Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-12-12
The Clerk refused to answer aye or

The Clerk refused to answer aye or
no.
Mr.. Mercer said he hoped the Clerk
would ask the members to take their
Sc ats. Those near him annoyed him
very much.
The Clerk proceeded and stated his
reasons.
MIR. Rhett submitted a resolution that
Lewis Williams, as the oldest member
OF the House, take the Chair.
Mr.. Lewis Williams objected. The
proceeding contemplated in the rcsolu-
ton was out of form. He was for ad-
herring to the invariabls usage Of the
House.
MIR. 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 resoIu-
ton
The Clerk. l am willing to put any
question, if the principle on which do
so is clearly comprehended namely,
that do it in the capacity Of chairman
Of the gentlemen present.
Mr.. VIM. Cost Johnson. l object,
Sir, to your putting questions as Chair
man.
(Grent uproar and confusion here pre-
vailed throughout the Hail.
MIR. Rheit called for the question on
his resolution.
Mr.. Lewis Williams said, if there was
10 be any order at all, the resolutions
ought TO be put to the House according
to priority. If the Clerk had the power
to put the question on the resolution Of
the gentleman from South Carolina,
Mr.. Rhett, he had equal power to put
it on that Of the gentleman from Mnssa-
chusetts, (Mr. Adams.) The latter was
entitled to priority.
MIR. Profit rose, and, addressing the
Clerk, said, you say that you were ar
rested 10 the discharge o. your duty. !
as gentleman and junior member Of
this BODY, have right to protect myself
from this allegation. In the exercise Of
that right, i ask you now, as gentle
man, to say who arrested you.
The Clerk. Probably have used q
wrong term in saying was arrested. /
will change the form Of the expression,
and say that was not allowed to 60 on.
Mr.. Profit. ] understand you to re-
treat from your position, and say you
were not arrested. Then, ask you TO
proceed-l call upon you to proceed,
and let any gentleman object If he IL so
disposed. Why do you not proceed, sir!
Hero we are waiting for you. call
upon you to proceed.
MIR. w. Thompson contendcd that,
sooner or later, the House must come
to the resolution Of his colleague, (Mr.
Rhet.)
Mr.. Rhett then modified his rcsou-
ton by introducing tho name of Mr.. }.
@. Adams instead of that Of Mr.. VIII
Iialns. MIR. II. then put the question
himscfto the House and the resolu-
ton was carried apparently by a large
majority.
Whcreupon Mr.. Adams was conduc-
ted TO the Chair by several members.
During these proceedings there was
much noise liz the Hall, from various
members cndcayoring to be heard,
and from loud conversation, producing
apparent confusion but nothing like
intended disorder. When Mr.. Adams
took the Chair, there was also momen
tary manifestation of feeling in one Of
the crowded galleries, by clapping of
hands, &C., which induced some mem
bers to move that tho galleries be clear
ed, but the irregularily in the gallery
having Immediately ceased, the motions
were not pressed
Mr.. Mercer then moved that the rules
Of the last Congress be adopted for the
temporary government Of the House du-
ring the preliminary proceedings, which
motion was unanimously agreed to.
House adjourn.
On which motion, Mr.. Jcni(er asked
the yeas and nays, which being objected
to, MIR. J. Withdrew the call.
MIR. Pctriken having renewed his mo.
ton
Mr.. Briggs rose, and said that the mo-
ton could not be entertained until roll
Of the House was first made out, and il
was ascertnined who were the members.
lie therefore hoped that the gentleman
would withdraw
Mr. Petriken insisted on his motion, a
division was demanded, and telcrs were
appointed, when thero appeared lO3 in
the affirmative, and 90 in the negative.
The House then, on motion of w. T..
Johnson, adjourned.
In SENATE, Friday, Dec. 9Th, Mr..
Wright presented the credentials Of MIR.
S. S. Phelps, of Vermont, who, after
being duly qualified, took his seat.
MIR. Davis gave notice that he would,
at the earliest period, bring in "A bill to
remit such duties and to cancel such
bonds as have been required Of persons
engaged in the whale fishery, and TO re-
strain all further exactions Of duties upon
such vessels and their cargocs.'
Mr.. Benton also gave notice that he
would bring in a bill for the armed oc-
cupalion and settlement of that part OF
Florida ovorrun by bands Of hostile In
dians, and bill to define and establish
the southern boundary line Of the Ter
rito,ies Of Iowa, and Wisconsin.
On motion of MIR. Wright, the Senate
then adjourned.
In the IIoUse.-The members elect