Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-01-19

oglm'ttce. several Senator's among whom we un-
derstand were Messrs, ~ efsh, Gray, Lincoln Srcis.
and keyss, objected granting leave on the ground
that here was no power in the House Of Representa-
tves he United States TO require the attendance Of
witnesses for the object of which Mr. T. wns
ed Leave wassfnaily granted as a matter of favour,
but not of Right; and with an understanding that MIR
Tufts was at liberty to obey the summons o not,
Nat. Journal.
Tho follow ing incident, which occurred in the Sem
ate OF Massachusetts,, on the 9th instant, as find it
reported in the Boston Statesnan,l sill amuse those
who took an interest in the debate granting The dis
pu.cd power to the Committee OF Manufactures.
BosroN, JANUARY IL.
.Ta,tyacfurcs.-In our Senate, on w ednes day, Mr.
TUFTS from Worcester, applied for leave of absence
Tor three weeks, assigning that he had
ceived summons to attend before the Committee of
Manufactures al Congress, and give evidence on Ger
tain points, which letter from the Committee mention.
ed. The leave was opposed by Mr.. Lincoln, and 9th
fter some debate the question was put, and de-
cidcd Ii 10 ID, which the President declared in the
Affirmative. Mr.. Lincoln then gave notice that he
should move reconsideration the following day,
but the President remarking that the gentleman
having obtained leave, might depart previous to that
time, which would place the Senate in rather an awlt
ward predcament, Mr.. l.. then moved an immediate
Reconsideration. This motion led 10 further debate
in which hIessrs. Siurgis, Dwight, Burnel, Keyes
Gray, Billings, of II. Sprague, Welsh, and Parker
took part Mr. Reyes objected TO granting leave on
the ground that Congress had no right 10 conpl the
attendance Of member of this Legislature bef,,re a
Committee of their body. Ii they could compel ore TO
attend 10 day, they might compel FIVE and twenty to-
morrow' then what will become of our legisIatnre
For this he could vote grant this request
He had no disposition to withhold the indulgence from
tue gentleman on his own account, but it the right,
of the Legislature that he contenied for lie thought
II was their duty-a duty they Owed TO themselves
duty they owed to the commonweaith-o resist this
attempt upon the rights of the Legislature Mr. GRAY
agreed with the gentleman, that they should no, now,
in the slightest degree, allow the right of Committee
OF Congress TO take, by compulsory process any men,
Der from this Board, whatever. They cannot admit
any such power. If the personal convenience of
the gentleman required his ABSENCE he should be will.
ing, however valuable he considered his attendance,
10 grant the request and had objections 10 easing
vote that the Board not bound TO comply nor the
gentleman bound to attend the summons of Congress
Mt Sprague thought there was but simple question
before the Board the gentleman asks leave of absence
TOR three weeks on important business and as it was
asuai to grant such requests he agreed with the gentle
man from Nantucket Mr. Burnell that if the Senate
refused IN this CASE inference might be drawn that
they were opposed 10 giving the requisite information,
on such an important subject Manufactures. Mr.
Gray thought that there but one opinion at the
Board. They willing TO grant the rcouest of the
gentleman for his own convenience, but were not will
ing 10 allow the right of Congress to compc, his atten
daoce lie was satisfied in regard to the record be
ing III the usual FORM that il would not appear from
that, that the Senate had compromised any of their
rights Mr. Welsh believed there was no question of
right before tue Senate The Legislature had exores.
Gu an opno favorable to manufactures last year. aud
he thought 1t would be tacitly REVERSING that onn in,
by refusing leave to the gentleman give the norrna
lion, in his possession necessary gh, understand
ing of the subject. Mr.. S;urgs thought that on tis
ground, II was worse than before. IT, by this vote we
are to decide the question. whether are favorable or
unavorabie To manufactures, he wanted more time TO
consider the subject But he thought this suggestion
should be Kept out o! sghthe believed there had been
no expression of the opinion of the present Senate 90
the subject. Mr.. Welsh explained, and Mr. Graya,
pretended that it must have heen III the other branch
In regard TO inference, Mr.. .rgis thought an infe.
ence might as well be drawn one way as the other
lie was in favor Of giving leave, if the reason which il
was true they were in possession Of kept ent,reIv
ont of sight He would not acIcnow ledge tie RICH, OF
Congress to take any member from this Board, but
would resist such attempt to extreme if necessary
IA matter OF private personal accommodations he was
wiling 10 grant the request, and on that footing and
that only, should he vote against a considerations
hlessrs. Burneil Reyes, and Parker, made few re
marks, when Mr.. Lincoln Withdrew his motion to re-
leave of absence for three weeks, by tile casting vote
of the President.