South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1836-03-12
SATURDAY, MARCH I2. 1886.

| assembled here. than TINS interference Of
the Federal Executive with the public
revenue attracted their attention. They
had seen the President of this Republic
assume perogatiyes which no Monarch
Of England dared to claim, and they
proceeded promptly to an inquiry into
the subject. A select committee was
appoinled-that committee deliberat
ed long and cautioualy-and while
| pause here in the progress Of this
historical review, let me say what /
think have heard the gentleman from
Goochland recently declare, and what,
il did not mistake him, he will de-
clare, again, if necessary, that there
were few, if any, besides himself, here
then, who did not disapprove of the
Presidents conduct on this subject.
We cannot look into the heart and see
the motives Of men, but we may con-
template their actions and words, and
draw our differences. What gentleman
will contend they thought on this oc.
casion, l cannot foreses Ishall Judge
them by what they have done. The
first subject, sir, which demanded our
attention two years ago, was the con-
tract which had been made by the
Bank Of Virginia, with the then Sec.
rotary Of the Treasury, now almost
Chief Justice-Mr. fancy. While we
we're deliberating on that branch ofthe
subject, this contract was rescinded by
the Stockholders Of the Bank of Viz
ginia, and the Committee, Of course,
were discharged from the consideration
Of that part Of the subject. The mere
question of right on the part Of the
Federal Executive to interfere with or
| controul the revenue of the United
States then came up for our considera-
ton, and MIR. Barbour, (then dissin-
gaished member of the House, from
the county Of Culpeper,) as Chairman
Of the Select Committee, reported q
series Of resolutions, Of which l will
read the first:
"The General Assembly Of Virgi-
MIA, believing that strict adherence
to the principles ofthe Federal Con-
stitution, can alone secure iisexistence
and .Derpetuaie the blessings intended
by its adoption holding Il 10 De tns
solemn duty Of this body, to oppose
and protest agains, every encroach-
ment upon these principles, no matter
under what pretext or by what depart
ment of that Government they may BIZ
attempted, and viewing the late act o
! the Federal Executive, as threatening
a concentration of power in that De
partment never intended to be confdee
to it by the people of the Jailed States
'sResolved as the sense of this Genera
Assembly, That the recent removal o
the public moneys of the United States
from the places where by law they wer,
deposited, upon the responsibility and b.
the order OF the President Of the Unite,
States, as evidenced by document rea,
to his cabinet on the 18th Of September
1888 I; by his subsequent dismlssion Q
} the late Secretary of the Treasury, 70
} the reason assigned for said act, and tn
, appointment of his successor, was an ex
erclse Of power over the Treasury Of III
United States, not given to him by tn
/, constitution and laws, and dangerous t
the liberties OF the people,"
| had the honor then 10 be mem
Der of this House, and deemed il m
,, duty TO submit a substitute for this fiis
resolution and preamble, woich vii
: read.
4 "Whereas, it is deemed essential b
the General Assembly of Virginia
That the power TO levy taxes, to ap
propriate money, and to control tn
public revenue, should be made to a
bide, in practice, where alone il ha
been confided by our constitutions, il
the immediate representatives Of. tn
people /; and whereas all experience 0
the actual operation of Government
demonstrates that the assumption an,
exercise, by them, of unaulhorizsi
powers, become presidents, if silenlI,
acquiesced in, for progressive and sill
greater encroachments Therefore,
| "Resolved, That the recent act of thu
President OF the United States, exertin!
a control over the federal revenue, b.
causing the same to be removed ON hi
own responsibility from the U. State
Bank, lwhere it had been deposited un
der authority of an act of Congress, pur
porting to charter said bank, is, In tn,
opinion of this General Assembly an un
authorized assumption and dangerous ex
ercise Of Executive power"
! | beg, sir, that you will observe tb,
language Of the Committee, and com.
! pare it with that of the substitute, ina
il may be- seen which condemned thi
1 conduct of the President in the strong
est and least eoniyoEal terms. | know