Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-01-31

10 propose SUCH measure, NC "ouio
when better prepared) bring forward the reSo-
buttons. If however, the present course should
be persisted in, he (Mr. c. would feel himself
bound by every sentiment of honor and princi-
ple, by the sacred duty he owed to IBIS country,
to oppose on the very threshold this most I'M
constitutional procedure which was now at
tempted
MIR. Preston said he should not have risen to
sneak at this time, but for the conneXion which
the Senator from Missouri had made between
the debates last night and at this time On this
point he wished to say word or two IN way Oh
explanation.
The Senator had stated in the course of his
remarks, that on account of the suggestions OF
the Senators from South Carolina yesterday
evening, he, Mr. Benton, had thought it proper
10 make earlier than he had intended, the motion
of which he had given nutice at the last session,
to expunge the resolution OF the Senate from
the journals 1t was not fit for MIR. P. to crtislse
his course in this matter, or to investigate his
motives; but he MI. p. was surprised that the
Senator should discover the slightest conneXlon
between the course of the debate last night, and
on this occasion. What last night had peen
the course of proceeding? On reading the Posi-
Office Report, and especially that of the chair
man Of the committee, (Mr Grundy) whose
feelings and predictions must have led him 10
take the most favorable view of the Post Office
Department, on that report there could nave
been but one opinion in the Senate. Mr.. I. was
then unwilling to listen 10 discussion on
measure of prospective legislation alone, wheh
ali the circumstances so plainly demanded an
expression of opinion in regard to the depart
ment and the Senator might suppose that as
he. Mr. p was not in favor of merely prospect
i've legislation, that he therefore contemplated
something that should operate on the persons
implicated in the guilt of the department, ana
the Senator Mr. Benton, because he supposed
H. haIc /,
10 eXpunge the offensive resolution on the Jour-
nal, sooner than he had otherwise Intended
Mr.. P could not perceive any conneXion be-
tween his own demand last night, and the pro-
position which the Senator was about to make.
Was il to be inferred that because Mr. Z. wished
to pass severe censure on those who had per,
mitted these abuses, or rather, those who had
perpetrated these enormous corruptions, that
therefore movement ought to be made against
the Senate, by that Senator? Admit that some
future Senate should say the present one had
done wrong what conneXion could there be be-
tween censuring public officer for abandoned
corruption, and the change of persons ana
opinions in the Senate? This corrupt stale oil
things having been detected in the Post Once
Department, when Mr.. P. proposed thatt should
be exposed to the people in proper terms, the
Senator was then for retaliating on this body
When these glaring atrocities were recorded
and established, then because the Senate itself
was not exempt from blame, it was therefore
not to pronounce its Reproduction upon them
Mr. P. would, however, not hesitate to express
his opinions, and nothing should prevent him,
unless his mouth were closed, from denouncing
this corrupt department, because he might feel
a fear that the Senate would also be denounced
Mr.. Benton here rose to speak.
Mr.. Preston still standing, observed, that he
had something else to say. 1t was, however,
not his purpose tonight to ccnsure persons; but
klaoN TNr pltyin no
external wound, while maggots and corruption
were preying within. He, Mr.. p. trusted that
the head Of the Department was exempt from
personal participation in these gross abuses; MIR.
p. could even hope so in regard to all the per-
sons in the Department.; and ii the Senator from
Missouri could show that there was merely neg
ligence and mafeasance, and not corruption, he
Mr. P. would rejoice But the Senate on for
mer occasion had unanimously adopted such
resolution as Mr.. p. had suggested yesterday
Ii was then admitted that money had been bor-
rowed without the authority of Congress, when
the authority rested in Congress alone; and
that this act was illegal and void. OF those who
voted in favor Of this Resolution the Senator
from Missouri was the first on the list; and when
that honorable gentleman himself, had given
him Mr. p. authority to call for resolution I'M
der precisely the same circumstances; and il
Mr.. p. should 60 farther and assert his consti-
tutonal right of cenSuring persons, he was still
sustained by that ReSOlution LOT WHICH Inc DC
nator voted, and which censured not only the
Department, but expressly selected the very
head of the Department, declaring that his acts
were illegal and void. The honorable gentle
man therefore could not differ with MIR. p in re-
gard to these matters. 1t was not however, Mr..
P's. wish at this time, to censure particularly
the head Of the Department, but to make ge-
neral expression that the Department had been
badly conducted, and demanded reform. This
was due to the Senate as the guardians of the
public interest; it was due to the people of the
United States who had right 10 know in what
manner their affairs were managed, it was due
to the Executive of the United States that he
should be informed of the condition of this De-
rartment of the Government by those authoriz-
ed to make the investigation and had come to
a conclusion in which all concurred. Mr. p. re-
GREETED that when the Resolution Of last year
was adopted the Senator from Missouri had
not used his influence to procure an official re-
medy; he wished the President had exercised
his high power for this purpose.
The gentleman, however, had misapprelcnd
cd Mr.. P. when he supposed him to ascribe to
the Senate merely the power to censure. Mr..
p would not so far put his trust in any indvidu-
al in this community, as to sanction such extra