Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-06-16
TUESDAY, JUNE I6, 1873.
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POLITICAL.
From tho Globe.
MIR. BELL AND THE BANK.


We have already shown that Mr.. Bells motive i'm be-
ing te principal agent getting Judge White before The
ton: MIR. Bell dissatisfied with Judge White and
ms friends IN consequence of the opposition of the latter
10 his election Speaker And he doubtless attributed
the rrpugnancc of Judge Whites friends unite with
the Bank party in his support the difference in prin.
cipe existing between them the great question of
new'ng the charter The relations between these gem
teinen have changed and Mr. Bell now says that, $50
denying the charge (of having Sheen The pr
pat !gent N getting Judge Wte before The soanyfor tho
done him By IT, He adds that this is ''tLc main charge
against him. and she only in any degree supported
by facts
We shall undertake to prove by the mos, decisive cir.
cumstances that MIR Bells agency in bringing forward
Judge White has not been prompted by any expectation
OF wish to advance him to the Presidency but sub
serve the interests OF the Bank and his prospects
connected with it,
We shall give brief narrative of Mr. Bells relations
with the Bank and leave the public to pronounce how
lar ms political movements connected with those of
the Bank IN every quarter of the Union.
Mr.. Bell united with Mr.. McLanc while Secretary
OF the Treasury, in the effort prevent the question
re-charerng the Bank from coming before the People for
decison by being involved in the Preside ntsl election
MIR Blddle concuIred in their views but he forced
into the field by Mr.. Cays National Republican Con-
ycntion at Baltimore, which required that he should
fight the battle for Mr. Clay against Gen Iaekson in
stead OF waiting as was ut first intended TO fight il
against the Republican candidate who might afterwards
be nominated as his successor. Mr.. Bell, in con-
currence with the avowed views of MIR Mclsane with
whom he was then, and still continues, in the closest
umacy) made most elaborate speech induce post
ponemen of the decision upon the charter pressed
the House by MIR. McDuffie and which was'aftervard
passed MIR Clayton, of Georgia. had moved resolu-
ton tor a preliminary inquiry, of defeating
the Bank by direct charge. Mr. Bell sezcd hold Of
this proposition, means Of cfccing his object of
pospone'nent, but too good friend the institution
to permit an inference 20 its prejudice be drawn from
his course He took the occasion TO support far
possible IN argument while suggesting delay the most
certain means of accomplishing its objects. lie took
tins stand in his speech delivered in 1882:
" would have supported the proposition of the gem
design to prejudice the interests of the Bank If there
are any concealed transactions of the Bank of repre-
nens'be character or any abuses of the privileges
icrred upon 1t, not known to 7ubc, it is OF import
ance that they should he brougro light in order that
they may be guarded against prevented s ftarc by
the terms of any charter of the same or of similar
institution, Which may be granted for consider that If
all ue charges brought against Tie Bank 6y the eentcnan
from Georgia, should be established they coud sill not DO
conousire against the 1e-chGTter Of Tie same Bank or of
one
From this appears that he resolved to support the
renewal of the charter if the whole list of absscs charg
cd by MIR. Clayton including The that have since
been established, should be proved. He did not howe
YER leave it doubtful which he preferred "THE SAME
BANK 1rth lis abuses or "a NEW ONE" Before he clos.
ed, he decsvcly expressed himself in favor of coakru
ing TIC employment IF the cGpGl Ro'o rested and circa-
tdh0n that is, he was prepared to pcrpeua,c the
poses by MIR. Biddle. He said
"9s 10 The prolriety Of rs-ehGrterng Me Bank, ,ca
say mat am friendly to NE policy IF g;ring to Of
maintaining the eaereiSe Of The pocr Of iS Goycrnmen
g administering corrocre ritiaed erccssirc or
g"etn0tng c"ueney and Ihope that Me proposiion
ohaTter the present BUNK io aSsa1ne s,tch sLgDe naf
gue my an tdr0r of it, am of opinion that il is
Important if not essential the safe and economical
administration of the public revenue, that this govern
inent should possess such power and not prepar.
