Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-12-20
Nc question vas taAsn on NIr. IIa,nc,s amendmcni,

Mr.. Cob6, then and said, that without entering
INTO the inCary whether they could strike out mode
for the election of President and Vice President with
out the Intervention of either branch of Congress. he
would offer amendment that went To another point:
IT'S object was to instruct tins same committee inquire
INTO the expectancy of SO amending the Constitution
as TO prohibit the appointment of any member of Con-
gress To any office ot honor trust under the United
States during the for which such Senator or Re-
preventative should have been eleCted.-lf this amend
men were adopted, the evil would not he SD great in
referring the election Of President TO the decision of
either branch of Congress. While he had the honor
oil being member OF the other House, he said he sub
mtted similar propositions and though there was not
sufficient vote to through he had the consoa
ton OF SHOWING that the vote in favor of it very
respectable He thought there could be better time
than the present TO the propositions: ii the
nttee could not devise mode by which the election
could be effected, without the n,erpositiun of Congress-
uen became the proper 10 inquire whether they
should not remove from those whom the election
must devoive all temptation that might bias them in
that election He would make any observations as
To the Tact OF how far any member OF Congress might be
influenced by the hope of Office in voting: but every
member would see, from the allibity of human nature
that was almost impossible for sometimes not to be
inluenced Mr.. {. SAID, he wished 10 cut off every
tang that could tempt man, and entirely destroy all
no OF Office, and all imputation whether they should
r"'e right or wrong Mr. &. concluded by moving al,
amendment TO the resolution, corresponding what he
stated in hs remarks:
Tho question being Put Mr.. Is amendment j;
was age ed to, mem. con.
NJ .NacoD said, he still thought that instead of re-
errh@ To The onmittee separate and distinct propu.
sionS, IT would be better TO COMMIT tie whole suhioct
o the election OF President and Wee President o. the
uniled States. that the committee might devise and re
port such plan as they should think best 10 avoid the
existing evils, and the benefits which were
deemed desirable in the mode of eIectin those officers
lie therefore moved the following as substitute for
lie resolution, and the several amendments alread,
adopted, VIZ:
THAT secc, Committee be appointed. who shall in.
gnre INTO the exprienty of ameuug CONSTITUTIONS
IN the election of President and Vice President of the Uni
ted States as to attain the best preferable and safest
mode ~ regard to such elections"
hier some conversation 10 the eXpedieucv of this
2eneral reference IN preference to the propositions pre-
Vlously offered, between Messrs Holmes Macon John
son, of Ky. and Cobb
MI NlacOn's motion was agreed TO- and his amend
neni adlpted
Nr. pGn Buren, then said, that this was subject on
vino great diversity OF opinion had existed as was mani
ested both at the last session. and present by the num-
Der OF pr posiions that had been offered twas from This
consideration that he thought larger number should
compose the committee 70 whom the subject was nov
10 be referred than usual and therefore he should
move that nine be appointed
! nat number was agreed 10.
MT Peterson gave notice, that lie should to NOR
row ask leave to introduce resolution for so ancniinr
the constitution limit the e ~, for which one ner
son should be eligible fer the Office of President of The
United States.
motion was made to go ir,o ihe consideration of
EXecuIv" business when amotion 10 adjourn was made
which W., lost. yeas II, rays -.
The Senate then went into the oc ya
cuve business and after short time spent therein, ad
lOrrncd 10 Monday.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
CASE OF CoNIMoDoRE ponrrR.
The House proceeded to the consideration of the fol
lowing resolution, yesterday submitted bv Mr. Buch
anln, of Pennsylvania:
ffS0Ee6 Tint the Secretary Of the Navy be directed
to lay before this House the proceedings of the late Co
o. Inquiry and Court Martial in relation to the case of
commodore Porter"
Mr. SiorrS, oiNew York, rose not to make anv oh
econ to the object OF this propositions but 10 s,n est
nat as the papers in this had been already called
OF Nv me senate there was occasion for reDe-
on Of the call by this House, inasmuch as an in
ormalI'n communicated TO one House. and printed !
vas Ell ciIVey communicated to both each House re
with the other copies of all its printed pa
:ers I"
Nir. B"ch mn said he had no othar motive in car
OF me proceedings IN the Of Com Porter than 10
CIV" ruoiicl' to those proceedings. Not concciv NO
IoFcVor that the fact of reciprocal lion of COMICS of
'h'cu papers between the two Houses, obyated the
'roprety OF fins House calling independents of the
oceeongS 10 Inc senate for any papers ii desired to
possess. Mir Is still desired The question to be taken ON
nc passage Of this resolution lie understand that tho
documents which II embraced were already printed and
could do no harm to shew, by the resolution the dis
20 ltloh OF tic House TO have them before IT, If any
objection existed TO the object of the resolution Mr.
3. SAID he would on its being stated endeayour to an
wer IT; but be did not deem it either correct or polite
% aniicI1ate objections TO his proposition
Mr.. Irio6ie of Kentucky, said he should vote for
he resolution at the gentIemans request though he
nd not think lis passage material since the documents
you'd como before the view of the House whether il
passed or not Vie had risen on this occasion TO saw
nat, although he should never vote for call for the
Proceedings OF any Court Martial on subordinate of
Icer, unless where ulleror measures were con
enpated to be founded on il; yet where the officer
rled by any Court, having been in command of snra
!Fob mas oeeh brought into contact with the officers mr.
oFce5 OF other Governments involving questions of in
era'ionai law ~ which the country might be inferes;
'd ne should make objection - calling for the PRO
'cedinSs OF III" Court. Bu his prlncia! object was t
suggest ~ amendment 60 which be was sure his fr;cnd
you'd make no objection Itwouli be recnIlecfed bv
nose who had attended 10 the progress of the trial Of
ON Porter as given IL the public prints that some
d 'he evidence offered both sides was reject
I'd Ihc object OF h, amendment was to elicit all The
documents and correspondence connected with n,is
ase' lie moved, therefore. TO add TO the resolution
be words, "togcther With all the documents and cor
dependence connected With this cascn
Mr. BVc/tnnan, said he did not perceive himself that
ms amendment was necessary. But il could certain
10 harm. and world mako f,o r,-,i,.;...