Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-12-26
I'll. =. q oMgresg.
See .jomth page for Mondays proceedings

In SENATE, Tuesday, Dec. l7.-The
Chair announced the appointment OF the
Committee on Public Business, acciden-
tally omitted on the preceding day, viz !:
Mr.. Fulton, Chairman, Mr.. Merrick,
and Mr.. Smith, of Connecticut.
Mr.. Wright gave notice that as soon
as Congress should be ready to proceed
with Legislative business, ho would bring
forward "a bill more cfiectuaIly to Sc
cure the public money in the hands Of
The officers and agents ofthc government
and to punish public defaulters."
| Several other Senators gave notice of
bills which they should in duo time bring
forward, after which the Senate went
into executive session.
In the House., Tuesday, Dec. H.
The Speaker, Hon. Robert NJ. r.
Hunter, took the chair and called the
House TO order. He then rose and ad
dressed the House as follows:
Gentlemen Of the House of Repre-
seniatives The high and undeserved
honor which you have conferred upon
me has been so unexpected, that even
now l can scarcely find terms in which
to express my grateful sense Of your
kindness. ! trust, however, to be able
to offer a better evidence of that senti-
mont IN the earnest efforts which | shall
make to discharge my duties Justly and
impartially. Called us have been to
this high station, not so much from any
merits OF INV own as from the indie PEN
dence OF my position, shall feel it as
pecially due from me to you TO preside
as the Speaker, no, Of a party, but of tho
House. Whilst shall deem il my duty
on all proper occasions To sustain the
principles upon which / stand pledged
before the country, ! shall hold my sc II
bound at the same time to afford every
facility within my power to the full and
free expression Of the wishes and sent-
nents OF every section Of this great Con-
lederacy. You will doubtless deem il
your duty, gentlemen, as the grand in
quest oi the nation, TO investigate all
matters Of which the people ought to be
Informed; to retrench expenditures which
are unnecessary or unconstitutional To
maintain the just relations between all
The grent interests Of the country aud
to preserve inviolate the Constitution
which you will be sworn to support !;
whilst il will be mine TO aid you in such
labors with all the means within my DOW
cr. And although deeply impressed
with a painful sense Of my inexperience
aud OF the difficulties Of a new aud un-
tried station, | am yet cheered by the
hope that you will sustain me in my cf-
forts TO preserve the order of busines s.
and the decorum Of debate. am aware
that party iervor if occ asonaly impatient
oi The restraint which it is the duty of
The Chair to impose upon the asperily Of
debate, but al The same time know that
the just Of all parties will sustain the
Speaker who is honestly ondeavoring Ia
preserve the dignity Of the House and
the harmony of ts members.
Permit me in conclusion, gentlemen, },
to tender you the homnge of my heart
'olt thanks for the honor which you have
conferred upon me, and To express the
hope that your councils maj be So guided
by wisdom M TO rebound TO your own re-
Putotion ond the welfare Of our common
country.
All the members having been sworn
~ except the five from New Jersey, who
have thus far been denied the righ, 10
act as members, the question naturally
arose (in the changed condition Of the
'iouse) upon admitting them 10 tho
rights which they claim under the laws
ana ae's oi the State government Of Now