Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-01-01
VOL. X&Ix.---No. N.

the message oil the EXecuve, and the rep,ts from tie
Secretaries, aud contended that views la the ori err
did not of necessity, control those in the LAT err call i'm
reference to articles rss niial in war; mgl be direct
the President 10 the War but could not be
properly addressed TO any other Department
he Senator from Mis- Esippi.had stated that this
luton embraced no important principle Now he mir
- thought II touched Of great Importance he re-
collected that Congress called General Hamilton f his
opinions The opinions OF that gentlemen bad at that lime
great weight on certain portion OF the Peupl they had
great Influence almost All the opposition He ecollect-
cd that Mr. Giles protested against calling OH The Secr,a
ry Tor his opinions and he coll also opp sed by Mr.
madison John Nicholas, and others. The ground taken
that the duty Of the Secretary to furnish only
facts, when they required, and that was for Con-
gress TO construct opinions out OF these facts.
The information which asked by the resolution
would have o influence on his mind, his course
though might have its weight with other Senators. lie
was opposed TO calling any Head Of Department for
his opinions. 1t was only for them furnish tle facts
The resolution involved the principle which had heen Dis
cusscd in 1907 He would consent now to call the
Secretary Tor his opinions, any more than he did then
when he opposed the practice on principle He was in
disposed to array The opinions of the Secretary against his
own or those OF other Senators. He was, rcore against
the motion TO consider.
hend precisely what had fallen from the Senator from Ia-
yand concerning opinions. That Senator, appeared
mons, would have no objection TO call him Tor bill
Now, what was bin but opinions.
Mr. Smith. Facts"
Mr. Holmes resumed. a bill was framed in conse-
quence OF opinions and to enbody them. And when "A
distinction was taken between opinion and BILL il
seemed 60 him TO be a distinction without difference
unless the bill called for TO be received as the
opinion OF the Trainer. In reporting hill an opinion was
given the principle on which il was founded So hat
as regarded the requon for the opinions of the Secre
tary the present. and the previous resolution were the
same thing. If the Senate 10 all on the reso-
luton, he thought not material whether was now or
at another ue but if the information were to be asked
Tor from the Department, in the form of BILL il would
carry an appearance if member of the Senate or
any else could draw BILL in terms of technical ac
curacy' but clerk OF department. He unwilling
TO let 1t go forth to- the world that Senator could not
frame bill; and would prefer that the necessary inor-
nation should be asked for informally.
The question then on the motion TO consider
the resolution, and decided as iOllows
IeGs--MessIs. Bell, Bbb, Clayton, Dickerson Ewing
Foot, Frenghuysen, Hendricks, Holmes, Knight Mil
ler Moore, Pointexter Prentiss Robbins Rug9es Sew
mour, Sisbee, Upton, Tomnson-2O
'Ndys-hessrs Benton, Brown, Buckner, Dudley
Sru"dy' I'M Kane King, Mangum, Robinson, Smith,
Sprague, Tyler, White, Wikins-I5.
SO the Senate agreed to consider the resolution
ne resolution was then again read, and MIR. Poindex-
ter modified H. by inserting after the words siX millions
oi collars Tie words "@S expressed in his annual
Mr. King considered the modification which had just
neen made as rendering the resolution sill obcc-
lonahle. There such expression in the annual
report OF the Secretary attributed by the mo.
dhca'ion The resolution referred solely what were
termed protected articles" Such wa- 20. he oro,lapa
of the report of the Secretary The language of the let
ter principally protected articles and did not con-
yey the idea OF reduction, protected articles exclusive
w..
He did not understand what the Senator from Mssssip
p meant by persons having information in their possess
SON. which other gentlemen did possess; and that the
Secretary would give his opinions suJ rosa Ill was GER
e
preston that any gentlemen were in possession of excu-
sve Information lie knew OF none. And as to the Sc
cre9y OF the Treasury he ielt assured that that officer
would moi shrink from an avowa OF his opinions but that
he was ready, at any moment, to shew his hand
The Committee OF Ways and Means of the other louise
ad been aborng, with the aid OF the Secretary of the
treasury, 10 frame bill, and ready TO make
been occupied in similar labor RE thoueht Thai fhe
Schate ought to wait for the result their lahos before
they proceeded 10 act on the subject
But we lad another, and still stronger objection to the
"a a. call o. n
information which within lis province WHY
should call be made the Treasury Department for an
enumeration of munitions OF war, small arms and similar
necessary ARTICLES when there was in existence Depart
mcnt OF War: let-the cali be made there.
me resolution he regarded as not doing justice to the
secretary IL imputed to him expressions for which no
was not TO be held responsible, calculated 10 pro-
duce erroneous Impressions. And called him for in
formation which was not within his reach. The rcsou-
ion might with more propriey, be addressed the Pre-
sident, and he could send proper officer for reply
When the report OF the Secretary of the Treasury ,9
received last session from the Department. it met with on
position on every side, aud finally defeated aud il
was probable that his communication would meet
with similar late. He would make a proposition
which would free the esOuion from the objection which
he fell TO it as it now stood.
MIR King then moved strike out the following Words
And that he also append 10 such report enumera-
ton OF articles deemed essential TO our national in
dependence in time Of war and which, therefore, ought
In ms opinion to be exempted from the operation Of tho
proposed reduction of du,ies.'
Mr. Brown then asked for the reading of the resolutions
which was offered some days since from the Committee Oh
Finance.
The resolution being read,
Mr. Brown then said that he should against the re-
solution OF the Senator from Mississippi even il the amend
ment OF the Senator from Alabama should succeed He
preferred the resolution of The Committee on Finance
lie felt assured that the Secretary would not shrink from
the responsibility Of giving his In the report which
he had already n, he had exhibited candor frankness
and an admirable system Of doctrines which entitled him
to confidence. He could agree with the Senator from
Alabama, dat the Senate ought suspend their action on
this subject, because the House had yet acted. Alta
moment OF such deep importance when the harmony and
perhaps, the integrity of the Union are in danger he
thought That there should be delay but that the Senate
ought to act at once.
Mr. Pondexter said the Scna or from MARYLAND seemed
10 object TO call Tor opinions this great subject Did
that gentleman recolec that in the reports Of Mr. Hamil.
ton, 10 he condition Of the finances he confined himself
10 statements OF idcs principally. IT was thought by
his opinions. The democratic party were
opposed to call for opinions But il had become
fashion With the Departments volunteer their opinions
The report Of Tie Secretary Of the Treasury contained
opinions expressed in general terms and the Senate had
nght 10 call for specifications
II would be rccoected by the Senate that this was
not practice AZ the last session. they had called on
The Secretary olho Treasury for his opinions the
iucion Of duties The call made, IL appeared
Tie Journal nOw before him. The call might with as
much propiety be made now, and he - doubt that
lhe secretary would be as reads" Q, TO give
hs opinions on The subie~'
The Senator Io" Lam UuI ecton 10 tho
latter part of c resolution. because The Secretary of the
Treasury had not carried out the views OF tho President
Ibis point but had confined himself the protected arr
Hces. lie would read what the Secretary had said on the
subject because 81 he bad touched ihs point Il might
be improper Toe thc Senate 60 NEEDLE with IL.