Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-04-21

contradict the presumption that any conduct of
that officer had induced the proposition.
A division of the question being demanded, it |
was first put on taking the appointment Of Com
mitees from the hands Of the President of the Sc
nate, and restoring it TO the Senate itself, was dec-
ded in the affirmative, by yeas and nays, as fol-
lows:
YEAS.--NIessrs. Barten, Bell, Benton, Branch, |
Chambers. Chandler. Chase, Clayton, Cobb, Dick
eison, Edwards, Findlay, Harrison, Harper,
Hayne, Hendricks, Holmes, Johnson of Ken.
Johnston of Lou Kane, King, Lloyd, Macon,
Marks, Mills, Noble. Randolph Reed, Robbins,
Rowan, Sanford, Seymour, Smith, Tazewell,
Thomas, Van Buren,, White, Wiley, Williams,
w oodbury.-40.
NAYS Messrs. Eaton, Ruggles.-2
The question was then taken on the second
branch of the proposition, viz TO take from the
President of the Senate the control over the Journal
of Proceedings; and was also carried, by the fol-
lowing vote:
YEAS.-Messrs. Barton, Bell, Benton, Branch,
Chandler, Chase, Dickerson, Edwards, Findlay,
Harper, Harrison, Hayne, Hendricks. Holmes,
Johnson of Ken. Johnston OF Lou. Kane, King,
Lloyd, Macon, Marks, Mills, Noble, Randolph,
Robbins, Sanford, Seymour, Smith, Tazew ell,
Thomas, Van Buren,, White, Wiley, Williams,
Woodbury. -35.
NAYS.-Messrs. Chambers, Clayton, Cobb,
Eaton, Rowan, Rugges--6.
The resolutions having been agreed to-
The Vice President aud said, he trusted that
the Senate would indulge him in making few OBJ
servations before he resumed his seat as the debate
on the subject just decided had relation necessarily
to the duties OF the Chair
| No one, more than myself said the Vice Pres-
dent, can be more deeply impressed with the great
truth, that the preservation of rights depends,
mainly, on their exercise That nation deserved
to conquer the world, which called its army erer-
citus; and will the nation deserve that its lber-
ty shall be immortal, which lays the foundation of
its system of Gov eminent the great principles
that no power ought to be delegated which can be
fairly exercised by the constituent body, and that
none ought ever to be delegated but 10 responsible
agents. These have been my maxims through the
whole of my political life, and should be ncon-
sistent with myself, if did not give my entire as
sent to the principles which the rules in question
have been rescinded trust, said he, tha; it never
will be the ambition OF him, whose lot il is now 10
OCCUPY this Chair, to enlarge its powers. My am
lbion, hope, pursues different direction; not to
enlarge powers, but 10 discharge, with industry
fidelity, and tirnness, the duties which may be i'm
posed on Thus feeling, shall witness, witt
pleasure, the resumption of all the power.
which can be properly exercised, by the Senate
as they will be then placed, where alone they
can be with perfect safety
From the direction which the debate, in som,
degree, took, as well as from what has been sait
without these walls, it becomes, on this occasion
proper that / should state, for the information
this body, the construction that the Chair has pu
| on the 9th and 9TH rules of the Senate. They ar
in the following words:
When member shall be called to order, b
shall sit down, until the President shall have de
termined whether he is in order or not and ever
question of order shall be decided by the Presi
dent, without debate; bat if there be doubt il
his mind, lie may call for the of the Senate
If the member be called TO order, for word
spoken, the exceptionable words shall imme
diately be taken down, in writing, that the Pre-
sident may be better enabled to judge of tn
natter
: The Chair, said the Vice President, has bes,ow
ed its most deliberate and anxious attention, b
night and by day, on the question of the extent c
us powers, uIfdrr construct ton OF thes
ruIes ana IN the conviction tI.st1i,
right to call to order, questions touching th
latitude or freedom OF debate, belongs exclusive
iy to the members of this BODY and not TO the Cha
The power OF the presiding officer, on these grea
points, is an appellate power only; and, conse
quently, the duties Of the Chair commence when
Senator is called to order by Senator Wheneye
such call shall be made, the Chair will not
found unprepared TO discharge its only functions
such case; that OF deciding the point of orde
submitted. What the opinion of the presidin
officer is, in relation to the freedom OF debate
this body, it will be time to declare, when cue,
ton may be presented; but, such as it is it will b
D firmly, and trust may add, fearlessly maintain
ed. But, rejoice that the rules of the Senat,
on point so important, gave 10 the Chair n
original power, and that 1t can exercise no cor
trout till called on by the Senate itself. II wa
right in ITSELF he said in strict conformity 10 ii
e principles which had guided the Senate in the va,
just takeni that so high power should be place
. only in the custody OF the body. The Vice Pros
dent said he prided himself his connection wi,
the Senate; but it was impossible, that he shou
forget, that that connection was created by Il
! operation Of the Constitution. In discharging II
duty in this seat, it would be objectionable in hi
" not to recollect, that he placed in the Chat
$ not by the voice of the Senate, but by that of II
} People; and that to them, and not this bod,
) be ultimately responsible. Standing in ii
relation he did to the Senate, he had laid
down as an invarisbe rule, to assume no pow,
in the least degree doubtful and 10 confne hrnse
to a just but firm exercise of the powers clearl
delegated. In conclusion, he rendered to the S,
nate his sincere Acknowledgements, that, in r,
n sclnding the rule, such delicate regard had bee
= paid TO his feelings in the debate. Ample ustic
e had been done to the industry and fidelity wit
which he bad honestly attempted TO discharge h
arduous duties. Deeming himself called on by III
debate that had taken place, 20 say thus much.
n explanation, he begged the indulgence of the S,
nate for having done so; and resumed his seat
l. The Senate then proceeded 10 consider the ioir
resolution from the House of Representatives fix
ing the day for adjournment.
Mr. Holmes, moved to strike out the 22d NAV
and insert the 18th, which was negatved, ayes If
noes 2f; and The resolution was then concurfed
without debate or division, and returned to tb
, other House.
Mr. Hayne, then moved to 60 into the considera
ton of Executive business, but motion 10 ad,our
prevailed, ayes 20, noes 10.
And then the Senate adjourned.