Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-06-06

visited by committees OF the House. In the wear ISIS
.on"ee was appointed to examine the affairs Of The
oSnK, uen IN disorder The committee thus appointed
was by the terms OF the resolution directed TO report
wheher the charter had been violated, and the resolution
consisted manly OF specification OF alleged violations
III executing their trust, the committee extend
Ell ner inquiries 10 the general the Bank,
on oan 10 this course inquiry, the Bank deemed t
Tor Its Interest TO submit The al not aware
that any resistance mad. 10 the demands OF the
muee. On The contrary, their report closes with the OBJ
servauon that sit Is due 10 the officers of the Bank
al Philadelphia 10 state that every facility their power
was rendered in explaining the books aud assisting the re-
searches OF The committed" In one instance, in which
an individual, director OF of the Offices charged
with mapracces refused to iesiify, the committee OBJ
sevs' the, they did not insist his erng, and that
ihey examined him chiefly enable him, II he pleased,
TO excu'pate himself This committee did no, confne
Their examinations TO the officers OF the Bank They
ahmed 'he Teller OF the Bank Of North America, aud
perhaps other persons This aud the others
mentioned sufficiently show that question as TO the ex
en OF the powers Of the committee raised during the
visitation; that the witnesses appeared voluntarily; that
the Bank deemed Tor its to submit TO the xam
nation Of the committee, in any form in which the COM
miee fhought proper TO conduct IL; and that
~ The whole investigation assumed the form of paria-
menary inquiry conducted by The OF parties,
anu without any appeal TO their rights
The examination OF 1892 assumed substantially tho
same character. The resolution, under which the
miitee was raised, consisted, originally moved of
large aeaii oil alleged abuses several of which imported
no violation OF the charter The House adopted an
amendment proposed 10 This resolution by member
massachusetts,, (Mr Adans) in the following terms -
"hes0irea, That select committee be appointed to in
spec the books and examine into the proceedings the
Bank and report thereon and 10 report whether The pro-
visions of The charter have been violated or not" This
pbraeoogy appears 10 have been derived from the COM
mencing ords OF the report of the committee of ISIS,
winch rs IN the same terms, and not from the resolution
by which that committee created and which pro ides
mat select committee be appointed, "to inspect the
books and examine into the proceedings the Bank and
report whether the provisions OF its charter have been
violated or not and particularly TO report several
matters, ell, or nearly ALL OF which alleged viola
lions OF he charter. The amendment offered by the
member from Massachusetts, (Nr. Adams and adopted
by the House, offered the ground that he orgi-
nal resolution presented objects Of inquiry not authorized
by the charter Of the Bank, nor within the legitimate
powers oil the House." But directed the committees
10 report generally on The proceedings OF the Bank,
wen as on violations OF the charter considered by
ITS mover, and by many Of those who supported the
as authorizing an inquiry extending beyond
violations OF the charter. The right constitute in
qury OF this Kind was put upon the ground that The Bank
was apply ing for rechorleT and could not reasonably
decline IT, AT that time, as in 1918, neither House of
congress had assumed hostile position to the Bank. Its
directors as tie event proved felt that they could
upon the National Legislature do them justice against
any efforts which might be made their chsrsc-
arraign their conduct Applicants for re. charter
lhey felt thai they could not with propIiey object any
latitude OF inquiry which might be demanded by House
oil Congress willing 10 grant charter provided the re-
sun oil The examination should be satisfactory Accord
ag'y, the resolution amended, understood TO ex-
Tend not merely TO alleged violations the charter but
TO all alleged OF official misconduct and on the ar
rival OF the committee in Philado pha the directors of the
Bank instead OF placing themselves upon their rights,
dered the President of The institution submit all lis books
and papers 10 The unconditional inspection the commit
Tee, and 10 yield himself unreserved examn alton
The inquiry was pushed into every matter OF alleged
abuse, where supposed the Bank wa most vunera
bic Nothing was spared; nothing was held back Books
md papers were submitted and personal examinations on
path endured, although ayowedly for the purpose finding
ou IL II existed matter OF incui patton against the d-
rectors The materials thus collected spread before
Congress and The people, and majority OF both Houses
Congress united in the passage Of bill for recbarerng
the Bank.
The President declined giving effect to the will Of Con-
sress and the bill failed TO become law The whole in
nenee Of the Executive exetted the prejudice of
the institution, and the voice Of the Administration press
was raised against it, with and vehemence rarely
equalled.
Doubts OF the safety Oh the public depostes were now
suggested, and these doubts received from
lie message OF the President at the opening OF the second
session OF the last Congress An Executive agent was
appointed TO investigate that subject, and the Committee
Dl Ways and Means, of which a majority was composed
Of members friendly 10 the administration, engaged ia the
same inquiry. The agent aud the committee reported in
favor OF the sovency OF the Bank aud the House Re-
presena1Ives, by majority unexemped on such ques
on resolved that the public deposItes could be safely
continued in the Bark OF the U. States.
Notwithstanding this vote, the President took immed-
ate measures TO transfer the deposes the State Banks
The character Of these known TO The House
The undersigned think themselves sale in saying that it
est possible Inconvenience aud anxiety They were re-
gaded as men guilty Of the criminal NAL praciices
and jstly obnoxious the treatment hich il
was IN the power oil the Executive 10 infct. To ali that
officially done, superadded unbroken strain of
demonstration from the Government press and threats of
purpose 10 break those branches OF the Bank which
supposed TO be feeble. At Length, without previous a,I-
hentic notice, the deposes removed short time
before the assembling OF Congress. majority OF menu
bers had been elected the House OF Representatives.
port previous TO The adoption OF this measure who APP
peared disposed TO sustain the President the policy he
had adopted BY this majority, resolutions passed
expressive OF their opinion that the Bank ought be-
re chartered and that the deposies ought be re-
stOfed hese resolutions adopted after protractsd
lebae on the general merits OF The controversy in which,
the part OF those who sustained the President the most
designs and the corrupt practices were
Jeey sscribed TO those entrusted with the direction OF
lie Bank.
IL under these circumstances that the commission
,f inquiry into the affairs OF The Bank instituted As
lar that inquiry Of character in which the Bank
was by the charter. bound operate by submitting
B books for inspection, The d ecols have fully recognise
ed their obligation 10 DO So but the undersigned con.
less they perceive nothing in the circumstances pre-
reded the inquiry which could furnish inducement
he Bank 10 urher than The law requires of them.
BY the Executive Government, and the majority Of tie
House Of Congress- their case had been adudged The
avs which The wisdom OF two former Congresses enacted
or erecting United States Banks, and Of which every
department Of The Government, under every Adminsfa
been declared Unconstitutional. The present inquiry was
needed 10 n the depOsites should be femov
ed they removed many mouths before. IL not
needed 10 ascertain whether bey could safely be fesoed
The House that institutes has resolved that they ought
TO be restored The Secretary Of the Treasury Jeff
Wiboat tie instructions OF the House, to deposite the
public funds in any ober Bank I've may please 10 select
the House OF Representative has resolved that they
ought not 70 be Deposited IN the Bank Of the United
States. Although The last Congress, by msorilies Of
both Houses decided thai the Bank ought DO char
tered and the nexCoogress may be OF be opinion
The present House OF Representatives has resolved the
contrary, AID, therefore, fhe inquiry not needed
guide s judgment 10 the charter OF The Bank. Vari
fnsle imputed to those who direct tho
Bank but supposng thtir detection the object the
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