Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-07-13
CONGRESS.

In the House OI Representatives. on Weunes-
day, the resolution originally offered By MIR. Fos-
ter. of Georgia, and again moved by Mr. Bates,
of Maine, declaring that the language used by
civilian Stanbery. member of this House,
6 from Ohio, charging the Speaker Of this House
"with shaping his course as presiding officer OF
'sthe House. with view to the obtainment OF
office from the President of the United States,
"was an indignity to the Speaker and the House,
"a and merits the decided censure of this House.
Came up in order, and occasioned debate, the
most irregular, and even tumultuous in Its cha
racter, that has been witnessed in the House of
Representatives in long course of years. TO
give in detail the various stages of It's progress
the numerous decisions, and appeals upon appeals,
which took place as it proceeded is, at this time,
impossible.
MIR Clay occupied the Chair during the ear
ier portion of the debate, but MIR. Stanbery hav-
ing moved that he leave it, and the debate becom.
ing more and more personal, he asked leave to
withdraw. Many members expressed a desire
that he should retain his seat, but the Speaker
having appeared, Mr.. Clay resigned to him the
Chair, when resolution Of censure was moved
by Mr.. Polk for words employed by Mr.. Stanbe-
~ at the time he made the above motion.
Various m0,ipns followed, when the further pro.
gress of the debate was for y. time arrested BY
Mr.. McDuiiie's moving the Previous Question.
That motion prevailed: Yeas 104, Nays IS; when
the question being on sustaining the decision ct
the Chair, that the resolution Of censure moved
by Mr.. Bates, was in order, was sustained
Yeas 80, Nays 48.
Mr.. McDuffie now again moved the Previous
Question, but withdrew it in order to allow MIR.
Stanbery an opportunity of speaking IN his own
defence.
a new incidental debate thereupon arose as to
the mode of proceeding; it being objected to, that
any vote Of censure should be passed until the
facts Of the should be judicialiy obtained
and put on record.
Mr.. Stanbery at length being required to pro-
ceed, protested against the whole proceeding as
tyrannlcal and oppressive. But as to the words
he neither denied, retracted, nor explained, but
re affirmed them.
The debate again proceeded until
Mr.. McDufFie once more moved the previous
question. which was carried-Yeas 80, Nays Al.
The main question being on Mr. Bates's reso-
luton of censure of Mr.. Stanbery, and the yeas
and nays having been ordered.
The name of Mr.. Adams (being first on the
ROLL was called, when he asked to be excused
from voting, as he believed it unconstitutional
to pass such a resolution until the facts Of the
case should have been asCertaiRed.
The vote being taken, the House refused to
excuse him.
HIS name was again called, when he declining
to answer,
Mr.. Cambrcleng moved a reconsideration OF
the vote by which the House refused TO excuse
him; but the motion was negatived.
Mr.. Adams's name was thereupon once more
called; when he refused TO answer.
Mr.. Drayton thereupon moved, the case being
a new oue. that Committee be appointed to
consider and report what course ought to be Ia
ken in the case.
A new debate on order now took place, which
resulted in postponing until tomorrow the con-
sideraton Of Mr. Drayton's resolution, and al
lowing the Yeas and Nays to proceed. They
were taken accordingly, and resulted as follows:
Yeas 9s, Nays ID.
So MIR. Baies's resolution censuring Mr.. Stan
berry was adopted.