The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-10-15

within the walls of the Capitol, bar Of the House
On the question, to engross and read third time
the bill, heard my name called once, while was
in the lobby of the house, and hurrying my seat
whether had been before called didnot then MOI
do now know The custom of the house is 10 cal
the name of every member twice. and permit him
vote, if he does respond the second call, il
he be within the bar of the House, before the call OF
the next name, in the alphabetical order of the roll.
| was thought at the time and now think, within
the bar of the house, before the of Ballie Pey
ton called, the name which Immediately followed
mine, and consequently, when the call ofthe roll was
completed, and before the state of the vote was an
nounced, exercising the right which is claimed and
exercised by at least one hundred members every
session, requested the clerk to call my name, and
answered in the affirmative. Mr. Beatte, rose in his
place, (and this was not IA an unusual thing,
my colleague very well knows, the questioning
mans right to vote who claims the right it is done
twenty and perhaps fifty times, every session. some
times the objection is sustained and sometimes no,
land was not within the bar of the House, when his
last called or, before the name of Mr.. Pey-
ton was called. Mr.. Howell member who's
seat was directly back of mine. said he was
quite sure was within the bar of the house at the
time referred 10. Under these circumstances, the
Speaker, Mr. Bell very properly left it to me- say
%hether would vote or not.-My reply to him was
that Il thought l had right to vote, but as there
was some dispute in regard to it, 1 would not claim
that right as presumed the House would indulge
me with the yeas and nays on the passage of the
bill, and a record of my vote the passage of the
bill would be all required. would only add that
my vote ifs giyen on engrOssing and reading third
time the bill, would be given in the affirmatve-on
the passage of the bill, to crafty perhaps me, the
yeas and nays were called, and stood yeas II2,
nays 80, and my name is on record among the yeas.
There were no angry words in regard to my claim
ing right to vote, and no heart-burning between
me and Mr.. Beattie or any other gentleman.
In a conversation with Mr. B. just afterwards, he
said he thought ought not to have voted, and COM
mended the course which l adopted
| refer to Journals of the House of Representa-
tives June oath, pages S25, e, Z, 50.
challenge any member of congress, or any other
person to gansay any part of the statement which
| have made.
do not learn that am charged by any member
Of the Hartford Convention, or any one under the
influence of that body, with neglect of duty-The
vote referred to, is among the very few, during
session of seven months lost, and that this ques
ton was Unexpectedly taken, may be Inferred from
the fact of tho absence at the time of my colleague
certainly n worry atta ti,o ,har md hiS
having his name recorded on either of the three
questions, to wit the preuious question, the question
on engrossing and reading third time the bill, or
its final passage, and it is well known he was as
anxious to vote against the BILL as was to vote in
its favor
How far a fair estimate of the credit due to my
representation when engaged in controversy with
John Lowell, III. g. Otis, or B. Hazard, NAV be |
ormed from this occurrence in congress- the sage
md redoubtable Editor of the Courier can well in
orm the public.
MIR. buckingham further says, "we have the au-
hority of a member of Congress for saying that he
90 knows the fact, that Mr. Pearce was not in the |
House at the time his was called, for MIR. .
.earcc came in at the time he did" aver no rnem-
,er of congress came in at the time did | would /
'e obliged to Mr.. Buckingham, to give me the name .
# the gentleman upon whose statement the charge
las been made against me--a failure to do this, will
necessarily subject him to the imputation of fabrica-
ing falsehood.
Your obedient servant,
DUTEE J. PEARCE.
From the Frankfort, Ky Argus.