The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-12-07

cannot control the Clerk--he il here despot So he
has acted and so he will act unless you by that native
power which you possess from the People Of the United
States, set aside all his DECISIONS and &C, for your
selves.
This resolution, Of which there is copy on the
Bile, was offered yesterday the day before by the gen.
tismsn from Kentucky, (Mr Gnves) A multitude Of
resolutions have been offered since. but they all went
into the same position. Il is in the following words;
Resolped, That the Acting Clerk Of this house shall
proceed with the call Of the members from the different
States OF the Union IN the usual way, calling the
OF such members from New Jersey hold the regular
and legal commissions from tho Executive OF that State.
Mr.. ADAMS proceeded At greater length and force
to address the assembly, until he interrupted by
much confusion, and the intemingng Of many voices
demanding !" How shall the question be put-who will
pot the question 7"
Mr.. ADAMS (whoss voice reached the ear Of the
Reporter above the tumull) replied :. intend to put
the question myself"
shall be proposed to the resolution. Alter that,
have said, propose from the necessity Of the case
put tho question myself; because protest against the
Clerk being addressed at all. appeal to the House
appeal 10 body possessing the power 10 act-I sp-
peal to the majority Of the House.
l. Mr. RHE1sf rose and said he desired to put ques-
| ton 10 the Clerk
Mr.. ADAMS objected to any question being address,
cd to tho Clerk.
Mr. RHETT said, does the Clerk determine he will
| not put question
The CLERK rising to reply loud cries were raised
in all parts Of the Hall. Answer that question Yes
or no. to that question Y
i 1.-THE confusion here great that il was almost
impossible to ascertain accurately the purpot Of what
was said.
1 The CLERK proceeded TO state that he considered
himself the Clerk Of tho House of Representatives and
| not the chairman Of meeting &c
/ Mr. RHETT then offered resolution that LEWIS
WILLIAMS the Oldest member Of this body be appoint
i ri m 10 "a
| by the election Of Speaker.
| Mr. r. said no question could be taken until some
such step had been taken The usuage Of the last
Cong ress was for the Clerk to put questions and he
| tMr r. had former day, read precedents estab
listing that fact But the Clerk had said that no
would no, put questions. The result inevitable
some person be appointed to put questions. He
hoped the resolution would be adopted.
| Mr. LEWIS WILLIAMS objected. The proceed
ing contemplated in the resolution Of form
He was for adhering to the invariabe usage Of the
| House.
Mr. BRIGGS said he understood the Clerk to be
willing to put questions
| Mr. UNDERWOOD to the Clerk. Will you, SIR
| put the question on my resolution
| The CLERK am willing to put any question, If
the principle which do clearly comprehended
namely, that do III the capacity ofchairman Of the
gentlemen present.
Mr. w COST JOHNSON. I object, sir, to your
putting questions chairman
[Great uproar aud confusion here prevailed through
| out the HALL
Mr.. RHETT called for the question on his resou-
| ton
Mr. LEWIS WILLIAMS said, If there wa, to be
| any order at all, the resolution ought to be put
to the House according TO priority. II the Clerk
had the power to put the question the resolution OF
the gentleman from South Carolina, (Mr Rhett,) no
bad equal power TO put that Of the gentleman from
Massachusetts, (Mr. Adams) The latter entitled
TO priority
said you say that you arrested in the discharge
Of your duty. !, as gentleman and junior mem
Der OF this body, have right to protect myself from
this allegation In the exercise OF that right, ask
you now, as a gentleman, to say who arrested you.
The CLERK. Probably have used wrong term
in saying was arrested. ! will now change the
form of the expression and say was not allowedt TO
| go on.
Mr.. PRoFFIT. understand you to retreat from
your position, and TO say you were not arrested.
Then, ask you 10 proceed call upon you TO pro-
ceed and let any gentleman object II he is SO dis
posed. Why do you not proceed, sir2 Here We are
waiting for you. call upon you TO proceed
Mr.. w. THOMPSON commended that, sooner or
later The house must come to the resolution of his
colieage, [Mr. Rhen
Mr.. RHErT then modified his resolution by in
| Producing the name OF Mr. J. G. Adams, instead of
that Of Mr.. Williams. Mr. R. then put the question
himself to the house and the resolution carried
| apparently by a large majority.
Whereupon Mr.. ADAMS was conducted TO the
Chair by several members.
/ lDuTlng lueSe proceedings tneTe was mucn noise
In the hall, from various members endeavoring to
be heard and from loud conversation producing APP
parent confusion but nothing like intended disor-
der. When MIR. Adams took the Chair, there was
also momentary manifestation Of feeling in one Of
the crowded galleries. by capping Of hands, &C.,
which induced some members 10 move that the gal
leries be cleared but the irreguarity in the gallery
| having Immediately ceased, the motions were not
Mr.. MERCER then moved that the rules of the
last Congress be adopted for the temporary govern
ment Of the house during the preliminary proceed
ings, which motion was unanimously agreed to-
Mr.. WISE then offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That the acting Clerk of this house
shall proceed with the call Of the members from the
different States of the Union in the usual way, call
ing the names Of such members from New Jersey
hold the regular and legal commissions from the
Executive Of that State
| motion was then made that the House adjourn.
| On which notion Mr.. JENlFER asked for the
yeas and nays, which being objected to, Mr.. J. with
| drew the call.
| Mr.. PETRIKIN having renewed the motion
/ Mr.. BRIGGS rose, and said that the motion could
not be entertained until roll OF the house first
| made out and il was ascertained who were the
members. He therefore hoped that the gentleman
would withdraw it,
| Mr.. PETRIKIN insisting on his motion, divi-
sion was demanded, and tellers were appointed
when there appeared lob in the affirmative, and 80
| in the negative.
The house then on motion of w. c. Johnson, ad-
iourned.
| IN SENATE