Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-04-27

Mr.. Clay, Of Alabama, moved the following
rule TO be Observed in ,he farther trial of Samuel
Houston:
"Rcso!rcd. That in tho further prosecution of
the rial of Samuel Houston, tho examination of
Witnesses, and tho discussion of questions arising
out of testimony, shall be confined to the Com.
mittcc appointed To conduct the examination on
the part of the House, and to the accused oil the
Council, but any member may propose questions, in
writing, through the COMMITTEE"
Mr.. Clay supported his resolution by Il few brief
remarks on the consumption of time which had &C
currcd and the tendency of this rule to prevent 1T.
Mr.. Doddrd.c suggested modification OF the
resolution the object of which Inc hghly approved.
dc said that thirty-frc members had yesterday
spoken, and most OF them had addressed the House
more than once, some o. them four or five times.
MIR. Jcwctt proposed to amend the rule to
contnc its operation those thiri y-ivc members:
he believed il those gcntl should be kept silent
there would be little need OF gaggnS the rest ofthe
House.
After some conversation Mr.. ]. consented to
withdraw his amendment.
MIR. Coulter rose TO correct misrepresentation
with respect to the duties OF TIE Committee of Pri-
vcgcS. They had been spoken of in some of the
reports, and elsewhere though they had been
appointed 10 manage tie trial the Part of the
House. The Committee did no, so understand the
resolution under which they acted they APP
pointed only to examine Mc wHncSses and they had
coriincd themselves to that duty alone. They had
not consulted with the complainant, with any
other person: they did not know what wit
intended to prove.
Mr.. Craig opposed Mr. Clay's motion, as being
without any warrant i'll the Constitution, and
against the genius of our Government. The only
gag he would ever cheertully wear, that i'm
posed by his own discretion.
Mr.. Coke admitted and deplorcd the evil of
much speaking, but thought that, great as it was,
a less evil than the remedy proposed by his col
league
Mr., Clay defended the constitutonality of the
resolution, inasmuch as each House had right,
under that instrument, TO lay down rules for its
own proceeding. He was convinced the resoiu-
ton would have Il salutary effect.
MIR. Jcwctt demanded the Yeas and Nays; and
they ordered.
Mr.. Mckcnnan supported the resolution. The
House had already adopted several rules restrain.
ing, III some cases, the liberty of Members in ud-
dressing the House The rules adopted by the
House for this very trial were liable to the same
objection; in which, however, he very little
force.
MIR Bates, of Maine, took tho same view. The
experience OF yesterday had shcwn that it was only
necessary for the Counsel Of the Respondent to
throw some bone of contention into the House, and
a whole day would be lost in debate. At this rate
they We're likely to sit till midsummer.
MIR. NickliLic moved to lay the resolution on the
table.
On that question Mr.. McKcnnan demanded the
Yeas and Nays, but the House refused to order
them: and the motion was then carried-Ayes so,
Noes 81. SO the resolution laid on tho Ia
blc
Mr.. Adams again offered The following rcsolu-
tion, which he had Yesterday withdrawn:
ReSolCed, That Select Committee be appoint
ed in the OF the trial OF Samuel Houston, for
breach of the privileges of this House, TO exam
Inc the prcccdcnts III ofcontcmpts and breach
cs OF privilege, and report thereon from time to
time to the House.
His object, Mr.. A. said, was to save time, and
he hoped that such would be the result. 1t was
he believed, the usual process in all Parliamentary
proceedings of this kind.
Mr. Ellsworth wished tho resolution made more
definite. No committee of five within the time
this trial would probably continue could examine
the whole body of existing prcccdcnts.
MIR. Huntington moved to amend the resolution
by striking out 1.-the Committee of privileges"
and inserting ga Select Committee"
Mr.. Adams accepted of this as Il notification
lis intention had not been that the committee
should examine the whole body of Parliamentary
prccedcnts but only such related to the questions
which might be expected to arise in 4 proceeding OF
this kind, TO be prepared meet them as they
might occur from day to day. AS he was upon two
committees already, he hoped the Speaker W ould
excuse him from serving on the committee ho had
proposed.
Mr. Hall, of y. c., could see no practical utili
ty In adopting the resolution. The members would
have as much time to consult Prccedcns such
committee could have; and could as well Judge how
far they applied. These prcccdcnts when consult.
ed, cOtd be of obligation ON the House; and as
to those IN our own history, there were but two or
three ofthcm
Mr.. Lccompte was opposed to the resolutions as
sense would be sufficient guide. lie moved to Law
the resolution on the table, which motion prevailed
Ayes 81, Noes 40.
SO the resolution was laid on the table
Mr.. PlUIImcr resumed his discussion on the sub
jcct Of the Nscassct Collector, which he continu
cd until the expiration of the hour.
Mir. Houston was row again placed at the bar
Of the House.
Mr.. Stanbcry requested that his testimony; as
yesterday rccoi ed might be again read to him, as
lie wished TO correct part of it, which on re-
Election, lac believed to be not quite accuratc-IIc
then stated that his first impression had been that
he had been Knocked down by the club of his as
sallant, on the first the second blow; but, from
finding some of his waiscOat buttons gone, and his
SHIRT bosom torn, ne was induced to believe that he
might have been throw down in the scuiilc.
Mr.. Key explained the nature of the motion he
had yesterday made. it was not leave absolutely
TO withdraw the interrogatory he had offered; but
to substitute another in such a form as TO obviate
the difficulty which had arisen.
The speaker now put the question the mot ion
Of the Respondents Counsel, Which, after a re-
mark or two by Mr.. Wicklic and Mr.. Bcardslev
was, on motion Of Mr.. Hunt laid upon the table
Ayes Sc, Noes Co.
Inc question then recurring on tho motion of
Mr.. Archer, modified, viz:
That "thc House consider the interrogatory as
having been sufficiently answered"
Mr.. McDuti2 warmly demonstrated against stop.
ping the witness from completing his answer in
whatever manner he might deem necessary to vndi.
cate his own character. lie considered it a mon.
strous proceeding, and hoped that the gentleman
from Virginia, would consent to Withdraw his mo.
ton.
Mr. Archer did not admit that there was any
thing irregular or 'monstrous" in the proposition
he had made On the contrary, it was absurd to
require the witness 70 state evidence i'm ,trct If