The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-02-26

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
FarDAY, Feb. %, 1889.
| The House resumed the further consideration Of
the question Of privilege under consideration at Its
ON the adoption Of the following resolution offered
last evening by Mr.. w. Thompson, as substitute
for the original proposition Of Mr.. Prentiss:
Resolved, That Alexander Duncan, member of
this House, having avowed himself the author OF an
/ article published In the Globe of the 18th instant,
grossly beIlous of honorable members Of this body;
| that the said Alexander Duncan be reprimanded BY
| the Speaker, In the presence OF the House.
| After some remarks from Mr.. PETRlkEN, that
gentleman moved to lay the whole subject on the
table
Mr. TILLINGHAST moved call ofthe House.
| When, on the request of Mr.. GILMORE, and on
| his pledge to renew the motion, Mr.. PEFRlkEN
withdrew the motion TO lay the subject on the table
Some desuory conversation ensued on point
of order, when Mr.. ELMORE yielded the floor TO
Mr. W. THOMPSON for the especial purpose Of
enabling him to modify his proposition
! Mr. t. then modified his proposition 10 read as
follows
! Whereas ALExAHDER DUNCAN, a member Of this
House from the State Of Ohio, has, in his place, &C
knowedged himself to have written and caused to DO
published in the Globe newspaper Of the 18th instant the
following writing, to wit Here insert it,
Therefore, Resolred, That the said Alexander Dun
can has in the premises subjected himself to the just
censure Of this House, and that he be reprmanded
therefor by the Speaker in the presence Of the House
Mr.. 7. said that this proposition would be accept
ed by the gentleman from Mississippi MIR. Prentiss)
| as modification of his own.
! Mr.. PRENTISS said he accepted it, although
contraryt to his own opinion.
| The debate was continued by Mr.. ELMORE in
| opposition 70 any action on the subject, and Mr..
| MENEFEE and Mr.. PRENTISS in occasional
| explanations.
After which, Mr.. E., in compliance with his
pledge renewed the motion to lay the subject on the
| liable.
Mr.. DROMGOOLE suggested to Mr.. Petriken
to change his motion to demand Tor the previous
question, but Mr.. p did not accept the suggestion.
Messrs. PRENTISS, MERCER, ADAMS and
LEG ARE urged withdrawal Of the motion to lay
the subject on the table; but Mr.. PETRlKEN per-
sisted.
| Mr. TILLINGHAST renewed his motion for
call Of the House, which being ordered, 206 mem
| bers answered to their names. .
And, the names of the abSenteeS being called there
| appeared ZIG members present.
When, on motion, further proceedings on the call
| were suspended.
| And the question recurring on the motion to lay
| the subject on the table. Ma
| Mr. REED demanded the yeas and nays, which
| were ordered.
Mr. sLADE asked Mr.. Petriken 10 withdraw his
motion, to enable him to make an explanation per-
| sonal TO himself
| Mr. p. declined.
| AT the request Of MIR. SHERROD WILLIAMS,
and on his pledge 10 renew it, Mr.. PETRIKEN
withdrew his motion for the purpose OF enabling
Mr. w. TO state his reasons for voting in favor THE
| motion to lay the resolution on the table.
| Mr.. w. having concluded, and having renewed
the motion according to pledge, several gentlemen
| attempted Intellectually to induce Mr. Petrken TO
! withdraw it,
| And the question was then taken and decided in
| the affirmative: Yeas IT. nays a.
| So the subject was laid on the table. s."
| On leave given,
~
Affairs reported with amendments Senate bill to APP
point commissioners to adjust claims under the Choc
| taw treaty.
| On leave given,
| Mr. NAYLOR, from the select committee ap-
pointed TO inquire into the conduct of Commodore
Elliot, made report accompanied by the following
| resolutions
Resolucd, That an interference, by The House Of
Representatives in the disputes that occur between
subordinate officers Of the Navy and their superors
commanding squadrons, is a power which ought at
all times TO be exercised with great caution and is
calculated to produce INSTRUMENTATION in that impor-
tant of the national defence. But, in the OPT
MON Of this committee it is competent for the Rep
resentatves of the People to investigate any abuses
| alleged to be committed by officers in command of
squadrons and to provide by law for the recurrence
of such abuses; and, moreover, TO investigate and
| ascertain whether the head of the Navy Department
may have used such means as are placed in his
hands by law to punish and prevent any such alleg-
| ed abuses.
Resolved That the most appropriate remedy for
such subordinate officers is appeal to the Secre-
tary Of the Navy for court OF inquiry to investi
gate the charges exhibited against their superiors;
and from his decision the party aggrieved may APP
peal to the President who, by the Constitution, is
commander inchief OF the Navy; he, as well as the
Secretary being liable to impeachment for wiliul
and corrupt violation or neglect of duty.
Resolred, That the time allowed this committee is
insufficient to enable them 10 make full and tho
rough examination Of the subject committed 10 them;
that even limited and partial examination would
require them contrary to the duty they owe TO their
immediate constituents and the country al large, 10
be absent daily during the sittings Of the House. at
this important period of the session.
Resoiped, therefore, That is inexpedient to COM
mence the investigation al this time, and that the
chairman report these resolutions, with the journal
OF our proceedings, 10 the House, together with the
opinion OF this committee, that the subect-matter
1erred TO them by the resolution of the House of the
18th instant requires investigation and that he ask
that the committee be discharged from the further
consideration of the subject.
The report and resolutions having been read,
Mr.. NAGLOR moved that they be laid on the Ia
Bile and printed -
Mr.. n. then explained that this was the report of
the majority, and asked leave to present two other
reports on the same subjectthe one of the minority
OF the committee, and the other OF an individual
member thereof
Mr. PREM rISS, Of Miss, inquired If il was in
order TO move to recommit the report with insruc-
1 lions.