Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-01-09


ed resolutions asking the Executive tn nominate Dircc
tors hostile the reelection of the President, and if
the Executive acqnesced in those Instructions, the
present President could not be reelected, unless IN
deed he should vote for himself for although the stock
holders had elected directors, and The State had only
H. vet one of the the President himself, who was
not likely, he should think, TO vote for himself But
whether ultimate action is to have effect not, these
resolutions ought to be taken up, that the country might
what their opinions with reference to the sub
ject He did not mean TO occupy much time npon the
subject; but whether little much he did mean TO en-
deavor to obtain 4 deliberate expression OF members
opinions the resolutions. lie hoped the Honse
would agree TO take up and consider The resolutions IN
question.
Mr. ROBERTSON said, that if opinion ought to be
was proper that the House should give
one he should deem that the acton taken by Inc slock
holders ought to have no influence upon that body.-li
they going in right direction; u IT were proper
for that House to take any steps to put IN or out the
President of the Bank he would submit that no course
taken elsewhere BY any body of men ongh to influence
the action of that House his belief that all siat
the House could do in the matter was to express It's
opinion, and that if they designed or expected 70 con-
trout the independence, the action and free VIII OF lie
Stockholders of this Commonwealth, they would pro-
pose to do that which neither by the character nor on
any principle of right and justice were they authorized
in donr-That expression Of opinion, loo, IN whutever
form that opinion might be expressed, was i.'ei
not a prope. subject for the House to act upon
He had intended when the question on the merits
of the case had been brought before the House, TO
have endeavoured TO satisfy the members oil tbat
House that all attempt at interference IN the matter
n direct encroachment on the Executive autho-
rity those powers with which he clothed by the
laws Of the land, as we'll Infringement: on the
laws of the Bank. On these grounds he had intended
have moved the indefinite pospunemen OF The whole
subject when it mad been called rp-lt was true that
e had been in favor of inquiry; that he had desired an
investigation, because he thought such inquiry due 10
the individuals implicated but he would contend that
the present movement the part of the House ought
be proceeded with, being essentially wrong and
out ofthe legitimate sphere Of It's Legislative functions
and duty. Was il contemplated that that House
should have an indirect mode oflegisating President
in or out Of Office contrary to the spirit and meaning
of the charter; After other unmportant remarks
the gentleman concluded by announcing his intention
of voting against taking up the resolutions from that
time forward, although perfectly disposed II ever tne
question should on, to go into the merits oil the
case.
| Mr. GREGORY said that action Of some sor, he deem
ed indispensable. So long the resolutions laid up
On that table, II would be competent for any member
or set of members rise from day to day and move
that they be taken mp for consideration lie had seen,
on various occasions propositions lad upon the table,
and an attempt made 10 prevent their beng taken
up; but where n body OF members were opposed
that course he had never yet seen them defeated III
ultimately being able 10 bring them up tor Discus
SION He differed entirely with the views OF the gem
,emun, who supposed that the action of that House
ought 10 be influenced by the Stockholders their de-
cis,ons They on behalf of the State, and The stock
holders had each their separate duties TO perform
duties independent the Of the other lie qnarreed
not with the stock holders: they had only exercised their
legitimate iunctons:-thcy had perfect right 10 elect
their Directors and they had yesterday exercised that
right Ii was true, TINT under their charter ey might
have postponed their election for day or two hut they
had not done so. He had supposed that they
would do So and therefore felt no disappointment
on The subject lie differed with those gentlemen who
were opposed to acting on these resolutions. They
were there acting the representatives OF TIE People
of Frgniu, who had deep, very great interest IN
that Bank-having that interest, they felt that their
representatives the proper persons 10 investigate
its affairs, and take such steps would tifcctually
secure them from all injury in lis management. BY
the charter, they had power 10 investigate by Com
mittee. Now, if they had not the power To cons-
der and act upon the judgment end statements of
that Committee, in their investigation, Of what use
was the Committee, and the power to then drcga
ted If then, they had the power TO investigate
and found that this Bank bnGly managed. or
that in any one respect it was so hadly managed
that the interests Of their constituents lad mate
rally suffered, could not they, the agents Of the
People, say that it was wrong, and abor;o apply a
remedy; They had appointed COMMITTEE, who had
gone into the in"estgation, had gathered facts, and
arrived al certain conclusons-and were they now
10 be told that, consider those conclusions, would
be going beyond the functions Of that House:-
\ But it improper 10 consider the resolutions
in question They were not resolutions Of the Con-
mi,tcc, but Of members of that House. They
were offered by the member from Tyler with an
amendment or addition by himself. They conceived
that the Report Of the Committee justified the con-
illusions TO which they came-they might sc wrong,
and the House might think so, and by ter votes
might say so and then there would be an end 10 the
matter If action could take place on the Report
Of the Committee, lie prepared to mo'c that the
Committee Banks be discharged, and he hour ht
resolution had better be passed giving the Banks power
TO do just they pleased with their money. They had
right to investigate the affairs Of the Bank and hav
ing that right, they had full power TO debate upon and
10 examine the results of such investigation 1t
mere mockery to give them right 10 report and then
to refuse TO consider that report and he sholld there
fore, vote for taking up these resolutions md should
be perfectly satisfied with the resnlt whatever it might
be- TO which the House should come. He vas not dis
posed TO waste the time Of the House The question,
and was, therefore, in favor of immediate Con-
sdering the refusal to take up these resolutions test
Of the opinions of members upon the question at large,
hc should for the ayes and noes.
The call for the ayes and noes sustained.
Mr.. CRUTcHFIELD would like 10 know whether they
we're not in precisely the same condition Tow as they
were in Monday, when the House determined, hy
very decided vote, TO lay these resolutions the Ia
b!e What had occurred stree to induce hat body 10
change their determination: On Moneay last the
resolutions and amendment laid up,n the table
on the ground that the Committee had made report:
that an amendment had been offered to that report;
that another report had been offered 4 substitute
and that il necessary that all these, with the evil
dence taken before the Committee ought to he print
ed before members called upon TO ecide in the
matter. Those printed reports not yet distri-
butcd; and why should they do now what the House
expressly refused ,1onday 10 do, viz act upon
the report without having the evidence before them:
lie had no idea that The House gong 10 do any
thing of this kind. Whatever necessity there nigh. be
for immediate action before yesterday, tere could be
none now The stockholders had acted their part yes
lerday and he would beseech the House not 10 pursue
a course which would seem to be rihng with the
dignity Of the House. They had instituted solemn
enquiry, and now gentlemen were calling upon them
to decide, without having the evidence before them
As there was necessity for pushing this matter, he
should vote against taking up the resolutions
| Mr.. ROBERTSON thought it was necessary TO say
few words in answer to the remarks of the gentleman
from James City. He had never denied that the House
had the power to inquire into the management Of the
Banks and was fully competent To act in many cases,
bu, his remarks directed 10 the mode of action
which the House disposed to pursue in this parl-
cular case and he had expressed his opinion that the
IL,