Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-02-13

men have become venal aud couupi, laws no re-
strain TO the accomplishment oil their purposes
No man, sir, Is more aTdentiy devoted than 1 am 10
the Republcaa institutions OF this country. believe
them the best devised by human wisdom-7com-
pete,y suited the character and genius CT the Amei
Peoples and should they lie corrupted or destroyed,
fear iha, gener will pass away before our pos
tcrity will again be restored TO freedom My greatest
soci,ue, therefore, is to preserve them in their original
simplicity aud purity. l know that the tendency OF all
government to concentrate in ono hsnd. In our own
country, all power is gradually withdrs wing itself IRON
the States TO the Federal Govenn, n and even there its
tendency is TO one department.
consider, therefore, that this Legislature as one oil the
great restraining and conservative powers has an import
ant and very responsible task TO perform IL your du-
~, sir OF the branches OF Government,
TO watch over the operation, Of .he Federal rovs'nmsn'
with Jealous eye; that they not only keep within
their proper Limits. but that neither department shall
encroach on duties OF the other. IL is question
with YOU sir whether the Constitution has granted mere
pow CIR any department than ought to possess but
your effort .houi be- restrain each Within its
raj limit, be it great small IT you suffer
roach in the leas, degree upon the rights and privileges
OF the other, you establish precedent, which will bear
you outin withdrawing all power from such department.
snd in destroying the checks which were intended be
established by the Cons tuition.
cannot but rePea, my regret, Mr. Speaker, that this
iou>e should have entirely mistaken views in re-
terence 10 the Con-tiuonal principles involved in this
question; and since the language in which the amendment
is expressed may be nsntrrprecd, beg permission to
whdaw it, that may have all opportunity oil ntrodu-
cng Snoiher more In accordance 10 my real sentiments,
should 1t be thought necessary. l appeal sir, to the
CHARACTERISTIC justice and msgnanimi,y OF this House
Mr. Bolts said il was with great reluctance that he
oppose the Withdrawal of the motion of the gentleman
from Mecklenburg. But believing that the proposition
contained no less than had been indirectly ajvo
Gated IN The House. he therefore wished that vote should
be had upon it; and he moved the ayes and
Mr. Jones ssidit would give him pleasure 10 allow the
gentleman to withdraw his motion. II a source OF
pleasure to him. that the rmest advocate The Unlimited
power OF the President ashamed OF such
CANT claim Tor tina, iunciionary. But appc AIRED to MIR
that the meaning OF the gentleman as now explained by
him, was but little different from tina OF his mo ion Mr.
). denied that the Treasury Department was an Execu-
tive Department, that the President had the right 10
dismiss the Secretary for refusing TO comply with his
QUESTION in regard to the disposal Of the public
" the President possessed this power the Secretary,
lie possessed IL the public funds. II impossible
To separate the one power from the other Ii die.
tncton which he confessed he could not comprehend; il
was too evanescent for his understanding II the Presi
dent could do act which had the effect the i'm
mediate controu Of the Treasury he had the cure pow
er which the genlemans ndment purpored 10 claim
Tor him. He understood the Treasury department 10 be
the mere agent OF Congress- aud sequcny that the
President had no right 10 that officer for the pur
pose oil efecung his purposes in relation TO the pub
lie monies He that in ordinary cases the
President had the power Of removing that officer. But he
believed that tie President could not withdraw i've dol
Lars from the Treasury without the authority of law of
Congress Then it clear that he had uhorty for
comprising such object, by the dismissal OF
tsry and the appointment OF another. Nor had he the
power 10 make use OF such in order obtain
the controul, direct or indirectly dollar OF the
public treasures.
Mr. Wilson OF b. hoped the gentleman would he per-
mitted 10 withdraw his motion: Otherwise he (Mr. Wy
should move that he have leave.
MIR. Bolts said he viewed the question very differently
rom the gentleman from Boteourt The House had bee
acting on this subject for week. and the wishes of ma
Joty had been repeatedly cirrumvented by party
mourning and various pslry traps calculated TO obsruct
hna and satisfactory decision. Mr. B. would suggest
that the best course for the gentleman from
would be- he hal representatives, in his amendment to
which on reflection, he could not himself accede allow
The question TO be taken and vote against his propo
sitiou.
Mr.. Wilson Of b., said if the gentleman from Henrico
The al he
that The gentleman FROM Meckenburg leave TO with
draw his motion lie thought it ought to be recollected
by The House that this motion presented a moment
oil great excitement, and that not reduced TO
writing when il was offered Mr., w. had nothing to
90 with The pa'ry traps 10 which the gentleman from
Henflco had alluded If such had been exhibited. He
had endeavored 10 sustain his views had given
his own votes fairly and honestly. The gentleman from
Hentico knew that Mr. w had been against connec citing
the two subjects, and had moved the indefinite post
ponement OF the whole: But if part was retained, he
had been OF opinion and still remained that the whole
should be passed He hoped would he the pleasure OF
ie House 10 allow the gentleman withdraw his notion
Mr.. Barbour said, that afer having been many days
engaged IN this discussion, IL due The House aud
the country, that these proceedings should be boush to
close. La the position in which they now stood il was
The duty OF parties TO make mutual concessions-and he
was willing TO allow the gentleman 10 withdraw his
ton, II an understanding could be had tina, other
amendment would be offered TO the resolution of the gem
teman from Fauquier, now before the House.
Mr.. Mcdowell said il was worthy of inquiry what the
House was now doing. Was this the principle Of any
party in relation 10 which gentlemen contendng p
"" Wc contrary, tHe gentleman from McckIenburg had
avowed with modification aud shame, that lie found he
had offered proposition with which he did himself
concur. The House called upon this ques-
uonto refuse the mover the privilege Of Withdrawing
motion for which he cannot vote himself II equva-
lent 10 calling the House put down that which was
supported by Surely under these circumstances
il was but courtesy 10 the gentleman withdraw and re-
model his motion.
Mr. Bolts concurred in the suggestion of the gentleman
from CuPepe and would not object 10 the withdrawal of
the notion no further endment be offered TO
the resolution oil the gentleman from Fauquier.
Mr. Roane said, while he did not intend TO offer any fur
Their amendment 10 the resolution before the House,
posed by the gentleman from Culpeper. Vas this fair
equitable mode OF legislation Had the gentleman who
proposed II received such treatment from his cppone
the records oil the proceedings would shew the contrary
The friends OF that gentleman had offered motion after
lion, which they had subsequently Withdrawn, without
word Of dissent from their opponents Mr. r. appeaI
ed TO the House whether the proposal made was i'll
dcavc OF reciprocal feeling of beraiy. So lar as he
was concerned he would enter into such bare ain.-
The gentleman ought TO be allowed TO Withdraw his mo.
ton and MIR X wondered that the permission was OPP
posed 10y any one. He appealed to the fairness Of gentle
the other side and to their regard every prin
cipe oil parliamentary reciprocity aud courtesy,
pose so reasonable a request.
Mr.. Mcdowell had not acted a partizan in the pro.
ceedngs OIL this subject, had he acted with party
any farther Than his convictions had brought others
and himself together. He DESTROYS that the gen.
eman from Henrco should Withdraw his objection to the
withdrawal OF the motion. He looked upon the propo,i-
ton oil the gentleman from Cupeper cone plating the
suppression oil debate in manner in which he could
concur He dlsapproved OF all expedents for sitting free
discussion; and he could not he pleased with compromise
for that purpose offered under circumstances like the
present The gentleman from Mecklenburg said that he
had expressed what he did not intend express i'm hi,
motion 10 amend He ought, then, in common courtesy