Weekly national intelligencer., 1847-12-11


had objected TO avoid embarrassing the Speaker his appoint
menls OF standing committees He did understand hs
colleague obectng the resolution of the gentleman from
Ohio but the form and manner Gifts introduction this time
II he did not state his colleagues views right he hoped he
should be corrected.
Mr.. RHETT had said not a word as to the merits Of the
proposition of the gentleman from Ohio.
Mr.. HOLMES had understood his colleague and
that he about to base his proposition Ii the gentle
from South Carolina ccncurred in the proposition
this not the time at which the House should determine its
adopon because the appointment of committees the Speak
should be able select the qualification and talent requi-
site for each Now, if the Committee on foreign commerce
TO be distinct committee and they to have another
on internal commerce, let the Speaker know this that be
may determine the character OF each and avail himself Of the
best talent the House furnished for that purpose He
Cured with the gentleman from Ohio in the opinion of the
necessity for such division of the labors of this committee
When he had the honor to preside the Committee
Commerce. It's time was occupied day after day with internal
aiirs, which prevented proper investigation of important
and complicated external matters. Twohirds Of its time
was taken up with the consideration of such subjects
ties goldfish while the vastly important subjects were
greatly neglected He trusted the House would now 20
the consideration Of the resolution of his friend from Ohio
and determine on having committee whose attention should
be directed TO our increasing commerce. which the present po
son Of China opens to which Oregon and California
likely afford, which Polynesia the German States and
other portions Of the earth may furnish u.s. This might
now Justify the appointment OF distinct committee,
sst OF gentlemen whose views shall be enlarged beyond fish
ing bounes and embrace the between US and all
the nations'o the globe.
\ Mr.. SCHENCK suggested to the gentleman from Yer
mont (Mr. CoLLAmEn) that there two ways BY which
his amendment could be brought before the House. One
by general consent which it not probable he would OBJ
tan The other by suspension of the rules which he
(Mr. 81 would now
The SPEAKER decided that motion TO be out of order
until all pending questions disposed Of
Mr. SCHENCK hoped, then, that the gentleman from
Indiana (Mr HENLEr would amend his resolution
provide for the appointment Of these two committees
Mr. HENLEY said it evident the discussion Of that
consent.
Mr.. RHETT said, when he objected to the resolutions
amendments of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr VINToN,) it
was not to avoid discussion of the propositions but to
its mature consideration when il could be done thoroughly
The resolution of the gentleman from Indiana MR. Henley
was the ordinary providing for the appointment Of the
usual standing committees and with the rules which the House
had adopted there could be difficulty in organizing the
House But the proposition of the gentleman from Ohio
open to weighty objections and hence he deemed nexpe
dent at this stage of their business entertain proposition
which would necessarily involve discussion He did not wish
his colleague (Mr. HoLMEs) to understand that he favored
the proposition Of the gentleman from Ohio No PROPOSE
ton for home department. such there contemplated,
would be forever opposed by him. 1t but renewal of
proposition OF Federalism in the time of Alexander Hamilton
hat was the object of the gentleman from Ohio His p
mary object he deemed utterly unconstitutional 1t
bring within the control of this House the srhec of internal
mprovemenisit was get at power to improve rivers and
make canals Was that his object Would the gentle
man deny 1t by Of this committee toeach
point on which parties had long dieredt TO extend the
power Of this Government internal improvements. There
might be another object BY internal between the
States might be intended increase the power this Gov
and regulate other things which any
with such views OF the constitution he entertained would
be forever opposed
Mr. HOLMES interposed to remind his colleague that this
proposition to divide the duties of a committee between
committees and he asked the gentleman from South Ca
Iona to show him by what process of logic he could arrive
the conclusion that division of power increase of
power. The maxim had been Diuide et imyera.
Mr.. RHETT continued. 1t had been urged that the Com
mee Commerce could not discharge the duty entrusted
to it. Many internal questions had been mentned there
foreign well internal trade aud to this
time they had gone with complaint that the Committee
on Commerce was unable to do rs duty. When that com
milee should come 10 this House and say unable
discharge the duty devovng it, it would be time enough
to appoint another committee. Would not the adoption of
this amendment divide and tend TO accumulate those duties
II committee appointed foreign gentlemen
would he put upon whose attention would be turned the
promotion Of foreign commerce. and if committee
ed internal commerce. gentlemen would upon with
congena views and feelings. Now could any doubt
he put it 10 the candor of gentlemen this foor- they
created these two committees that would greatly extend the
operations Of both Would the gentleman from Ohio have
moved for the appointment of committee internal
o nothing if it could accomplish object what
ever 1t would accomplish object The gentleman from
Ohio saw it would II would tend consolidate the power
OF this Government over the States 1t would tend esab
ish home department. which many of them believed would
be unconstitutional He opposed to this proposition noy
and he should be opposed to il
\ Mr.. McCLEIIAND said, if he had understood tie gem
tleman from Ohio correctly he had been misunderstood by
the gentleman from South Carolina He understood the OBJ
ec OF the gentleman from Ohio TO be collect statistics and
general information in relation internal commerce. and
to give the proposed committee charge of internal improve
men only far they recognised by this Government
and they had been embraced in the powers of the Commit
tee on Commerce had been heretofore constituted If the
power contemplated by the gentleman from South Carolina
TO be given 10 this committee by this resolution, he believed the
genmon from Ohio had Inexperienced the object of his
House
press duty upon internal improvement proec-he
alluded to the Committee Roads and Canals. What
the duty of that committee but introduce bills making ap-
proPratons for the construction Of roads and canals
But he disagreed in part with the gentleman from Ohio.
lie believed the committee already constituted possessed all
the power could have with the division which he conem.
plated And he agreed with the gentleman from South Ca
rona, ha, the Committee Commerce had always dchag
ed its duty the satisfaction of the House This however,
might lie proper occasion bring the notice ofhe House the
fact that during the last session, the Committee Commerce
discharged duties that did properly and appropriately be-
long 10 H. and from which should be relieved Claims for
fishing b0unlies ought TO have gone 10 the Committee Of
Claims, and other subjects referred it should likewise have
had other directions But still that committee able to
discharge all the business given it the benefit Of the
country.
During the last Congress the Committee on Commerce, for
the last months Of the long and month Of the short
session. had nothing do having disposed Of all the business
before it and, if that committee constituted as il
should be, will be able to do all the duty the House may
impose upon IT, But the appointment of two committees
the foelgn and the other internal commerce-wi
Iced inyidous distinctions. The gentlemen constitute
the Committee foreign commerce must necessarily be ta-
ken from the Atlantic cities and hence eaousies might be