ed to admit, that under the Constitution this Govern.
ment may not, upon some SAFE principle employ its
own citizens as its agents and auxaes in the manage
mcnt OF ITS sca concerns and at the time
rate with 1t IN exercising sautary control the &c.
neral currency upon sound state of which all must
admit the financial resources of the country must always
THINK THE PUBLIC coNvENIEScE ASD INTEREST WOULD
BE GREATLY CONSULTED IN CONSTITUTING THE EMPLOY.
;ENT or THE CArITAL NOW AND IN cIRcuLA.
TON uroN AN oRoASIzED PLAN ron THE PURPOSE
KfrEo1I>e InosnoB;Ecrs."
But, Mr. Bell was not content to commit himself in
FAVOR oil the Bank For the purpose off tl,oe
who were inclined to bring, the Bank into an encounter
with the President, before The people he urged the idea
that the President was not committed against it, lie
"That admitting the expediency of some institution
Of the kind the President Tor himself would prefer one
organized upon very different plan from the present
one is equally clear but that he has SIDE or the
other intended to commit himself that he has in fact
committed hmScy up6u he question Of re-eh0Fsrring the
present Bunk irt such notifications Of present char.
ter as may be Proposed, dRy maintain shat in all
his communications To this House upon this subject he
has manifested due and respectful Difference for the
opinion OF the People formed upon sufficient eonsidea-
uoni and deliberately oppressed through their constituted
organs; and that lac has clearly to himself as
ne ought the privilege OF determining his Gnal action
upon the SUBJECT under all the circumstance of the
and of the country, when bill shall be presented to him
Tor his approval or rejection.
The Opposition had read the Presidents measures for
themselves. They nothing in them but unconpro.
missing hostility to the Bank. They chose the bold
course of war with the President before the People ra
her than trust the nsidous policy which looked To Con
gress and secret for majority of two-thrds
alter the Presidential election. Expecting still TO have
IN reservation for the conflict the successor TO Gen
Jackson, its own accumulated means with immense
anticipated increase in the Government deposites il wa
resolved 60 make the first blow at the President himself
AS the Bank had the power carry its charter through
both Houses without the vote Of Mr.. Bell hc voted
against il. Ills speech and influence, and counsels
were for the Bankhs Intellectual vote for his consttu
ents and the President We shall presently see how well
the Bank appreciated Mr.. Bells services.
The effort which the Bank made was that of the
Pnnc session--puhlic opinion be operated on by
public Distress and relief TO be sought from Executive
usurpation and oppression, and from pecunary want
threatening universal bankruptcy and ruin by obtanng
restoration Of the depostes and rc-charter Of The
Bank. This attack of the Bank was pressed di-
recfiy the President in person He was assailcd in
both branches Of Congress with accusations imputinp
improbable ofcnces the Representative of the inn.
mediate friends and nciglbors Of the President and be.
ing ~ some sort The Presidents peculiar rcIresen
atiye as coming from his district, Mr. B was looked TO
the appropriate defender Of the character Of his Illus
rous constituent But Mr.. Bell was sleat His tongue
which made tho Hall Tcsound with eloQucnce when the
Bank charter IN question mGte when the cha
racie Of the President concctDed At the close Of the
session he elected Speaker by the partsans Of the
Bank This 40 much reward for his silence in
the House as ssersces out Of and 10 give him great
weight when his esertons next called into reani
sition Mr.. Bell subsequently, boosted to his constituents
hot NH The tgtHspeS ho possesstd Orer mcabers
he cod u ne bad cOSeB kGcc chongsd the iuej{fv end
greu to the OppOsifOg the prspopdyance in ne House
And he claimed credit from the rDds of the President
at home, for his foIbearance IN THROWN the Admin
sifaton into minority. Whether he could then have