Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-02-19
rs'-
TUESDAY, FEB. ~.
IN SIN ATE
RIFLES or THF SENATF


he unfinished business of observation-disclosures
yne report oil the Committee appointed TO revise the
Rules OF the Senate--was taken up and the amend
Hient 10 the 7th Rule, proposed yesterday by Mr.
oot, oeinG under consideration, viz: after the
words called TO ordcr,' insert 'fBy the Presi-
dent, or Senator, he shall sit down; and every
question OF order shall be decided by the Presi.
dent, without debate, subject to an appeal to the
senate, but the President may call for the sense
oI me Senate on any question of order
lAionS discussion occurred on this question: O;
which we give slight sketch below, merely de-
sienaunS the general grounds taken by the several
speakers, The debate will probably be reported
~ lul, at iuture PERIOD
hr Barton opened the debate at considerable
length, supporting the amendment. He went into
general argument, to sustain the constitutional
power OF the presiding officer OF the Senate TO keep
order in that body. The Chair in the every day
habit of performing certain duties in promoting Or
der, which belonged to his office, and he consider
ed those duties confded TO the Vice President by
his appointment 10 preside over the Senate. He
said, that, by side-wind, an endeavor had been
made TO bring UP decision of the Chair two years
since. But that decision had nothing to 10 with
the amendment offered by the gentleman from
Connecticut.
MIR. Bell followed on, the same side sustaining
the amendment. He believed that the presiding
officer was possessed OF power to preserve order,
as hc believed that, where the Constitution created
an officer and fixed his duties, by necessary impli-
cation il transferred to him the power TO fulfil them
IN useful and proper manner. The Constitu-
ton, in comforting the Office of Vice President, re-
ierFcd in fixing his powers, TO the known usages
of the Government. Mr.. u. went into state
fncnt of facts in relation TO the various presiding
officers Of the Senate, to show the manner in which
they had presided and the principles By which they
had been directed.
Mr.. Rowan opposed the amendment. lie consid-
cred that the Vice President, had not, by the Con-
stitution, the power which had been attributed 10
hin. lie was not member OF The Senat; but was
slowed away ia the Senate, until the occurrence
Of the contingency, by which ne would be called
upon toact. He placed there TO be kept in a
state Of preservation, until required TO act in
that capacity for which, in cases Of emergency,
ne was intended IIc deprecated the idea Of plac-
ing the power Of governing IS Senators, and check
ing the freedom Of Speech in the hauls Of an indi-
vidual, who was placed in the Senate, as il were,
incidentally, and who not one ofthe body. The
Constitution had given contrary decision, in hay
ing authorised each body 20 make rules for its own
government. All doubtful powers were Of DANCE
rous tendency and il better not to confer pow.
er, where the charter by which il was granted was
no. clear.
Mr.. White followed, on the same side, and ex-
pressed opinions ia some respects similar. lie ar
gued at length, that il was never the Intention e
grant TO the Vice President the power ofea
ing to order, where excepiiOnable words were
used in debate, which must be done by some mem
Der. The duty Of the President he considered 4
be the enforcement OF the rules framed by the Sc
nate and to extend no farther. lie deprecated tht
delegation Of any other power to the presiding OIL
GER as the time might come when It would be useC
fyr pcfnicious purposes.
MT. Van Buren, spoke at some length agans
fne idea o. any power being delegated to the Pee
sijcnt to stay debate by calling to order for word
spoken. fIe looked upon the principle as msn
s,rou5, and as threatening future consequence of;
rn0st serious nature. He did not say, that AZ pre-
sent, any evil would afise from IT, But lin,
nrlgFft conc, whcn ~ aep~c. Of thinga woll,