Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-01-14

sn,,;na influence over the accounting officers Of the
Tteasu,y Department, by ordering the payment OF
accounts of long standing that had been by them re-
iec,ed for want OF legal authority to pay and threaten
na them with exclusion from Office unless his orders
we're obeyed: by virtue of which threat thousands
were drawn from the public Treasury without the
authority OF law.
"2d 1 charge him with wicked and corrupt abuse
Of power Of appointment, 10 and reinova rom once
Fret in displacing those Who were competent and
faithful in the discharge of their public duties only oe
cause they supposed entertain politicai prefer
for another and secondly, in brsiowing them on
creatures Of his will alike regardless OF lhe Puoi'c
welfare and his duty To the country
a3I | CHARGE him with the high crime and m'sce
meanor of aiding excite discrganiZn9 ana reVou
tunary spirit in The country by placing on the records
of the State Department his objections 10 law as
carving no constitutional obligation with IL; whereby
the several States Of this Union were n',eo 70
and disobey law Of Congress which ne himself had
sanctioned and TO faithfully execu'eo; from
which nothing but disorder confusion and anarchy can
follow.
"4th | charge him with being guilty OF high mis-
demeanor in retaining ren IN once iof honns ae'
incompetent aud unailhfu!, with an utter dehance OF
the public will and total indifference to The public int
rests.
"5,h charge him with the high crime and msde-
meanor OF Withholding his assent to laws 'haspshsaoe
10 the Just operations of Government which involved
no constitutional difficulty his part OF deprving the
Government Of all legal means of revenue, ana OF as
snmng to himself the whole power OF taxation, ana OF
collecting duties Of the people without the nu'hoFy or
sanction OF law.
ooh | charge him with an arbitrary, despotc, and
corrupt abuse OF the veto power 10 crafty his personal
and political resentmenls against the Senate OF the
S. for constitutional exercise of their p'erogatiVe 10
the rejection Of his nominees to office, with such eV-
dent marks oil inconsistency and duPliclty cs leave no
room 10 doubt his disregard OF the interests Oh the peo-
| pie ard his duty 10 the country.
"7th charge him with gross official misconduct IN
having been gully Of a shameless duplic'y, equvoca
ton aud falsehood with his late Cabinet and Congress,
which led TO idle legislation and useless public expense,
and by which he has brought such dshonor himself
as 10 dsquallfy him from administering The Government
with advantage honor virtue md Tor which alone ne
would deserve 10 be removed from Office.
Sth charge him with illegal and unconstitutional
exercise of power in instituting commission TO IN
vestigae past transactions under former administration
of the custom house in New York, under the pretence
Of seeing the laws faithfully executed; with having
arrested the investigation al moment when The inquiry
was TO be made as TO the manner IN which those laws
were executed under his own Administrations with nav
ng directed or sanctioned The appropriation OF large
sums OF the public 10 the compensation o. OH
GERS Of his creation, without the authority OF law
which, if sanctioned, would place the entire revenues
Of the country at his disposal.
s9ih. ] charge him with the high msdemeannr OF
ha wing withheld from the of the People
the investigation of stupendous frauds and abuses al
legged TO have been committed by agents OF the Govern
ment, both upon individuals and the Government it.
SELF whereby he himself becomes accessory 10 these
frauds"
Mr.. TURNEY called for the reading again Of
The last spec fca,on; which having been read
hlr. Bolts proceeded to say: wish to connect no
man, nor any o! men, with my vote on thus resolu-
ton. have said to the House thar, after the most ma
iure delIberation, ! am prepared to establish every
+ hle md IN riak
Character
Mr. WISE rose and called as the Reporter under.
Stood for the reading OF the resolutions (Which had not
yet been ready aud which, after conversation between
Mr. w. and Mr. Bolts, was read as follows:
Resotcta, That committee OF --- members be
appointed with instructions diligently TO inquire into
The truth OF the charges preferred against John Tyler
and report 10 this House the testimony taken TO
establish said charges together with their opinion whe.
t!er the said John Tyler hath acted in his official
capacity 10 require the inierposon OF the House.
Mr.. BOLTS. have only one additional remark to
make hope may be INDUCED BY the House, and
particularly hope may NOT be arrested By my col
league, (air Wise after having been challenged and
dared by him to bring this subject forward.
| Mr. WISE. can only say that do not wish to in
,errup my colleague All want is that the strict order
Of this proceeding should be observed.
The SPEAKER. The question IS not deba,eable.
Mr.. WISE shall throw no obstacle in the way OF
my colleague All want IS that the strict order Of this
|
TO be disposed Of BY him and others
The SPEAKER was about TO state the grounds of his
decision
Blu, Mr. Bolts repeated the expression of the
hope that he might lie allowed 10 make one additional
remark
Objections were made
MIR BOLTS. | ask permission of the House. have
but this remark to make
| The SPEAKER. The gentleman cannot proceed
except under universal consent, and objection IS made
4 nIia
Mr. WISE said lie would withdraw the objection
lie wished the House 10 take its course.
| MIR BOLTS. | wish TO make this statement. de-
sire to connect mans vote with mine this question
wish gentleman here, friend or foe- wish no man
of any party-to commit himself on this question. BY
the adoption of the resolution 10 appoint committee
and receive such testimony as shall lay before them,
they but enable the House at future day 10 decide
the main question which is embraced in this resolution
-wheth MIR. Tyler has so acted in his official capacity
as 10 require the interposnn of the constitutional pow
er of thus House II establish the charges presume
there will be hesitation the part Of any member to
vote articles Of impeachment. If should fail in the
establishment of the truth OF these charges, then ask
that may bear the whole and sole responsibility, OF
The failure Let fall on me and on no other man; an,
" Hing take the responsibility and the entire od.nm
on myself. And no man is committed TO impeachment
by voting for The adoption OF this resolution.
| The SPEAKER livery indstincty heard on the right
of the Chair understood 10 say, that there were
probably only two of this character from the be
ginning of the Government. One Of them was that Of
Associate Justice Chase In that proceeding there
no question similar to this raised; bat by reference 10
the action OF the House, it would be that the sub
ject then considered and ecled by The House as
privileged question. Mir Randolph simply rose, with
out making any specifications or charges, and on mere
statement Of facts, demanded the appointment of q
committee 10 in-esgate the conduct of Judge Chase
The House adopted resolution appointing committee
after debate, after days consideration, and on ar
adj aurnmenl On the second day the House con
sidered privileged question: riding all the o,he
business of The House, and it taken up, by unIvcr
sa! acquescence, as the unfinished business.
The SPEAKER thought that the question wus one
Of high constitutional privilege and for these reasons
he felt bound TO submit i. TO the consideration OF The
House such 1t was for them 10 act upon it.
| Mr. EVERETT here rose and Withdrew the appeal
The question thus required directly the adoption
! of the resolution of Mr.. Bolts
| Mr. RAYNER rose and said that, as there were
other questions Of importance before the House, he
ould order 10 prevent useless debue, and 10 bring
The House 10 direct vote on the resolution, move The
! previous question.