Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-06-26

When Mr. Polk entered Congress, he was
with one or Two exceptions, Ihc Junior memoei
OF that body. His first speech was in favor o: q
proposition TO amend The Constitution IN such
manner as 10 prevent the choice OF President q
The United States from devolvins on Congress II
AM event. This speech al once attracted pub
lie attention by The force o! lis reasoning, The Co
piousncss OF its research, and Tie spirit Of indis-
nation with reference 10 The then recent election
by Congress, by which il was animated. Al Inc
same session the subject Of the Panama mission
WIS brought before Congress, and The project
was opposed by Mr.. Polk, who slrenuonsy pro-
tested against the doctrine OF The friends Of the
administration, that as The President and Senate
are the treaty. making power, The House CT Rep
Icsentalives cannot deliberate upon, nor refuse
The appropriations necessary 10 carry them into
effect Tire views OF Mr.. Polk he embodied 10
series of resolutions, which Reproduced, IN a
tangible shape, The doctrines on this question,
Of the republican party Of 1898. The hfsl OF these
resolutions declares, that il is The constitutional
right and duty OF the House Of Representatives,
when called upon for appropriations TO defray
the expenses OF foreign missions, 10 deliberate
on The eXpedieDcy Of such missions, and 10 de-
tefmine and act thereon, as in their Judgment
may seem mes, conducive 10 the public good.
From Ihis time Mr. Folks history became in
separately interviewer with that OF The uousc. -
Heis prominently connected with every important
question: and upon every one took The bodies,
democratic ground. He continued 10 oppose the
administration OF Mr.. Adams until lis lefmina.
lion, and during The whole period OF Gen jack
sons ierns he was one Of is leading supporters,
and al times, and on certain questions Of para.
mount importance, its chief reliance. 10 D.crn.
Der, 1927, MIR. Polk was placed on The committee
- A. H,ir ard. at4n
man OF select committee, he made leplH on
the surplus revenue, denying The constitutional
power Of Congress 10 collect from Inc people, for
distribution, surplus beyond The wants OF the
government, and maintaining that The revenue
should be reduced 10 The exiarncies Of he pub.
lie service. In 1880 he defended the act q Gen
eral Jackson in placing his veto on the Mays
vile road b IL, and thus checking the sys'em OF
internal improvement by the general government
which had been entered upon by Congress.
In December, 1882 Mr.. Polk was transferred
tC the committee Of ways and means, and al that
session presented the report OF The minority OF
that committee, with regard 10 certain charges
against the United States Bank; this minority
report presenting conc,u lions utterly adverse u
The institution which had been The >unlecl u in
curry.
Tine course Of Mr.. Polk anayed against him
the friends Of The bank, and they neld meeting
al Nashville 10 dcnounce his report. Hi. II.
election TO Congress was opposed, but, alter
vic ent contest, Mr.. Polk was re- elected BY ma.
jorily Of more than three thousand. Ia Sep;em-
Der, 1883, President Jackson determined upon
Inc removal Of the public deposits from The Bank
OF he United STATES. THIS measure, which
caused great excitement throughout The country,
was carried into effect iu October following; and
At The subsequent session of Congress il was the
leading subject OF discussion. In the .;enae,
The President was censured ior the measure; but
he was sustained in The House OF Representa-.
ives On this occasion, Mr.. Polk, as Chairman
OF The Committee OF Ways and Means, vindi.
Gated the Presidents measure and by his cool.
ness, prompliluie and skill, carried through the
resolutions OF The committee relating 10 he bats
and ;he d,posiies, and sustaining the a minis
ration, afer which The cause Of the bank was
Abandoned IN Congress.
