Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-12-29

been stricken OUT would be Tie pleasure Oh the louse
to adopt the resolution.
The question was then taken, and the resolution
adopcd-a the members present voting for II with the
exception of Alessrs Cox of b. and L. and Harrison oil
Monongalia
Thursday Dec. %.
Mr. MARTIN ofTyler moved reconsideration of the
vote directing n correspondence with the Wheeling
banks He made this motion at the request of some OF
his friends, who, it understood in the House, de-
sired TO explain the votes they had given. Mr.. M s
motion was rejected BY vote of 10 10 81
AMENDMENTS TO THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.
Mr. ScorT, of Fauguier, saddle rose to offer Sc
ries Of resolutions proposing certain amendments TO
the Constitution ofthe w. S. lie should ask that they
be read and for the present ordered to lie on the table,
and be printed Ii would be perceived that they were
the ga me which he had presented al the last session.
His engagements upon the Committee of Elections,
during the greater part of that session, and afterwards
the number of days consumed in the discussion OF the
bill concerning relations with New York, added
10 the ndsposon under which he labored had prevent
ed him from pressing their consideration upon the last
Legislature. lie renewed them now in the hope mat
better fate would attend hem and that II would be the
pleasure Of the House, at convenient time, TO give
that attention to them which the importance OF the sub,
iect demanded The resolutions said MIR. Scott, woud
be found in Doc. No. 16, of the last Journal The
amendments which they contemplated, had for their
object the diminuon of the power and patronage OF
the Executive Department nf the Federal Government
IL was matter OF universal observation, that IN tile Prac
teal operation OF the system, thnt department nau
come to exercise power vastly beyond what was con-
tempaied BY the trainers of it. Instead of being, as
was supposed the weakest of the coordinate depart
me nts and most exposed 10 encroachments the very
contrary had been found to be the fact For many years
il was true, such the quiet operation OF the sys
,em that the vast power, with which TIE Executive
clothed did not manifest ITSELF but III more recent
days. events have stimulated its before dormant energies
into active life, and IT now towers IN colossal proper
tons reaching with Briarean the uttermost H.
oco Instr nF hpI efrIDt
legitimate influence by the entertainments of the other
Departments, it is absorbing from them powers not
Justly lis own-the Legislative authority the great con-
scrrative principle OF the system IS fast yielding ITS
indie endence and instead of the check Intended by the
Constitution, is becoming an instrument OF Executive
power.
If this condition Of things is permitted to endure, ii
cannot be long before shall the giant strides OF
the great Colossus move unobstructed over the pros.
traed Liberties of The country. The forms of our in
s,itulions may continue, Legislation may 60 on, old
usagcs be observed but the representatives, OF the peo-
pie will be hut the plant registers Of the will OF one
man, and call that by what name you may, Prince,
Poentate King, President TO all pracca! purposes,
the Government will be despotlsm. These aniicpa-
tons may be esteemed groundess by some, the crea-
tons rather OF fancy than justly derivable from the
history of the past Doubtless there those who Will
80 consider them but let all such advert to the earlier
DAYS of the government, and contrast the power and
influence of the Executive then, with IT'S power and IN
Jackson and scan they will the OF that power
b. ScoTT said: II Yves not his purpose now 10 dis
cuss the resolutions but at another time he hoped 10
have an opportunity pursue the subject lie desired
only at present, TO call the attention OF members to
them and explain their leading objects.
There was infused into the Constitution, at It's birth,
subtle poison Unseen at FIRST its presence was not
detected by its effects upon the infant torm but, spread
ing the proportions grew, acquiring strength with IN
creasne are its activity threatens TO corrupt
Al, -, .,tatip ~
from impending destruction. That poison is the power
Of the Executive, and lis active principle, the patronage
Of office.
The amendments which he proposed contained the
amputating knife; the means by which the fungus that
so deforms the body TO be severed forever from 1t
They propose to limit the Presidential service to one
torn; TO regulate the power of removal from oilce to
provide for the appointment by the courts OF Narshas
for the execution orega process 10 separate eiiectua
~ the sword from the purse; and reduce The number oil
Executive departments, by comforting upon Congress
the power to elect the Treasurer of the u 81 and the
Postmaster General These the principal features
of the scheme-how they we're to be accomplished IN
the detail would be explained by the resolutions them
selves.
MIR. Scorr said. he should detain the House no long
err grateful for the attention extended towards III he
should his seat with the expression oil the nope
that members of all parties would give their most scrI-
Gus consideration the resolution. They had not been
offered as party movement-the questions involved IN
them were above all party. The country TO its urhes,
borders had felt the evils that be had pointed at and
was now arcusing itself in quest OF the proper remedy
for relief At the last session, and during the present.
various communications had been received from the au-
thores of other States proposing amendments covering
some of those contained in the resolution These
munica tons had not been considered, responded 20
lie thought it time for Virginia to speak this
suhect-foremost in the formation OF the noble nstru.
nent ought she to lag behind when the suggestions oil
experience all point to amendments? Sir, said Dir.
S., let the voice of Virginia be heard; and, in the me-
morabIe language of Mr.. Dunnng, let her proclaim,
"that power of the Executive has increased, is in
creasing, and ought TO be diminished. "-WMg.
MIR Scorrs resolutions were then laid OF the table.
and ordered to be printed They will be given hereaf.
ter when the subject comes up.
A NATIONAL BANK.
Mr. BAYIY rose and said As the House seemed not
to be particularly engaged he would follow the example
set him by the gentleman from Fauquer, (Mr. Scot,)
and with its permission submit Preamble and Resolu
tons not imme datey connected with its ordinary
duties But before he did So he desired to be INDUCED
in few remarks. According 10 the testimony OF
Mr. Jefferson confirmed by Mr.. Madison in the Fede
raj Convention, which framed the Constitution of the
United States ga proposition was made 10 them to
Congress TO open canals, and mn amepdatory
one to empower them TO incorporae-but the whole
was reiected-and of the reasons Of rejection
urged in debate was that they would have power to
erect bank" Notwithstanding the power TO ncor-
poae was Tins expressly refused to be conferred upon
Congress in l79 that body chartered the first Bank OF
the IT, S in spite OF the strenuous and active opposition
of Mr. Madison, and all that class Of politicians who
were inclined strict construction OF the Constitution
At that time the country had just PASSED through the
war of The Revelation, during which il had undergone
an extent of suffering which nothing but the most de.
voted patriotism, couli have sustained The nation