The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-04-07
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Mr.. PATTON on leave offered resolution ap-
pointing MIR. Mccormick Che present incumben)
postmaster to the House which was agreed TO, aclG
con-
Mr.. McKENNAN offered resolution that the
House would on Monday next al o'clock, proceed
the election of Doorkeeper in the place OF Over
ton Carr deceased.
Mr. CAMBRELENG Directing, the question
put and the resolution agreed to: Ayes 81, noes
Mr. GRAY, of New York, moved to amend il BY
substituting this day 2oclock but ii was negayed
ayes Co. noes 10.
Mr.. SEERROD WILLIAMS then moved to
suSpend'the election OF Doorkeeper until the first
Monday of December next.
On this motion, Mr. CAMBRELENG demanded
the yeas and nays; which were ordered
Mr. BOON, Of Indiana, advocated the postpone
ment. The House hadJ in fact gone on for three
sessions past without Doorkeeper; the duties were
performed by the Assistant, and nobody felt any in
convenience. Besides, the House had voted to give
the salary ofhe late Doorkeeper TO his wife and ia
miy during the residue of the session, measure 10
which Mr. B. strenuously objected on principle. 1t
would be just as right to vote to the widow OF de-
ceased member Of this House the balance Of his per
diem pay until the end Of the session. And he was
especially opposed to grants OF this kind, while
charges of extravaganza were daily urged against
the existing Administration, and contrasts drawn OF
the expenditures of other Administrations during
similar periods of time. The Administration had 10
bear the responsibility eff all of this description
Mr. b. would not vote for the appointment ofa Door
keeper during this session; he would not pay two
salaries for the duties of office; if others chose
to do SO, on them must rest the responsibility.
Mr. HAYNES observed, that if it would be neces-
sary to have Doorkeeper and an Assistant, when
the number of pages was to be reduced 10 twelve
much more would il now when the number ofpagcs
eighteen,
Mr. EWING of Indiana, replied TO the remarks
of his colleague, Mr. Boon, who had urged the con
sideraon that the administration was held RESPONSE
Bile for all unnecessary and eXtravagant eXpendl-
lures of the public money: his colleague wanted to
spare the administration the amount Of the pay OF
this Doorkeeper if this was the only useless and
extravagant expenditure of the public money with
which the present administration were chargeaDethe
expenses of this Government would never have
swelled from Is TO 81 millions since the present dy
nasty came into power. And the gentleman was
equally Mortified at the extravaganza OF making
gratulouS allowance TO the destitute widow ana
family of the Doorkeeper, deceased; but surely, II
was becoming in that House, as the Representatives
of n liberal minded and a charitable people, 10 per
form this little act of benefcence in their name
Mr. i. advered to the perpetual assailment OF mem
bers by different applicants for the vacant place and
urged speedy election. II was really curious 10
witness the economical anxieties OF gentlemen, when
the honorable gentleman from New York had asked
the yeas and nays on this question OF poStponemeh''
thereby consuming time enough to cost enough 10
pay the Doorkeeper for week.
Mr. BRONSON opposed TO the motion 10
postpone understanding it 10 operate either as an
abolition of the office OF Doorkecpcr or else TO give
that Office TO the present Assistant If this was IN
tended let it be done openly, and NOT IN an indirect
manner. "
MIR. BOON disclaimed with warmth all ndirec-
ton in the natter at least in his support Of ''e re-
solution. so,
MIR. TAYLOR, OF New York, briefly opposed The
posponement, and urged speedy election
The question being now put, the motion OF -NF
WILLIAMS TO postpone was decided BY yeas al"
nays in the negative
Mr., SHERROD WILLIAMS now offered 10
amend the resolution of Mr.. McKennan for an cleo
,ion by adding a clause declaring that, after the
election of Doorkeeper, the office Of Assistant
Doorkecper be dispensed with.
The amendment was rejected without debate.
Mr. RUSSELL, of New York, moved 10 amend
the resolution by striking out Monday next at
o'clock" and inserting forthwith" which was
agreed to-ayes 81 The resolution, as thus amend
ed, was agreed to.
Candidates twenty in number, were then put IN
nomination. by different members,
Mr. STERROD WILLIAMS proposed that 1t be
agreed before going into election that AFTER each
unsuccessful ballot (if such should be- The camel
date having the smallest number OF votes be dropped,
ana so IN mill an election should be made
But the CHAIR decided that ihiS amounted 10 an
alteration OF the rule Of the House, touching The
election OF its officers, ana theieloie "ouI" require
vote OF twu.thirds.
The proposition was negatived
The House then proceeded to ballot for DOOR
keeper ,,,..,..h.,.;,.
Amer the 9th ballot, MIR. Joseph FolanSbee having
received 81 ont Of III votes was declared 10 DC duy
elected. ., ..
Mr. Folanstss appeared accordingly and was
qualified,