Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-04-21

i!gttrc on Tie 6u.ar'ary
There was another item Of some Importance. lie al
udcd to the expense for printing large edition OF 'ne
uts and orders of the House, together with Jefferson
Manual; how many copies he did not recnlec' one u
two thousand he believed Nov il would appear from
investigations that this would turn to be large sum-
and the House ought to guard against II for the iu!ure
The idea which nj present suggested Itself 10 his lhu
wps that the copies should be preserved far N" iulnre
use Of the members the property of the House lhey
mght be deposited in The library Of tie House OF he
prcsentaves, and members allowed to take them out,
and return them at the end Of each session This would
save The expense of another edition Of this work
II would be seen, then, continued MIR D., that all The
information ne called for Si view to pTac
teal and beneficial result and With to crimnate
any one, for the whole had grown out OF the erroneous
practices Of the House ITSELF which had led 10 exrava
gance and abuses
Mr. Mercer reminded his colleague that in reference
TO the publication Of Jeifersons Manual that work had
been made part of the rules of the House where did
not conflict with them.
Mr. DromgooIe was fully aware Of il. He believed
his colleague Chairman Of the Committee which
reported the revised rules, and the order adopting Jrtrr.
sons Manual part of them aud it was upon the
gentemans motion, also, that the printing OF the large
edition Of that work took plnce. 1t was, however, win
no view of attaching blame 10 any that lie sought
for information on this point. 1t prevent the
cufIence of so large expenditure in future The mat
ter had presented itself 10 his mind. and he thought 1t
improper subject for the attention of the proposed
select committee but within the range OF the original
resolution.
In what he had proposed Mr. D said he had design
Of prec udIng The Of lle resolution from going into
the full and ample investigation into all other sub.
pcls he chose His colleague (Mr HophInS) proposed
Mr. D believed, to provide by law for preventing the
employment any conductor OF political journal to e1
ecute the public printing. Whether he should ultimately
concur with his colleague in that object, he could not
then say He should hear the for 1t, and be 60
vcrned accordingly 1t must take strong reasons, how
ever, induce him TO for any law prescribing any
individual, class of individuals. from carrying on their
4 a. Of III
teal journal to do the public printing, the House could
apply the corrective al the time OF the election. They
might refuse to vote for him that ground, but he was
not disposed to pass proscrptive law.
Mr. ID. said he did not blame the zeal Of his colleague
fMr Hopkins who moved the original resolution, for
desiring withhold all The Government patronage from
political journals but it would be recoected that short
time before colleague of theirs Mr. Patton vacated
his seat he had proposed under the direction of the
Library Committee. tina, there should be very large sub
scrpton 10 political JOURNAL Niles Reglsier) which
would amount according to the best calculations, 10 up
wards of SIP 600 per annum Mr.. ID. was opposed 10
the adoption Of that resolution, and voted to lay 1t on
the table, and it but reasonable conclusion that
all who voted he did also opposed 10 that propo-
slon and that all who voted against the motion to lay
it on the table were in It's favor. II Mr.. ID was not
Mistaken his colleague Nh llopkinsl voted against
laying it on the table Now this was proposition
that direct potlcr of Government patronage 10
political journal ard, moreover, looked pretty much
like squirting Of censorship that political Journal
wise the work, make induces. &c. Mr.. ID did not men,
ton this circumstance, with view 10 show that there
any Inconsistency OIL the part Of his colleague, but
70 show that those who complained Of the baneiul niu
ence of Government patronage the press, sometimes
gave votes which looked very much like IT, He knew
it to be very common for gentlemen to talk about the
corruption of the press by the patronage of the Govern
ment and he knew ii to be- also very common to talk
about yenalty of editors, and Of subsidized press
Now all this may he very ure bat il vas, il equal
" applicable 10 all political parties How far the cleo
ton Of printer for that House may have that influence
he could no; tell and whether it produced that effect or
not he w0nd not undertake 10 say but the rumors and
charges of this corrupting influence constantly
ilerated But was il confined 10 one party alone: Why
he had charge going the rounds OF the public press
that effort making 10 buy public press, 10 be
published in this CITY, and circular was said TO have
been distributed the signatures Of members
Of the House, soliciting contributions and support for it
This Of the charges in currency but he pro.
lrssed 10 know nothing either OF lis TRUTH proprety,
if true Such charges, however, would always be rcc
rated BY every political party against each other.
He would briefly advert to remark made by his
colleague Mr.. Wise yesterday in reference 10 another
subject His colleague had referred 10 Mr. D. one of
those belonging to what denorinaed the Divorce
party; that party which was in favor OF the Independent
Treasury bill Now he did not complain Of this alluson
of his colleague, but he loss 10 perceive the
connection between that question and the one now be-
fore the House Mr. ID. however, had no objection of
avowing at this any other time, his opinions that
subject lie was one of those who wished TO organize
I
lional ground and to dsconnec il entirely and wholly
from lis union with State institutions. lie belle we'd
coed policy required it, and he believed 10 be accord.
ing TO the spirit and intent of the trainers of the Con-
su,ion that should be He believed it 10 be
cordng 10 the settled purpose and des OF the ns!itu
tons of Virginia that the business and operations Of each
Government, State and Federal, should be kept sepa
rate and distinct, and that that great State rights prIn
cple violated by their connection. So jealous was
Virginia that subject that She had expressly provided
in her Constitution that officer of hers should hold
any appointment under The Federal Government such
her jealousy of any union Of the two Governments,
and her determination 10 keep them separate and dis
tinct Mr. d. unhe.tatingy avowed that he was one
Of those who went for entire separation between the
revenues Of the Federal Government and the State
Banks When that important subject came up, Mr.. ID.
hoped to have opportunity Of giving his views upon
it al length, aud he tattered himself that he could
give satisfactory reasons to his constituents for The course
he should take At present he would say no more for
il vas not pertinent the subject under consideration;
hut thus much he felt called upon 10 say, from the al
fusion made TO him by his colleague. He concluded by
expressing hope that The amendment he had submitted
would be adopted by the House
MIR. Garland Of Virginia then obtained the floor, but
ORDERS OF THE DAY
The Speaker laid before the House communication
from the War Department in respect the construction
Of n bridge Blue river, at Knghtslown, Indiana.
On motion of Mr. Cushman referred 10 the Commit.
tee on Roads and Canals.
SEMINOLE WAR.
Mr.. Everett begged leave to PROFOUND an inquiry to
the Chairman of the Committee Of Ways and Means, as
when he proposed 10 bring up the Seminole appropr-
alton bill
Mr. Cambreleng stated, in reply that he should be
compelled from necessity to ask the House first 10 con-
slider bill which was in fact, to carry into effect the
bill of October last authorize the issue Of Treasury
notes, the BILL al present being aborve. lie did not
expect that bill to take up much time, and he should
take the very earliest opportunity thereafter Of calling
up the bill referred 10 By The gentleman from Vermont
Mr. Everett then asked the House to take up and con-
slider the foown ing resolution, called for information
on the subject Of the bill referred TO-
RESOLVED, That the Secretary Of War be directed TO
Law before this House statement Of The amount paid
and of the Of account OF the expenses
iLa and lima Of Ihe