Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-02-10

aithfu sentinel over the rights and the honor of
he district and State represent. Unlike my |
colleague at my right (Mr. McCar- |
" the Clerk of this House has not dashed his
ben across my name, as absent, in the taking the
ayes and the noes, eighty and two times, and
unlike my colleague on the left (Mr. Ewing)
forty and seven times.
Sir, my sin seems to consist chiefly in the
fact, that took occasion to say of the people Of
Indiana that they were as pure, honest, and
hi gh-minded as The citizens of any other State.
In these general terms of commentator, the
constituents of my colleagues (Messrs. McCar-
ty and Ewing) were included They claim this
special privilege themselves; that when they
want praises or their interests require defend
err that their constituents look to them.
Sir, on the eighty-two occasions when my
colleague (Mr. Mccarthy was absent, part OF
which time he was in Baltimore and Phlladel-
pha, and Of my other colleague (Mr. Ewing)
on forty -seven occasions, what would have been
the condition of their constituents had their ho-
nor or their interest required an advocate?
Sir, never shrink from stepping forward as
the advocate Of any and every portion of In
diana, when, in my judgment their Interests or
their honor shall require il at my hands.
Sir, this is most useless and unpleasant dis
cussion--a wanton waste Of the time OF the
House, and the money OF the people, and all this
occasioned by my colleagues, by this wanton
how much more honorable, if my colleagues
had wed with me, in serving our common con.
Stituents, to force through this House by all
proper means the various local, and general
bills in which they feel so much INTEREST," to which
the people Of The State look with so much anX-
iety.
Mr. McCarty said, Sir, had been repeatedly
informed, during the last and present sessions OF
Congress, BY several honorable members oil this
House, as well as several Of its officers, that the
gentleman (Mr. LANE) was in the habit OF ex-
aiming the Clerks books and taking extracts
from them 10 show the absence of his colleagues,
when their names were called: and have Mr..
Speaker, known, that he had written on to my
district, and published this fact accompanied
with other remarks regardless of truth, disrepu,
table and unbecoming the station he fills.
But could not believe ii possible that the gen.
teman would have the face, hard and unblush
ing as know it is, to have got up in this House,
before tine assembled representatives OF the ma
tion and voluntarily given testimony to his own
depravity. Sir, has there ever before been an
instance ola member of Congress, no matter by
what accident he may have got here who has
had so little regard for himself as to have de-
scended to so low and disgracefu practice?
What! member Of Congress-, representing a
highmindcd. intelligent, and patriotic people, in
the constant habit Of taking from the Clerks pa
pers means by which to charge and SANDER his
colleagues al home! Not only so, sir, but that he
should openly acknowledge and avow it here,
in speech to go forth to the country. Sir, when
| shall have so far lost sight of all principles OF
propriety, courtesy, and honorable department
towards my colleagues and this House, with as
Sumptions OF saint like sanctty, with the preten-
sions ofregard which the gentleman in his speech
the other day proftssed for his colleagues, and,
at the same time, make such disclosures of my
own conduct as the gentleman has of himself
upon this occasion, should feel mysellno longer
worthy the trust confided to me.
have known for long time the gentleman
had INDUCED in this habit, but for the honor Of
the State and the feelings Of those lie represents,
| forbore to speak OF it. preferred to risk the
course of conduct, rather than it should be gen
orally known that one who could or would de.
scend to such practice, held seat in this Hall.
But it can be concealed no longer, he has himself
made the disclosure. Sir, will pursue this sub
ject no further. 1t is painful to speak of ii.
will leave the gentleman to enjoy all the honor
and giory he may fancied himself to have &C
quired by publishing his own infamyi and will
not, sir, notice again any thing he may say.
Mr.. Ewing said, Mr.. Speaker: " How use doth
bind habit in man." The member (Mr. LANE)
has strongly eXemplfied the truth ofthis remark.
Conradictng, yet persisting in the truth OF all
he has said.
Alter dlSclalnllnS on q FORMER OCCdslOu any
wish to detract from his colleagues standing, a.
vowing himself unworthy of seat on this floor
when he should be capable of doing SO, the House
now sees that he still resorts to false and inJurl-
Gus charges, direct and implied, to accomplish
the purpose Of his original falsehood which my |
colleague (Mr. MCCARTHY and myself have dis
tinctly exposed. His disposition and habits are
thus clearly manifested IN his course, and dis
lain to anmadvert further. If the charge that
have been absent during the last and present
session 40 times, when the ayes and noes were
called, was intended TO impress the people of In
diana that have neglected the business of the
State or my immediate constituents, my reply is,
hat the charge is false. may, for aught know,
have been absent as often as he has stated when |
he ayes and noes were called upon collateral
questions but if he intended to intimate that |
1ave been in Baltimore or Philadelphia, while
he House was in session. Here Mr.. LANE said
lie had not asserted any such thing.] Mr. Ew-
NC resumed: then let that pass The member,
Mr.. LANE) omitted to mention the number Of
lines his other colleagues had been absent; but
or myself have so much office business to trans
act, that the number of missing votes are fewer
han had apprehended. But with one excep-
ion, last session, in relation TO the Bank of the
United States, not conceived 20 be properly be-
ore the House, ! have never avoided a vote nor
k,,,, Loot