Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-04-07

cried from varlons parts of the house. Bu,
Graves was not to be arrested by this niser
able obstacle. He asked a Suspension of the
rules, and Cambreleng could not get na or-
ity to follow him into the mire of party mean
ness, into which he had himself plunged with
so much alacrity. Permission was given, and
the documents were read. Graves went on.
The minority were in high spirits. The ma
jority had become fierce and savage, and
more determined not to break up without
! consummatng the immolation of their victim.
Our glorious little band bent them in tactics.
Graves suddenly and unexpectedly gave
way, and before single man of the party
! could get up. Mr. Culhoon of Kentucky OBJ
tained the floor, and in full sail on the cur
rent of debate. The party were equally en-
! ragged and astonished at this feat, so much
so, that when Mr.. Calhoon yielded Temporal
ry for an nd journment, which motion was
negatived, Cushman of N. II. a p q man,
contested the floor with Mr.. Calhoon, and
moved the previous question. The chair de-
clared Calhoon to be possessor Of the floor.
Cnshman adventured so far rs even to appeal
from the dccision-but there were immed-
ately 80 many murmurs of ''too bad" from
the more respectable Of his associates, that
he Withdrew his appeal.
Mr. Calhoon then proceeded. He went
iuto an examination of the arguments which
had been brought forward against the mo.
ton to admit the additional testimony, and
continued till twelve o'clock, when Mr.. Law
Ter, Of Alabama, arose, and pointing to the
clock, asked whether it was in order to con-
tipue the discussion after twelve O'clock
The chair decided that, as q mere question Of
OF der, the precedents were in favor of con-
tinuing the sitting, at the discretion Of the
House. Mr.. Lawler appealed and made
some impressive remarks on the sacred obli-
CATION imposed upon the members, as citi-
zens and Christians not to trench upon the
Sabbath, in n case where no necessity exist
cd
|, Mr.. Lnwler WAS assailed, in the course Of
these very just and crediisble observations,
by the most insoient cries Of order. Mr..
Peyton sustained the appeal; and called for
the ayes and noes. A scene of immense
confusion now arose-Several members a
rose at once, and addressed the chair-oth-
crs began to 90 ofi--the aisle and area were
| filled with others, conversing in loud tone,
on the propriety Of breaking up. The speak.
| er raped vigorously OH his desk, and called
to order at the top of his voice.
! In the midst of the confusion, John Quincy
| Adams moved TO adjourn. Again did Mr.
! Mason, of Virginia attempt to make the de-
cent portion of his allies 90 home, by repeat
ing his motion to make this subject the spec.
ial for Monday. Mr. Adams would not with
draw his motion for that purpose. He knew
the rowdies could overpower the gentlemen
of the party and that the motion would be
lost. The question on adjournment was car
ried in the negative. Mr.. Hawes moved to-
lay the appeal on the table. Mr.. Adams pro-
tested against this-so did several other
members. MIR. Lawler withdrew his appeal,
and Immediately afterward renewed It. ByI
this stroke, he cut off the motion to lay the
appeal on the table; and got the opportunity
of making an animated speech IN support OF
it, After he had finished Mr.. liawes moved
the previous question on the appeal. In as
certaining whether This cah was seconded, II
was found that quorum did not vote. Cam
breleng said it was evident That quorum
was present, and did not, because they would
not, vote. Mr.. Adams, with great emphasis,
denied the power of tho House to compel
members to vote on the Sabbath day. Halves
moved that Mr. Adams be excused from vot-
ing. The Ex-Prcsident declared. with ex-
traordinary energy of manner, that he did not,
pish to be excused!
/ Mr.. Lawler then moved an adjournment;
and the ayes and noes being called Mr.. Ad-
ans did not answer To his name,
/ Mr.. Wise asked whether the house had the
right to compel member to vote. His OBJ
ject evidently was to ascertain whether the
party would go so far rs to compel members
to take part in Legislative proceedings on the
Sabbath. The Chair stated the 18th rule, to
the effect that every member present shall
give his vote, unless excused by the house
for special reasons. Mr.. Attorney General
of New York imagined that his legal acumen
had discovered specific proposition, which
would make all right. lie moved that Mr..
Adams be excused, on the ground of having
CONSCIENTIOUS scrupIes. The comments OF Mr..
Adams upon this excuse put forth by Mr..
Beardsley we're admirable. He declined to
place his refusal to vote upon that ground
alone. He denied all right on the part OF the
house to compel members to vote, on ordinary
questions, on the Sabbath.
Mr.. PEyToN next took the floor, and mnde
one of the most cutting & sarcastic speeches
that have ever been heard in the house. lie
was tremendously severe on Beardsley. He
said he was rejoiced to find that gentleman
had so much conscience as to be able to sparc
a portion of it to the gentleman from Mas
sachusetts. He referred, in tone OF raillery
that convulsed the house with laughter, to the
conscientious scruples Of your attorney gen
eral against voting after twelve O'Clock, at the
last night of the last session. His sarcasm
became SO hot. that Polk thought it necessary
TO Ay TO the rescue. lie called Peyton to
order. and told him the last fortitication bill
was not now under discussion. 81 know it,"
said Pcyton, shut refer to it by way Of pre-
cedent. ] ask where is the gentlenian's con-
science now?-in the deep bosom OF the par
ty' buried, las he no conscience for his
country's good?" Mr.. Pcyton pr ceeded
with his comments upon the attorney gene
rails conduct on that occssion--and was again
interrupted by the speaker, backed by yells