Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-02-24

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,ingencies like this, that the law authorised the Cover
nors TO perform lie duty Of appointing agents. and not
for cases where the Legislature did not act ne Le-
gislatufe of Virginia is in session. Let II appoint an
agent Mr. B. apprehcnded they would not refuse TO
No rrm the duty T it secured the fund 10 be received
and thus this mighty war Of words growing out of
article in the Enquirer, turns out to be worse than an
ottack upon windmill. Those members who have
been making GO much fuss about practical questions,
have been all the while discussing mere abstraction
The gentleman from Cumberland, had spoken OF
skulkng aud Of disposition 10 conceal the opinions
of Mr. Stevenson In answer, Mr.. Is. sad. that Tia
side were prepared to give Mr. Stevenson opinions on
all subjects Bat suppose II were otherwise; suppose
MIR Stevenson instead Of placing himself IN ms present
mprepnabe altitude, had refused To disclose any Cpl
Mons for the "pubc eye did It become the gentleman
from Cumberland on his part to as,ail him? lie (lr.
would say however, that if MIR. 5. occupied that
attitude he could get his vote. As to the argument
drawn from the article of the Enquirer, Mi b. remark
ed that the Editor was not before the House as ca-
didae He was not candidate and Mr. Stevenson
was no, responsible for his opinions lie did not torn
and manage them. Iha; gentleman WAS capable Of
acting for Himself, and whilst he would M doaot pay
the respec, 10 The arguments of the Enquirer TO WhcA
their ability entitled them. lie would not implicitly
adopt the opinions Of any one
The gentleman had referred to the course OF uoVer-
nor Seward in The controversy with New ork ana our
resolutions thereon, to shew that IN our opinion the
Governor Of State was bound 10 execute law Of
Conpress There was no analogy in the two cases
Orr resolutions denounced Governor Seward Tor ie!us
mo 10 execute provision Of the Constitution.
THE Constitution was supreme in New York rs well
~ in Virginia, and Governor Seward was sworn TO
obey it. The law of 90, TO which the gentleman had
referred only passed in order to facilitate The exc
cu,on of The provision in the Constitution We dld
not complain of Governor Stewards refusal to execute
law of Congress- but duty imposed upon hIm by the
Constitution. And such was Governor Seward view
for he says in his correspondence with the Governor OF
this State "1hs duties of that department Qhe bSecu
tiye) in such is prescribed BY inc Co"sh",ion y
The United Sates and not BY the Constitution and laws
Of ~ York
MIR IRVING said he would beg leave in The FIRST place
10 waive the compliment which had been bestowed on
him BY the gentleman from Accomao IN regard 10 ms
ability 10 decide readily all constitutional questions
that might be presented TO his consideration, although
il we're from one who entirely competent 10
Judge in all matters Of that Sort The gentleman mao
said that he had made attack upon windmill.
Now he admitted that he had made an attack upon MI.
Stevenson rather upon the position when ne occ"
MED rs a candidate before this House Du Inc gen.
ilpman mean 10 characterize MIR. Stevenson as
,eipdrniue But he would call the attention OF the
House 10 the excuse that was now Set up on the
mart of this gentleman for declining to aSswef The
The very plain question which he mad propounded The
House was informed that this new question, AND
that Mr. Stevenson had not had his attention drawn
In the subject until within few days, and that hr
Stevenson thinks it an important question but that
he /, not prepared 10 give opinion en- III 0ut mat NJ