The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-05
HOUSE OF REPREsENTATIvEs.

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The Hon. JAMES X POLK, Speaker, took the
chair at IL o'clock, and called the House to order.
The Clerk called the roll and 1863 members answered
to their names.
The usual messages having been exchanged with the
Senate; on motion Of Mr.. MUHLENBERG, com
on the President Of the United States and inform him
that the two Houses organized and ready to re-
ceive from him any communication.
Mr. E. WHITTLESEY, OF Ohio, submitted reso-
luton for the appointment Of the standing committees
Of the House forthwith and moved the postponement
OF its consideration till tomorrow.
Mr. CUSHMAN moved to postpone it till Thurs
day,
Mr.. E. WHITTLESEY opposed the motion, and
referred to the eight hundred bills left the
calendar Of the House the close Of the last Congress
as proof Of the accumulation Of business public and
private under the system Of procrastnaton hereto fore
acted on. The only object and effect Of the postpone
ment was, he said to give the members weeks holi-
day, and enable them to 60 gossipng about the city,
while they drawing their eight dollars day from the
pockets Of the people. The truth was-and we might
as well begin the session by telling the truthhat the
business, public and private, of the House, had
been much neglected Of late years. The first week
Of the Session had always been wasted and the
excuse had been, that the Speaker must have time
to become acquainted with the members, and orga-
nize the Committees. That would not
not avail us now, because the Speaker ac-
auainted with the members, and could appoint the
Committees at once. Private claims, which had been
reported upon, year after year, had been neglected
Many bills the passage Of which was necessary to do
Justice to individuals had failed year after year, for
want Of time and he did hope that majority of the
House was prepared to proceed to business without
delay He asked the yeas and nays on the motion to
postpone till Thursday.
Mr.. CUSHMAN modified his motion so as to post
pone till "Wednesday instead Of Thursday His purpose
was not he said to delay the business Of the House, but
49, akara
mittees in judlcious manner II had not been usual
to announce them before the second week Of the
sion and the business Of the House depended mnch
upon the organization Of the committees, there was
propety in allowing the Speaker sufficient time for the
purpose. But, as the gentleman from Ohio did not
propose press the consideration Of the resolution till
tomorrow, he would withdraw the motion.
So the resolution lies over till tomorrow
Mr. UNDERWOOD moved to alter the SD rule Of
the House, to require the Clerk to prepare, at
each session. separate journal Of the questions taken,
and the yeas and thereupon and provide that at
least one copy be printed for each thousand male
inhabitants Of the United States, above twenty-one
years Of age. Lies one day.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD offered the following Resolu-
tom ~
That the Secretary of War be directed to lay before
Congress- copies Of all orders and instructions given to
the commander Of the force in Florida, autho-
rzng him to raise troops call into service any por-
ton Of the militia or to accept the service OF yolun-
tees, for the purpose of suppressing Indian hostes,
and that the Secretary report what measures if any,
have been adopted 10 enlist procure the services Of
other Indian warriors to fight against the Seminoes
the number OF Indians enlisted or taken into the
service Of the United States the tribes TO which they
respectively belong the length of time they have been
engaged to serve and the amount Of pay promised
them and that said Secretary also report the number
Of troops Of all classes engaged and called into service
for the purpose Of prosecuting the in Florida at the
present time. ne.
On motion Of Mr.. MUHLENBURG, committee
appointed the part Of the Senate, to wait on the
President of the United States, and inform him that the
two Houses are ready to receive any communication
from him.
There being no further business before the House,
On motion Of Mr.. BOOM
The House adjourned.