Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-12-13

la Question 10 the Clerk
Me- Adams objected to any question te
ing nddressed 10 ihe Clerk 4
Mr.. Rhet said, does the Clerk determine
he will not put q question.
The Clerk rising TO reply, loud cries
were raised in all parts Of the Hall, AN
swer Tint question Yes or no, TO that
question:
lThe confusion was here so great that il
was almost impossible 10 ascersuin accurate
w the purpor, Of what was saidl
The Clerk proceeded 10 state that he con-
sidcred himself the Clerk Of the House Of
Representatives. and not the chairman of
meeting.
fCries of-Well---bu. you can answer a
question, yes or no--say yes or noi"I
The Clerk proceeded 10 state that the
Clerk OF the House Of Representatives, in
accordance with past usage, was compelled
to make out roll Of the members Of the
Goth Congress, 10 the best Of his knowledge
and ability. and under his own responsible
sense Of duty. Under that conviction. he
had made out a roll on certain principles,
which appeared to bin TO be true. Those
principles he had not been permitted 10
state, He had no, bern allowed 10 explain
the grounds upon which he had acted in
performing. according 10 his sense Of duty,
the delicate charge which had been forced
upon him. This first part OF his duty be-
ling performed. he had, al the appointed
hour Of IL proceeded, also according TO
usage, 10 call the roll His duty was, when
the roll was called. and quorum was pres
en;. 10 put to the House oil questions aris-
ing up 10 the time OF the election OF Speaker
An this the Clerk came prepared 10 do.
In the call OF the roll he was arrested
Very loud cries of"Nol no you were
not arrested
The Clerk proceeded; A quorum bud
not been asccrtained. The Clerk then Of
course could no, proceed further until the
House had determined in their own mode
wha, was a quorum, and who were entitled
to vote or not to vote Unqnesiionably a
quorum was present; there might be many
more--shere might be gen,emen who were
not entitled 10 Sit here. The Clerk, then,
did iha, which he was bound TO do--he
took the roll as his guide II he had put
question. and division by iellers had
been called Cor. those in The affirmative pas
sed through The tellers. and the number was
taken down; then those who voted in
the negative The question was lost
fThe Clerk was again interrupted by
MIR. Stanley. who rose TO pu, TO the Clerk
the direct interroga,ory: who arrested
you'll
The Clerk proceeded Whether the
Clerk was arrested OF not is matter OF no
consideration; he was not allowed to get
through his roll. or TO determine what was
quorum OF the House. He was prevented
from performing that duty The gentle
men preseni might act one way or The other
they might organize themselves, as was
done in the first Congress He rould not
now put questions rs Clerk OF the House.
but. ii il was the pleasure Of the House. he
could pu, questions as chairman of the NEE
| ting
Mr. Rhelt then offered resolution the,
Lewis Williams. the oldest member OF this
body. he appointed Chairman to serve I'M
Ill the House be organized by the election
Of Speaker
Mr.. r. said. no question could be taken
until some such step had been taken. The
usage of the last Congress was for the
Clerk 10 put questions. and he (Alr RI had,
on former day. read precedents establish
ing thai fact But the Clerk had now said
that be would no, pm, questions. The res
uk was inevitable Some person must
be appointed to put questions. He hoped
the resolution would beadopleJ
MIR Lewis Williams objected. The pro-
ceeding contemplated in The resolution was
out Of form. He was for adhrring 10 the in
variable usage ofihe House,
Mr. Briggs said he understood the Clerk
TO be willing 10 put questions.
Mr. Underwood 10 the Clerk. Will you,
sir. put the question on my resoluiion2
The Clerk am willing 10 put any
question. il the principle on which do so
is clearly comprehended nnmrly. that | do
il in the capacity Of chairman of,he genlr-
men present
Mr. w. Cost johnson. I object. sir. To-
your putting questions as Chairman.
Great upronr and confusion here prevail
ed throug houl the Hall
Mr. Rheu called for the question on his
resolution.
Mr. Lewis Williams said. there was 10
be any order at all. the resolutions ought to
be pnt 10 the House according 10 priority.
| II the Clerk had the power TO put The qurs-
lion on The resolution of The gentlemen from
South Carolina, tMr Rheu) he had equal
power 10 put il on that Of the gentleman
from Massachusetts, (Mr Adans) The
latter was entitled TO priority.
Mr. Profit rose, and. addressing the Clerk.
said, you cay that you were arrested IN the
discharge Of your duty. l, as gentleman
and imnior member OF this BODY. have a