Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-12-19

be mere shadow, but shadows counted IN this matter,
and he much preferred the original resolution. .
Mr. WISE. have submitted To tins House 10 oecde
nnon direct proposition to be introduced By either
side; but submitted SPECIFIC form, by wh'ch was
bound to submit that and no other. only bound my
self 10 offer direct proposition, and tins IS one upon
the credentials leaving the question OF the contested
election TO be settled afterwards by the House.
Mr. UNDERWOOD inquired If the previous ques-
ton had been put:
Be;np answered in the negative, Mr.. L. said if the
oririnal resolution was not modified he should vote
against it. He hoped gentlemen would not vote ior
the previous question He understood some gentle
men objected to the modification; ana ne pea the
members would understand each other before they Sc
conded the demand for the previous question.
The reading of the substitute having been called Tor,
and the same having been again read
Mr. WISE understand some gentlemen to say
that there is misunderstanding in relation to this
modification. They pretend that they have not
committed themselves TO my proposition, IN conse-
uuence ofthe proposition originally offered having
been mod fed Now, aver that gentlemen on all SIDES
accepted Of my proposition before they heard 1t.
merely proposed TO submit direct proposition, IN some
fo.m and submitted it in my own way 1t they 40
not ike it, let them vote il down. But u gentlemen say
that they regard this involving act OF bad faith,
will undo all that have done, and 60 back again to
the debate
Mr. PICKENS said that, so far as he was nd'vidu-
ally concerned he had objection to vote upon the
proposition as il stood (Mr Ps voice was here al
most lost to the Rcporer,) but he understood to
saw that he had made objection the substitute be-
cause the slghtcst deviation Ia the Phras oogy OF the
two propositions might affect The votes he supposed,
however, he mistaken =: supposing that there was
any difference between the two
Mr.. WISE will case the pra 8 the gentleman,
and will make him proposition. understand That
my friend from South Carolina had SstcTd'Yn
ton in his pocket which provided IN" VIZ ~
Ia ~; colleague, arc entitled TO cher seats. IL ne
viii now BRING it up, will withdraw mine
Mr.. PICkENS prefer the resolution OF the gen.
,eman from Virginia, because it is affirmative pro-
Mr.. WISE. The gentemans will be an affirmative
proposition
On motion of Mr.. CRAIG, Several of the absen-
tees having now arrived,) the doors were opened
And the question recurring on second'ng the demand
for the previous question: il was taken and seconded
And the main question ordered TO be taken
Mr.. RYNuM demanded the yeas and nays, winch
were ordered. 80
And the main question: being the adoption of Mr.
Wses substitute was then taken; when the vote
stood yeas III, nays III, "a he)
So the resolution (under the 9th rulc) not adopt
Mr.. SMITH of Maine rose to offer the following
solution which he read from his seat
Rssored That this House, at this time, proceed to
the election Of Speaker
Mr. WISE and exclaimed-ls this carrying out
the fairness of my proposition
Mr. BYNI1M moved the previous question
Mr. SMITH of Maine rose, and was about to address
the Chair, when
Mr. UNDERWOOD, who had also risen, asked il
the gentleman from Name (Slr SmIth> or himself was
entitled to the floor,
ifr WISE said the rule of the House required us TO
settle the contested election Of New Jersey before we
proceed to the election Of Speaker
Mr. HOFFMAN moved an adjournment
And tellc-s being called for and appointed, there ap
deared-Ayes ll3, noes IL
So the House refused to adjourn.
Mr.. SMITH, of Maine, then moved that the resolu.
ton which he had sent to the table be read, and he
moved the previous question on II.
Mr. PROFIT rose To point OF order lie sub
mit,ed to the Char whether gentleman, merely be-
cauec he had strength OF lungs enough to outbcllow
crocodile could rise up. offer resolution and, III the
same breath demand the previous question upon IT.
scarcely allowing time for gentlemen To know what the
proposition was
Sr. SMITH, of Maine, then replied, do bu, foloH
the example of the usrious gentleman from Virginia
CHR W,sc)
Mr. PROFIT again put his point Of order. liz
wished 10 know whether II in order for a gentle
man to rise that floor and propose resolution an'
then move the previous question on IT. lie submitted
that il not IN order.
The CHAIRMAN decided that it was not in order t
make two motions at the same time.
Mr. w COST JOHNSON asked the Chair whethe
the gentleman from Maine (Mr Smith, was entitled L
the floor.
Mr. SMITH then called for the reading of his reso
luton.
Which being read by the Clerk
SIR s. moved tine previous question upon IT.
MIR. WISE rose to point of order. By the resolu
ton of the gentleman from South Carolina, Alr Rhett
adopted two DAYS ago the House had resolved, beior
proceeding the election Of Speaker, TO determn
who were entitled 10 seats as Representatives from
Jersey He asked whether this resolution was not !
conflict with that resolution. And he would put tn
question to the conscience of the gentleman who oee
the resolution Mr.. w. called for the reading OF tn
resolution offered BY MIR. Rhett
Mr. SMITH of Maine said he had no fears of reProac
L Iorc IN effect.
continuing the hoor)
rLoud CRIES OF sOrdcr Order
Mr. WADDY THOMPSON | call the gentema
from Maine TO order
Mr. WADDY THOMPSON, (vchcmcntlyl Yo
ahall 81, down sir You have been called to ordc
and it is your duty to take your seat. You shall
so, sir.
confusion and uproar, accompanied, with violent ge
ticulations. -
Dir. WISE said he hoped the gentleman from Main
would permit the resolution of the gentleman trol
South Carolina to be read
loud calls for the reading OF the resoluton.J
Mr. BRIGGS objected to the reading o the resolu
ton until the House should come to order
The CHAIRMAN. Gentlemen will take their seat
II IS necessary that order should be preserved.
The CLERK then read MIR. Rhctts resolution
Mr. WISE submitted the point of order whetls
that resolution not imperative; whether the Hous
should not decide the question which OF the CHAIRMAN
from New Jersey entitled to seats in this body
Gentlemen could not waive the question. They ma
done all they could to beat US, and III order TO d.
they had brought up here those who were afflicted
tho bond of ProYirence and suffering from sickness
to vote on this question. And now it was proposed
deprive the claimants from New Jersey of their seat
and that too, in violation of an imperative law enacte
by gentlemen themselvcstha: they would not procee
to the election of Speaker until they had decided VIII
Of the claimants entitled to seats Oh this floor.
MIR wy would put il to gentlemen to say wheth.
this was acting in good faitll-whether 1t was dom
Justice TO themselves and justice to New Jersey. Coul
sentlcmen now saw to their country that Mr.. Aycrg
and his associates were not entitled 10 the seats the
claimed, or that Mr.. Dckerson and his associates wer
from the vote that had just been taken lie submitte
the question of order the Chair and asked for its d