State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-04-12

Sabbath morning. The Speaker decided
that in conformity with the precedents OF
Congress, it was strictly in order for the
House to continue in session. Mr. Lawler
asked gentlemen seriously to reflect il they
would compel the minority, however re-
pusive to their feelings and in violation OF
their conscientious scruplcs, TO remain tied
down to the hnrrassing business before the
House on the Lords day. Mr. Lawer mp
pealed from the decision of the Chair.
Mr. HAYES moved the previous question
upon the appeal.
II was now about 9 o'clock, A. NJ. and the
candles had been several times replaced.
Some of the members were asleep in their
scats--others stretched upon the sofas-
were staring about them with n somewhat
maudlin expression upon their countcnan-
ccs, as if Just reused from slumber.
Mr. Adams, who was wide awake to the
last, inquired of the Chair, whether, if the
minority, from conscientious regard for the
Sabbath, should quit the House, and leave
no quorum behind, the majority could COM
pei their presence. The Chair replied that
he had no objection to give his pinion, but
must first ask the consent of the House.
No-no-no! from various quarters.
the question being taken by ayes and noes,
it was decided in the negative, eighty odd
to ninety odd.
The Speaker then undertook to ascertain
whether there was a second to the call for
the previous question on Mr. LAWYERS APP
peal. Tellers being appointed, it was found
that there were 96 in the affirmative and 10
in the negative. No quorum.
Mr. Adams again denied the right of the
House to compel the attendance of mem
bers on the Sabbath, where it was not a case
of absolute emergency.
Speake the vote taken, it appears
there is no quorum present.
Here motion for adjournment was again
made, and the ayes and noes called for the
thirteenth time. The Clerk being ordered
to call the roll, Mr. Adams refused to an
swcr TO his name.
Mr. Wise rose, but a tumultuous cry of
order" drowned his voice. lie maintain
ed his ground, however, and finally sue
cceded in maxi ing himself heard. lie rose
to point of order, and wished to know if,
when the gentleman from Mass. in his scat
refused to vote, the House could not eXer-
else the right of forcing him to vote.
The Speaker read the rule of the House,
by which every member is compelled to
vote, unless otherwise decided by the
House.
MIR Bcardsley here rose, and moved that
as the gentleman from Mass. was troubled
with conscientious scruples i'll relation to
legislatng on the Sabbath, he should he
excused by the House from voting.
Mr. Adams denied that he was troubled
by conscientious scruples. lie did not wish
to be excused on any such ground He
had done nothing for which he desired All
excuse. His conscience would not prevent
Sunday night, if the business of the nation
required it. But he did deny the right of
the House to force the attendance of mem
pressing necessity or occasion for it,
Mr. Pcyton of Tennessee, applauded the
Independent remarks fthc gentleman from
Massachusetts. The attorney general of
New York had given that gentleman his
cue by his reference to conscientious scru-
pies, but the gentleman had not seen fit to
follow it, The attorney general was GER
tainly well qualified to give advice upon
this tender subject. There were some
consciences Of an elasticity truly amazing,
and of a callousncss, to external contact,
which could only have been the conse-
qucnce of very constant use. Mr. Peyton
asked, why this indecent haste on the part
of the majority to rush forward and immo-
late their victim? Will they not at least
grant him the fate which Ajax prayed for,
to die in the face of day? Will they not
grant him rest on the day of rest? Will
they erect their inquisition in this House on
the Sabbath? Are the dictates and the
considerations of party paramount to the
recorded mandates of Deity?
What follows is copied from the New
York Observer.
After various proceedings, and some dis
cussion, in which Messrs Mercer and By
mum took part,
Mr. Wise moved that the gentleman from
Massachusetts be requested to vote, for the
purpose of testing the sense of the House
upon the question whether member
could be compelled to sit here at three
o'clock on the morning Of the Sabbath, for
the purpose of doing an unhoy act of par
~. Mr. Wise extended his remarks in
support Of this motion TO some length.
Mr. Bynum called the gentleman from
Virginia TO order in the course of his re-
marks on the conduct of the majority, and
some conversation of a personal nature
took place between those gentlemen.
THE following particulars of the dis
graceful collision between Mr. Bynum and
Mr. Wise, are all that we deem it expedient
to publish,
Mr. Bynum, who was very much excited,
called to order, and asked if the majority
were to sit and be reflected upon in that
,Oay lie really could not and would not
permit such language to be used towards
him as one of that majority.
Mr. Wise was proceeding in his remarks,
when the speaker called, "Ordcr, order,
order" Mr. w. oheyed, and was told that
he could moi be allowed to proceed in that
way.
Mr. Bynum who seemed to have lost all
control over himself, remarked, that the