Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-02-03

bh"NS Va ioiAAoAAAN1f duh us NAdJtbkl Dt NUM-
bly, prayed to make up another team Of goats
to bear off the burden Of royal sins or con-
gressional stupidity. This is the new phase
Of copperhead democracy at the mouth Of
Psndieton. We expected to see good Repub-
licans combat these British notions, and
among them we are not surprised to find Mr..
Morrill,, from whose speech we quote pretty
largely.
REMARKS OF HON. J. S. MORRILL,,
on TBE NM TO PRRMIT the HEADS or
ENECUTfrR DEPARTMENT TO TAKE
PARTfN DBBA1B IN THB HOUSE
In the House Of Representatives, Jan. 2G, 1865
EXTRACT.
On the 9th day Of January, 1890,
" A letter from Alexander n amton the Secretary Of
the easury then read, informing the House that
ageeab 20 their resolution u the 2lst oSeptember he
had prepared plan for the support Of the public credit
aud that he was prepared 70 report the to this
House when they should be pleased 70 receive it."
1t was then proposed to assign Thursday,
then next, for the purpose, and Mr.. Gerry
moved to add to the motion that it should be
in writing.
Mr.. Boudinot, the friend Of Mr. Hamilton,
hoped the Secretary might be permitted to
report in person in order to answer such in
ouiries as the members might be disposed to
make, for it was a UNSUITABLE surmise that
gentlemen would not be able to clearly com
prehend so intricate subject without oral
illustration
Mr.. Ames conceived it to be the duty Of
House to obtain the best information on any
subject, and was willing to extend any indul-
gence to the Secretary, but be wished these
communications TO be in writing in this
shape they would obtain degree of perma-
nency favorable to the responsibility of The
office, while at the same time they would be
less liable to be misunderstood.
Mr.. Clymer thought such communications
ought to be in writing.
MIR. Benson thought we should receive the
report in any manner in which it was pre-
pared, but had no doubt this officer, sctuated
by motives Of difference and respect, will con-
form to any rule the House may think proper
to enjon.
Mr.. Gerry, enumerating the various topics
likely to be discussed, said
" Can the human mind retain with any degree Of de-
osion (preeision objects extensive and nultiarous
upon mere oral conn uneAtun This consideration
alone ought TO be sufficient 10 induce gentlemen to
ssiee to his proposition Of making the report in
The resolution for receiving the report in
writing was carried in the affirmative, and
so far as appears, without a division.
Many valuable suggestions made by Ham
ilton were adopted, and his organization of
the Treasury Department, monument to his
forecast and wisdom, remains with nearly all
its original features hardly touched by modern
innovations. But at the session already allu-
ded to be made report as to the Post Office
Department, with bill in conformity to it
and when the Clerk proceeded to read it
member objected to its being read on the
ground OF the improperly of executive off
GERS being permitted to bring bills before the
House, and this objection was sustained.
This exhibits the early and inherent jealousy
OF the House Of executive influence in the
most earnest manner. The action was in
slant and decisive. No officer would now be
permitted to bring any bill directly before
the House, but it could not have been intend
ed TO forbid the draft of bill from being
sent to committees for their assistance in
framing proper legislation, for that would be
a little too nice. If Secretary may unfold
and urge a measure of legislation in his
official reports, it is difficult to see why he
may not submit the mere forms to standing
committee, Ito be modified, adopted, or re-
jected,) which will in his judgment best carry
out the substance of that legislation which
he has already recommended.
Once more this question was incidentally
discussed upon report of committee of the
House upon the defeat OF General st. Clair,
whom they attempted TO shield from blame,
while they inculpated more or less the Secre-
tary Of War and the Secretary Of the Treas
ury. The Secretaries, believing themselves
to be greatly wroneed, naturally desired
to yindicate themselves. On the 18th Of No
vember, 1892, resolution was offered by one
OF their friends notifying the Secretaries that
the subject would be taken up on a day
named to inquire into the causes Of the fail
ure, " TO the end that they may attend the
House and furnish such information as may
be conclusive to the due Investigation of the
matter stated n said report"
tven this WAS refused by the House, which
first voted to suike out all Tue latter part Of
the resolution, and then rejected It. as thus
amended.
But the earnest discussion which occurred
Is important. AS it records the opinion of
Madison upon the main question now before
US, and this will be as authoritative as the
opinions Of any modern statesman, OF even
as hat Of learned s,holissts. la The Annals
Of Congress for 1892, page $50, it Is report
ed as tollows:
Nj Maids, n obrced to the motion on constitution.
ground. az tsig contrary 70 the praec. & the
IA US lie had not. he laid, thoroughly involved he
ma - in hi'ow" mnd AID lheieiure vas not prepared
10 STATE tuily the Effects which would hon the
Adoption OF the resolution but he would h,sArd thus
much that Il sould ofm a. innovation in the mode Of
eundNe'ftg the business Z his House aud inIruduce
ff ~ 4 A La a
ras I, elhs,quenc = a. II iHVlyfd conclas0n, in
respect to III principles Of the govenmeh shh At an
eatsf dsy would have been tv0itsd from lie was de-
eid,dy m favor Of written Information