Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-01-17

prOptr dCtnrmi-
ned 10 refer this memorial. Were this question TO
be decided, whether it best TO sell out our own
stock whether il were better to sell to the Bank
or not ut all, then indeed, tho references might
have been proper.
But it was not a simple question Of revenue that
was to be decided; it great constitutional
question lilo did not conceive it an evil that par.
ty should exist this questions; it did exist in eve
ry speech in that House-cvery newspaper out of
it bore testimony to the, fact-but il was MARTY
founded on what it ought to boa jealousy OF the
Infringement of constitutional rights. AT present
he thought the question should not be before the
House We had another and more important one
to act upon-he meant tho Tariff. A whole sec
ton OF tho country calling earnestly and loud
ly for the settlement of that question: and il would
take tho whole of tho session to come to an is
on it. He hoped the honorable gentleman from
Georgia would renew his motion to lay the momo-
rial the table; aud if that failed no trusted
would be referred TO select committee.
MIR. Roor said, tho question before the House
was not ut present of party character, unless il
might be considered as appertaining to that party
to which the gentleman from South Carolina (Nir.
MitchclD alluded, as the constitutional party. The
question was, TO which of the three committees the
memorial should be referrcd-to a Committee of
the Whole on tho state of the Union, TO the Com.
mittc on Ways and Means or TO a Select Commit.
tee. If it is to be made party question, and that
on great constitutional principle, it became them
TO examine more particularly to the powers of
Congress on the subject of Incorporating great
Dlnk. Mr.. IL. went on 10 say, mat III was
acknowledged by all those who advocated that in
stitution, that the powers of Congress Incl
dental in the matter, inasmuch tho Bank was
necessary for the management of the fiscal concerns
OF the nation, and the proper establishment of its
currency. A Congi css, deriving its power, Mr..
Roof said, from the necessity of Il Bank as an in
struncnt i'll the hands of the Treasury, for the col
lection, preservation, and disbursement of the
venue and TO give us tho benefit OF uniform
currency throug hout the nation; and upon these
two grounds alone. that the founded
If the rccharterng of the Bank were to turn up
on the question of constitutionaty, the mode of
reference was still more important. What COM
mttee, then, could most appropriately make
the inquiry! In mis- judgment, certainly, the com.
mttce which managed the fiscal affairs of the ma
tion-thc committee that prepare and digest the
schemes OF revenue, and exercise Il general super
vision of the public finances. With these views,
he was fully of opinion that the memorial should
go to the Committee of Ways and Means,
Mr.. DEARBORN said that to refer this memorial
To the Committee of the Whole the state OF the
Union, would only lead TO long protractcd debates
on hypothetical points, which would answer no
end but to waste tho time of the house. AS to Il
select committee, gentlemen could gain nothing
by it's appointment if the parliamentary rule of APP
pointment were observed. 1t had ever been the
rule to appoint, as members of such committees,
those who favorable to the measures referred
The minority of the Committee of Ways and
Means, well as that of select committee, might
prepare contre Projet, and exhibit the other
years, the President in his messages, had
called for action this subject, and
the House IN apportioning the message, has re-
tcrrcd that part to the Committee of Ways and
Means, as we'll as tho report of the Secretary of
the Treasury on that subject; and now, when the
Bank takes us at our word, and lays the matter be
fore us, it is objected that that committee has hero
loforo reported favorably it. One remark Of
the gentleman from Georgia, was to him subject
not only of astonishment, but regret. lilo had
SAID measure DreClDitated them Inv hnI
recent movcmcnts OF political party; at the same
time the journals of the House would testify that
1T had been before them for three years. If blame
should attach any where as to this matter il was
to the President, not to the Bapk. They had come
here merely in self defcnce-to put an end to that
huctuating state of their stocks, TO which the un-
decided state of the question gave rise. lie wish
ed the should be referred as it had hitherto
been, to the Committee of Ways and Means
MIR. JOHNSTON, of Virginia, So that 1t was
matter OF eneral notorie'y that his was one of
the great questions which agitated the nation,
and 1t was incumbent on the House to examine
into it in such manner as to deveiope the past
influence of the bank on the affairs Of the coun-
try and on the public business. H. deprecated
however, the introduction of personal or political
feeling into this debate, and expressed his wish
that the question should be met i'll a spirit of
calm and dispassionate inquiry. lie regretted
extremely that his colleague (Mr. Merccr) should
have violated in some degree the principles he
by censuring the Executive for announcing
to the public his opinions concerning the bank.
lie (Mr. JohGs;on) had always understood, thct,
according to the Cons tuition and the practice of
the Government, 1T wGs the peculiar duty of he
Cinef Magistrate to submit his views on all jhe
great questions ofnational policy TO Congress for
their legis alive action thereon when necessary
Those views were not supposed to have had an
undue weight in the national councils, but they
were freely examined and acted upon, az he Had
before observed, when requisite. He was clad
to see that the present President mad not deDait-
ed Hom the usage and practice of his pfedecea-
sors in Office in this respect; and so far from his
conduct mcrtlDg even the minulest Ce1sure, it,
in his opinion, was entitled to the approba,ion
of the House, whether they agreed in his views
or not. Mr.. Johnston proceeded TO remerk that
the subject involved two inquiries of wholly
dltft rent character. The first was as to the
constitutionality Of Incorporating the bank; and
the second, although subordinate in importance.
was yet of great moment, that of the necessity,
expedleDcy, or advantage Of so Incorporating it,
To decide upon the first question, select colr-
mittee was not necessary, for our Government
was not founded upon the common but the
written law. The question was, by whom the
inquiry respecting the proproy Of re-char-
tering the bank should be made 4 stand
ing committee might be perfectly compe-
tent to examine into i; but there were
many other considerations of sufficient con-
sequence 10 require a special commit
tee There were, Tor instance, the doubts bv
some as to the construction of the charter; and
1t had been suggested too that their charter Has
violated by the issuing OF drafts, alluded to by
the pent lcmau from New Yofk fair Curub,o