Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-12

Is, n
posing that has been usual in this body refer such
subjects as this 10 committee of the whole Mr. w
mao Ieen mere OF late years during the discussion of
they had not generally been discussed in committee of
the whole presume that fths subject should remain
IN possession oil the House, gentlemen would enjoy cve
~ opportunity for debate that could be desired Mr.
Wncher would not oppose this motion if he thought
and e particularly DESTROYS that the gentleman from
Sooehiand should be fully INDUCED in that respect lie
hoped he would stand up in his place give US at
,sge, all ms reasons Tor bringing in these resolutions
But as no utility convenience would arise from So nd
ing them to committee ofthc whole Mr. W trusted the
gentleman would withdraw his motion or that il would
be ncgatived. "'''N
MIR. WILSON of D.. said, that his memory and that of
The gentleman from Psy lvania, did not agree He was
under the impression that when the subject of Federal
relations was discussed here four years ago. was
10 Committee of the Whole, and that il SO remained
Tor fortnight Such had been the practice in
regard to great question that had been in
TINS Legislature He was DESTROYS that the same course
should be taken in regard to this question: which he con-
sidered one OF great importance The objection of the
gentleman from Pittsy lva~ia to that course ON the
ground that record kept of the PROCEEDINGS i'm
COMMITTEE, was, Mr. w thought, easily obyated He
might be sue record of all tile motions and votes
would be kept for after the Committee should have re-
ported The subject TO the House, the motions could be
put again. and the ayes and noes might be called on
them And far was he from fearing TO record his
votes mat he pledged himself that the and noes
shouid oe mad on every motion, If he could find
members who would sustain his call for them.
Mr. DoRMAs said, that in referring this question 10
Committee of the Whole, there could be but one ndvan
1.-THE
creased freedom of debate He could easily perceive
why The gentleman from Goochand and his friends de-
sired this uncommon latitude Of speech lie could not
see what they had to this subject which could not
De SAID IN the House. He sure every indulgence
would be given the gentleman, aud his gument would
receive respectful hearing i'm the House as we'll as in
me Committee The advantage of free and unlimited
debate, could not be put in competition with the far
greater oect OF preserving record of all proceedings
on SO important subject this--and i'm which the
pubic fct so deep interest. Upon such subject
M Mr. u, thought every vote should be recorded In
COMMITTEE OF the Whole votes would be recorded
ana no motion Tor reconsideration be taken But
why, said Mr. d., should you send the Committee of
the whole House a subject which has already been de-
cded on by the Committee of the whole minority of the
House, constituting the Democratic Republican Party
OF which you, Mr. Speaker, said to have been Chair
man; and you have been ppealed TO- TO saw whether tho
vote upon these resolutions has not already been aken
IN that Committee of the Whole. If So what necessity
is there Tor recomniiting it, and what of uncom
mon freedom of debate TO those who fully discussed
them before they made their appearance here
W.T. Watkins said, that having heard again, former
charge repeated that vote had been taken on these re-
solutions, IN meeting of the Democratic Republican
party held IN the Capitol charge which he had also
seen IN the public pesshe took this occasion deny
the charge He denied that any pledge was given
to vote for these resolutions any other. say said
Mr. W., that it is our right, privilege and our duty;
anu Is also our habit to meet in circles in squads and
IN companies IT you WILL 10 consult with other on
subjects affecting the public good 1t is privilege dear
to The Democratic Republican party, to hold these friend
meetings and consultations and to reconcile minor
differences among ourselves, that may act with bar.
mony and effect in the performance of our public duties
anu was IL not sheer mpudence the Wings 10
us with meeting in conclnve if it of great
improperly? Do they never meet in conclave, Why
SIR the very night of this Democratic Republican con-
clave, some Democrats endeavong to find their wav TO
our meeting stumbled into a Wing concave. What
they were doing, do not pretend TO say-proLaby they
were consulting fol- the public good And what right
have they to meet and consult upon public good and
refuse us the privilege? Have they patent right
Tor such meetings. If SO, where did they get it
midnight meetings, seldom attend them-for fully
agree with Sancho or other worthy in the eacu-
at,on OF blessed be the who first sleep
Mr.. WITchER said that when former occasion he
made The charge alluded he called upon some of his
rencs TO observe that would not be denied that
1t would afterwards be evaded, if possible Now I'M
derstand that the gentleman from Goochahd de MES that
vote was ever TAKEN pledge given this subject
at The meeting in question.
vote Tor these resolutions; for saw them until n
lew days previous to presenting them
Mr. WTcHER said he had stated that the majority
voted Tor these resolutions But he had said, he
said again. that pledge given to sustain the propo
s!on to exPungeand that he had been told by some
OF their own members put to the members of that
meetng-l put it TO you, Mr. Speaker whether the vote
OF the party was not taken expunging. The Speak
nods--the Speaker shakes his headdoes he intend
10 give negative to my statement Then / say, sir
that If am allowed committee, now or hereafter to
investigate this subject will prove my charge. 1
VIII prove II by the declarations Of menbe your own
party, on whose information, formerly made the state
ment TO the House will prove this by the testimony
oil persons who were present when the communication
was made TO me, and that those who made il spoke ex
uiingly of the proceeding of that meeting declaring
That the expunging resolutions would be carried in the
Legislature, as 1t had been agreed upon by the of
I'D members III committee is accorded me, | will |
prove all this, or that your members msrepesented
your own act But The gentleman from Goochand en-. |
deayoTs to retort upon the Wings by nj that
they also held political meeting the night and
be says that Democratic Republicans seeking their
way TO your meeting, stumbled upon that Whig con.
ciave Yes sir ON that very night when the great De-
nloc2uc Republican party convened in the Senate
chamber with YOU MIR. Speaker, in the Chair-we held
n meeting In this Hall-a public meeting, publicly an
nounced IN the newspapers for the of nominal
ing candidate for the Presdency-to which the public
had been invited and at which there was large number
OF spectators But did your party meet in this manner
NO. sr-your meeting was conducted with closed doors
and 1t was moved that all persons friendly to the Adj
mlnistTation should withdrawand have heard the
galleries were cleared at the suggestion of Senator
ms latter fact have only learned from rumor but the
Olher statements have made received from mem
beers OF the meetingand he would prove them if an on
portunity were afforded him. He put the question
whether any member would rise in his place and saw
that there was no such meeting he had described
or that at that meeting the vote Of the Democratic Re-
publican party was not taken the Propriey Of eIpung
ing?
MIR. PARKER asked the gentleman fiom Goochland
whether he intended TO imply by his remarks the
wing meeting, that that any other meeting of WHY'S
had decided upon any subject which subsequently,
to come before the House for legislative action If that
was the intention of the gentleman, lac would receive
denial Of the fact from every Wing member ofthe House
and Mr. T. took the opportunity of giving that denial
now. There had been Wing caucus for such pur. |
pose; and the gentlemans comparison of the meet
ings utter failure. The one was a secret meet
ing the other public Ineeting-the one 10 nominate
candidate Tor the Presidency the other to decide before
banda legislative question.
MIR WATKINS said he knew but little ofthe movements
OF the Wings or of the objects of their conclaves lie
was no dfopPer, nor did he retail the communica