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
If virtuous men are appointed and the vicious discouraged, Congress
may, from particular circumstances, be called on to make inquiries,
but very rarely indeed to be employed in impeachments, (no men of
real virtue and talents would refuse a seat on the bench for fear of
inquiry or impeachment.) He said that the judges of the Supreme Court
in the State he had the honor of representing, though they differed in
political opinions, administered justice with such purity and diligence,
that though some of them had been long in office, they enjoyed the
confidence of the citizens, were in no danger of impeachment or removal
by vote, and he believed would not shrink from inquiry if necessary.
The more extensive the confidence of the citizens that was reposed in
the Judiciary, the easier it would be to supply vacancies with men of
character and talents. He said that among several other observations
which occurred to his mind, with offering which he would not now detain
the House, he had once thought of stating other charges against the
official conduct of these judges, of which he had been well informed, but
on due reflection he declined mentioning them, and thought it most for
the public good to insist on the appointment demanded by a member on the
responsibility of his own official character, and as a matter of right,
and would do nothing that would impair the weight of the precedent that
he hoped would be set by agreeing to the resolution as it stood.
Mr. F. said that having so long engaged the attention of the House he
would conclude by observing, that as the case now stood it is proper for
all the members to vote for the resolution; those that believed as he
did, that there was a want of necessary confidence in those judges, and
that this want of confidence was occasioned by their unauthorized and
oppressive conduct, were obliged in conscience to vote for the inquiry;
and every member who believed the judges to have done their duty, and
that the public confidence is withdrawn from them without cause, are
bound in duty to vote for the resolution, in order that the judges may
have an opportunity to vindicate their character, that confidence in them
being restored they may become useful to the public; therefore, in every
light he could view it, he was convinced it was his duty to vote for the
resolution, and would act accordingly.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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