Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-01-14
Congress-.

SENATE, MONDAY. JAN. 4.-Tbe
bill to amend tho Judiciary System ofthe
United States, by Altering and creating
additional Courts, was taken up.
Alicr desultory debate Of two hours,
several amendments were offered and
agreed to, aud the bill was finatiy laid on
the table, with the understanding, that IT
would be taken up tomorrow.
Mr.. Benton rose, ahd gave notice OF
his intention to move, tomorrow, for the
appointment of IA Select Committee, who
should consider all petitions for renewal
of charters of Banks, and to inquire
whether there was any need of Banks of
circulation at all in the District Of Co.
lumbia.
After acting on some private business,
the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The Speaker commenced calling the
States, for The presentation of petitions
and memorials. Massachusetts being
called,
Mir. J. q. Adams presented IA petition
fran sundry OF his constituents, prayiug
for the abolition Of Slavery aud The Slave
Trade in the District OF Columbia. Mr.
"A. said it was his intention 10 move, that
'the petition, without readiog, be laid on
the table and he was goiag on to make
some remarks on The subject, when
Mr.. Palton rose to a question of order,
aud asked whether the petition had been
received.
The Chair replied in the negative.
Mr.. Patton said it was not In order
then to discuss it.
Mr.. Glascock moved that tho petition
be not received.
The Chair stated, that upon examining
the authorities, he had found that this
motion was in order, and had priority to
any other in relation to ii petition.
Mr.. Glascock felt it his duty, he said,
to submit this motion, and, if the House
had determined not to consider Eor dis
cuss the question of abolition, they would
do well, he thought. to sustain it. He
cited Mr.. Jefierson's s authority, in support
of the position that the reception of
n petition was not disrespectful TO the
petitioners nor in conflict with the right
ofpctition. He argued that it was more
respectful to the petitioners than the
course proposed by others,viz. 10 lay their
petitions on the table, or lh!Ow them un-
der the table.
Mr.. G. was interrupted by Mr.. j. Q.
Adams, who had risen he said, to point
of order. 1t was rule of the House
that 30 petition should be decided or de-
bated upon Oh the day of its presentation,
unless otherwise ordered by the House.
If the debate went on, this day would not
suffice for it, and gentlemen would be de-
prived of the opportunity Of prescnt' G
their petitions. He did not wish to avoid
the discussion. He knew it must be met,
and he was prepared to meet it but he
appealed TO the rule. and demanded that
the subject should be postponed to day
certain.
The CHAIR decided that the 45ih rule
referred to by Mr.. Adams, did not apply
to petition until it had been reccived.--
If it was not received, it could not b. laid
on the table for one day. After it was
received, if debate was likely TO arise
upon it, it would, under the rule, lie over
for one day, unless majority of the
House ordered otherwise.
Mr.. J. Q. Adams appealed from this
decso". 1t established, he said, new
rule and put it in the power OF any mem-
ber ofthc house to prevent the presentation
of petitions by consuming the petition
day in discussion. He was willing to
meet the question at suitable time but
he opposed the decision, not in reference
to the abolition petitions alone, but all
petitions. The object of the rule was
Undoubtedly to prevent discussion Oh pre-
sentation days, and, thereby, to secure an
opportunity for the presentation of peti.
lous. lie asked the yeas aud nays Oh
the appeal, and they were ordered.
The question then being, " shall the
decision of the Chair stand -
A long discussion arose, in which
Messrs Mercer, Suthcrlapd,J. q. Adams:
Reed, Glascock, Craig, Beardsley Will
liams, of N. c. Briggs ,Vanderpool, Bell,
Patton, Mann, Underwood, Thomas of
Maryland, Hamcr and Everett took part.
The discussion was strictly confined TO
the question of order, and is, therefore, Of
no moment nor interest, most of the spea-
kers opposed to the decision of The chair,
but the chair quoted precedents from the
journal N..ch fully sustained ham. Mr..
BoIlof Tennessee, late speaker. said the
decision was correct, according to the
position OF the House, but i; was time To
change the usage, as a matter OF convent
cnce, a d. with view to make new
rule On the suuject, he should vote against
the decision of the chair.
When the subject had been debated u.