The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-09

Mr.. GARLAND OF Virginia, asked the indulgence
Of the House for moment or two upon Inc subject o.
this resolution growing out Of the peculiar position be
With regard to the abstract proposition Of his honor
able colleague (Mr Robertson,) he regarded Il as
sound one yet he believed H. at present at least, I'M
practicable in execution. He thought the public print
ing should be- il practicable, separated from the public
press but yet the public press were the political engines
of the country, and the Government itself was Go
ycmment Of politics; and il would be as impossible TO
make the separation il would be 10 separate any thing
else of the most obdurate and difficult character He
should therefore vote against 1t.
In relation 10 the proposition to distribute the print
ing, he utterly opposed TO it, The House had one
oftwo duties TO perform II must either designate the
public printer select agent for the performance OF
that duty II it selected an agent Il must select one
who could have the printing done with neatness, care
and despatch, and in whom they could con6de
In relation to another point growing out of the reso
lutions OF Yesterday he wished TO say few words He
Of that humble few, Of that single twenty-five
who had voted for particular individual CIhomas Al
len) for printer His determination to support that IN
dividual had been formed not account OF private
hostility TO the late public printer, nor on account Of
any arrangement, management, or intrigue, with the
friends Of either of the other competitors for the office,
for he had had but it had grown out OF the fact
that he stood pledged his constituents to support
set Of opinions which the editors Of the Globe stand
pledged to against Hence it was that, while the
friends Of Gales and Seaton, and the friends Of the edi
tors of the Globe all advocating their claims, it
was but humble privilege which he had exercised in
supporting the claims Of Thomas Allen, with whom he
agreed in opinion When Mr.. G. had been approached
on this subject he had been distinct in the annunea
ton to all who approached him. that he should not vote
for Gales and Seaon, because he differed from them
materially, and moro materially than he did from Blair
and Rves.
Mr. G. said that one Of his honorable colleagues (Mr.
Wise) had made a remark yesterday which had drawn
him out on this occasion The party to which Mr. q.
belonged had been called conservatives and he admit
ted be belonged TO that party He agreed also in the
general tenor Of the remarks Of his colleague but he
understood him to say that they (the conservatives)
marked, and put aside, the ''atted calf"
for execution Mr.. G. hoped the information OF his
colleague incorrect but yet he had terror press
ing upon him that any kind of prescription would follow
him, SO long he merted the appreciation Of his con-
stuents in the position he had TAKEN having in his
own breast sense of rectitude.
Mr. WISE made brief explanation.
Mr. GARLAND said he understood his colleague
then as now. Mr.. G. continued He had sought no
controversy with any one but if it came it came from
Others and not from himself MI G. then referred to
the history Of one of the Roman consuls, who had put
his to death for disobedence Of ORDERS applica
BILE to the in point and added that if he to be
executed, even the knowledge Of such determination
should not drive him from any opinions he had enter
tanned heretofore. Ihsm he would desert, for he
had honestly and conscientiousy entertained them;
and nothing under the heavens should ever induce him
to desert them. His motto should be MY country
first, and then with the party with which honestly
and conscentously 60" Upon this principle he had
stood and voted for Speaker, and then standing
voting for public printer and come what would, he
should ever stand upon that position
Mr.. CLARKE said he had no hesitation in voting
for the proposition to take the vote poee for he had
desire to disguise from the House, from his
stuents that he had all along voted for Thomas Allen
in preference Blair and Rives But this discus
sion would probably be prolonged, he thought better
to take other opportunity of considering it and
he therefore moved to lay the whole subject the
table
Mr.. GRAVES then offered the following resolu-
ton:
Resolped, That the Clerk Of this House be directed
to contract with Thomas Allen to do the printing Of
this House until printer is elected, provided that the
contract can be made upon terms as favorable to the
Government as those upon which similar services were
performed during the last Congress
MI. PATTON moved to lay the resolution on the
table
Mr. LEGARE moved that as one of those who had
voted for Mr.. Aen from the frat the last he hoped
the gentleman from Kentucky would withdraw this pro-
position.
Mr. LEGARE proceeding, but Mr. Patton
pressed his motion which not debateable.
Mr.. GRAVES withdrew his resolution.