Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-01-12
co n G r + S s.
BANK OF THE UNITED STATES.
lDebnie concluded.

the great questions which asitated the nation, and
il was incumbent on The House to examine INTO
it in such manner as to develope the past influ-
ence of the bank on the affairs Of the country and
on the PUBLIC business. He deprecated, howe
Yer. the introduction Of personal or political feel
10. into this debate, and expressed his wish that
The question should be met in spirit OF calm and
dispassionate inquiry. He regretted extremely
that his colleague (Mr. Mercer) should have vio
lated in some degree she principles he held forth
in the CONNIE ncement Of the debate, by censurng
the Executive for announcing to the public his
opinions concerning the bank. He MIR. John
ston) had always understood, that. according to
the Constitution and the practice Of the Govern
mrnt. il was the peculiar duty Of the Chief Ma
s,t ate to submit, his views on all the great qucs
tion, at national policy to Congress. ior their 'e-
gi-'auy- action thereon, when necessary. Those
vi.as were not suppose, to have had an undue
weight in the national councils, but they were
freely examined and acted upon, as he had be-
fore observed, when rrq isiie. He VAS glad To
see that the present President had not departed
from the usage and practice OF his predet essOrs
in office in this respect; and so far from his con-
due, merling even the minutest censure, it. in
his opinion. was entitled 10 the appreciation Of the
House. whether they agreed in hi, views or not
Mr. Johnston proceeded to remark that the sub
jeci Involved two inquiries OF wholly different
character. The first was as to the constitution
atty of Incorporating the bank; and the second.
although subordinate in Importance, was vet OF
great moment, that Of The necessity, exprdien-
cy. or advantage of SO incorporating it. To de-
eide upon the lrst question, select committee
vas not necessary, for our Government was not
founded upon the common, but the written law
The question tnrR VAS. by whom the inquiry re-
a., h.,
should be made. A standing committee might
be perfectly competent to examine into II; but
there were many other considerations Of sufficient
consequence to requite a Special oon.nittee.-
There were, fer instance, the doubts BY some as
70 The constructors. ~ the charter: and il had
been suggested tun ina ;heir charter was vi0at-
ed bS the issuing o drafts, alluded 10 by the gen
tleman frnm New York. Mr.. Csmbe leng) pay.
abb nov here. Al these, and various other cir
cumstauces, equally affecting the public interests,
rendered u proper proper thar the whole subject
shOu undergo minute Investigations: and it
wa as Mr.. S intention to propose, at ano-
ther period. re solutions instructing the commit
tee 10 purSnc their examination, By putting a Sc
rie> at detailed enquiries. He believed that from
the amount OF business hefore the Committee of
WAYS and Means. they would not be able to
make the laborious investigation required; and
for this reason, also. he was disposed to advocate
the mutton for the appointment Of special com.
mittep.
Mr. Howard expressed himself in favor Of
select committee; he wished this more particular
~ as there were various opinions and suggestion,
on the subject Of the bank charter, which were
onl' likely To obtain a consideration in a selec
committee. Whilst some were favorable tn
modIhr alton of the present bank charter. others
opposed this as altogether unconstitutional, and
were in favor Of State banks; but there was Il
third party. who proposed substitute for the
present bank in custom-hOuse or treasury DIT ats;
he had never received information sufficient 70
enable him to comprehend il. but still-i might be
practicable; aud he thought il due to the House
AMI the country, that every plan should be consi.
dered and investigated. In the Committee of
Ways and Means. from ITS organization, there
was no chance Of this; ard he was. therefore,
strenuously IN favor OF select committee.
Mr. Foster. after few remarks, which the
reporter did not distinctly hear, said that the
subject at the Presidential election had been in.
PRODUCED into the discussion. but il was scarcely
to De wondered ar; for, of late il would be diff
cult to find any question of Importance debated
IN that House, with which II vas not more or less
mixed up. MIR. +. said. he had listened with at
tenti"n 10 the various arguments OH the subject,
and VAS decidedly in favor of sending the me.
m"risl TO select committee. The Presidents
Message. or tina, portion of it. at least. which
trr'''d on the bank, had been referred to the
C"mm.ttee o. Ways aud Means two years ago.
and hat committee indicated the constitution.
ait, ard exped'ency of rechartering the bank
Las session, the question was referred in simi.
la' manner and again also during the present
water, when the proposition for a select cou
m't;ee was rejected. II should be observed. too.
sa'd Mr., Foster. that every one who opposes the
melton for select committee, avows himself
friendly to the bank, and We, is averse to that
full inquiry into the merits OF both sides of the
Question, which the appointment Of select COM
mi'tce would lead to. He should have thought
both the bank and its supporters would gladly
have caught at the opportunity Of unfolding all
tn facts connected with - management uF heir
affairs. After advertiug 10 the circumstance Of the