Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1829-02-24
LIVELY TIMES.
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.


In the Senate, Thursday las Duff Green elect.
ed printer to the Senate the for Duff Green
"a, for Gales and Seatoh, To-
Mr. Hendricks from the Committee on roads and canals
reported bill authorsng subscription OF $500 shares to
the stock Of the South Carolina rail road Company
In the House, Mr. Alexander Smyths resolution for the
Amendment OF the Constitution, and the amendment to
the samc have been laid the table, where they will
probably seep.We select the following account Of the
proceedings this subject, which occurred on Thursday
AMENDMENT TO TIE contribution.
The House then resumed the consideration of the
luton offered by Mr.. A Smyh, amendatory OF the Con-
sttution.
The question being on the amendment offered by Mr..
j. c. W Fight to the endment offered by MIR Condct.
MIR Wright resumed his observations. He went on to
argue in favour OF reduction OF service OF Senators OF
United States from SIX years to four He referred to
the power which resided in the Senate in consequence OF
Their part cpation in the appointing power OF the Gov
eminent expressed his belief that If we look back
to the history Of the country for instances in which Mem
oers of Congress have corrupted shall not find
them in this House; but that we shall lind that Senators
have expelled for corruption, and for endeavourng
to subvert the laws of the country Unless, therefore,
shut our eyes against the light of history shall endci-
your carry reform into that body BY the abmdgmen
of the of service, shall introduce symmetry into
our Government, which it now wants. He was about 10
reei to the resolutions OF the State OF tennessee
Mr. Weems here called the gentleman from Ohio to
ORDER for reading authorities in support OF amendment
which he did wish to prevail
The Speaker decided that the gentleman from Ohio
| in order.
Mr. Wright then resumed. He read extract from the
res buttons passed py the Legislature of Tennessee III
1878, recommending the abridgement OF the Senatorial
term four years lie expressed his determination to
perform his duty spite Of the efforts OF the stage drivers
whppers in aud small fry OF any party IN or out Of the
House.
order.
MIR. Wright then recapituated the alleged OF
complaint the part OF the people, IN reference to the
election Of 1885, and asked if the gentleman from Virginia
Dr tn a
lie did not regard the proposition as presenting sui-
Gent remedy and therefore, although he himself did not
desire to see the constitution amended yet if it to be
done he would desire have done as eectualy pos
sible lie dsclamed any intention to show dsrespect to
any member on the floor and would not follow the
ample Of the gentleman from Virginia, by moving the pre-.
vous question in shut out all reply He had laid
the anonymous letters which he had read, before the
House, unera duty He asked that the question
amendment may be taken separately and by Ayes
and Noes.
| The Ayes and Noes then ordered.
Mr. A. Smyth then rose and said he presumed it would
not be necessary to go into the question OF the authorship
OF certain letters He then read the letters and put the
questions contained in them in the shape of argument
to the House. 1t had been charged that was all attempt
to corrupt the House. What sad hey the nature of
my brides I" 1t merely appeal to the honDuabe
| ambition of every member. 1t was merely holding out
the probability of honour to men Some 80 or ~ years
hence when according to the course OF nature he should
be longer here If he could succeed in stirring up one
man life of virtue, he should not have lived in vain
Ii he could succeed in inducing many to do So he should
be great public benetactor He read various quotations
to show operative upon human action was the desire
of promotion, and how legtimatey distinction might be
sought after in democratic government. The situation
of the first republic could only be obtained by a
life of virtue 1t was said he had used his argument
political opponents well As friends He aduced this as
proof of his purity of intention He stated that his OBJ,
iect being to preserve the honour of the United States
was highly commen,yble. He considered himself jusui-
ed in resoiting amy which not unlawful,
dsonourable, obtain the passage of his He
put the supposition that there proposition Brit
ish convention make the King office to be given by
election and asked if the reasons he had assigned might
not be dressed ON the members of that Convention.
Here the hour having EXPIRED Mr.. Smyth moved to sus
pend the rule, which decided in the negative-Ayes
IS, Noes 80
Friday The amendment of Mr. Smyth to the Constitution
came up as the unfinished business of yesterdays when MI
Stock the oor and concluded his remarks in reply to Mr.
Wright and in defence OF the amendment generally, and
more particularly Of his in addressing anony-
nous letters Members of the House, arguing to show
he could have had no bad motives but regard to the
public good.