Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-02-11


made ia the House Of Representatives on Frida,
and Saturday the 18th end goth Of January
But, sir, know, by evidence newly
discovered, that some few did know
that the President did desire this appro
priation Of three millions; that they.
though chairmen Of the principal com.
mittees, never communicated it to then
committees, much less to the House ;
that they whispered it to few others,
and told them I" not TO say anything a.
bout IT," You Mr.. Speaker, you,
charge with the guilt ofthat fact You
may deny it in your place or not. II
you do deny it, am ready with wit.
nesses to prove that
Here Mr.. Wise read written state
ment given to him by the Hon. Luke
Lea, Of Tennessee, corroborated by
the Hon. Samuel Bunch, Of Tennessee
in the following words:
son the last night Of the last sess-
ion of Congress, pending the question
of the three million appropriation, two
ofthe members Of that congress hesl-
tated as to the propriety of voting for
that appropriation when one OF them
proposed to the other that he would
make inquiry Of one ofthe members OF
the Committee of Ways and Means,
who sat near them, whether this appro-
priation had been asked for by the pre-
sident, which he did, and received for
answer, that the committee had been
asked for it, or it had been intlmated
to them that he desired it, but that you
need say nothing about it; which an
swer as Immediately communicated to
the other member. 1t was then agreed
upon between the members, that as the
money was not to be used, except for
the purposes specified, and not until the
contingency should happen to make it
necessary, they would vote for the a
mendment.
Sir, | chafge you with being that
member who--(loud-cries of " orderl'
The chairman of the committee OF
Ways and Means Mr.. Polk) it is said
gave this answer. Is 1t true! Yes or
no. Guilty or not guilty!
GThe Speaker then rose, and con-
fessed the statement of Mr.. Lea was
substantially true but he did not rec
ollect that part of it which says he en-
ioitcd secrecy. But he was unable to
conceive how this could be matter Of
any sort of Importance. He apology
sed to Mr.. Wise, for lnterruptlng HIM
in reading the journal, and appealed
to him and tho House to assist him IN
maintaining order.
IMr. Lea, of Tennessee, then rose,
and confirmed the statement which he
had given Mr.. Wise in writing, and
which the Speaker Mr.. Polk) admit
ted to be true.
Mr.. WISE. Sir, permit me to say,
that truly and sincerely sympatht7e
with the situation Of the Chair. !
know its em5arrassments, and | shall
at all times be ready to sustain us ef-
forts to preserve order.
But to proceed. And this, Mr.. Speak.
er, is not an important fact! What
sir the chairman of the committee oil
WAYS and Means know the fact that
the President desires an appropriation
of three millions dollars, not communi-
cate il to his committee or tothe House
and, whilst enieavoring to get it thro'
and obtain votes for its passage, to
whisper the Presidents will to few
members in their seats-to be kept ase-
cret!!! Great God, sir, and this in
these days, in the green tree, is not a
matter of Importance ! wish not to
deal with this fact until | have fair
opportunity.
MIR. PEYToN then moved to adjourn.
ISaturdy January 30, Mr.. Wise re-
sunIed his remarks.
Mr.. Speaker, before proceed with
my remarks of yesterday, permit me
10 say, the reflections Of the past night
have admonished me that most serious
solemn, and delicate duty has acciden'
tally, on the occasion ofthis debate, de-
volved upon me, and upon all in this
house who are disposed, without fear,
favor, or affection, to do their duty to
their country and its sacred institu.
tons. | lament, sir, sincerely lament
for the sake of all that is dear to us,
that the corruption-corruptioa, sir is
the word-of the times does exist; but
it is too true, it is engendered--it as
snealing through every avenue almost
ofthe public seryice--it as undermining
the constitution and safety of the free
Government, which we derived from
our fathers, and / glory in drag
ging it out from the darkness which il
loves, and in exposing its hideous front
in the full light of truth, to the aston
ished gaze of the honest and unsuspec-
- .~u..Io oc 49,. oo4;oul I will tbau