Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-02-14
J. NJ. MASON.

we aIrcAi TAG rcmAfAS oi the GAZETTE, 10
enable the reader To fully comprehend tls merits
Of the question between Mr.. NJ. and that paper.
In the list Of Ayes and Noes. on the
vote 10 appoint the inveslica,in. Commit.
tee OF the House Of Representatives, By
6ailof, We arc surprised TO see the name
OF NJ. James NJ. Mason recorded ia the
negafire. This We did not expect. from
his whole course, and especially after
the remarks he made in answer 10 Mr..
Can breleng a few days ago. lie aivo.
Gated. then. certainly. an election OF the
Committee by the House and not by the
Speaker. We are aware tina, the vote
was on the motion TO strike out viva
voce." and inser, by "ballot'-apd Mr..
VI. may have preferred the viva voce
mode. But as we understand the case,
according TO .he decision OF the Speaker
on the poiut OF order, had the viva vooe
plan been adopted, 1t would have requir-
ed majori.y Of two-thirds TO have passed
the resolution-and, thus, the whole in
ves,iga,ion might have been Defeated
So that, in effect, the vote for the ballot,
became the test vote. We make these
remarks because our disappoin,men in
MIR. Ms vote. has. we know, been shared
by others, who are his friends and con-
Observation-Disclosures Gazette.
Tho remarks OF Mr.. MsSow, in reference to
the ballo, and viva vocc system. "fnade in an
swcr TO Mr.. Cambrccng, and alluded to above
appeared in The Free Press Of the 3lst January.
| We annex the proceedings which took place
Immediately preceding the vote spoken of by the
Gazette Gas reported by the Correspondent, Of the
Baltimore Amcrcan,) that the reader may fully
understand the subject, and lie enabled 10 form las
own opinions:
I The Previous Question was moved.
The effect Of the Previous Question
was 10 cut off ell amendments, and 10
make the choice OF the Select Committee
rest with the Speaker.
The Previous Question was then oppos-
cd ayes 90, noes lie.
Mr.. Canbrelcng then moved that the
vote be taken rira poce. This notion
was made TO prevent the appointment oil
. Committee by ballot instead Of by the
Speaker. il being now understood tina,
the majority Of the House were viliing
TO trust The Speaker with the appoint.
men, OF the Committee The effect OF
Mr.. Cambrelcng's motion, if carried. the
/ Speaker said, would be TO require a vote
Of ,xo thirds 10 adopt the Resolution.
This decision produced great excite
ment and an angry discussion in the
House OF Representatives. IL alarmed
many members-some Of whom spoke
warmly and earnestly on The point Of or.
der.
A method was then discovered 10 a.
void the decision of the Speaker. which
required vote Of two-thiI9s 10 adopt o
resolution. That method was TO amend
Mr.. Cambreleng's amendment by insert
ing by ballot" instead Of through the
rira roee amendment proposed.
Mr.. Marvin. OF New York, moved thu
amendment. TO the amendment. which
was carried-ayeS ll3. noes l05- Mr.
MASON with the .toss.
The friends Of the Administration ther
moved an adjournment mo" mo.
no" was the loud response OF numerous
members.
! The yeas and nays was ordered. anc
the adjournment was nega,ived by large
vote.
At seven P. NJ. the Speaker ordered
the members 90 prepare their ballots.