Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-02-19
REMARKS or MR.. FONTAINE,
IN SENATE.
GA the Rad day Of election 81 Gsrunsr.

Ga fht 2nd day OF ttccuon cJ tcrfruef
Mr. FONTAlNE said. After much hesitation. MIR
Sneaker have concluded that il is proper should
explain the course shall take, in the further pro
rress Of this election, and my opinions on sub
ieci which has been drawn into discussion, in con-
nection with IL. Occupying position and enter.
tanning opinions not fully identified With either Of
the principal political parties. have rtt partiepa-
ted IN any Of the party arrangements usually pre- =
ssdng elections; but my determination TO vote for
MIR Stevenson, by my vote he could be elected as
the Governor of the Commonwealth, wns known,
for some days before the election commenced to the
members ~ this House, and the House OF Delegates.
That determination was based upon the principles
which have laid down for my government, in the
bret remnant Of my political life, the existence OF
which will terminate with this session Of the Gene
raj Assembly;-Tha,'s that the public good, and
not the interest Of political party. should be the
frst consideration with representative Of the peo-
pie. in the discharge OF his duty.
NV putpose was never shaken until the uppear-
nnce OF an editorial article in the Richmond Enqui'
rer the day preceding the election. which seemed
TO indicate that MIR S. was prepared TO pursue q
course in relation TO q share of the public lands,
in the event of his election, which could not meet
my appreciation. resolved TO satisfy myself on
this sublect.-After referring TO the Distribution
Act passed by Congress, and finding, as Il think,
that the law did not vest IN the Governor any dis.
orelion 10 decide whether State should or should
not receive her share commenced q note to MIR s,
which, rs it will best explain my course, will
read:
"SENArE CHAMBER, Feb. 10Th, 1912
"Dear Sir-My determination to vote for you, in
the event of your being placed in nomination for
tho Office Of Governor, has recently been pretty gs
neray known; although from circumstances, no,
necessarily referred TO here, have taken no part
with either party in the usual pariy.arrangements
connected with elections. had decided 10 give you
my vote without asking any pledges, or making
my enquiries toyour course, confidently relying
on my knowledge OF your character, that, If elect
81, you would administer the office OF Chief Ma
ssigaie of the State, with single eye to the honor
..tI .fr OF fhr mmonwealtl. of
the interests OF any party.
.You may Judge what my surprise when
saw an Editorial article IN the Enquirer this
inc, from which, inferred that the candidate of
the Democralic purity would be prepared to give
Satisfactory pledges that he would not appoint an
Hgenr to receive the States quota of the proceeds Of
the sales Of Public Lands, in the event of the Ge-
neral Assembly tac,ily devolvng that duty on the |
Governor, according 20 The law of Congress- by |
emitting TO nppoint the agen, themselves.
"Thc known intimacy existing between yourself
and the Editor of the Enquirer. and his Oft express
ed anxiety TO elevate you TO the otice OF Governor,
impressed on my nind the belief that he rec gnis
ca in YOU an individual who would execute,
what he indicated the duty Of that officer, in
resting what tina, Editor regards as n most obnox
iols measure 10 the Democratic party. The article
in the Enquirer TO which allude is that relating to
MIR Thornton, the Senator from Caroline.-
"My objection 10 the Governor refusing to Hp-
point an agent to receive the States quota of the
distribution fund, does not proceed from being an
ndYoc of the passage OF the law; the contrary
l should not have voted for t:-But he interposi
jion of the Executive authority Of State, arresing
the execution of a law Of Congress, passed for the
benefit % the State, and that. too, without the apo
lo-Y Of any legislative authority TO sustain him,
seems N me 10 be most dangerous heresy, and
could only be suggested by an exclusive devotion to
party considerations
Before had concluded my note TO MIR Stevenson,
rhe object Of which, was not TO obtain from him
pledge hat he io9ul appoint agent but merely TO
know II Mr. Richie was authorized, las had infer
rely TO say that he would pledge himstJ NOT 20 ap-
p0i.i the agent was informed by friend, whom
1 could rely, that he had made no pledge on the |
subject, heving formed opinion that point il |
beng entirely new question. then felt it TO
be my duty TO vote, as you know did twice on
yesterday, for Mr. S, relying that he would act in
this case, as believe he would in all cases,) fer
the State, and not for party. | had hoped that
tbs threatened exercise of Executive authority
would not be pressed = that il would be abandon
Cd, 4 hasty aud Immature suggestion. But, sir !
this morning we have new developments,-after |
days reheeton-after public discussion Of |.
