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

ueinen on the other side altogether satisfied with their
own owl, conduct IL so, why are gentlemen sensitive
the subject Why do gentlemen deny that apv pledge
was given bnt refuse to tell what they did, and what
took place that meeting. We cannot draw n ont of
ihem If we could, the public could Judge whether
piedge was given or not The gentleman from Boictourt
speaks "a different strain, il Is true from his co adu
lots lie Is very bod-he avows that such a meeting
was held and that the Democratic Republicans had
right To hold IT. He is the only one who will plainly
asow The TACT that there such a meeting do moi
DENY the right gentlemen have to hold meetings; but
also claim right common to all mankind-l ~. AN the
right TO talk about them The gentleman from Camp.
Dell says, we have right To inquire the secret pro-
Greetings oil his party Mr. Speaker YOU will rccolcct
That when first brought this meeting to the notice of
the House, supposed that a meeting so convened and
constituted and whose proceedings were such as had
understood bemt be-, had taken place and asked whe
er ITS proceedings would be considered so nearly allied
10 those oil committee, that might not be allowed TO
aiude 10 them IN debate received no negative reply
and believed that had right speak of this cxraor.
1ihary meeting am willing, said Nj. W. us before
eeciarco TO answer all questions that be put 10 me:
but must be allowed TO ask few in return The gen.
.cman from Campbell tells that he gave no pledge al
mat meeting L ask him, why did they convene i'm se.
cre with closed doors? What was the object u t,a meet,
ing and what it that he voted for, II he will say
what was done at the meeting the public will be able
decide whether pledge was given or not.
Mr. DoRMAS moved the ayes and noes on the mo.
uon to refer to the Committee ofthe Whole; after short
pause,
Mr.. WIrcHER said | rise TO ask whether the gentle.
man from Campbell, after have fully fairly and frank
answered the questions put TO Inc by him, will still
and refuse TO answer those which have propounded
tohiin: II SO, hope the public will make its own in
fefences from his conduct.
Mr. DANIEL said that his questions had arisen out of
previous lnterrogatories of the gentleman from Pusy
vana believe, said MIR. d. that did sufficiently an
swer the questions put by him when before addressed
the House said that did consider that rave
pledge at that meeting cannot admit the gentenans
right TO question further the ngs at that
meeting IL he wishes TO know the number of the vote
ana the specihc transactions of the meeting, the sen-
ments expressed, the speeches made, &c. &c do not
consider myself at liberty to give him the information
nor do think he can, with proprety ask it. do not
coDsucr have The right
the Observation-Disclosures 1 might make the disclosures
ou. sun should object to the improperly of the gentle
man demand When twenty or thirty gentlemen meet
together IN their private matter upon what
SUBJECT they might choose TO confer do think that
any gentleman has 10 repeat what he hears at that
meeting, nor can any gentleman claim right to demand
disclosure of their proceedings.
Mr. WiTcHER rose reply.
The SPEAKER said the gentleman from Piltsvlvania
had already exceeded the limits of debate under tho
rules of the House. The gentleman had spoken six
times upon the subject under consideration.
genileman whom the Reporter did not see said he
hoped The gentleman would have leave 10 reply
The SPEAKER said, it rested with the House
Leave was then given by general consent and
Mr. WlrcHER said, the gentleman from Campbell after
questions TO me, which | fully answered
refuses to reply to those which put to him, and has
said that no gentleman would claim the right to make
such inquiries as have made, the proceedings of
The meeting IN question Sir cast back the mpualion
gentleman would do that which he is either
afraid or ashamed
Mr. DANIEL said he reason for the excite me MT
displayed by the gentleman from Pittsylvauia He had
not intended by saying that gentleman could claim
right to make such inquiries TO imply that the member
from from riIsysvaI,a was MOI gentleman Nor do sup
man himself no interpreted my remark.
Mr.. WITcHER. Then withdraw my remark If the
gentleman from Campbell intended such insinuatiom
am satisfied
The SPEAKER said he had understood the Ian
guage OF Inc gentleman from Campbell casting any
reflection on the gentleman from Pittsylvania
Mr. MILLER was surprised that the gentleman from
kockbdge should have called the ayes and this
question: which could in way be made n test. The
objection which the gentleman had stated going into
committee OF the whole, seemed to MIR. NJ, i'll founded
lie Objects that IN committee is taken by ayes
ana noes, and no record kept of the proceedings But
gentlemen might repeat any vote as soon as the suect
was returned into the House and have the yes and oe
upon IT. The freedom of discussion which il allowed il,
is beneficial subject like this Had
we been IN committee at this time should have been
spared scene which has just One gentleman
mas already addressed the House six eight times and
was obliged TO obtain leave express himself This
would not have happened in committee As to the
caucus to which such frequent illusions had been made
MI M had not fortunately or unfortunately as il might
happen) been present He could therefore say no,hng
OF what secured there lie had felt surprise and
regret when he heard the gentleman from Pitlsylvania
speak OF the proceedings of that meeting and make grave
charges against its menbers and he still more regretted
that he had done this, when he heard that his inorma
ton was obtained from the private communications of
gentlemen.
Mr. WircHER. Its not So
The SPEARER called MIR. w to order
Mr. MILLER understood that it in private con-
yersatons the gentleman heard the statements which
his charge was founded.
Mr. WiTcHER. IL is not So
The SPEAKER. Order The gentleman from PusvI
yania will keep silence.
MIR. WITCnER. Then the gentleman from Bot-tourt
must not misrepresen He had received his infor
nation OF the proceedings Of the caucus from mbers
OF IT. who had not spoken conidentiay; but who had in
his presence alluded 10 those proceedings in tone of
exultation.
Mr.. MILLER said he DESTROYS of reporting the
gentleman correctly and he hoped he would be currcct
y reported by those whose duty it was to furnish our
proceedings TO the public press, in order that it might be
IN this debate. Mr. M said his chief object in rising
mad BEEN To request the gentleman from Rockbrdge To
Withdraw ms call for the ayes and noes Us he thought il
obvious mat they were unnecessary question which
ike this involved principle and tested opinions
MIR STASARD concurred in opinion with the gentle
man from Boteourt that the ayes and noes were unne
cessaTy on this question: He opposed 10 reference
To a Committee of the Whole, as he could see no ad.
vantage IN II, unless there anendne nts
TO be offered to the rcsolutons-and as lie had hcard
gentleman say he intended to offer amendments The sub
Jcct bad better be discussed in the House as the
ton OF time would not be great. He hoped the gen
ucman from Goochland would Withdraw his motion for
the reference 1t would be but useless ceremony If nm
to the House after having been discussed in committee
IN the same form in which it went there.
Mr. DoRMAN said he had been appealed 10 by two zen
teman to refuse either Of whom he dsked TO with.
draw his eau Tor the ayes and He could not COM
ply with their requests If there had ever been sub
Jeet on which test Of principles could be had IL was
is The discussion Of the topics connected with this
question: as had already been sad would form part OF
The history OF the Commonwealth and while that discus
sion going he anticipated that numerous uoons
would be made aud votes taken which he wished TO have
recorded He earnestly hoped that course would be
taken which might secure that object The gentleman
from Boietourt appeals TO because he says am mis-
taken the effect Of the reference TO the COMMITTEE
q Tho AIus, AL -.