Towards the close OF the memorable session oil
1884, Mr.. Speaker Stevenson lesgned The Chair
as we'll as his seat in the House. The majority
OF The Democratic parry preferred Mr.. Polk as
MS successor, but in consequence Of division
IN It's ranks, The opposition united win ne De-
mocra,c friends OF John Bel, 81 Tennessee
and thereby succeeded il electng that gentle
man hen pro!essed TREND, but since : dsci.
led opponent, Of the President and his Mea-
sures, Mr. Folks defeat produced no change il
his course He remained faithful TO his pauy,
and assiduous in The performance OF his aftuous
duties
In December, 1885, MIR. Polk was elected
Speaker OF The House Of Representatives, and
again chosen 10 thar station in 1897, al The extra
session held in The first year Of Mr.. Van Bafen's
The cnties OF Speaker were
49, 80 A,,y,p ,pt4
ability, al lime when patty feelings ran hi.h in
the house, AM in he beginning unusual d,iIlcuI-
lies we're thrown III his way by the animosity .!
his political opponents During The first session in
which he presided, more appeals we're taken from
his decision Than had occurred in the whole period
since the origin Of The government; bot ne was
sustained by the house, inclnilne
maay Of his political adyersafies Nowithstand-
ina the violence With which he had hecn ASA lief,
Congress passed II the close o! The sess on III
March, 1887 unanimous vote Of thank 10 rs
presiding officer from whom j! separated with
inc kinde.l feelings. In the tGenty.hhh Congress,
over which he presided as Speaker a, three scs
sons, commencing in September, 1887, ard end
ing in March, 1889, parties were more nearly
balanced (Mr. Folks majority as Speaker being
only eight and Tie most exciting questions were
aa,taled during the whole period. Al The close
moved that he thanks Of he house be presented
10 he Hon. James X. Polk, Tor he able, impair
lial ard hignited manne. in which he has pre-
sided over lis deliberations, and performed he
amuous and important duties OF The chair" On
this resolution, long ami excited debate arose,
which was terminated by The previous question,
when The resolution was adopted by 81 in The al
firmaivs TO 81 in The Negative; hul few oi the
members oi the opposition concutEed in Inc vot
OF approval The Speaker, ia adioufniG. IT,
house, maze a reply Of more Than cdiIaiy
length, and showing, N bis par, deep feeling
Among other REMARKS, ne said:
"When look back 10 The period when first
took my sea, in this house, and then look aroun:
me Tor those who were al that time my associates
here, ! find but few, very lew remaining. Br,
FIVE members who WeI. here with me fourteen
years age, continue 70 be members OF his body.
My service here has been constant and ldadfiou>.
| an perhaps say what but few others. It any,
can, lhat rave not failed 10 attend the daily 81
unes OF this house single day since have been
A nemter of II, save on 4 single occasion, when
tor a short time by indisposi'icn. In
my Intercourse with The members 81 this body
when occupied place upon tie II or, though
occasionally engaged 10 d., bates upon interesting
public QIes,ions, and q an exciting characer il j.
4 source ii unmir2cd qualification 70 me 70 recu!
10 the iaCi, that On no occasion was mere TIE
slightest persona! or unpleasant collision vii
any Of its members. MAINTAINING, AMI a. al
times expressing. my own options firmly, the
same right vas fully conceded 10 Others. For
iour years past, the station have occupied, and
p sense OF prOprieiy, in the divided and unusual
" excited stare Of public opinion and feeling,
which has existed both in ibis house and IN"
have precluisd me from participating in
your :ebatss O,hcr duties were assigned M.
'The nigh Office OF Speaker, 10 which il has
been twice The pleasure Of this house to elevate
me, has been al all times one OF abor and high
responsibility. / has been made my duly 10 ie-
cic more questions .. parliamentary Law and
order, many Of them Of complex and difficult
character, arising often in the mits; 81 high ex-
element, in The course OF our proceedings, han
mad been decided, il is believed by all ny lrede-
cessors, from the foundation 81 the government
This house mas uGilorm!. sustained nc, win
out distinction CT the political parties 81 which
il has been composed. return them ny ihanks
Tor their constant support in the discharge OF the