State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-07-19
Prom lho N. Y. Americnn.

iOIl lllt lNs y hllltEitun,
/ WAsuINGToN, Monday morning July 4th.
When addressed you on Saturday night,
stated my belief that both Houses would
sit over the Sabbath, and | was correct in
( that anticipation; but / could not suppose,
from the odum which attached so univer-
sally TO the actors on the memorable close
of the last session, that scenes of disorder
and confusion, not even then surpassed
would have taken place. There was au
unusual quantity of business TO be dcs-
patched. MIR Sutherland, who is n capital
person for daShing Through husiucss-ior
not seeing, or, OF seeing members who are
anxious for display, IN season and ont of
season, as It must he at such Il moment was
appointed chairman Of the committee of the
whole, to whom it was necessary to refer
some bills from the Senate, with amend
tncnis, for consideration. The worthy Doc
tor, provcrblal for knowing what he is about
had too often internally, and possibly cxter-
nnlly, exclaimed, Poor! Id nonsense
go on stop, &c." to members who had
endeayored TO catch his eye during the
night Hence, scene which is much to
be deplorod ensucd, and which, leading it
as it did, to vote of ccnsure on the part Of
the House, upon an honorable member, it
is but fitting that az eXtcnuating circum-
stances should go forth with it. No man
can Justify disorders but still less delihcru-
tons of II legislative assembly, should be
PERMITTED to act contrary to their express
rules. Such was the origin of the occur
renee.
Whilst bill was being read MIR Everett
moved an adjournment, as there was no
quorum. Upon Il count, ii was not carried,
Il Il. g.
Of Ky, moved call of the House This
was unheedeA by the chairman. He moved
that the committee rise, on the ground that
there was no quorum The chairman
counted once or twice, and there was none
and in his usual sidpdGSh mode, anxious to
despatch business, he forgot, presume,
these circumstances, and desired the clerk
to 90 ON reading the bill. Mr. Williams
objected, in energetic terms. The lion
Chairman called him to order, and directed
him, rather percmpiorliy 10 take his scat.
Mr. Williams ran rusty; he could not
swallow the dose so strongly and repeatedly
applied and he augrly called the chairman
in terms 10 order; he lid This more than
once, saying, che knew his rights, and
would not be compelled 70 luke his seat"
Mr.. Sutherland, after the confusion and
MIR. W., again to take his seat MIR. W.,
replied, che would not" and kept his stan
ding position. The Speaker was sent for,
and, Mr. Sutherland abdicuting, the latter
stated his reason was, that while counting
tho House, he was called TO order by the
member from Kentucky, he having felt it
his duty to call him previously to order and
to resunc his seat, under such circunstnn-
,,t l,n igi,t
given, the Speaker decided Mir Williams
was out of order. Nj. Williams appealed,
and contended that the chair, not himself
was out of order. The Speaker warmly de-
clarcd thar this was second breach ofthe
Gecorum that ought to he observed. Mr..
Lay intcrposed, and hoped that the member
from Ky, would end The matter, Ivy apul-
ogiZiug TO the House. Mr. Williams said
that it was the duty Of every chairman to
rise ard 20 report the fact that there was
not n quorum in the House. Mr. =, had
counted twice; he knew therefore there
WAS not quorum and yet no proceeded
with business, whilst members around linn
were repeatedly moving that the committee
should rise nay, that the House should
adIourIl--and 10 which the chairman had
turned an car, deaf as an adder! This was
his motive for calling the chairman to or
der: and 0rrcsllug an irreeularity which
was subvcr>ive of all order Of proceeding.
There were some efforts made by many
members 10 get ont OF this embarrassing
difficulty to their proceeding in llis noYei
case. Finally. Mr. Patton, of Va, moved
TO adjourn This was Withdrawn; MIR j.
q. Adams, however. renewing il, on the
ground THAI members were incapable of
translctjnC business after such excitement.
The Speaker reminded the Hon. member
from Massachusetts, and the liausc, that
there were some important hi Is that ought
TO be SAINT to the President. Mr. Adams
replied that they would not he prejudiced
by being longer deferred. The motion to
adjourn was ncgalved. Mr. Vinton moved .
that when they did adjourn, they would
adjourn to meet on Monday, at O'Clock.
II was then 3 o'clock, (SuNpAY Mon
MING MIR Adams here said, it was not
at the termination of Congress, to
sit on Sunday, aud he moved to amend the
motion, that they should meet then Mt their
usual hour There was much objection,
aud much disorder, members walking IL
bout and, as usual, the Reporters were
prevented from attending to thcr duties.
One member hoped gentlemen would be
still: another, laughing in his fl G at the
folly of such an expectation at such a mo-
men After much nndignifed conduct Mr.
DESTROYS to put himself right be-
fore the House, said he did not intend to
give them any offence. He wouM be I'M
willing to offer them any udiguity. An he
had intended to do, was towards the chair
man, whom he believed to have acted un-
Justly and insullingly towards himself, rs a
of The ljOuSC The confusion and