Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-12-12


1888, The opening was as usual by the
Clerk Of the House, and the discussion
was renewed.
Mr.. Randolph, Of N. j., and Mr..
Dickorson, one Of the administration
claimants, from the same State, both
the floor at once. The Clerk
decided it as being in possession Of MIR.
Randolph
Mr.. Vanderpoel, of N. York, with
marked anxiety TO get speech from
Mr.. Dickerson, thought that by courtesy
at least, if not right, member who had
spoken once should yield the floor to one
who had not joined in the debate.
TO this winning appeal, however. the
Clerk bluntly observed that he was ac-
quainted with the rule Of the House,
that the subject before it was new one,
and that Mr.. Randolph was entitled n
the floor. That member then proceeded
to make an eloquent exposition Of the
general question, taking the same views
as had been already presented by him
and other speakers enforcing them,
however, with new references 10 parallel
cases both in the General Congress and
The Legislature of New Jersey.
When MIR. Randolph had finished,
much sensation was caused in the House,
when
Mr.. Adams now took the floor. There
was great desire TO hear hIm, and much
anxiety manifested. lie said" Eel
low-citizens Of the twenty sixth Con-
gress Of the United States--l address
myselfto you, and not to the Clerk Ct
the House Of Representatives, under
painful sense Of my duty. The Clerk
commenced reading to you the names OF
the Members ofthe twenty sixth Congress
until he came to the State of n. Jersey,
when he paused and stated to the House,
that five Of the seats Of the Members
from New Jersey were contested, and
that he must refer that decision to the
House. A6er that he again, in the
discharge of his solemn duty, declared
that he would not put question, except
a question Of adjournment In what
predicament are we placed !? We are
fixed here as immovably AZ the columns
around the Capitol. What then are we
to do. The Clerk refused To- proceed
with the roll, and refuses to put qucs-
ton, and in this condition are we left.
| had determined, said MIR. Adams, TO
have said nothing upon this CO ntroversy,
and l should have adhered to my deter
mnation but for the two decisions of the
Clerk. We are here under the injunc-
ton Of solemn duties, and fuller re-
of the people Of the United
States than ever before and ever will
probably again exist. The Clerk has
placed MS in a position from which we
can neither advance nor rccede. In the
present case, said Mr.. Adams, it may
be necessary to do what MIR. Jefferson
tells you Lord Dunmore did-adjourn
from the usual place of meeting to
tavern and there constitute yourselves.
] call upon you in the name Of the
people Of the United States to organize
yourselves. You arc here under solemn
and responsible duties. call upon the
o! the body here to do this
We have recently been told by the Of
fetal organ that a majority ofthis House,
of the New Jersey clai-
nants, were friendly to the Administra-
ion. That paper says l2l members all
)f whom are here, are friendly to the
A Administration. | offer the following
'esolution, not to 60 upon the Clerks
lesk {" in the limbo Of vanity and The
PARADISE Of FOOLS" but before the House.
Resolved, That the Acting Clerk OF
his House shall proceed with the call
,f the members from the different States
,f the Union in the usual way, calling
he names Of such members from New
Jersey as hold the regular and legal
commissions from the Executive Of that
State.
Mr. Adams said he addressed himself
10 his fellow citizens of the House, and
not to the Clerk. 1t was to the members
of the House he appealed, and in The
name Of the people. The House, thank
God, said he, is not under the necessity
of submitting to him, despotic as he is.
We are not in that condition. The
Clerk might as well put the resolution
nio The fire, as to put it where be does
upon the table.
Now, said, Mr. Adams, call upon
he members of Congress heie in the
name Of the people of the United States
o set aside this Clerk. Without doing
t we cannot organize. What will our
constituents say to US, doing as we have
ione-suflering ourselves to waste four
days before the organization of the
House. What will mine say 10 me p
call upon the l2l members, the ma
ority to organize this House. They
have the majority, and upon them rests
he responsibility Of further delay. !
offer the resolution and ask for amend
mcnt to it, if any gentleman has ono to
offer.
In my opinion they cannot refuse TO
DO otherwise than to recognize the
claims Of the five members who have the
constitution and the laws. They have
come here with the law upon their side,
and you can not deprive the five mem
bers Of their rights without compromis-
ing the rights Of the people Of New
Jersey. have, said MIR. Adams, heard
a great deal said about respect for The
rights Of tho people.
Mr.. Graves interrupted MIR. Adams
lie said that he hoped the gentleman