Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-02-27
CONGRESS- ON MONDAY.
Cersspcndsaee Of ihs Baltimore Patriot
wAsHrseros, Monday, Feb. %, is4i.
UNITED STATES SENATE.
INDIANA RESOLUTIONS.


INDIANA RESOLUTIONS.
Mr. WHITE presented certain resolutions, from
the Legislature OF Indiana, in favor of Tariff on
Luxures and the Dstribation Of the proceeds ofthe
public lands.
FREEDOM OF ELECTIONS.
Mr. CRITTENDEN asked leave to introduce
bill prevent the interference Of Federal officers in
elections.
MIR c. after few remarks, explanatory Of the
proceedings which took place on the subject at the
last session of Congress, said the bill differed from
that formerly considered here in this: the penalty il
proposed was only removal from Office. He refer
red, in support oft. to the opinions Of jefferson, the
declarations OF General jackson, and the late Gov
ernor Clinton,-to the practice in England-and the
doctrines Of Blackstone and Locke, and other cele-
brated writers on Government. He answered ut
length the argument against the cons,utionalty of
the measure; and showed that Congress had the
right tomakc the duty Of oce-holders to abstain
from idling away their time, or devo,ing it indus
triousy TO ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS restraints inn
posed, and how was IL more unconstitutional to re-
strain them in this respect than in others1
Mr.. CRITTENDEN concluded with an eloquent
and impressive appeal to all sides Of the Senate in
behalfof the measure, one due to the liberty OF
the people, and the peace and security Of the
try.
MIR. NORVELL rose, and without any argument
protested against the constitutionality of the Bill
and said it went beyond Mr.. Jefforson's princi.
pies.
Mr.. CRITTENDEN called for Inc reading OF
the Bill; and then remarked that MIR. Jefferson had
prescribed its primo Piles a law TO himself, and had
uniformly practised upon it.
MIR. WRIGHT said it was cearly>an unconsti
tutonal provision TO prescribe theSExecutve The
conditions upon which he should remove officers
MIR. CLAY. OF Kentucky, said Mr.. Wright
must beware that the Sub-treasury Bill contained
clause prescribing the conditions on which certain
officers il created should be removed.
Mr.. CALHOUN said he had always condemned
the interference OF offce-holders and entirely ac-
corded with Mr. Jefferson but he could not consent
TO deprive any man (oficer or no,) of his rights
n citizen.
MIR. CRtTTENDEN replied that there was no
intention to deprive any man of the power OF voting
He could not perceive the propriety Of the dstinc-
ton taken by Mr.. Calhoun between the individual
and the officer IL is the same man that carries all
tie influence.
Mr. LINN made few remarks against the Bill.
MIR CUTHBERT hoped the Senator from Ken
lucky would amend his bill to deprive those OF
ohice, who had already in;erfered in elections.
MIR CLAY, of Kentucky, suggested that Mr.
desired.
de then proceeded TO show that many laws were
m existence which imposed restraints on certain
ofcers, prohibiting them from specializing in funds
from importing foreign Standardization enter
ing lands, &c. &c. &c. He contended that the DOW
er TO impose these CONSTANTS certainly does exist.
and had been exercised.
Mr. Clay proceeded to speak with great eloquence
ana power IN tdvor OF the Bib
The debate was continued by Messrs. PRES
TON, and CRlrTENDEN in support OF the mea-
sure-and by Mr. BUCHANAN in opposition
10 it,
The debate became very animated, so much so
that, when Mr. Preston closed, there was a strong
burst of applause from the galleries, and some ndi-
cations in tho lobby. Immediately there were cries
OF "elear the galleries-clear the galleries.
Mr.. CLAY, of Alabama, with much earnest
ness: Clear the galleries.
MT. ANDERSON, striking his hand on the
desk, insist that the galleries be cleared.
blackguards.
Mr. CALHOUN rose also and called for the gal.
leries TO be cleared.
Mr.. CLAY; Spare the laGies-they have not
sinned. | hope they may be suffered 70 remain.
ne east gallery was soon cleared, though crow
ded TO sufocaton-lhe citizens retiring as speedlv
as the nature Of the case would admit.
MIR. CALHOUN closed the debate on Mr.. Crit
tenden's bill, and on the question of granting leave
TO introduce it being taken, it was decided in the
negative Yeas IA, nay &c.