Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-01-11

matters and measures of revenue which that COM
mittee had under consideration. Whatever might
be his opinion, generally, as to tine present ad'
ministratiou. he could safely say. he had as little
to do with party politics as an, member 10 that
House; but when he saw this measure ODtruded
upon them, as it had beenby the Chief Magistrate,
he must condemn him, as he had done his prede-
cessor; the Chief Magistrate never ought to make
public his opinion unfavorable to subject, I'LL
brought before him as matter OF legislation. he
regarded the bank as public institution, aud not
in reference to its stockholders. The matter had
been thrice discussed BY men Of abity-in times
of peril and in time Of peace, and we did not
now require any additional illumination on the
subject from the researches Of select committee.
Mr.. Davis, of South Carolina, NOV ed to refer
| the memorial to a Committee Of the Whole on
the state of the Union
Mr.. Ingersoll said. that the course which the
debate had taken, would, he thought, warrant him
| in troubling the House with few remarks on
the subject before them. With regard to the
! question of referring il to the Committee Of
Ways and Means, he must observes that both the
| gentleman from Georgia. Mr. Wayne.) and the
gentleman from Virginia. (Mr. Archer appear
ed to have little objection to the chairman OF the
Finance Committee. Mr.. Mcpufie, being the
chairman of the select committee proposed to be
appointed; so it seemed then they were willing
! to retain the head of the Committee of Ways
and Means. and anxious only TO get rid OF the
rank and file. And what, he would ask, was the
amount of thisi For his own part. he, (Mr. In
gersoli.) as member Of that committee. should
be- extremely glad it the subject were tn so INTO
other hands; but let them understand the facts
| in relation to that committee. What was there
obnoxious in the construction VI the committee!
1t was true that, two years ago. they had report
ed OH the subject and that the distinguished gen
tleman from South Carolina, Mr.. McDufhr. was
then, as now. at its head; but since then it had
dergone al entirely new organization. 1t consist
ed Of seven members three friendly. it nigh be
supposed, to the rechartering OF the Bank. The
| other three were new members Of the House and
of the committee, and there was no possibility of
knowing their sentiments in relation to it; at least,
speaking for himself, he could soemnly declare
his total ignorance of their opinion. Thus, then,
there were three for, and perhaps three against
| the proposition. Where. then, would be the uti-
lily of referring the matter to a select committees
They might az we'll let the memorial sleep on the
table, for it would be doing so indirectly, to re-
fer it to select committee, with ajority against
it. II the object Of those who advocated its re-
| ference TO select committee, was to have mi
nority, for the purpose Of giving expression to
their views, they had It already in The Commit
| tee Of Ways and Means. They had conceded
the chairman, the gentleman from South Caro-.
lima, mir McDufie.)
Mr.. Wayne. That was the argument of the
gentleman from Virginia, (Mr. Archer.)
Mr.. Ingersoll resumed. He had understood
it, to be needed, by all those who wished for the
appointment of select committee. lie did not
care to what committee tie memorial was sent;
it ought certainly TO 60 to one where it would be
| speedily acted on.
Mr.. Carson SAID he had before attempted to get
the floor on this question with the object of APP
pealing to his friend from Georgia, (Mr. Wayne,)
not to move to lay the memorial on the table. He
trusted that course would not be taken with it,
out that il would meet the respect which the i'm.
portance of its subject deserved at their hands
He wished 10 know he observed, what had been
the former course in relation to the matters con.
nected with the chartering Of the Bank Did the
bill which granted the charter emahste from the
Finance Committed? II so, there surely could
be no improperly in referring the memorial to
that committee. If it originated in select COM
mttee, he, Mr.. Carson, was perfectly dispos.
ed to let the matter pursue the customary order,
and send the memorial to select committee, in
which case the Speaker would be fully warranted
in placing it in the hands Of its friends. MIR. Car
son went on to say. that be also discIaimed in.
Producing party politics into this discussion
He was disposed neither to put down one man,
or elevate another, in reference to such mat
ter. The member from Virginia. Mr.. Mercer,
had said that he one of the last persons IN that
House who could be Justly charged with minsing
party politics with subjects Of high national impor
lance; and vet he regretted to say that that gentle
man had been imperceptiblv drawn intoexpressions
of strong party nature; Whistle diseai%edaI all
party spirit, he expressly condemned the Execu-
tive for having recommended to their attention,
in his message the subject of the approaching
expiration Of the Bank charter. and the question
Of its proposed extension or renewal. So far
from this being matter for censure or condemna-
ton, in his tMr. C'sl opinion. it formed cause
for commendation He had few remarks fur
Their to offer, and would not detain them long.
He hoped his friend from Georgia, would not
move to lay the memorial upon the table. Let
The memorial be referred, and bill, il the COM
mittee thought proper, reported on the subject,
and then 1t might be discussed in spirit Of man