to the body.
lie now approached another and a more important
view OF the subject II the that had called him
up; ana Ior entering upon its consideration lie would
make no apology Indeed, he would require an apology
for himself were he TO omit it, Too much time he said
could not he employed in probing and discussing prnci-
pie IN his view 50 iaacious and obnoxious that which
had been forced upon their consideration: His eXamna
ton of must at this time, of necessity be limited The
great principle so freely commented upon by the Senator
from Louisiana growing out of the implied powers claimed
Tor this government and involving the distinction between
such are true and warranted by the text and the frau
dulent inventions of after times matter of intense in
erest particular discussion, however, of the acts and
assumptions referred to by the Senator from Louisiana
would now be out Of place. But the period would he
hoped arrive, when opportunity would be afford
ed to discuss them at large uninuenced by immediate
local interests party considerations When that dav
shall arve-and he hoped it would he more distant
than The next session of Congress-he would if his life
spared seek occasion 10 say least fearessy and
frankly all lac knew and all he believed all he feared
upon the subject.
Failing said Mr.. Van Buren, to find in the rules their
warrant for the power question: those who affirm its OK
istcUce caut under the Constitution. With what Justice
this ground TAKEN he would proceed briefly 20 consider
There not said he greater enemies to truth than CON
fused and statements OF the question Their
malgn influence has been strkngy cxcred on the pre-
sent occasion. To it he attributed differences of opinion
between himself and some with whom lac seldom differed
and always with reluctance. What, them said he is the
question: Is il whether the Vice President has anv
power 10 keep order in the Senate? BY means Nc
could contend for proposition much at variance
with what was every day passing under eyes Those
who assisted in the formation of this government were moi
ignorant OF inexperienced not 10 know that an eff
cien power TO preserve order OF vital necessity tc
every legislative body. IL was therefore, provided by
the Constitution, that each House of Congress NAV
determine the "rules Of its proceedings punish its mem
bers Tor dordery behaviour, and with the concurrence
OF twO-thrds, eXpel member" in virtue of this
power the Senate, upon its first organization, adopt
ed set Of rules prescribing the mode Of its proceed
ings, and containing divers provisions upon the subject
Of order, declaring what s members might do and what
they should not be permitted to do The enforcement OF
these rules Is made the duty Of tie presiding officer whc-
Tier he be the Vice President pro temporc
Scarcely day passes without The performance Of some
act by the presiding officer, in iuhment of that duty
IL to these acts that gentlemen refer in order sustain
claim TO power altogether different They do per-
ceve that these acts of merely ministerial chaTac
ter, in which the chair The organ Of tho Senate
subject 10 such control and supervision this body may
from me TO time, prescribe ln cases thus provided for
no difficulty has arisen can arise
Another question has now been made, and 10 IS this
IL is commended that in addition 70 the conceded power
Of the Chair upon the subject Of order e" IL is compc
&" tent fer the Hice President To call It Senator 4,
order fer tCOrds SPOKEN IN debate, upon the grope
&C either that Meg do not relate 10 the subject uudc
g discussion, account Of their 0fhertCsC erccp