Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1810-01-27
aleraaurtz DAILY 6artts.
SATURDAY, JANUARY ~.

Mr.. Cox, in the House Of Kefresense',
tives, in the debase on the Rules and Or9-
ers efhe Hsuse. They are now tHblish-,
cd ss ltliuerex, TO ssrrect missasemenss.
Nh. Grammar, 80 Il
AZ there has been % many opinions exc
pressed on this rule, and perhaps none OF
them exactly. according with mine, l will
try to give my opinion also-in few re-
marks ON the subject. ~ !,
And will assure the committee, that
they shall be but few, so thar if I weary
them it shall not be with a long speech. \
Sir, who that calls himself republican
will DENY that majority in 4 delibera,ive
body like this, on whom responsibility does,
and of right ought to rest, should not also
govern. 49,. 7;
In order to explain my ideas on the sub
jeet, will put case, sir; surprising my.
self to have been here, say some four or FIVE
months, deputed and authorized by my frl.
low-cinzers, to make laws for them on
nay return home, l am soon informed that
the laws or copy Of them, have got there
before me, and that abe sovereign people
have asse mbled, l will SUI pose previous to,
and preparatory for another election. i am
summoned to attend, or some OF my friends
advise me to 60. / take the advice, and
when have arrived, behold a great num-
Der Of people have assembled, and organic !
ed themselves TO deliberate on the laws,
(as they most certainly have an undoubted
RICH, to do) having their president or chair.
man, or as it is sometimes said, called ma
ior or colonel such an one to the chair--a
clerk or secretary thosen-I am FIRST salut-
cd by the said chairman, it may be in
rough manner, with a copy of those laws
hear my defence. s..
/ hope, fellow citizens, that you do not
condemn them all in gross. 0 no, but here
is one most Ubiquitous & mischievous one,
what do you say to that Say, why I say
gentlemen, that perfectly agree with you
in opinion, and if had the journals of the
house to which l belong, aud which think
ought to have accompanied these laws,
could from those Journals convince you,
that opposed that bill in every stage of
its passage, raised m. feeble voice a.
gainstis; and if the majority would but
have listened to my strong reasoning on
the subject, think they would have been
convinced of the evil Of their ways :; and
it may be would have <mended them bat
they would not attend-they voted me
down. Certainly, says the chairman, If
this is the case you are innocent; and so
they say all; and then I am cleared. So
far fer responsibility.
Isay then, who denies that a majority
ought to govern. If therefore, after being
tired, worn down with long speeches, it
may be argument, and it may be mere
speeches without argument: be that ~ it
may--the previous question is called for by
one fifth of the members present, say as the
rule now stands, say one third If you please.
However, I shall no, make motion to that
effect.
Well, sir, If the question is put who de.
.cides! A majority. II they say that the
main question shall not be now put, the de.
bate goes on and the business progresses a.
ifis had not been put-but if they say that
the necessity ofthe case requires decision,
am 90 much of republican, or think my
self SO, that will conform thereto. ! hope
therefore, that the rule viii be adopted BY
the committee, and that it will be agreed to
by the house-but whether in its present
form, altered or amended, ~ may Psssibly
be done. But, sir, I do not believe that all
alteration are amendments, and if the rule 10
disagreed to 90 that it 10 done by a fair
majority viii most cordially acquiesee
,herein-And then, cir, one gentleman may
get up and begin his speech:in the morning
and talk all day; thar il. a. lsng As he can
sec to read his notes--And thea the boys
may be called in: the lamps and candies
lighted, this hall illuminated, another gen
tleman may get UP and speak ali night. y
will summon all the power Of patience thas
possess and cit and'hear fhem-1 say hear
them, because / am blsst with the sense OF
ha.r;or ,.J 7 H. ..oS. sl.ec ~ Unv 0Ost.--.