Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-12-28


20 amend the Constitution in this respect. lie did not be-
leve the Houses OF Congress be purchased
lie would not, by supporting such an amendment auho
rize suspicion that Congress may be corrupted by hopes
ooice. lie wished his remarks in favor OF the resolution
before the House TO be understood without reference to
the proposition TO amend the Constitution.
Mr. Isacks not that the benefit TO be derive
from this resolution would compensate the loss Of time
spent upon it, He should vote Tor for one
which was that he had formerly voted in favor of a
similar propositionThough he in favor of the Pre-
sidenhe should be ashamed to have his vote on this oc
casion recorded in contradiction his former Whether
the information would prove beneficial not he felt
obliged TO vote for the resolution.
Mr. Hoffman not disposed TO go into the debate
on this subject-he wished barely to enquire whether
this call expressed in similar with the former
that the facts called for would
character,
Mr.. wickliGs said the former call was limited to an
po'ntments made within six months after the expiration
oil the term, Tor which members elected-this period
he had extended to II mouths in of sug-
gestion of some of his friends who supposed that
sufficient period OF quarantine.
MIR. Adams said, he should in favor of the CALL not
simply the ground that the courtesy the House usu
ally accors every opportunity of obtaining
such Information as he may deem essential but because
he should be willing the facts which might be re-
turned printed with the former document hch had been
referred to- In voting for the call he did not wish TO be
understood to agree to the projected amendment of the
Constitution. Such an aeraion-instead of amend
nen would be great deterioration of that
Whenever that proposition shall before the House.
he should reserve TO himself the right OF stating the
grounds and reasons why he regarded il one OF the
most pernicous provisions that could be adopted.
Mr. Kennon was in favor of the proposed amendment
10 the Cons'ituton-bu objected to the resolution its
present shape as did not go far enough 10 obtain the
cessary Information which would enable the House and
the country Judge how far the hope OF office or the dis
appointment OF obtaining it, may have influenced the con-
duet OF members OF Congress He therefore moved the
following amendment to the resolution.
And also that the President cause TO be laid before
TINS house. the number and names of members of Con-
gress, who have since the first day of February 1924
been applicants to the President either by themselves or
friends Tor Office, as well as the number and names OF
members OF Congress, who have within that time re-
commended other members for Office
Mr. Wlcklife said he should support the amendment
ne was willing to go further and call the President
give his reasons for the appointments conferred well as
the reasons why individuals had been removed from Of
flee.
Mr. Adams said he should be under the necessity of vo
ung against this amendment As it back TO Februa
ry iS2i was altogether improbable that it i'm the
power OF the President answer it, IT included part of
me term when person President, and
the whole during which another individual held IN
ohce The information called for by the amendment du
ring those periods could be given by the President
lie did not think it consistent with the dignity the
Rouse or with proprey, TO call the President
formation which is obviously not in his power 1t was
extremely probable that this information could be
given even during his of office. Many such
applications were made verbally, and might upon
the memory As TO the immediate predecessor of the Pro-
sident he knew IT not in his power give the nor-
nation proposed TO he called for by the amendment
There was another against it, individuals ought
not to be subjected 10 of this kind 1t implies
that some wrong has been done. The of persons
are held mp as having committed offence against the
nationin whose favor indirect proper applications
might have been made. There something invidous
such
Mr.. Branch said should vote for the amendment on
the ground that unless the evil is well understood the
remedy cannot be properly apped application for Of
nee does not imply any thing criminal impoper-it
the motives which have led the application well as
those by which IL is conferred that Judged Of He
could have doubt but in instances they had been
sqoVersive OF the personal independence of individuals
lie was willing that the country should the names and
e number oil representatives of the people who had APP
peaed to the Executive for favors 1t impossible that
any member OF Congress should discharge his duty while
aeunS under such servie influence. He should for
the amendment.
~ MIR. Kennon regarded the information pointed out by
the amendment important than that i'm the original
resolution The evil to be avoided by the amendment to
the constitution is arising from desire for office 1t
may be quite as injurious public interests should the
individual be disappointed when he is appointed If
should prove that an members of CONGRESS- had been
either candidates for Office had others for
once, the people could then Judge the necessity of
the amendment proposed to be made the Constitution
Mr. Foster said the of this discussion had can
nrned MN IN the opinion he had before expressed upon
SUBJECT 80 lar from the information called for by the
resolution being necessary action upon the
10 amend the Constitution, several OF those who had
nesty supported the resolution had given notice that they
shoun oppose that proposition. Not single vote would
De affected by the information called for He was anxious
tha' me proposition TO amend the Constitution might he
carried; and, in his opinion the eecta ay TO de-
feat it, was TO make it the occasion of party warfare for
which this resolution seemed to be preext As he had
suggested on former day. there no end TO enquiries
oil this kind He therefore his motion TO Law the
resolution on the table; and hoped gentleman would
quest him TO withdraw it.
The Speaker suggested thathe hour allowed to morning
business had expired.
House:
heSofoed, hat the committee OF Ways and Means be
instructed TO inquire into the expediency making fur
ther appropriation for the Improvement OF the steam boat
navigation OF the Nonong ahela river, from Pit sburg TO
Brownsville, under the provisions Of the act of the Sd Ju.
ly, 1882.
Mr. Irwin submitted the following resolution which lies
one day for consideration
ResoiUed, That the Pre- ,lent of the United States be
requested 10 furnish This House with such "a
he may possess in relation 10 the survey of the ohern
boundary OF the State OF Ohio under the provisions Of the
act oil Congress- passed for that purpose on the ih July
1882. ~
Mr. Pea ce submitted the following resolution, which
was ordered TO lie one day on The table
HeSOfUed hat 5000 copies the report and survey OF
the waters oil Narraganse Bay made the direction
oil me Secretary OF the Navy and by him communicated
10 ms hose, on the 2Oih OF this month, be printed
Ga motion OF MIR Howard:
Res0iued hat the commi tee on Commerce he in
sucted to enquire into the expediency OF cree ing pub
lie warehouse in tie city OF Baltimore
IN SENATE Tuesday, December &C.
The Chair communicated Report from the Secretary of
tne treasury enclosing Report prepared and printed
relauVe 10 the receipts and expenditures.
REDUCTION DUTIES.
Mr. Poindexter moved that the resolution offered nv
him on the 18th instant be taken up Tor consideration
me motion was opposed by Mr.. Smith and Mr.. King
ana advocated by Mr.. Frenghuysen and the Yeas and
nays being ordered the question TAKEN and decided
Yeas.-Messrs Bell Bib, CLAYTON, Dickerson. Ewing
Foot, Freinghuysen Hendricks Holmes Knight Miller
Moore Pondexter, Pfenss Robbins, Rugeles Seymour
Silsbee, Upton, Tomlnson-20 %
Vays.-Messrs Benton, Brown, Buckner Dudley
Grundy, Hill, Kane King Mangum, Robinson Smith