Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-12-19

Of the United States, referring TO FIX
ecutive business, when the Senate went
into Executive session, and afterwards
adjourned.
Ia the House, the utmost confusion
prevailed throughout the day, on ques-
lions relating to the contested SEATS
The vote upon MIR. Ingersol's right to
vote, was 1853 against, and not one for
il. Mr.. Naylor was thereupon acknowl-
edged and admitted as the qualified
member from Pennsylvania.
The resolution of MIR. Wise, that the
New Jersey members be enrolled and
take par, in the organization, was then
taken up, and the question decided by
ayes and noes-the vote was ayes l15,
noes 118. Had the absentees been
present and voted, the vote would have
been tie. The New Jersey members
did not vote, except Mr.. Randolph,
whose seat is uncontested. MIR. Naylor
voted.
Mr.. Rhe,t Of S. C. then moved an i'm
portant resolution, the effect o! which
was that the Clerk should call the names
Of all the members whose seats are un-
contested, and that the members thus
called shall be quorum 10 settle the
claims of members-that MIR. MAYORS
seat shall not he included in the contest
ed seats, and that the quorum shall do
eide the contested elections before pro-
ceeding to the election of a Speaker.
Mr.. Sergeant asked the ayes and
nays, which were ordered, and being
taken, we're yeas 1873, nays 80.
Mr.. Campbell, Of South Carolina,
then stated, that he was opposed to the
resolution just passed, but had voted for
it, with the intention to move u re-consi-
deration. The vote having been pre-
cipitated by the previous question, his
only alternative was to vote for 1t, and
then move a re consideration, the rules
requiring that no one shall move re-
consideration, excepting one Of the ma
jority. lie then submitted the following
important proposition -
Resolved. That the Getting clerk Of this House
shall procesd with the call Of the members from
the dferent states OF this Union, calling the
names Of such members only as present. the legal
evidence Of their being members elect ef the 2Sh
Congress, and that this House will proceed TO its
organization in tho usual form, with the under
standing that, IS soon as The rights TO the con-
tested seats ars determined, its first organization
shall be dissolved, and a new election for officers
bo held forthwith.
Mr.. Campbell remarked that it was a
matter OF surprise to him that the propo-
oition made few days since by the gen
teman from New York was not agreed
to by the House, viz: That there should
be temporary organization Of this body
by calling the names only OF those mem
bers whose seats were not contested,
with the understanding that as soon as
the claims Of those to seats should be in
vesiigated, those found entitled to them
should be permitted to take them, Sc
Notwithstanding the unsettled and un-
easy disposition which was manifested
here, he, for one. must confess that he
did not regret-nay, indeed, ho rejoiced
that the question had been made thus
early in the session, us an opportunity
was now afforded Of asceriaining what
had hitherto been the course of parlia-
mentary law, and the disposition that ex-
listed in this body to support the constitu-
ton and the laws. He rejoiced, for an
other reason, that the question had come
up; it was because if there was reyo-
luiionary spirit existing in the country,
and the people were less virtuous and
more corrupt, and not so much attached
to republican institutions, more iavora.
L!e opportunity had never occurred for
a military leader to march his forces into
this capitol, and to declare the conslitu-
ton and the laws of the country null and
void. The House was in very unset
tied condition, aud must remain so, he
feared, unless some proposition like that
to which he referred should be agreed
to-. The wheels of government were
certainly stopped so far as Legislation
was concerned. There was only one
effective and proper course to adopt, and
bers who had legal credentials, allow
them TO take their seats, and then organ
ize the House, and proceed to settle the
contested seats. And that being done,
the House could then elect its officers.
lie expressed his disposition to hear, at
the proper time, whatever evidence might
be brought forward in support of the al
legation that the rights Of the people OF
New Jersey have been violated.
MIR. G.. confessed himself opposed to
lending a willing ear to gentlemen who
undertook to doubt the constitutional au-
thorty Of their own state. He was sat
isfed that every gentleman in that House
was governed upon this as OH all former
occasions, by pure and patriotic motives,
and would not allow their party feelings
to interfere with fair and just repre-
scntation on this floor. He stated it as
his opinion that, had it not been for the
TACT hat the House had TO elect its Speak
or and other officers, the present disor-
der and Inconvenience would not have
occurred. lie would now, with the
same spirit that had actuatcd the gentle
man from New York, ask gentlemen to
unite on middle ground. 1t was fair
and honorable ground Of compromise. -
lie was satisfied that this was the very
best couise that could be adopted. lie
expressed the great anxiety he felt that
the House should be organized ms
speedily as possible, on account Of the