Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-03-28

sion is already aroused upon this subject Look at Ne,
Hampshire; that State, which but year ago pointed
Its distinguished citizens Chen member House,
in connexion with this Texas question: the only Northern
State which could Withstand the force of public opinion ha
been the first 10 fall.
The people nquiring into their constitutional rights ane
liabilities, and when their mind is made up they will take te
stand upon the exact line Of the Constitution and there they
will stand or perish in its ruins.
The Constitution has been violated broken up foreign
Government and foreign people have been brought into the
Union, rather Union has been formed with foreign
Government and foreign people, by joint resolution passed
bare majority OF Congress- 1t remains yet to be whether
the friends Of the Constitution will suffer this blotch to remain
upon its hitherto fair face, whether they will wipe of by
i a repeal of the unconstitutional law.
Mr. DOUGLASS said he did not intend TO trouble the House
with any thing like speech but he felt bound make
few remarks in 10 the observations of the gentleman
from Pennsylvania, (Mr McILyAINE.) He then went
defend the Executive Government from the charge Of viola
ton OF the Constitution and laws of the Un States send
ing troops into Texas before the act of annexation
summated by the Legislature and people Of Texas He also
went 10 show that its western boundary extends to the Rio
Nore and to defend and applaud the Executive Govern
for the order recently given the hoops Of the United
States to advance to that river and to take possession Of all
the country between and the river Nueces Mr. D. then
deprecate the introduction of the subject
of slavery into the debates which daily in the House,
and he denounced the practice very strong terms In the
Of his remarks in abiding to combinations between
interests and which have been or expected
to be subjects OF elaboration in the House, Mr. d. said he
tended to for reduction Of the tariff and his only fear
that the Committee of Ways and Means would SO far
| enough in the reduction to suit his views.
Mr.. d. speech extended much greater number Of
subjects and points than is here attempted be sketched
and while he the floor, various inquiries, answers
explanations passed between himself and several members
| of the House, which unable TO notice.
Mr.. BROCKENBROUGH moved to amend the bill by in
sorting the following
Tha the appropriation made by the act of the Sd March,
entitled AN act making appropriations for the civil and
diplomatic expenses Of the Govemsnt for the year ending
the so of une 1896 and other purposes for
ton and mileage of the members Of the Legislative Assembly
OF Florida Territory Of officers and attendants printing,
stationery fuel aud other incidental contingent expenses
remaining uncxpended much thereof be
be and the hereby transferred and appropriated
the payment all arrearagcs similar expenses
Legislative Assemblies Of Florida due to members officers
printers, Others arising the deficiencies of
preparations the expenses and appropriations
said Legislative Assemblies such be made the
parties entitled under the acts and resolutions Legsa-
tive Assemblies sanction of the Governor, Secretary
State other proper officer Of the Territorial Government
Mr. STANTON, under the instruction of the Committee
Naval Affairs offered the following amendment to be Ia
ken up in its order
'so pay Charles Reeder for services member Of the
Board Of Examiners for making experimental trials of nyc
tons and plans to prevent the explosion OF boilers
pay Walter r. johnson for services member of the
said Board, So, 150."
Mr. MCKAY rose to address the committee.
Mr. CHAPMAN and claimed the floor on the ground
that Mr.. McKAr had already spoken on the bill
Here much confusion which Of the two gentlemen
entitled to the floor during which Mr.. McKAY waived
his right and took his seat.
Mr.. GARRETT DAVIS rose, and, after few ntroduc-
tory observations, said that certainly fixing new pn-
cpes the mode Of proceeding in the public business in this
Houscprncpes dangerous TO the liberties OF the people and
70 the freedom Of debate Yesterday, at about three o'clock
this bill called up and, after little more than half an
q Wsys and Means ;masif moved resolution to close te
debate few hours and this morning forced that resolution
through the House. Having occupied much Of the time
terday he attempts to consume the remainder Mr. d.
asked what of this change has certain
the mode Of doing the business Of this House.
Every thing be driven through with the speed Of
Information dsegaded II asked for it is refused because
it submitted in confidence and its disclosure would be pre-
judicial the public probably the interests
Of those in whose keeping Is call has been made the
Secretary Of the Treasury TO report scheme for tariff II
is secretly sent TO the Committee Of Ways and Means and
every attempt has failed TO bring TO the view Of this House.
Every effort TO obtain knowledge Of what Is vital rs it is
to the welfare Of the naion has been unnvaDg Yesterday
bill before the House increase the military establish
ment, and upon inquiry il found that secret communi
cation had been made by the Secretary of War the Militia
Committee and when called upon to know what the
nature Of that communication, and what its rccommcn
datons the chairman reminded by another member Of the
committee that he may be violating the confidence reposed IN
the committee by the Secretary Of War he responds salts
actoy the inquiry, and the chairman takes the hint and
inform the House Of what the committee has been cali
cd upon by the Executive to propose to this House.
Mr. BURT, the gentleman referred to- explained to the
admonon given the chairman Of the Military Committee
Mr.. DAVIS thanked the gentleman for his explanation ;
but be would ask whether the committee considered itself
the organ of the House Of the Executive Department
How they receive communications from the Departments
OF the Executive Government, and refuse to communicate
their this House, who have perfect right TO know
every thing that is sent to any of its committees Mr.
ID. contended that nothing could be communicated TO
mec Of the House which the House had not undpuod
right inquire into and be possessed Of 1t the pro-
vince and the right OF the House be possessed Of perfect
knowledge Of every thing to its committees, and that too
before il was sent to the committee.
Mr. HARRISON, chairman Of the committee, explained
He distinctly heard but understood TO say that
the communication which aluson made contained
much that proper for the public cyemater which
foreign Power unendy To the country would give almost
any amount to be possessed Of.
Mr. DAVIS resumed, and said that he would feel himself
bound TO keep secret any thing addressed to him an nd
vidua hut if an Executive communication made to him
member of committee, he would not receive in conf
dence If he did he thought he would be violating his
duty TO his constituents and this House. The Executive
has right 10 send communication 10 a committee. II is
violation Of the privileges Of the House. The only official
mode known TO the Constitution for communications between
the Executive and the Executive Departments and Congress
is through the Speaker Of the House.
Mr.. HARRISON here stated that the communication
not from the President il from the Secretary Of War.
Mr. DAVIS sad had not the President stated, few days
ago. that the communications from the Departments were
made with his sanction and appreciation. Mr. ID. said he
strongly objected to the practice Of official communications
coming in this and informal way from the Executive
Departments to the committees Of this House.
Mr.. d. then inquired Of the chairman Of the Committee OF
Ways and Means whether every object of appropriations con-
tanned in this bill known the commencement OF the
present session He believed they and II so, why
they embraced the regular estimates presented at
the Of tho session Why were they kept
back from the knowledge Of the House The proper way
to send them the House instead oil that ocers were
secretly tho committee with these items in their
In