The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-09
JMentg=4frth Congress.
UNITED STATES SENATE,
MnNnAY June 8 1

THE EXECUTIVE PLAN FOR STANDING ARMY.
debate Of great animation and interest arose in
the Senate to-day on the subject of the Executive
scheme for Standing Army Of Two Hundred Thou
sand Men
Mr., ROANE. of Va, moved for the printing oil
ten thousand copies Of the report of the Committee on
the Militia, TO whom referred so much of the Sc
cretary of Wars report relates the reorganiza
ton and discipline of the militia.
This report printed in the Globe of Friday
evening last II is designed to whitewash the Secrc-
tary of War and the President and attack General
Harrison.
Mr.. NORVELL moved to print twenty thousand
copies.
IAnother job to support the Extra-Gobel
Mr.. WEBSTER hoped that If the gentlemen re-
ally intended TO send abroad this report Of the
mitee for The Information Of The public, they would
also cause be printed the report and letter of the Sc
crctary of War on the subect-so that all might go
together.
This produced great Adttering among the Federal
Loco Focos. They talked of it being uncourtcous
to append the report of the Secretary to report of
committee upon it land there were some sage hints
also about it being cumbersome, &c. &c.
MT PkflS YIN COnuelnneu TIE report OIL TIE COM
m,tce in strong terms II was, in his opinion, en-
parte statement and he intmated that its principal de-
sign was to effect party objects out of doors II was
an ccctioneering document to be distributed at the
public expense The name of Harrison had been
wanonly dragged in for the purpose of attack. Still
however he did fear the committees report, if the
report Of the Secretary should accompany it. He had
too much confidence in the intelligence Of the people
to believe they would be duped and deceived by this
work Of the committee if the matter was placed fairly
before them.
! At present. said Mr.. Preston we have not had time
TO examine the committees report fully; and he hoped
before any vote was taken on the motion to print that
time would at least be given for looking into the
matter.
Mr.. RoANE thought, from the thorough dissection
Mr. Preston had manifested his ability to give the re-
port that gentleman at least well acquainted with
it, He opposed to printing the report of the Sc
crctary along with that of the committee. He com
planned Of the use the Opposition had made of the re
port of the Secretary all the country, and cspe
cally in Virginia. for the purpose of eecng Genera
| Harrison.
| He regretted in the next sentence, that he had
dragged the subject Of the Presidency into the Sc
nate.
He concluded his discourse by saying that after tn
distribution Of the Secretarys report he would have
voted bladfoided for the printing of TWENTY OF
TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND copies of this report OF thu
committee.
Mr.. CLAY, of Alabama, made long speech, il
which he attempted to defend the conduct of the Com
mittcc on the Militia Of which he is Chairman.
| Mr. PRESTON asked him whether the Commit
tee approved of tho scheme Of the Secretary of War
and whether they thought il constitutional
| Mr. CLAY, of Alabama, upon being pressed, an
swered that he did not any thing in it unconsttu
tona
MIR KING hoped that If the Senator from Sout
Carolina wished to discuss the subject further, h
might 90 on but, if he wished to eonjurc up argu
ments against the Secretary's scheme, the subjef
might be postponed.
Mr.. PRESTON replied sharply, that it would n
qure conjurs,ion TO show the chenc to be nncor