The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-12-21
TWENTY-SIXTH CONGRESS-.
FIRST SESSIO
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. II

EDNEsDAf, DtC 10.
The House was called to order at noon and the
journal of Yesterday having been read and the pend
ing question being on resolution offered by Mr..
Wise, that the commissioned members from New
Jersey are not entitled TO their seats, and Mr. Bar
nard, Of New York, having the floor upon that ques-
ton ..
Mr. CAVE JOHNSON wished to offer reso-
luton.
[Cres of "No, no Barnard has the Aoor or
MIR. JOHNSON said tina, i, was resolution appriz-
ing the Senate that the house was organized and
prepared TO do business.
MIR. LEWIS WILLIAMS object. The house
is not yet organized; we have chosen Clerk;
floor.
[Cries Of " Hear what it is | read it, read iirl
Mr.. CRAIG said that il had been the universal
custom OF the last Congress to indulge gentleman
in reading any paper he desired to Offer for the in
formation of the house.
The CHAIR. The offering of the resolution
being objected TO, the question will be on its recep
!ioni it may be read for the information of the
house.
Mr.. WISE insisted that the resolution must be
out OF order, because The gentleman from Tennessee
(Hr. Johnson) could no, rightlully occupy the floor
to offer it, since the floor already in possession OF
the gentleman from New York, (Mr Bsrnard)
The CHAIR. II the gentleman from New York
insists upon his right, he is entitled 10 the floor.
Mr.. BARNARD thereupon proceeded to address
the House in speech OF about two hours insisting
permit the New Jersey members 10 be sworn, and re-
plying TO the argument heretofore made on the other
side by Mr.. Pickens, and those made yesterday by
Mr.. Dromgooe and MIR Rheti.
The debate was continued by Mr.. RAYNER, OF
North Carolina, who addressed the house at some
length on the same side
MIR. r. having concluded
Mr. VANDERPOEL rose and said that this de-
bate had now been continued for two days pretty
much upon one side and he thought gentlemen could
not complain Of any want OF opportunity to make an
xposition Of their views. Ii he thought that by
protractine the debate one convert would be made
he would be willing TO sit there for week, but he
was satisfied that every gentleman had made up his
mind and that, If they spoke until doonsday every
man would retain his opinion. Under this convic-
tion he moved 10 lay The resolution on The table.
Mr.. CHARLES SHEPARD appealed to Mr.
Vanderpoel to withdraw the motion.
Two questions Of order here arose the first OF
which involved no essential point, and fell through,
after a brief conversation, sustained by Messrs
Wise, Vanderpoel, and w. c, Johnson
Afler which, Mr.. vANDERPOEL insisting on
his motion, and question arising whether II was
detachable motion, and debate arising on that ques-
Mr.. WISE inquired Of the speaker what would
be the effect of decision TO lay The resolution on the
| table.
resolution containad negative proposition, he should
regard decision 10 lay il upon the table as deci-
sion affirming the reverse OF that proposition, and as
intending that the members claiming seats from New
Whereupon, after some further explanations, Mr..
VANDERPOEL, with this explanation of the
Speakers view Of the subject, arithdretc his motion
10 lay Mr.. Wise's resolution upon The table.
Mr.. SHEPARD, of North Carolina, addressed
the house al considerable length in explanation and
vindication of the he had pursued in refer
ence to the members elect from the State Of New
Jersey. He remarked that the five gentlemen who
claimed seats on the floor Of that house had appear
ed there having each the certificate of the Governor
of New Jersey in their possession, and therefore he
thought that he had no right 10 say on that occasion
and without examination, tina, they were not entitled
to their seats. 1t had been suggested that fraud
had been committed. Now, hat was possible, though
he did not know that such was the fact. Frauds
however, had often been committed But it seemed
TO him that in the preliminary proceedings Of the
house members had no right 10 inquire into that
ter. The house should first have been organized be-
fore attempting 10 investigate whether fraud had or
had not been committed. He had voted for the two
resolutions introduced by the gentleman from Vir-
ginia MIR. Wise } the hrs that the New Jersey
members holding certificates, shonld be entitled TO
be put on the roll and the second, that they were
entitled TO seats that floor, and TO participate 10
the organization Of the house But when on Sa-
turday morning, the gentleman from Virginia intro
dnced his third resolution, he voted TO lay il the
table And he did so for the reason which he would
now give. II was then his opinion that time enough
had been exhausted that subject and that all the
light had been thrown on II that could be obtained;
and, Also that the dignity Of the members Of the
body as well as the business OF the country required
that they should stop any further proceedings in the
house on that subject This was the reason, then
which had induced him TO vote TO lay the resolution
on the table. Now, he saw no Inconsistency In the
course he had thought proper 10 pursue, and he
voted according 10 tie dictates Of his conscience
and TO the best Of his understanding. He had re.
garded the question settled in respect TO the adj
mission Of the New Jersey members to vote prior to
The election OF Speaker inasmuch as the rules Of