The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1839-12-19


beyond the points presented by Mr.. Wise,
into the general merits of the cases OF con-
tested elections, which is still going on, and
will probably be continued TO late hour !;
and even till tomorrow.
/. The points of the discussion, and the
grounds assumed by the Speakers OF both
political parties, were very nearly the same
as those | have noticed IN my letters OF
Monday and Tuesday.
The Senate did nothing to-day but re-
ceiye notices of few private bills for the
benefit of individuals.
DECEMBER 9th.
The closing hours of the sitting Of the
Representatives OF the people yesterday
were more full of interest and excitement
than any | ever spent in either House Of
| Congress, during the whole period of my
attendance az the Capitol. One great step
has at last been taken towards organiza-
ton. After having been led by the con-
duct of Clerk, acting under the advise
ment Of crew Of unScrupulous partlzans,
INTO u useless and idle discussion, because
II approached no point, and could lead TO
no practical decision, the members have at
last been extricatcd from the difficult and
embarrassing position. The appointment
of loHN Quincy ADAMS as temporary
i Chairman, is creditabe to the Judgment of
the members as il is high and merited
compliment to his clear and commanding
intellect-his honesty and impariiall;y-
and his purity OF life and conduct. No
man is better fitted to act as Moderator
during the stormy discussions that may
ensue. Others may be greater N the halls
Of Eolus but he IS prc-eminently capaci-
tatcd to assume the trident, and rule the
waves OF dcbate with authority and wisdom.
/ His appointment is also great victory
Of the Opposition over those who, through
tool Of the Executive, selt.apPointed to
control the deliberations Of the members,
have for four days DISTRACTED the organ.
cation Of the House, and endeayored to
strike down from the hands Of Sovereign
4 State her Just right to a fall and far re-
+ presentation. Mr.. Adams dlsregarded the
/ Clerl,-set aside his decislon-and called
on the House to act for themselves, and
to use the inherent and inevitable power
which belonged to them, Of completing the
organization. They did so; and the pro-
ceeding was hailed with reclamation by
the public.
When the House assembled this NOR
ning, the pending question was on the fol.
loving resolution, offered BY Mr. Wise,
yesterday:
Re,1lrsd, That the acting Clerk Of this House,
shall proceed with the cali Of the members from
the different States Of this Union, in the usual
wy, calling the names OF such members from
Nov Jersey, as hold the regular and legal COM
missions from the Executive OF that State.
Mr.. Rhett moved TO lay the resolution
on the table intlmating that he intended
10 offer another, proposing that the roll
should be called, emitting the members
whose seats are disputed, and if there
should be quorum present, they should
proceed to hear and decide on the evidence
Of election presented by the Claimants
/ TelIers were called for, and Mr.. Dromgoole
having been appointed one of the Tellers,
asked the Chair how he was to decide be-
tween the different sets Of claimants, in
counting The members and who were to
vote.
: Mr.. Adams, as Chairman, decided that
, the teilcrs must count those who had, I'M
der the Constitution Of the United States
! and The laws Of the respective States, the
. regular certificate Of election.
} Mr. Vanderpoel rose in great heat, and
; denounced the opinion as a gross usurpa
5 ton Of the power Of the House. Order
. Order was cried on all sides. Mr.. Van
derpoel contended that the Chairman haC
. not been appointed for any such purpose
and that these members, If permitted to be
counted, would vote Oh their own case,-
which vas prohibited by the rules Of tht
House.
TIE Chair decided that the member.
referred to were not personally interested
IN the question; but only their constituents
were.
= From this decision Of the Chair Mr.
{, Nanderpoel appealed, and the debate arose
On the appeal, IN which, Messrs. Stanley
Wise, Granger, Ogden Hoffman, and Bid
die supported the decision Of the Char
4 and Messrs. Craig, Thomas Of Md, anc
Fandcrpoel opposedit. Mes-rs. Wise anc
Hoffman defended Mr.. Adams in strains Of
beautiful, imPas-ioned and commanding
, eloquoncc, against the lmpututIon Of hav.
, ing committed a usurpation, IN expressing
; an opinion that the certified members mus
) vote.
The debate was still going on, with
+, gTea. animation and interest, when, in or
der 70 be IN tlme for the mail, was oblIg-
cd 70 bring this part Of my report to a
close. It's highly probable that the main
question will not be settled for several
day though the discussion OIL the appeal
viii doubtless be brought to an end to-mor,
+! row.
The Senate to day had very short sit.
ting.
Mr.. Benton gave notice that as soon as
the Senate could act as a legislative body