State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-06-07

II Nho w ItCltN llldl INC lOTllICNllOIl DlIl
would he taken up, and finally acted OH
before the house adjourned, but the mem
brrs were quite worn out by their fifteen
hours session yesterday, and resolved to go
home in pcacc--tO dinner. Y. l..
H0shmgion, May %.
You will remember that the decision Of
the question ON concurrug in the resolu-
tons reported 10y the select committee on
the abolition OF slavery was arrested yCstcr-
day by the iutcrpositlun Of question ON
cXcusiug several southern members from
voting The chair removed this obstacle to-
day by declaring that the decision of n
main question should not be interrupted by
raising a question on cXCusing member;
and that it was his duty to announce the
result of the vote, and leave the other and
incidental question to be decided az another
time. In support of this opinion Inc refer
red to case which had occurred in 1899,
in which the decision of the chair was ex-
actly that Nhi' il he now made. Mr. Whit
tlescy appealed from this decision, and the
question being taken, the opinion of the
chair was sustained by the House
The ayes and noes were then taken on the
second proposltion,viz. that Congress ought
not to interfere in any way with slavery
in the district of columbia. Mr. Adams
asked to be excused from yoting-his name
was passed by. Mr. Granger, having been
called, rose aud said he declined voting be-
cause the second resolution did not con-,
form to the instructions of the house and
he claimed his right to state his reasons.
Mr. Granger had no sooner opened his
mouth than he was assailed by the loudcst
and most vehement shouts to order, the
Speaker joining in these, and wrapping
Il L Il. i
Mr. Granger went on and made himself
heard. The House concurred in the resolu-
ton by . large majority.
The question was then about to be put
on the third proposition, which, you will
remember, was recommended by the COM
mtiee, without instructions from the house.
The purport oft is that all papers of what
ever description, relating to slavery or alb
clifton, without being printed or referred,
he laid on the table, and that no further
action whatever should be had thereon
J Mr. Phillips rose to order. He demanded
whether Il committee which had been spc-
cialy instructed to report two resolutions,
could report another resolution changing
the forms of business, and depriving Citi-
Zens of the right of petition, SC. Tho
chair decided that it was in the competency
of the house alone, and not the speaker
to determine this point Mr. Philips moved
to lay the preamble and resolution on the
table This was negatived. The ayes and
noes were then taken on the adoption of
the resolution. Mr. Adams, when called
upon, rose, and in defiance of all the clamor
and confusion that was got up to drown his
voice, cried out in tones which | heard
distinctly, Il consider this resolution n direct
violation of the Constitution Of the United
States--the rules of this house--and the
! rights of my constituents
! The resolution was concurred in by n
! large majority. Mr. Whittlesey then rose
and asked whether n majority of the house
could, by adopting resolution, change the
rules of the House? The chair replied that
he would decide that question when it
should be brought up.
The business of excuse making then
commenced. General Glascock was pro-
ceeding to give his reasons for not voting,
but the gallant general was soon called to
order; and then ensued scene of confl-
sion and disorder which no pen can ade-
quaely describe. Ii would he quite unprof-
liable TO trace the proceedings that took
place during the next hour. ] know not
how many questions of order were started;
how many members rose to ORDER and
were themselves called to order. The house
got into labyrinth; and the speaker was
not possessed Of Ariadne'S thread, whereby
to lead them out of the difficulty General
GIascOck endeavored in vain to be heard
MIR Wise Then tried his hand, and succeed
ed. He maintained that the time fer asking
to be excused had gone by. There was no
question before the house. from voting ur-
on which a man could ask to be excused.
The question had been taken and settled.
He denied the power of the house to compel
him to vote at this stage, and detied tho
majority TO exert such power they might
b,inG IN the standing army, but he would
not acknow' Ige this power.
The spirit of disorder still maintained
supremacy. The proceedings become so
umutuous, that at half past twelve,
motion was made TO adjourn but was neg
atived. The orders of the day were called
for and the speaker who was completely
nonphlssed, eagerly caught at this means of
escape; pushed the question TO division;
and it was decided in the affirmative.
MIR Wise then attempted to suspend the
special order, and have his resolutions rela-
tive to the pet brks and the agency of r.
NJ. Whitney taken up but he failed, This
matter will go along with the general wreck
of public business that will follow Oh the
adjournment.
The Post Office Bill was then taken up,
and various amendments offered in Com.
of the Whole, were considered. 1t was
rather dull work ;~0nd | looked INTO the
Senate, and in the hope Of finding some
thing TO rccrcate myself wilhal-ihe Senate,
that body as the Globe says, once so
grave and decorous, now an eectonecring
club the theatre of scenes which would
discredit n cross road tavern; realizing the
most degrading pictures which ancient or
modern history has ever presented Alas!
how true The candid oilicinl. tired Us il