Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-03-29

1t Is question whether, whenever any action shall he
had on tins bill here he will be representing the ma.
jory of his constituents, which election, however,
10 fill his vacancy will test But Independent Of these
considerations 1t is well known that at the present time
OF the States Of this Union is unrcpresented II is
we'll known that there certain districts in different
States unrepresenied; and it is equally well known,
that at this present tme there large number Of
The representatives, Of the people absent from the nds
position OF their families and other causes absent and
necessarily absent from this city, and from the House
II we are 10 have this question tested and fairly tested
let have it taken when every member is in his seat.
Where is the necessity Of the motion which had been
made by the gentleman from Virginia a, this time? Has
it been made because the gentleman is himself about 10
take farewell from all, and is it, from such motives
these, hat he asks lake This question: when
he well knows there many individuals friendly 10 this
bill not present to vote, and particularly anxious
10 do so2 II the gentleman had exercised that cour.
esy which is usual all great national questions he
would have delayed his motion until every member
could be here in his place 10 represent his constituency
He asked the House, whether il not best 10 act
whatever bill the Committee of Ways and Means may
report, at a time when there may be a full and fair
attendance Of the representatives of the people present.
He knew not what effect this might have the minds
OF Others but be prepared 10 say for himself that
this movement the present crisis was far from being
such he had expected from the gentleman from
Virginia; for on all other occasions he had looked upon
that gentleman acting with candor and fairness. AT
this very moment there twenty or thirty men,
bers absent from their seats-in fact it had been sun-
gested by gentlemen him, that there were at
least 40 who absent. No such proposition as this
had been anticipated by those gentlemen and qes
lion which it is expected by the whole country that
every member should be present 10 give his vote He
would ask the gentleman then, whether, in order that
absent members might be present, and to have full
vote Of the House the question, he would not consent
10 Withdraw his motion, and permit the bill go to The
Committee of Ways and Means, and be reported upon
by that Committee, in order that some measure might
be brought before the House. in order that the peope Of
the country might see whether aority of the House
opposed the principle contained in the bill
namely, the divorce of The Government and banks
He knew there who in favor of the prn
ciple of this measure, but who differed Details and
all he asked was, that the country might be properly in
formed whether there was or not majority in "a
vor Of the principle which he had referred to.
On this subject, he avail himself of the privilege
he now had OF showing The impression attempted 10 be
made on The people Of the sold Dominion" repor,
had gone forth, stating there fifteen ur TWEEN.
ty Of majority in this House opposed 10 the DIVORCE
Then, Sir, if the gentleman from Virginia intends that
the people Of his State shall be fairly Informed on this
important subject, let The question be brought up fairly
and e, have such vote will truly test the princi.
ple Do this, and he (hlr & had nothing fear; and
so far it concerned he hesaled not u giving il
his decided opinion that there majority in favor