Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 3 (of 16)United States. Congress
History
Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 3 (of 16)
United States. Congress
Law -- United States; United States -- Politics and government
vessel of Europe?
Before a question was taken on the motion to strike out the section,
Mr. JACKSON moved that the committee should rise. If they rose he would
oppose their having leave to sit again, with the intention of referring
the bill to the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures.
The committee agreed to rise--ayes 63.
Leave having been refused to them to sit again, Mr. J. RANDOLPH moved
that a committee be appointed to inquire whether any, and what, further
additions may be necessary to the Naval Establishment of the United
States,
Mr. ALSTON moved to amend the motion by striking out “a committee be
appointed,” and inserting “the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures be
instructed.” Messrs. ALSTON, NICHOLSON, and EUSTIS supported, and Mr. J.
RANDOLPH opposed this amendment. Carried--yeas 51, nays 46.
The motion thus amended was supported by Messrs. HUGER and ELMER, and
opposed by Messrs. VARNUM and SMILIE. Carried--yeas 57, nays 44.
Mr. JACKSON then moved the reference of the bill to the Committee of
Commerce and Manufactures. Agreed to without a division.
THURSDAY, January 5.
_Official Conduct of Judge Chase._
Mr. J. RANDOLPH said, that no people were more fully impressed with the
importance of preserving unpolluted the fountain of justice than the
citizens of these States. With this view the Constitution of the United
States, and of many of the States also, had rendered the magistrates who
decided judicially between the State and its offending citizens, and
between man and man, more independent than those of any other country
in the world, in the hope that every inducement whether of intimidation
or seduction which could cause them to swerve from the duty assigned
to them might be removed. But such was the frailty of human nature
that there was no precaution by which our integrity and honor could be
preserved, in case we were deficient in that duty which we owed to
ourselves. In consequence, sir, of this unfortunate condition of man,
we have been obliged, but yesterday, to prefer an accusation against a
judge of the United States who has been found wanting in his duty to
himself and his country. At the last session of Congress a gentleman from
Pennsylvania did, in his place, (on the bill to amend the Judicial system
of the United States,) state certain facts in relation to the official
conduct of an eminent judicial character, which I then thought, and
still think, the House bound to notice. But the lateness of the session
(for we had, if I mistake not, scarce a fortnight remaining) precluding
all possibility of bringing the subject to any efficient result, I did
not then think proper to take any steps in the business. Finding my
attention, however, thus drawn to a consideration of the character of
the officer in question, I made it my business, considering it my duty,
as well to myself as to those whom I represent, to investigate the
charges then made, and the official character of the judge, in general.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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