Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-04-25
ALEXANDRIA, Cd. c.
WEDNESDAY MORNING., APRIL IS. 1852.
In the House Of Representatives on Saturday:

uU0.
Resoired. That no member Of The House shall
he permitted to debate questions growing out Of
the examination Of witnesses, and the lntroduc.
ton of testimony on the trial OF the case of Sa.
mue Houston; that the right to object to the in
troduction Of evidence, and debate questions
arising thereon, shall be confined to the commit.
tee already appointed. who shall be authorized
to conduct the examination and discuss ques.
tons arising upon the introduction Of testimony
on the part of the House.
Mr.. Kerr said the reluctance he always felt {?
troubling the House had prevented him from of.
ferins some observations he had wished to make
on the proposition of the gentleman from North
Carolina. (Mr. Hall. now Withdrawn. He had
equally solid objections TO that now offered b.
the gentleman from Kentucky.
Mr.. Wickiille expressed wish TO Withdraw
his resolution if it led to any debate.
Mr. Kerr said he would willingly consent to
its withdrawal, but for the course lie had w,nes
sed since this proceeding commenced. As soon
as an Objectionable proposition was offered, and
the yeas and nays ordered upon it, the resolution
was instantly Withdrawn. His indisposition to
speak had prevented him hitherto from stating his
objections; but il should do so no longer. He
considered these attempts to stop debate, by any
but the Committee on Privileges, an attempt 10
exercise power which was not constitutional -
If debate became excessive, they had remedy
by the Previous Question. But when the Iiber.
ties of members Of tha, House and of their constI.
tuents were involved. debate should not be con.
fined to few individuals who had been selected
only for the greater facility of putting questions
to the witnesses. Had they not seen that House
Al, Ann No. a. NJ
ling any man to an account for such an act as had
taken place? And would members now deprive
themselves Of the power Of debate? Mr.. K. said
that he for one was not disposed to exercise the
right in his own person; but, sitting there as one
Of the Representatives Of the People, he was anr
ious to hear discussion " every member; aud
anxious. too, for his own right to discuss any ques
ton. if he should think proper to do so. He was
opposed TO both the propositions which had been
offered on this subject, and should oppose al! ola
similar kind that might be offered.
Mr. Wickife begged pardon Of the House,
and hoped to be forgiven. He had now risen to
withdraw his resolution. and should endeavortO
set good example BY ab'taining from all debate
upon it.
Mr.. Pummer asked leave Of the House to sI.
plain All error into which the Reporters had h'
len, in reference to some remarks of his yester.
day.
1t being objected to.
Mr.. Thompson, Of Georgia, moved to have the
rule suspended
Mr.. Ellsworth asked what was the object?
Cries were heard Of scout Of order" "no,nO,"
"let him 20 on, ''order."
The Speaker put the question, and the rule wu
thereupon suspended.
Mr.. PIummer expressed regret that he should
have caused any excitement in the House. He
then went Oh to state, that in the lutelligencer
that morning he was reported to have charged
the gentleman from Ohm Mr. Stanbery) wllhh
wing fabricated certain charges which were WITH
out a shadow of foundation in truth. lie had
made no such charge. He had said, on the COZ
trary. that he could not believe that the gentle
man from Ohio would labricate long string o.
false charges agrnst any one: aud, as he eoaa
not believe this, that bus confidence in the Govern
ment had been shaken. lie had not chargedVS
member in the manner stated, and he hoped hen
vcr should.