Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-01-16
GENERAL ASSEMBLY, OF VIRGINIA.
DEFERRED DEBaTE.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES-Satur Ian &.

HOUSE OF ELEGATES-SdfurdGy- Ian ".
BANK OF VIRGINIA.
General BAYLY sad, when the House ac.aurnec
yesterday, the motion for the indefinite postpon"mert
of the whole subject then pending and he nov
TO that motion. Yesterday, when he moved
the adjournment, lie consulted rather the supposed
wish of the House, than his own-Then, being under
the influence of the fire of the debate, he could have
discussed the subject much satisfactorily to him
self than now. lie could promise the House, how
ever, that they would at least derive one advantage
from The adjournment. II had enabled him very much
TO curta the remarks which he should have made yes
terday evening Had he been in his place. when the
subject was first introduced he did not know for
which he should develope in the OF his re-
marks, that lie should not have opposed all action on
that subject, by the Lcgslaure-yet, he must himself
say, that ne gratifed al the investigation which
had take2 place-,hc searching enquiry which had
been gone into. II that enquiry had demonstrated
nothing ese it had at least proved what he long had
hough-that the State of Virginia ought not to be in
erested IN her banking institutions. Her guardians
were unht-thc gentlemen who represented the people
that floor unfit for that sort Of supervision Of
these establishments which necessary for their pro-
lection. In addition To that, he had thought that
it was no part Of the duty of the State TO afford capt.
tai TOR the enterprises Of her citizens. The duty of the
Government was complete when it had given proper
protection 10 commercial pursuits, without furnishing
those engaged in them the funds or means of prose-
cutting them Looking, therefore, at this fact he could
not help believing, that this deiacaon, serious
like "toad, ugly and vrnomous, had yet precious
jewel in lis head and fit should have the tendency
TO bring the people back to just and proper course he
should not regret it misfortune. But the question
which they had 10 decide under The motion, which had
been renewed by himself, was, whether they should
act that sub ect Under The motion for indefinite
postponcment, that the sole question. As there
had been admitted neglect to some extent, in the
agement Of the affairs Of the bank, would be
found there advocating action designed TO defend such
neglect. But II the proposed action was To be had, it
must be had solely with view 10 the
val of the President of tie bank aud thus the question
was directly raised whether his neglect in the discharge
of his duties had been such to render his removal
from Office necessary and proper. What had been the
extent of his neglect: If he understood the reports Of
the Committee, and the arguments of the gentleman
from Tyler, who moved originally in the matter, and
might be considered the head Of the business if lie
understood the grounds which the charge OF nc
glcct based, II comprised under two heads :
first, his neglect To give that general supervision oil the
affairs vi the Bank which his duties required; and Sc
condly, his neglect c appoint the committees OF inves-
legation required By law In taking these subjects into
consideration, the inquiry Immediately suggested ITSELF
whether the performance Of those duties would have
prevented the detalcation. This the question: he
he did not believe that there member in the
House who would have nd coated the removal of DR..
Brockenbrough for his supposed neglect of duty in SUI
pervsng the officers and appointing committees, VI the
dealcatlon had occurred. If he right in this
position, and that he he could not doubt, II
brought HIM Immediately 10 the consideration OF the
question, whether the discharge of these two duties by
DR.. b. would have prevented this defacaon from TAX
ing place. To determine that question, would be ne
the first place 10 enquire into The nature and
extent Of that general supervision which he was re-
qucd by his duties 10 give to the Bank There was,
had been well said ny the gentleman from the city
Of Richmond IN the report, great des. Of vagueness
the definition of the dutics comprised under the ter
it shall he the duty of the President 10 supernendM tie
conduct OF all persons employed in The Bank ltmght
well be questioned what the exact meaning Of tins
provision. 1t might he matter OF doubt, what was
comprehended under the term conduct OF the persons
employed in the Bank 1t might be insisted, that the
head of this institution was depued generally to look
to The sobriey and industry Of the subordinate officers,
10 the general proprety Of the conduct Of those off,
GERS without going into the minute details TO see with
what neatness or correctness, and even accuracy,
they kept the respective books under their charge
To require the President TO give this minute attention
the internal management Of the Bank, would be IN
consistent with his other duties. He is the general
financial agent of the Bank II is his duty to study and
understand the trade aud exchanges of Inc country
lie is the head Of the institutions for which, If may
speak, he is To think. Why, Sir, the very signing
of the notes Of the Bank great labor much 50,
that when legalized the issue of one dollar notes,
we authorized them to be signed by Clerk. II is
clearly impossible for the President of large banking
institution with capital of three millions six hum
dred thousand dollars give personal supervision to
the n,inutin of the Bank. This duty is more parcu
lary the Cashiers, as will be seen by the following
summary of his duties, taken from the bylaws at
shall furthermore he the duty OF the Cashier daily 10
inspect the cash account of the Bank and of the va
rious accounts comprising the same. He shall also
examine the Tellcrs settlements, and compare the same
with the cash account and any material variance shall
likewise he reported 10 tie President, that the same
may be submitted to the action OF the Board OF D-
rcciors He shall take his possession all the funds
of lie Bank, whether in coin, bank notes, checks, or
other evidences of debt except such as he may judge
proper to remain, or be placed in the hands of the Tel
sr for the convenient transaction OF the current ope
raions of the day." &c.
But what particular neglect Of supervision on his part
Thc duty Of the CASHIER under The bylaws follows: g"
shall be the ury of the board Of directors ar
a. secretary and keep minutes take charge of all the specie
s.t.L In In