The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-12-12

MIR. WISE said that upon the question proposed
by the gentleman from South Carolina, Mr.. Rheti,
the same question would sill arise Who were %
voIef The gentleman from South Carolina must
now see that he had il Ia his power TO bring me
House TO action or not. II he would withdraw his
motion 10 lay his, Mr. WIS, resolution on the table,
the gentleman from Maryland, Mr.. Johnson, would
withdraw his The House would then be brought
10 action and would no longer be kept In this absurd
ridiculous, aud disgraeeiai stale OF dsorganizaion.
The CHAIR said tie gentleman from South Car
olina Mr.. Rhelt, would perceive that the same ques
lion again arose, Wac should pots from The State Of
Nsp Jr@yl This meeting having received the
decision Of the Chair, the first question TO be deter
mined was, Who shall vote from the State Of New
Jerseyi
A number OF members here addressed the Chair,
and the door was given TO
Mr.. SLADE who proceeded TO address the House
at some length.
Mr., SLlDE commenced his remarks by stating that
he understood tina, the gentemin from Maryland tMr
Johnson) had offered proposition which he was dis
posed to keep before th House. unless the gentleman
from South Carolina (Mr. Rher) would withdraw his
motion lay the table The resolution Of the gentle
man from Virginia. (Mr Wise
Mr. w. @. JOHNSON thercupon modified his
ton by Withdrawing the second Of his resolutions. and
thus bringing distinctly before the House the question
upoC the first.
Mr. SLABS had not concluded bis remarks when
Mr. GRAHAM, Of North Carolina. to ques-
ton Of order, which the Reporter understood to be that
he (Mr. G) believed the motion before the Hohse
was motion to lay the table, and, IL So not de-
bateable.
The CHAIR said there was before the House a re-
solution of the gentleman from Virginia, and motion
of the gentleman from South Carolina IMr. Rhettl TO
lay that resolution the table Ia the attempt
lie that question, the question occurred. Who should
vote from the State of New Jerseyl The Chair had
declded that the gentlemen possessed Of the regular
constitutional credentials from the Governor OF New
Jersey should vote From that decision appeal had
been taken aud the decision Of the Chair had been
yc,sed. Bot yet, decision had been made by the
House as to who should vote from the State Of New
Jersey upon the motion Of the gentleman from South
Carolina.
Al this time, in order to avoid any further question
upon the subject, and for the purpose Of endeavong
get this difficulty, the Chairman, II It should meet
the views Of the meeting, would putting the ques-
ton the motion to lay the table, adopt the prnc
Pile upon which several had already been taken
that say, that the should be taken by tel
ers that the teers should report the number Of votes
each side, and that il any Of the members from New
Jersey whose seats contested should pass the fact
should be Immediately reported to the meeting and that
the meeting should decide whether they should be count
cd or not. The Chairman proposed this substitute
for the decision which he had already made to witt that
the question must first be determined, who shall vote
from the State of New Jersey, and expedient
which had been already tried II such the voice Of
the meeting, he would conform to it.
livery general cries Of "Agreed-agreed"1
The reading Of the resolution Of Mr. WISE having
been called for it was read and there loud cries
for the question.
Mr. SLApE claimed his right to the floor.
The CHAIR said that the gentleman from Yer
mont MIR. Slade) was speaking when the gentle
man from North Carolina (Mr. Graham) rose to a
point OF order. Then the question was started, and
the proposition made by the Chairman, which, he
had hoped, would bring all this debate 10 an end
Mr.. SLADE inquired whether at the time he was
speaking, the question before the house was not on
the motion TO lay on the table I
The CHAIR said no; il was on the question who
should vote from the State of New Jersey.
Mr.. WISE begged 10 correct the Chair. A mo-
ton had been made by the gentleman from South
Carolina Mr.. RhetD TO lay the resolution of the
gentleman from Maryland on the table; and the gen.
teman from Vermont Mr.. Sladel was speaking out
of order, because he was speaking TO question Of
laying a resolution on the table-that not being de-
bateable. Now, however, the new position taken BY
the Chair had relieved the house from the necessity
of voting, and brought them the direct motion of
the gentleman from South Carolina 20 lay his Mr.
vs. resolution on the table. He begged the gen.
tisman from Vermont not 10 delay it BY further re-
marks.
[rhe reporter understood Mr.. Rhett's motion to be
t. lay the table the question !" Who should vote
from the State OF New Jersey" which question is
substantially the proposition contained in Mr.. John
sons first resolution II distinct motion 10 lay
Mr.. Us resolution on the table was made il did not
reach the ear of the reporter
The CHAIR was understood TO say that even
when the house was organized, and under the full
influence Of its rules, gentlemen permitted to
make speeches, which had no sort Of bearing on the
i
did not feel himself at liberty TO pronounce the gen
ileman from Vermont Mr.. Sade, out OF order. The
gentleman is gu, of order. .a
Mr.. SLADE insisted that he was fairly entitled
to the floor, but said that as an evidence of his de-
sire to bring this matter 10 close, he would yield it
for the purpose of allowing one more effort TO be
made.
Mr. RIvES rose, he said as the gentleman from
South Carolina Mr.. Rhett, had done in the first in
stance, for the purpose of making motion to lay The
resolution OF the gentleman from Virginia Mr..
Wise, upon The table, with view TO offer particu
lar resolution.
Loud cries of Order order"
Mr. RlVES. Hear me, if you please.
Mr. WISE rose to order Was motion to lay on
the abe.debateable Z
Mr. RIVES said it was not his intention to debate.
All he wished was TO be allowed for single mo-
ment-
Mr. WISE insisted on the enforcement of the law
OF order, whatever that might be.
Mr. RlVES, under some excitement. No man
here has more regard 10 the rules OF order than my
self But | intend, unless called TO order by the
Chair, TO say what Intended
MIR WISE again demanded OF the Chair whether
motion to lay on the table was debateable.
The CHAIR said the motion before the meeting
was not motion TO lay on the table. II was upon
the cxpedien proposed by the Chair as 10 who
should vote. See above
Mr. BRIGGS submitted to the Chair that that pro.
position had been accepted by very general, if not
by universal consents
Mr. WISE said that n proposition had been made
by the gentleman from South Carolina, Mr. Rhett,
TO lay the proposition of the gentleman from Mary
land, Mr. johnson, upon the Bile. In either aspect,
whether the motion was TO lay that resolution or
his, MIR. WiseS, own upon the table, the question
still was 10 lay on the table and that motion he sub
mitted was not debateabe.
Mr.. RlVES. The gentleman from Virginia, Mr..
Wise, has taken me up five or six times
Loud cries OF Orderp and Mr.. Wise insisted
on the enforcement of the rule
The CHAIRMAN said that, in the present state
Of the meeting, which he hoped would be duly con-
sidered, he was unwilling, although he thought the