Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-03-06
Resignation Of .Ia,.. Aires
CONGRESS.
IN SENATE--SAruRpAY, FKa ~, 1894.

IN sENATE--SArrRpAY, FKa 80, 1894.
Mr.. TTlER having presented the resolutions
OF the Legislature of the State Of virginia,
instructing the Senators and requesting the
Representatives in Congress TO exert them.
selves to effect tho restoration of the public
dsPosiies to the Bank Of the Uuitsd state,
and the resolutions having been read
MIR. RivES rose and ssid--
Mr.. President: The Senate will ipduIro me
hope, standing in the position do, ~ I'M a q !.
FemarkS on tho subject Of the resolutions inst
read IL IS very far from my intention 90 at
tempt to impugn, IN any manner, tie force OF
those resolutions or 10 derogaie, in the sI,ghte,
degree from the high respect To which thew ar.
entitled here and else where. On the contra
ry, recognize ihsm as tile legitimate ex-
preston OF the opinion Of my State, convey.
ed through the only authentic organ known
to ber constitution and laws.
The Senate will have perceived, from tho
reading OF the resolutions, that il IL my mis-
fortune TO entertain. aLd To- have expressed
on the grave question now occupying ,hs nnb.
tic mind, opinions very different from those
asserted by tho resolutions. Notw iih.tapd-
ins this difference Of opinion, should feel II
my duty, ~ one OF the representatives OF
virginia on this floor, To- conform 90 the views
expressed by hor Legislature, n, in the cir.
cumstanees IN which am placed, could do
80 without dishOnor. I hold a. sir to bc n
vital principle Of our political system. one
Indispensable to the preservation Of our in
situations, that the representative. whether a
member Of This or tie other House. il bo.nd
~ conform 10 the opinions aud wishes Of IN.
constituents, automatically expressed; or. if
he bs unable 90 do 50, from oyerrulrng and
imPerlous considerations. operating upon his
conscience or honor, Ia surrender his trust
into the hands Of those from whom he drrty.
ed il, that they may select an sgent Who can
better carry their views into effect.
Dn all occasions involving qti.si,ons Of ex-
peJiency only, q -, conceive, The boundsn
duty OF the representative TO conform impli-
Guy 10 The in'irnctiOns of the constituent
body, where those Instructions ara 10 b. car.
RED into execution by a Legislature aef. which
a. mandate uf the public will, prescribe.
ahd directs What sh0li be done for tbs public
good. But where tho Instructions eostem.
plate declaration o( prineipiss or op;nisus
which arc contrary 10 the sincere and honest
siriiOns - the representative. as there
. M mean, % forcing the assent Of the M.
derstanding % sbstraet propo-ifions. The onIv
course left 10 him - By the surrender Of hi.
commission. o. pat Il IN the power IL his eoo.
stitucnis 10 confer u on another, whose opin-
tons correspond 9th their own.
TO apply these principles 90 my owl easc
J DO not hesitate 90 say, that. n the tn.,r,,c.
lions q the Legislature Of my state ha6 re-
CURED me specifically to vote Tor = law. O.,
other lcgi'iative act. providing Tor the rrsior-
alton of The public deposhss 70 the Bank Of
The y. states. however highly inexpeIienf
deem soch measure % BE-. Z should never.
ihele,' have felt q nay duty 10 give the vote
required such, q will be reeoliee'ed. VS.
me precise deuand u TIE memorial e The
ei'zen' % Richmond, presented a rev days
ago BY 'ny honorable colleague. ana vlirt
concluded BY asking. tlat Congress &" would
provide i8 2. Dr ns unmr5iI's rr,,5rst.gs