The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-05

The SPEAKER also laid before the House report
from the Secretary ofthe Treasury ON the finances.
Mr. WISE asked for the reading Of certain para
graphs containing intimaiion that Tho Secretary
could furnish plan for Naionsl Bank, which
would overcome the constitutional scrupes hitherto
entertained against that sort Of fiscal agent
Anu, alter some discussion on point order, the
extracts were read.
MIR. Wise offered The following resolution
Hesofped That the Secretary Of the Treasury be
requested 10 lay before this House the plan of such
hscal agent recommended in his report of this day
as wiii remove all scruples touching the question Of
constitutional power, and thus avoid the objections
winch have been urged against those fiscal agents
heretofore created by Congress-" and that a commit
Tee OF nine members be appointed to consider and re-
port upon such plan when presented by the Secreta-
~ OF the Treasury.
Mr.. EVERETT thought that we ought to have
the document printed FIRST that It's contents might be
examined And he moved that the report be referred
to The Committee of the Whole on the state Of the
Union, and that il be printed. Ii the appointment Of
select committee should afterwards appear 10 be
called for, il would be time enough to appoint it,
MIR. PROFIT asked division OF the resolution,
first on that part calling for the plan, and secondly
on the appointment Of select committee
Mr. EVERETT submitted that his motion was
first in order
And the SPEAKER so decided.
Mr. RANDOLPH moved that the Message be
laid on the table and printed
Mr. WISE had no objection to that, but hoped the
After some desultary discussion, in which Messrs.
WISE BIDLACK, and BRIGGS participated
The Message ordered to lie on the table and
be printed
MIR. WIsE to be the next business in order
Mr.. UNDERWOOD moved the following
substitute;
Resored, That il is necessary and proper to create
National Bank to act fiscal agent Of the Go
sernmen and to repeal the act entitled IAN act to
provide for the collection safe keeping, transfer and
disbursement OF tho pnblc revenue, approved July a.
lSi0.n
Resoired, That committee Of be appointed
to prepare and report bill bills to carry into effect
the preceding resolution.
Mr. U, declared he had serious objections to calling
on the Executive department to submit plans tor legis
lation. II had not been usual.
MIR. WISE said that the very first movement ever
made by this Government upon question oil hnance,
after the Constitution formed, regular call
on Alexander Hamilton, then Secretary OF the Irea-
sury for his views plan. So with Mr. Dallas Mr.
Crawford, and Mr.. Gallatin. And it was the express
constitutional duty of the Executive Departments TO
recommend measures to Congress.
Mr. UNDERWOOD had not gone so far back in
what he said He meant to say that in his own ex-
rerience, il had not been usual to call upon the De
partmcnts for plans Of legislation and he, Tor one, was
not willing to set the example.
He wished that direct vote should be taken on
this proposition He did not wish to debate II; for
twelve years had been debated II once the discus
sion was opened, there would be end To it, and he
did not believe that single vote would be changed by
it, Ifthis resolution should prevail then the commit
tee which might be raised might call on the Depart
ments individuals for information, might consult
such other sources they might think proper. He
wanted the House TO respond this evening to this
proposition, Bank Bank Sub-treasury or no
Sub-tIeasury and thus let the country know whether
any thing to be expected at the hands OF Congress
not If the resolution decided in the negative,
he should be willing to 90 home in week Iii was
adopted, there would be abundant opportunity, when
the details of the bill be settled for every gen.
tleman to express his views No difficulty on that
score need be anticipated.
Mr.. WISE raised the point whether the resolution
was in order
And then, motion of Mr.. WIN. COST JOHN
SON,
The House adjourned until Monday next at II
o'clock.