Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-03-03

large vote of Is. 10 49, that committee consisting Of
seven members be appointed investigate the causes
which led to the death of the Hon. Mr. Ciley and the
circumstances connected herewith and further to en-
qure whether there has been the case alluded to- any
breach of The privileges of the house. We subjoin
condensed Of the debate and congratulate the
pubhc on the result. The morals and feelings of the
community viii not be satisfied without an expression
Of the sense Of It's assembled representatives and the
exemplary atonement which must necessarily follow
The ahect thing that has occasoned all this distress
will now have his miserable appetite for notoriey graft
fed TO the full
HOUSE OF REPREsENTATIyEs-Wed nes day Feb
%, 1888. DEATH OF THE Hon. JONATHAN GILL Fly
AS soon as the journal WIS read
Mr.. Fairfield rose and asked leave to offer the fol.
lowing resolution
Resolved That committee consisting Of seven mem.
bers be appointed investigate the which led
the death Of the Hon. Jonathan Cley late member of
this House and the circumstances connected herewith,
and report thereon to the House.
Resolved, That said committee have power send
for persons and papers ana have leave to sit during the
sessions OF the House.
Mr.. Bell rose and objected MIR b. said he thought
that whatever done in this matter had better be
postponed until the House became more cam, and
able 10 act more coolly on the subject.
Mr.. Fairfield moved a suspension ofthe rule.
Mr.. Parker called for the yeas and nays, which
ordered and were-yeas 49, nays 81
Mr.. FAIRFIELD rose and said
Mr.. Presdent-Enterlalnng the views ana feelings
which do entertain in regard the awful tragedy IN
which certain members OF this House lately partlcpa
ted could not refrain from Offering the resolutions
which have just been read. Sir, if had held back,
and refused 10 move in this affair." the voice OF my
brothers blood would cry TO m from the ground
My late colleague and friend has been shot down and
deprived of life in manner and under circumstances
that seem to me mostlmperoa ly TO demand an inves
tgatlon. Ii is due 70 the surviving family and friends
of the deceased that we should take cognizance of
~ - l,,at alxaS 70
humanity, and 10 God-and trust that no member
will shrink from the high and solemn responsibility
thus east upon him. But aside from the peculiar
circumstances of this case, and our peculiar du
ties resulting from them, 1t appears 10 me that an
opportunity IS presented, which every good man
should be quick TO improve, for assalling the bar
sarous and lnhuman practice OF duellng-a prac
tice which does violence TO the laws of God
TO the best feelings of our own nature, and to the
dictates of reason-a practice which is entirely be-
hind, and unworthy of the age of civz in which
welivc and which should unite the earnest and faith
fu efforts of every friend to his species for its
mnation Under the circumstances of this case, how
ever the deceased being my friend, and my own feel
ngs ngdeeply and strongly excited, Iee that there
would be Propriety in the Speakers departing from
the usual rule, by emitting TO place upon the CON-
mfee: and | accordingly make that request
Mr.. W. C. JOHNSON (ofMaryland) opposed the resou-
ton What right have to enquire into the private
relations of gentlemen! What right have to insti.
tute ourselves into board Of honor enquire into a
would be unpleasant duty a committee Of
this kind and that il would require than ordinary
it. He would tell them that if this
committee raised il would be the occasion of much
strife and difficulty He Should not like to serve on such
a committee unless he shoSld prepare himself at once
for such encounters. He considered entirely improp
that the House should agtate this question the pre-
sent time
Mr.. FARMER remarked that his friend Mr. Johnson
had said that the reference of this subject committee
would probably lead further collision and repet.
ton OF personal conflict Mr.. p. said he could not be-
heve it He had yet TO learn that member of this
House could this floor, in committee fearessy
express his opinions, and discharge his duty without
fear Of personal attack He had no fears that So
ject for himself.
Mr.. BELL moved postpone the resolution Cor
week.-Yeas "a, nays Ill.,
Mr.. GARLAND (of Louisianal stated that he was op.
posed 10 any investigation of the matter, and he had
therefore voted for Mr.. Bells melton postpone and
he went on to give his against the proposition
The investigation one that would produce the
distressing results and could lead to no possible good
IL could be designed the dead, and such
was the high character of the living in his State
that impossible for that House to fix stain upon
him Mr.. G. believed also il intended to give a
political turn out of doors least this transaction,
and he reprobaed the Of the ministers of the
gospel yesterday in their alusion 1t in performing the
funeral obsequies
Mr. FnRFIELp-Iti is said by the gentleman from
Louisiana Mr. Garland tina, this thing be pro.
secuted without serious consequences and the gentle
man from Maryland Mr. Johnson.) has said that il
he placed such q committee, he should feel a
necessity Of going thoroughly armed Sir, no
duest have adopted principles that forbid revenge.
full vindictve feelings much the taking Of fell
lew creatures life But sir will be deferred from
doing what deem be my duty 10y any threats which
may be thrown out from any quarter And has it
this that member OF this House is to be called
Of il for words spoken in debate and shot
down and that when inquiry into the circumstances
is proposed told TO take care-hat such in
curry be had without exposing ourselves per
scna dangeri Sir. il we have really to this pass
il is high time the country knew II and il is high time,
too that steps should be taken prevent the evil
and have just and fearless Of the peo
pie maintained The course proposed is taking
one step towards that object, and hope II will be fol
lowed up by such measures will ehectuay secure
the members Of this House. in freedom of debate and
security &C person.
Mr.. CALHOUN Of Massachusetts,, then meved to lay
the whole subject the table.
Mr. PETRKEs called Tor the yeas and nays; which
ordered, and were-yeas "a. nays 125.
The House then seconded the demand for the previ-
Gus question-ayes los. noes not counted; and the
main question being ordered, rejectej-ayes rs,
noes los.
So the House refused to consider.
Mr. CLowsEY then demanded the previous question
on the resolution modified which seconded
ayes los. noes not counted
Mr.. SHERpoD WILLIAMS called for the yeas and
nays the question, Shall the main question be
putt which oroered and were-yeas lo7
nays So
So the House determined that the main question, be
- - r. 49, .l..s.-. -