Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-02-22
Monday, February ~, 1888.
f<r CEN Agp.s

Monday February 49, 1888.
IN SENATE.
Mr. Buchanan rose aud addressed the Senate as fol
lows: ...'.
Mr. President rise 10 present to the Senate reso
luton Of the Legislature Of Pennsy lvnnia, which | re-
ceived from Gov. Rilner on yesterday afternoon, re.
oues,ng their Representatives in Congress- and Instruct
ing their Senators, 10 vote and their Intnrnce or
postponement, until the next session OF Congress, oil
the act introduced by the Honorable Slas Wright, oil
New York, commonly called the Sub. Treasury bil or
any other act acts of similar character; and that
they vote at this session for act OF similar nature
The Legislature, also, by the resou,ion declare
that they have fall confidence in Martin Van Buren,,
and in the wisdom and intelligence Of their Democratic
Senators and Representatives, in Congress- and further
instruct and request their Senators and Representatives
so vote for such mode of receiving, keeping, aud dis.
bursting the public moneys as will separate as lar as
practicable, the banks from the Government
feel confident that the Senate will pardon me- con
siderinp tire peculiar position in which am placed, Tor
maknea few remarks in explanation OF The Course winch
intend 10 pursue under this resolution " well known
both 10 the Senate and 10 the country that at the las
session of Congress, | presented my views IN detai
in favor of separation of the Treasury from all banks
rs fiscal agents Of the Government. My opinion upon
this subject remains unchanged; nay IL has been con-
hrmed by subsequent events and subsequent reh1c'nn
After careful examination Of the bill reported by The
Senator from New York. it has been since amended
think, n the main, it is we'll cacusted to carry in'o
practice this principle of separation Whilst increases
Executive patronage 10 very small extent and no more
cipes il confers power whatever upon the Secretary
of the Treasury the public money, except that
which he has exercised since the origin OF the pre-
sent Government; and provision OF the bill winch has
never existed heretofore, renders it Impossible That lhe
ordinary Treasury drafts which delivered to the pub
lie creditors should ever be used as currency. WIN
some further amendments, which need not now specI-
fy but which had intended TO move. on proper &C.
casion should have given cheerful support 10 this
BILL But am instructed; and 1t remains for Tie to de.
eide what ought To pursue under this change OF
circumstances
CHS subject have believed that the Legislatures Of the
several States had right to instr uct their Senn'ors In
my opinion this right results from the very nature Of our
Constitution; which is Federal compact between dis
tinct and sovereign States. 1t has becn considered
with but few exceptions, Fundamental article in The
political creed Of that party to which M, proud 10 be
long. have, public aud in private. in tie face OF The
Senate and before the country often expressed this OPT
MON and shall preach one doctrine OF political
faith and practise another shall never shrink from
what conceive to be my duty, because III performing
il may apply the tnriure 10 rayse;t.
know that some Of my valued friends in Penn
syvana who hold the right Of instruction To be sacred
are Of opinion that under the peculiar circumstances q"
this cuse ought dsobey these instructions. But DO
they not perceive that il the Senator can look behind
his instructions, the RICH, at once aoandoned Under
the preext, If you please, under the honest belief
that they do not speak the voice OF the people, or thai
they have been corruPtly or improperly obtained Sc
major could always Justify himself TO himself Tor dis
obedience shall, therefore, not disooey my instruc
tons My only alternative ien either 10 ubey or to
resign
Upon questions Of mere expediency, in which no con-
sutonal principles involved it ought TO be very
atrong to induce the SeEstor 10 abandon his post
IF every difference Of opinion between the Senator and
his Legislature should produce this effect, lie right ol
instruction itself would grow into disiePue, anc
the Senatorial term of six years, as fixed by the Con
stiution would terminate whenever such conflict of
opinion should aTise.
ofp which, on cues.
tons of mere expedency honorable man might seel
himself degraded in even becoming the agent TO give
the vote Of his State. M person OF any party win
whom | have conversed, considers the present ~ hr
such case and am continued in my own opinion
upon this SUBJECT by the example OF the Senator from
Tennessee, (Nir Grundy) shall therefore OBEY my
Instructions honestly and in eond aiih; and. nae NM,
on every question Of proposed amendments, shall give
such vote as fair and honorable opponent OF the bill
ought, IN my Judgment, IL give
i s scarceiy necessary 10 add that rs nm not in
srucled to support the substitute for the bill offered by
the Senator from Virginia, shn exercise my own OPT
MON, and vote against its adoptun.
shall take leave 10 express my high qualification nj
one clause contained in the Restitution o Instruction.
The Legislature Of Pennsylvania have shown 10 the
world that they justly appreciate the merits OF The states
inun whom the People Of the u S. have placed 4, the
head Of the Government by drclurng their full conf
dence in Martin Van Buren,. Such a wel'-deserved
tribute to superior merit might be considered as The in.
cense of hailery, had il been offered by his political
friends The is the upon The present occa.
sion The Resolution containing this expression OF con-
fdence its final passage, received The vote OF every
Opposition member Of the House OF Representatives,
nnd believe, of the SENATE whether wing or ANU
mason, aud was approved by Joseph Rner, Governor
Thus even his very enemies made 10 praise HIM
ought justice 10 add that have not yet received any
authentic sa,emea of The votes Of The Individual Sena-
tors on this Resolution.
compliment equally well deserved paid by the re.
solution 10 the Democratic portion Of the Representa-.
,ives of the State in Congress. heartily commend
the Legislature for expressing full confidence in their
wisdom and intelligence. more firm, faithful, Intelii.
gent and patriotic set Of has never represented
Pennsylvania.
We are also instructed in the conclusion of the reso.
luton 60 vote for such mode Of receiving, keeping,
and disbarssg the public moneys, as will separate,
az far as practicable, the banks from the Govern.
ment" Now it is duty, il possible 10 reconcile and
sender consistent tie first with the last clause OF the IN.
sructon and give 10 each of Thea, its proper weight
NV conception Of thee meaning when thus fairly con.
strued is that whilst bound 10 oppose the sppu
ration of the Banks from the Governmental the
proposed By the bill of the Senator from New York.
by any bill of similar nature, yet we are equally in
srue.ed 10 supper; any other and different "nude of
ceiving, keeping and disbnrsiag the public moneys.
which will separate far practicable, the Banks from
,he Government In short, the Legislature are friendly
10 such separations but they are opposed 10 It's accom-
psment in The manner proposed by the bill now before
the Senate Whether any other practicable mode of e
fec,inp this aspiration be devised shall not at pre-
sent pretend to say. AS shall not now participate in
the general debate this bill, will have ample time
for reflections the subject and should become con.
WINGED that any mode be adopted of accomplishing
the same object different in lis nalure and character from
ehs BILL may perhaps present it hereafter IN The ioim
OF an amendment,
Mr. Buchanan then presented the resolutions and on
his oiion they reed, and ordered 10 be printed,
and laid on the table.
Hs slso gave eolee that he would at the first couve.
nient oppor,un,y after consulting his colleague, move,
In obedencs 10 bis tructons to postpone the bill re-
ported By The Senator from New York until the next
session Of, Congress.
Afler dsposiDg Of morning business, ian account
of which e nnaTodably deferred the next paper the
Senate proceeded 10 the orders Of the dry; being
60, 49, THE sUR-TREAsJRY BILL.