Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-06-27
DEpOsITE BILL.

House Of Representatives, Tuesday, June "a.
The bill, reported by Mr.. Polk, for regulating
the deposite of the Public Moneys in the Bank
ofthe United States, being under consideration
MIR. COULTER, of Pennsylvania, assigned the
reason why, though unwilling Especially while
the Bank of the United States refused to eXhi-
bit its books unreservedly to the inspection OF
Congress) to restore to it the deposites of the
public money, would not vote for this bill.
MIR. LANE followed in defence Of the BILL and
was followed by
Mr.. McVEAN on the same side.
Mr.. DUNCAN made short speech in support
of the amendment he had proposed to the bill,
but Of the success of which he entertained little
hope.
MIR. STEWART spoke at some length against
the bill: instead of increasing, it impaired the
security of the public funds by taking the re-
Sponsibillty for their safe-keeping from those
who had assumed it. Besides, it destroyed all
hope Of National Bank, which he deemed in
dispensable as a fiscal agent, and for the pre-
SerVahOn OF sound currency He was no
friend to Banks, and especially small country
Banks; he preferred new Bank, with proper
limitations to vain attempts to recharter the old
one. 1t was dead and buried, and the efforts of
its friends under existing circumstances to re-
vive it, were vain, and worse than vain; they
Increased and aggravated the evils complained
Of He extended his remarks to the subject of
the deposltes and the general policy OF the bill,
which, with others, will be given hereafter.
Mr.. JONES' of Georgia, commended the frank
ness this avowal, and went into an argument
of some length in support of the bill on that We
ny ground.
Mr.. Chiffon said that ne had risen to submit
motion, to which, under other circumstances,
he should be opposed. We had now five re-
naming days of the session. Very much i'm
portant and indispensable business remained
Enacted on; and unless this subject should be
Immediately disposed of must necessarily re-
am opposed to the bill under consideration;
firmly and immovably opposed to it. Yet that
it will pass this House, is perfectly evident to
every member on this floor. Why then, should
we disregard our other high duties to the coun-
try, and consume the little remnant Of our time
in fuitess opposition to the will Of the majority
in this House, when we know that our position
is powerless? The majority here can pass the
bill; they will pass it-and theirs will be the
responsibility of its passage. My reliance, sir,
is elsewhere. confidently trust and believe
that there is elsewhere a reliance, and safe
one, too, in regard TO this subject on which the
country may anchor its best interests. But, sir,
as nothing can be gained by continuing this de-
bate, and as much would be lost, ir discharge
of a solemn duty, which owe to my constitu
ents and my country, demand the Previous
Question.
Mr.. Brown moved call Of the House; which
was ordered: and the House was called. The
names of II absentees having been called over,
excuses were received-and after the Usual
routine ofunsuccessful motions for the purpose,
the call was, as usual suspended
The Previous Question was then stated.
Mr.. H. EVERETT demanded the yeas anG lays
which We're ordered, and, being taken, re-
suited as follows: Yeas 1l3 Nays IT,
The main question, on ordering the bill tc its
third reading was then put, and decided by
yeas and nays as follows: Yeas III, Nays e6.
So the bill was ordered to be engrossed and
read third time.
The CHAIR asked when? and the general rvs
ponse was "Now." No objection being heard
it was taken to be so ordered
Mr.. GHoLsoN asked the indulgence Of the
House while he made an explanation, personal
to himself as to the course which he mac and
which he proposed to pursue in relation. 10 this
bill. 1t was known that in the early pat OF the
session, he had advocated restoration of the
deposites to the u. S. Bank. He had done so,
because he believed the conduct of the Execu-
tive, in their removal, to be uni ust towards the
Bank, aud an encrOachment on the rights of the
Legislative department Of the Government 1t
was also known that few days since he had
voted to lay upon the table the resolution 1ro.E
the Senate ordering the public revenues collect
ed after the 1st Of July to be deposited IN the
United States Bank. He had given this vote
from conscientious conviction that the Bank,
in its late refusal to submit it's books and pro-
ceedings to the free examination of a commit
tee of Congress- had been guilty Of a clear vi
Olation of its charter.
He now voted for the engrossment and pas
sage of this bill not from a positive appro-
baton of its principles or details: he decided
ly preferred the amendment proposed by his
honorable colleague (Mr GoDDoN,) which con-
templated an entire divorce of the Government
from all banking institutions.
The success of the Previous Question had ST.
perseded and defeated that amendment, and he
consequently considered the question then before
the House as one between this law and no law ~
all Viewngit in this light, he did not feel him
self at liberty to hesitate. He should vote 70"
the bill
Mr.. BURD opposed the bill; when the question
was put on its final passage-and decided By
yeas and nays, as follows: Ayes 112-Noes Sc