Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-02-11

any need to go into conciave in order to copduc,
the approaching election. 1t was not measure
involving our relations with foreign nation, bu,
a matter VT a purely domestic character. Yet
this rule enforces secrecy, in regard to the
| transaction, II required even by single indvi-
dual, and that IN the most obnoxious form. He
had rather have the rule made absolute AT once.
and say that the galleries, as well as the doors of
the House, should he closed, than to give an
thori'y TO the delegation Of one state TO hay @
them cleared. He was at loss TO account E,r
such proposition. He supposed that there
must be some special reason tor grmitinp sucb
a power, bnt he could not conceive what if was
Was any distrust entertained of the personal
safety of members of this House? Surely. the
power OF the Speaker over the galleries would
| be as great on the contemplated occasion. MS at
The prcsent moment; and the existing rules OF
the House, clothed him with full authorize TN
have the galleries cleared in case of disorder
Believing that no good reason existed for the
clause in question, he hoped it would be stricken
out.
| MIR. McLANE, of Delaware, said. that when
the lon. member from Pennsy lvania rose, he
had been about TO offer an amendment 10 tho
rule, in conformity with the opinion he had ex-
pressed, when in Committee; ard he should now
acquesce in the amendment which that gentle
man had offered, provided the principle on which
he himself wished to go, was adopted by the
House. He was for clearing the galleries al
together, without leaving il to the delegation of
any state to require that ii should be done. In
giving his reasons, in favor of tins course. he
wished 1t 10 be distinctly understood, tina, any
remarks he might make, had no reference
whatever, TO the peculiar state of things exist
ing at the present moment. He thought the
question ought to be treated as involving an
important precedent, and ought to be considered
on principles that were TO govern on this coca
sion, aud all others not only now, but hereafter.
He felt himself called on by his duty, TO state
these prime. plies. He felt, very fully, the re-
sponsiollity OF ms situation, and wished to assert
the ights which he conceived to pertain to ihe
members OF tins House, at the present moment.
while the nation was IN state of calrnness and
quiet; time peculiarly favorable for the adop-
ton OF rules calculated to provide for a season
oil great party excitement.
| Mr.. NlcLane asked, why ought The galleries
| TO be open? Why must this ballotilg be CON
ducte in public? In electing President. the
members of the House, were called to act moi
as Representatives OF the people, but, as um-
pres, 70 do that winch the people have tried TO
do, and nave not been able 10 accomplish. The
people have tried to elect a President; they have
| failed To do so. The House of Representatives
are then empowered 10 choose one for them.
This power 10 not delegated to them by their
constituents, but by the Constitution: and. in
exercising it they have no peculiar relation to
| tiieir constituents, and are not responsible to
| them, farther than every honest man is respon-
1 sible to his conscience aud his county for his
public acts. He should consider the question
now presented as new one, and should put
| wholly asidc what had at any time been done
respecting it. Who asked Mr.. M'I) has a
right to inspect my decision between conflict
ing claims 10 the Presidency? In ordinary cases
he granted that the people had right 10 look
to the acts of their Representatives and exercise
a sort of inspection over them. Yet even this
| was not always permitted TO them bV the Con
stitution. 1t provides that, in certain cases the
| public eye shall be excluded, either when the
! subject OF deiberation is OF such a nature that
an important public measure must DC frustrated.
| If prernaturely disclosed, o. when from the ex
cited state of public feeling, an improper inhu-
| ence IS apprehended, as endaDgerIng the free
dom OF debate. No such state offeeIing existed
now, but ii not only might exist, aud that in an
alarming degree, but TO such a degree as to be-
come wholly irresistible. If the principle shall
once be established, that the Representative Of
this People, standing on this floor to vote or to
debate, are improperly to be controlled, it is in
those galleries that the object is to be effected
If ever popular tumult, and general excite
ment of national feeling, are to eopardize the
freedom, and endanger the purity, Of this BODY.
1t is in those galleries that they will shew their
| power.
For his own part, Mr.. M'L. said, he thought
that, in SD important an act as the choice of the
Chief Magistrate of this nation, il was ct and
becoming that members should be left TO act
from thecooI dictates oftheir judgment, and that
they alone were the judges how they ought to
act. With them, the Consli uion had entrust-
ed the duty, and there it nigh: be safely trusted
Mr.. M'L. said, that he made these remarks
from the fullest conviction of their truth. He
thought that now, in time of public lrnquiIiity
precedent might be set that wouIl prove yalu-
able hereafter. lie felt great Difference, also
for the precedent that had been already estab-
lshed in this respect. At the election of a Pre-.
sident in 1901, this subject had been entrusted
to able hands, and, after full deliberations they
had thought IT expcdicnt to admit no person as a
spectator Of tic election but members of the Sc
nate and officers of this House, AMI the election
was so conducted.
Mr. HANLToN, OF s. G.. observed. that be
felt DESTROYS of delaining the committee a few
moments IN offering remark or two on the sub
jcCt before them. 1t seems to be well settled
conviction, that it is great public misfortune
that the election ola Chief Magistrate should dc
volve on this House and be would go further
and say, that, in so devoIvng, it was perhaps a
still greater misfortune that tue choice should
be made by secret balloting in the several and
separate states. W hich, by IFS nature, preCludec
the public knowledge, which the people ought
to- have Of the votes of their Representatives on
question so vitality interesting to them and nm.
der sanctions so solemn and imposing. For
ono he was free to confess, as the people were
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