Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-04-27
THE WsIIG.
Gems aS AI:SS.
HOUSTON'S CASE.
SATURDAY. April 81, 1892.
HOUSE OF REPRES ENrATINES
49, su-r-sr--r

nal OF Thursday tho 18th inst corrected. lie
cd that the word "complauant" in conncXiou with
his own name he stricken out; he did not wish to
appear the complainant in this case. He had adj
dressed letter to the Speaker Of tho House, sta
ting the facts of the and he now considered
this House a-d the Nation rs the compliments.
less Interested myself said Mr.. :. than any other
person, vengeance. with respect to me, has,
trust been fully satisfied.
MIR. Irwin suggested to his colleague to postpone
his motion for the present, and suffer the trial &c
proceed.
Mr. Boon objected to any correction Of the Jour
nal 1t seemed to him that the nation was not the
complainant, but the gentleman from Ohio himself
alone.
MIR. Mercer thought this was matter which lay
between tho Speaker and the Clerk.
The Chair observed, that motion had hcci
made to correct the Journal, ii must he decided by
the House.
Mr. Mercer considered the journal ns opon to the
correction of the Speaker.
Tho Chair replied that this was not the case after
the journal had been read
The question was ubout to be put, when
Mr.. Mercer observed, that nothing could be more
improper than any technical description of tho gen
temon from Ohio; as 4 Member Of the House,
he was entitled to be called by his name, as such.
The House in fact was the prosecutor, and not
the gentleman from Ohio.
Mr.. Arnold said, that objection had been
made at tho time tho motion offered: and per-
mission had been given TO make the correction.
The Chair replied, that the motion was objected
Mr.. Cooke of Ohio, asked if the House was not
tho complainant, who was? Mr. Stanbcry had
laid his statement of the facts before tho Spca kerr:
and the Speaker had submitted it to the House:
the House had then ordered Mr.. Houston to be ar
rested. The now lay between the House aud
the Respondent.
Mr.. :. eight said he TO request tho gentle
man from Indiana to withdraw his motion. All
the facts had gone forth TO the world. and all
understood who was the complainant; the lam
guagc Of the Journal WAS of little consequence.
MIR. Boon replied that the remarks Of his friend
from North Carolina SO lorcale, that he would
Withdraw his objection.
Mr.. Hall of North Corolin,, asked and obtained
leave TO submit he following Resolution:
''ReSptrcd, That no member of ths House. OK
ccpt the committee appointed for tho manage
mont OF the trial now pending before the House, be
permitted to discuss questions pertaining TO the trial
OF Samuel Houston, until the examination of wit
ncsses is closed; that all questions lie propounded
through the committee i'll writing, and that the
committee alone, on the part OF the House, be al
lowed to- beet to discuss he Iclc otcs inc
ny; thus prccluding any farther dcbata upon the
decision OF such questions objections"
Mr.. Hall observed, that he would not long de
lay the proceeding Of tho House in the pending tr
nj. 1t must be evident to all that it would be i'm
possible to get with the present broad. east in
diligence of oquacity; they would not get through
Mt this rate, in month. lie would ask gentlemen
seriously to turn their attention to the state of
things, and to sec lift not necessary to provide
some remedy.
Mr.. Wicklifc said, that il the gentleman would
modify his resolution so that members should be in
hihitcd from raising questions pcuGsng the cxami-
nation of witnesses, he should have 10 object ion
but he could no. consent to their being prevented
afterwards. If the gentleman would coniinc
tho right to discussing questions to the members
OF the Committee, i'll sIci manner that it should
be the act of the Committee, very well: but he must
object to having mcnbars OF the Committee discuss.
ing questions among themselves.
Mr.. Ellsworth observed that there were n few
cases where they called to decide questions
without debate but they were cases where no de-
bate needed; such motions to adjourn, to Law
on tho table, SC; but where the House was called
on TO decide vital questions he could not
to take the power of debate from the House, and
leave it to few other individuals. There were ca.
scs where 1t might he proper but not such cases as
involved great and vital principles, and where tho
cas- and Nays were recorded.
Alr Doddrldgc suggested modification which
was not heard by the Reporter.
MI Huntington said Chat being hnaclf one of
the Committee of Privileges, he should not discuss
the resolution: but tho gentleman had introduced
some words into it which made il incumbent on him
TO state that the gentleman from North Carolina
misunderstood the duties OF he Committee. The
resolution spoke of them Committee appointed
''to manage the present trial on the part Of the
House They were not appointed for that duty;
and he thought the HoUan had had sufficient evi.
dence of that fact. The ealy power confided to
the Commttc was TO put questions to the witnesses
no other difference existed between them and other
mombcrs OF the House but that other members
must put their questions through the Speaker
Tho Committee desired him to say that they con-
sidcrcd themselves destitute Of all power 10 man
age the prosecution. He hoped therefore that
thc gentleman would amend his resolution by sub
Sttuting 'to examine Witnesses instead Of
''to manage the prosecution"
Mr.. Hall said that nc had no objections II ,cr
Ncmcn would aid him to rcprcss the cxubcrancc of
talk lie should he glad to do so in any form most
agreeable to others. He went for substance only
But If something not done speedily, he should
feel it his duty To call up Tie resolution offered by
his colleague, Mr. Conner TO enlarge the accused
The delay of Justice was the SAME aG the dcuiI of
1T. Mr.. III. said that hc had had his views !nucl,
shaken as TO tic proPricy ofthc present proceeding
TO what condition were they rcduccd1 Tho House
had restrained the liberty Of the individual accused
yet nc heard suggested and from sources hc great
~ respected, that they could not libcrate him on
bail; while, at the same time, they had the power to
dismiss him entirely.
Mr.. Reed SAID that 10 avoid useless discussion Ec
would move to lay the resolution on the table
Mr. Hall, on that question, asked the Yeas and
Nays.
Mr.. WickliG asked Mr.. Reed to Withdraw the
motion for moment.
Sir Reed having consented,
AIR Wck!iiEG offered modification Of tho rcso.
latiou.
Mr.. Adams said he should yo'o 10 lay the rcsolu.
ton on the fable, iu1smuch as there was no such
committee in The House
Mr.. Hall said that rs the modification ol;viatcd
the difficulty h" wished 20 remedy, he would with
draw his resolution
Mr.. NickI'ii", hcreupon, offered tic following
resolution;
ReSolred, That no member Of the Uouso shall Lo
permitted TO debate Questions growing out of the
examination Of Witnesses, and the Introduction If
Testimony tho trial of the case of Samuel lion.
ton; that the right to object 10 the introduction rI
evidence, and debate questions arising thereon.