Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-05-28

ss.ss
a. s VIII So iaaposiS M. Congress can perform this
effectively unless u f,e NJ Secretary os tho Treasury
be occupied by il dyidual Of urquestcned high
ability fDancier, vhuse views ID regard 20 the Gu
rency arc in harmon wth these C)ngre-s, and Who
shall be wiling al times 70 carry insg p-onps Al ef
fcient oFe ston he deE5ea.e enactment Of gr 50
upon this important subject; ard ghsress, pE2ere
tsry of the Treasury, fof lao fsssooe sboy> laid,
vss made directly fesporsib's to Cofgfss'S low.
without clsimiog ibs rlght !. to usnch upon
the u1doubted prssogAtive Of the Executive Depar
mspt in matters OF oficisl arp intrnents and
removal from ofif; but vita sincere dssiee ~
harmonze with the President In all things appevtaioing
to the public veal
BE L rssolvsd That, without intending to call in
question the honesty and patriotism OF the present in
eunb mt Of the Treasury sis the deliberate
iuiement of this House tha; the pubic welfare doss
demand that hs should logger be retained in said de-
pa ynnent, but that some other irdvidul OF proper
ab y as arcier more likely to be successful IN ad.
min.Htsng tie sfflirs OF said department and more
likely to command the public confidence DO appointed
IN his place. .aI[
Mr. FOOTE said tina. ii would be observed that the
preamble and resolution introduced by him were
ccuched Utmost respectful phraseocgy both towards the
President aud the Secretary at the Treasury Inc
Constitution had Hate the Secretary of the Treasury
directly responsible TO Congress He Il the only one of
the Executive Off sers Of the Government who Is thu3
directly responsible to Congress. No reason can b.
given for this exception from the general rule of tho
Constitution in regard the responsibility of the men,
bers OF the Plcsdens Cbinet except this It in
tended by the trainers Of the Constitution to pu. the
whole official conduct Of tie Secretary Of che Treasury
under the constant supervision of Congress, with view
to the enforcement OF due responsibility This respon
sbiity orJ be enforced in come euch mode q, that
now proposed. II any other mode can be suggested
more concisry 10 is Tone AID therefore likely
be effective, he would be glad to hear propounded
Certainly it duty TO take of the curcncy, the
present dition OF which is most deporabe hon
orabe gentlemen corcurred sith him in heopinon that
tha meyer have sound and valuable currency whilst
Que financial in the hands of Mr. hemmin-
ger why then they should not hesitate TO declare in
order that The President being advised of their delb
crate judgment il rsgud to tbs natter may have the
full benefit Of their respectful suggestions this i'm
| portant subec'.
Il Is doubtless tru, that, under the Consutioi the
House do DO. possess the appointing powsr ind God
forbid that they should attempt to Participate in lie
ercise But ngres bad special charge Of the cuiren-
cy; its members came freshly from the bosom Of an
enl ghtened and pa'ro.ic constituency, and pre-
pled to represent their views ard sentiments upon his
and other kindred mitsrs. He hopei that they were
not disposed to shrink from the expression Of an
opinion this any other subject to the President
| IN some courteous end becoming manner.
Did any believe that the President would be Of
Tended with Congress for presu ling 10 do s duty
10 regard to this ailmportans matterf Have not the
proudest chs Of Europe found it wise TO dsmis
Hinsters of Finance. of most distinguished ability,
too because of signal of the discharge
of their official funcinns because in their official
character, it was eppaent that whether deeervedly
or not, they had lest the public confidence p
| Did the honorable Members suppose that the
President would sbor himself less regardfu of pub
Lie sentiment than royal personagesin other lands have
DONE who have under each circumstances as now sur
round u.s. consented to ministers Of finance of
| the most established reputation a
Did they imagine that be would not be able to discern
the absolute necessity fer harmony Of opinion touching
important financial concerns bstween Congress and the
Secretary OF the Treasury or that he would fail to CD.
preciate the importance of this officers being atle to
command the pubic confidence?
| Mr. Fooe could net fuppose this unhappy state Of
| things to exist.
Mr. Foote was aclulted by high sense of duty In
Offering these resolutions. II now Congress win do lis
duty and the President will do bis duty with Roman
fidelity It Mr. F's confident opinion that aa much
distracted our financial concerns are at the
moment they will be placed in satisfactory con-
dition.
A motion to lay the resolution on the table was
lost
The morning hour having arrived they lay over ur-
der the rules unit Monday morning when they will be
considered.
MrsWANN, Of Tenn, submitted an amendment, viii,
the request th. II be printed with the resolutions
The rules we're subsequently suspended to allow Mr.
RlVE, Of Va to present petition from the tauks Of
Lypchburg, which referred to the Committee Of
Ways and Means. slst1
The discussion Of the Tax Bill, the special order, was
resumed and continued until the hour Of adjournment.