The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-12-11

Mr. ROBERTSON, OF Va, said The Vira rOce
mode Of voting would be found as seryiceable IN
practice as il was sound in principle He was much
indebted to his colleague for bringing forward the
proposition Upon the principles which some gen.
llemen advocated here, the yeas and nays could ne
Yer be called for on any subject for fear Of executive
or party influence.
Mr.. TlI.LINGHAST moved to amend the amend
men TO that resolution so as oproyide thatthe ballot
shall have The of the officers voted for on one
side and the name Of the person voting on the other
side. This was in conformity with the mode Of
voting pursued in his State Rhode lsand) where The
elective franchise was confined only TO andholders,
and, as he trusted, always would be- II would give
effect to the principle of ripa roce voting.
MIR. WISE said, il was this resolution itself which
said 10 the members OF this House. that they not
to be trusted with the ballot. He did not say that
any individual or party said H. He did not fear thai
any one would cast such an imputation upon him;
but the resolution cast il upon the whole House. He
agreed with the gentleman from South Carolina on
this subject, and though the ms and the cuts wings
and tories required protection in their votes here
lie did not 90 for destroying accountability 10 the
people; but there was another sovereign 10 protect
US from whom he required the panoply Of the ballot.
We had often here 10 divide between serving God
or mammon, between serving the interests OF the
people or those Of the Executive and this piua
voting was intended as the screw test.
Mr.. JENlFER spoke briefly IN opposition to the re-
solution.
Mr. REED, of Mass, held himself accountable to his
constituents for all his acts here but he in favor
OF protecting the House from all extraneous Influences
whether excited by the Executive, or by party organza
ton. .+
Mr. MATTHIAS NORRIS said he voted against the
proposition the other day, apply the mode
Of voting particular case, but the present propo-
sion was for establishing permanent and general rule
he would support IT, The election Of officers of this
House much matter Of public business any
other, and we much accountable for our course
on these elections, as for any legislative action.
Mr. SERGEANT said the proposed alteration
calculated TO impair the freedom Of this House, GER
tainly would not make it more free. IL was incumbent
those who propose to change the rule TO show that
the change would make us more free. lie felt that he
free in voting by ballot and he that he
might not be in voting rfpa He did not think that
the mode proposed would be just 10 our constituents
This right Of voting by ballot small relic Of free
dom, and he would cling to il relic Of freedom
II nothing but impairment curiosity which
CURED to know how any voted at elections Of Off
GERS Why should we be compelled to the risk Of
making an enemy Of man whom we choose to vote
against "'
Mr.. STANLEY rose to make motion which he
hoped would dispose OF this party question which
had been forced upon us, and which had already
consumed too much of our time He moved TO lay
the whole subject on the table.
Mr.. DROMGOOLE asked the yeas and nays on
this motion, which we're ordered, and were
Mr.. MONTGOMERY moved the previous ques-
tian which was seconded, and the main question was
ordered TO be put.
When the vote was about being TAKEN Mr.. A
DAMS said the rule proposed was in direct viola
tion Of the constitution of the U. S. which provided
that the President Of The u s. when voted for in the
House should be voted for by ballot.
The resolution was agreed TO- yeas l26, nays IS.
Mr. SHERROD WILLIAMS submitted a reso-
luton amending the rule just adopted as to apply
it only to the election of otcers OF this House.
The use of the Hall Of Representatives was grant
ed TO the Colonization Society for Tuesday evening
the llth
The House adjourned.