'lc suhjec, MIR. Richie, whose well known, and |
| mght add whose well meritcd influence has a |
large share 10 deciding the course of his party in
ufoEcf editorial, re af;rms the doctrine OF Execu
tive inie-poson.-He says 'iue trlin then. not
% kr1io ne responsibility, # taking this u,or.y
Hpot he GoreTnOT;" and adds, that an Influential |
member Of the democratic party, has proved the |
right Of the Governor TO interfere, il he thinks pro
TO use his words has "puI this question upon
hisa and impTegnab!e constitutional grounds" Now
So u We to regard this the setlled doctrine !
ni Nh SIS friends candoUr requires me TO saw that
my desire to elect him is somewhat Hbated-for
o7rcs5iag, as believe, that MIR S. has not adopted
this doclrine yet knowing, as we all do the natural
,.-ct al the united sentiment OF 4 mere party, 10
induce him TO adopt their construction Of any unset,
tied rsoJlemi may be contributing 10 the cleo.
ton of q gentleman, whose future course might be
N direct opposition 10 my views on an important
.uh'e@.
s.ih it; be remembered that my views OF the
-T HHra
s-ln; 20 receive the money, not founded on my
{, 1-'bl;9a Of the Distribution Law for was or
p sod 20 li aud without intending TO discuss the |
merits O. thlt question. will merely stare nv |
opinions, Just so far os will be necessary 10 u US
tr'fe ny sentiments on the question of the Cove |
n3Fs power. The pfopEie,y OF the passage OF the |
I-~, and the reception OF Nirginias share OF tn |
proceeds OF The sales Of Public Lands, are entirely
different questions; and the right of the Governor
--!lse to for the State, is question diff
il-ing from both. have been surprised 10 hear
the reception of share Of that fund characterised
Ike 10 receiving OF stolen goods" that II would
he def cment TO "touch or handle the uncean thing
/ lay down this proposition, which presume no
man will deny, that Virginia is entitled 20 an equal
share IN the common benefit TO be derived from the
Lrlds themselves, inosmuch as she reserved that
rght expressly IN her own articles Of cession which
constituted tho great bulk OF the ceGed lands, and
- 81 Contributed her taIr proportion for the pur-
chased lands. Nov, sir, If Virginia is entitled to a
Ehlre in the common benefit from the public lands
expenses
Government, and the payment OF the public debit
xhon Congress decides that the lands are no longer
wanted for these Objects and makes other provision
i1r the current expenses and debts OF the Govern
Iaent, how dos the passage Of a law distributing
tic proceeds Of the sales, vate that righ2 Is rot
her right 10 participate IN the benefits arising from
the lands the same, whether they are used for Go.
Vcrnmcut expenses or ds'ribuuon7 What would
have been s1Ij, If the Distribution LAW had provi-
bed That the nett proceeds Of the public lands should
Lave b-en d vdtd among all the States, eresp, Ftr.
giail1 J. there one mar IN Virginia. who would moi;
nave teen fred with Indignation at such violation Of
orr f1Es7 Would not have claimed our Just
r7rtI1rf The question seems TO be almost too plain
% hs -reued. ] SOY, then, our share Of that fund
fh1u 2 moi he called "uncean thing" the hand
log ri which o. po utiou aod def ement. |, is not
stolen goods, bu' uur own rchtfU' property, which
Congress en- 20: hiisrate, and although the Cen
orll Assembly my refuse %, yet ] utterly deny,
th7' the Governor would have right 10 fefUsc this
money, 10 the absence Of some indication Of their
vnb,s On the subject. The Legislature may ref SO
D.. 1- hay m1y, IN the plenutude Of their power,
nke 900 out Of the Treasury and give IL 10
or r1.r.Iua', oT throw It into james River But
b. SONS N M, asthe NV is passed-the money is
fn Dc .fr1u.-t-as there IS now a proposition
f-niin- 1 Conercss 70 divide the quotis Of those
States who roget, among the others-as our Tee.
s4ry BE- vel rign erh7us'ed-ns we have teen
c1mpe ed 10 borrow money Of the Banks-as we
should Otherwise have 20 resort 70 on oncrols in
cease oi taxes upon our people, say, under such