Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-01-27
TwENrY.FIRsr CoNGREss-ad Session.
TUESDAY, JANUARY %, 1851.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

tee ON the Judiciary :. to repeal the 95th section
of the Judiciary Act of l7o9," was taken uP-the
question being on ordering the bill to second
reading.
Mr.. Davis of South Carolina, hoped the bill
would be allowed now to be read the second time,
and that it would be made the order Of the day
for Tuesday next, which motion he made.
The Speaker said the bill could not take that
course. unless the gentleman from Virginia Mr..
Doddridge) would consent to withdraw his oppo-
sition.
MIR. Doddridge would not consent
MIR. Buchanan addressed the House. He said
the measure proposed was one OF great Importance
and he wished to give an opportunity to members
of the house to express tier opinions on 1t freely
and fully. and that their remarks might be sent
to the people. He was opposed to hasty lessla-
ton on important matters but if the gentleman
from Virginia would withdraw his opposition to
the second reading,he would move 70 postpone the
consideration of the bill to Tuesday next Such
motion he presumed would not be in order now.
The speaker-No The Chair will read the
rule of the House for the information of gentle
men.
THE Speaker here read the rule, as follows:]
1.-The first reading of bill shall be for inform
alton; aud if opposition be made to it, the ques-
ton shall be, .shall this bill be rejeced?" II no
opposition be made, if the question to reject he
nesatived, the bill shall 60 to its second reading
without question"
Mr.. Doddridge now consented 10 withdraw
his opposition
Mr.. Bates inquired whether, if the considera-
ton of the bill was postponed to Tuesday next,
it could then be considered in Committee OF the
Whole.
The Speaker said, that, after the bill had been
read second time, 1t could 60 to a committee OF
the Whole, or be otherwise disposed of, as the
the house might direct.
Mr.. Martin said the gentleman from Penn
sylvania had expressed his willingness to have a
tree and full discussion of the subject, ami the
gentleman from Virginia had no desire to smOth-
err it He MIR. NJ. had been listening for reasons
why the bill should not take the ordinary course,
but had heard none. The bill was one of vast
importance, and he was also in favor Of a free
and full discussion. He should be sorry that the
bill should take course to prevent his hearing the
views Of gentlemen on the subject; and he was
not lsure that he should mot take part in dis
cussion himself. He did not intend now, how
ever, to commit himself.
Mr. Buchanan said he had no disposition, on
this or any other occasion, to prevent the freest
discussion of the matter before the House. 1t
was for the purpose of assuring himself, on the
contrary, that question should be taken on this
bill at the present session. that he mad proposed
its postponement to this day week. 1t would
thus come up for consideration, as business OF
course, on that day. The bill will be, on that
dav, precisely in the situation in which 1t Is at
this moment. 1t will stand higher on the calen-
dar than it would do. were we now to refer 1t to
Committee of the Whole on the state OF the
Union. If on that day it should be thought an ex-
pedient course, the bill can then be referred to
Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union,
as we'll AS now. We all know that there are ma
nv subjects referred to the Committee Of the
Whole on the state of the Union, and we know
that there is a vast mass of lumber there too If
this subject were referred to that Committee, Mr..
B. said, such an expression of the opinion of this
House upon 1t, as is due to its Importance, and
must be expected by the Nation, would not be
obtained at the present session.
Mr.. Storrs, of New York, asked whether the
question upon the second reading or rejection OF
a bill, was not question open to discussiOn!-
THE Speaker answered that it was. If so, said
MIR. S. then the gentleman from South Carolina.
and all others, would have as full opportunity as
thew desired to debate it. without referring it to
the Committee of the Whole.
Mr.. Doddridge said that his objection to the
second reading of the bill was prompted by the
same motives as had influenced the course of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania. viz. thathe might
have it in his power to debate and decide upon
this bill. He gave way only to allow of the mo-
ton for postponement, and for no other purpose.
He should not have made the objection to the Sc
cond reading. but that he might subject the bill
to debate, intending himself fully to discuss it.
Mr. Ramsay asked how this bill came to be re-
ported? Was there any petition any instruc-
ton to the Committee to bring the subject now
before the House? If the People of the United
States do not ask us to do this thing, said he, we
ought not to take it up at all.
MIR. Daniel said that the Judiciary Committee
had been instructed, by a special resolution, to
inquire into the expediency of repeating or mOdi-
flying the 25th section of the Judiciary Act; and,
on considering the subject. they had come to the
resolution that it ought to be repealed Mr.. ID.
had no objection 10 the proposed postponement
for week, by which time every member would
be prepared to express his opinion upon it, he sup
posed
Mr. Archer said, if there was majority of the
House disposed to obtain decision of this ques-
ton, they could at any time get at it by going ill.,