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

been regularly communicated blythe Secretary Of the
Commonwealth that Senator did not acquire a
right 10 a seat BY notion but by the election OF the
People and the return OF that election regularly
made; and Mr.. Pearsons motion was then agreed
TO- MIR. Charles Brown, Of the county OF fniIauei-
phia then went 10 the Clerks table and rendered
paper which he stated 10 be certified copy OF me
OF the election for Senator IN the second us
irict but was informed by the Speaker mat such
paper could not then be received as the return Oh the
said election was then in possession of the Senate,
transmitted officially by the Secretary OF the Com
monweah. MIR. Carpenter, Senator from the
county Of Westmoreland, then offered resolution
that the Secretary Of the Commonwealth be direct
ed to furnish to the Senate all papers in his office adj
dressed to the Senate, and moved that the Senate
proceed to the second reading and consideration
thereof and on that question, viz: proceeding to
the consideration OF the resolution.
MIR. Pearson and MIR. Carpenter asked the yeas
and nays.
Mr. Rogers Senator from Bucks county, then
rose and commenced addressing the Senate, but was
informed by the Speaker that he was at that time not
in order the motion not detachable the
crowd in the Hobbies crying out, Go on" and
Hear him, hear" Mr.. Rogers then appealed from
the decision Of the Chair, and his appeal having
been stated by the Clerk The Speaker addressed the
Senate, stating that he entertained the following
views of the constitution of that body That at the
time OF the adoption of the present Constitution of
the Commonwealth, the Senate had been regularly
organized, and had continued always 10 be an or
ganized body bound by certain written laws for It's
government, which could only be altered by the de-
liberate action of the body that the rules forbade
any debate on the motion then pending and that,
until the newly returned mambers were duly quail
hed as Senators, they were not entitled TO speak or
vote on any other question than the election of a
Speaker. Mr.. Rogers then withdrew his appeal !;
and the question being taken BY yeas and nays, the
Senate refused TO consider the resolution offered by
MIR. Carpenter, there being resolution before the
Senate requiring any resolution calling Depart
menl for information 10 lay over one day,
On motion, the Senate proceeded 10 elect Spea-
ker, and the names of the Senators and the returned
members, with the exception Of the several clai-
mants from the eighth district, being called by the
Clerk, 1t appeared that Charles B. Penrose had re-
ceived Is votes, Samuel L. Carpenter 9 and the
Clerk then announced that Charles B. Penrose
duly elected Speaker of the Senate whereupon MIR.
PenroSe took the chair and, after making his ac-
knowledgemenls TO the Senate, was duly sworn as
Speaker by Mr. Carpenter. The Speaker then
called the newly-elected members TO the Clerks ia
Bile, 10 take their oaths and aairmations members
of the Senate, according TO the Constitution
Al this time MIR. Rogers, OF Bucks county, rose
and stated that he was DESTROYS, at proper time, OF
offering paper, which he had in his hand, showing
the returns ofthe election Of Senators in the county
ofPhiladelphia and that he believed it was now the
proper time to present it. The Speaker intimated
repeatedly to Mr. Rogers that such discussion and
presentation was not in order and that any evidence
contained in the return sent in by the Secretary Of
the Commonwealth could be conlroverted BY contra
ry evidence, and would be inquired into by petit
tion under the acts Of Assembly for trying contested
elections. Mr.. Rogers, however, persisted in max
ing his remarks, which in some instances were high
ly diSorderly, tending although believe uninten-
honay, to excite The feelings of large assemblage
ofPersons who thronged the galleries and Hobbies,
who indicated by applause their appreciation of his
course. Order having been in some degree restor-
ed, Mr.. Fullerton, Senator from Franklin county,
moved thatthe swearing of the members from the
county OF Philadelphia be postponed for the present;
and on this motion desultory and exciting debate
in uh Irh Mr. PnlI har rAf.,r N,al
from the third district, and Mr. Coplan member
from the eighteenth district neither of them having
al mar ume been sworn, attempted TO participate,
and were with great difficulty restrained BY the Speak
er. The question, on the motion of Mr.. Fullerton,
then being taken by yeas and nays. was decided in
the negative, and again the newly-returned men,
bers were called to the Clerks table and severally
qualihed according to the Constitution. AT this,
time Mr.. Brodhead and Mr.. Longacre, were an
nounced by the Sergeant-a Arms, committee
from the House Of Representatives, and, on being
introduced stated that the House of Representatives
had been organized and were now ready to proceed
TO business they then retired, and the Sergeant-a-
Arms announced Messrs. Henry s. Spackman and
Thomas s. Smith, ofthe House Of Representatives
who were introduced and stated that the House OF
Representatives had been organized by the election
OF Thomas S. Cunningham as Speaker, and were
now ready to transact business their announcement
being interrupted by Kisses from the gallery, and
then retired. On motion, Messrs Barclay and
Pearson were appointed committee to wait on the
House Of Representatives, and announce that the
Senate was now organized and ready to proceed
with business. AT this time Mr.. Brown, of the coun-
ty OF Philadelphia, not being member of the Sc
nate, and attempted TO address the Senate and
on being informed that he could not be permitted to
proceed, the mob in the galleries and lobbies COM
menced making intimidating noises and threats,
crying out Brown Brown hear him hear HIM
reconsider your resouton-we will have our rights,
&c. &c.
Amidst this tumult, Mr.. Rogers, a Senator from
Bucks county, rose and moved that Mr.. Brown be
cd IN oIa fha hich heir CO.
conded by Mr.. Ewing, a Senator from Washington
county, who prompted by fear of personal VIC
lence to the Speaker, and threats OF bloodshed from
the mob then pressing within the bar of the Senate
was agreed 10. Mr.. Brown having pledged his ho-
to Messrs. Miller and Eraley, Senators from
Philadelphia, not to use any infammatory remarks,
made speech, which he professed 10 be intended 10
subdue the excitement in the galleries. and TO induce
the mob to dispense but the warmth Of his feelings
carried him into great improperly both OF speech
and manner, declaring that we were in the midst of
a revolution and that there was an end OF consiu-
tional government, occasionally addressing them IN
a duplicating manner invoking them TO be quiet,
and asking whether they were prepared ty trample
the Constitution and laws under foot, and shed the
best blood of the Commonwealth TO attain their ends.
To these questions the mob responded Yes, yes; we
will, we will; and accompanied their assent with
horrible cries Give blood if cannot have our
rights Mr.. Brown at length concluded, and, on
motion of Mr. Bell OF Chester, the Senate agreed 10
meet daily at ten o'clock in the morning. and then
adjourned the mob rushing within the bar of the
Senate before the Speaker had announced the deci-
sion. The Senate Chamber was then taken posses
sion of by the mob, and most iD1ammatory speeches
addressed TO them by several of their leaders, and
that hitherto sacred apartment has subsequently,
whenever the Senate attempted to assemble, been
filled with rioters, threatening violent interference
with the business of the Senate until their demands
were acceded to- To such fearful height was the
excitement carried that the Speaker of the Senate
and several OF the members were compelled, under
threats OF personal injury, to escape by the windows
of the Capitol