The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1840-01-16

V.AANSlEA hVs EOtOs
Mr.. Thompson, Of 5. {. after pointing
ovt IN aorcibe manner the difficulties III
which the House had involved i,sr'lf, moved
that the proposed select Committee should
be empowered 10 send for persons and papers
to swear witnesses, and be sworn them
selves, before thy enter on their duty.
Mr. Plckens moved the following amend
ment 10 his colleagues motion d" That said
Committee be confined TO the question, who
is entitled to the returns Of election for the
2sih Congress Mr.P. spoke at consider
able length IN support Of his motion. Ia
the course Of his remarks. he insisted tina,
there ls no authority IN any State Officers
TO decide 90 the legality Of votes. A mHa,
he said, might be challenged, and his vote
refused, at the polls, but the Constitution Of
the United States has provided that " each
House Of Congress shall be the Judge of the
elections, returns and qualifications Of lis
own members"
Mr.. Wise said, the gentleman was in
gross error 10 relation 10 the power of the
House relative to elections, and referred to
the practice IN Virginia, To confirm his as
scrlon; and Mr.. Rhe,t con,ended that the
Governors certificate Of the ISSUE of the
elections IN New Jersey, ought to settle the
question as TO the Members authorized 70
take their seats.
On Friday morning, after the Journal
was read, it appeared that The Clerk, IN en-
,cring the refusal of the House TO enter the
Protest Of the New Jersey members, offer d
by Mr.. Randolph, the question on which
had been taken by Yeas and Nays, had not,
as is usual, entered the Protest, but merely
referred 10 the paper presented.
! Mr.. Wise insisted, that the Clerk ought
10 have followed The uniform rule, and have
entered the Protest, with the vote on IT.
Mr.. Nanderpool indicated the Clerk, as he
had acted in conformity 10 the vote Of ihe
House. Several other members spoke on
The suhject--among others, Mr.. Bynum
asked the Char, &" if member could be
allowed to do that indirectly, which the
House had yesterday refused to do direct
ly 7" The Chair replied, " You must an.
s~cr that question ,ourselG" A consider
able laugh. After much wranging. MIR.
Davis moved 10 lay the whole suhlec, on
( the table, which motion, after debate, was
negailved ll9 votes TO 100.
The Char having decided that the mo.
/ ton Of Mr.. Wise to amend the journal
was in order, hlr. Dromgoole appealed
I from the decision, Mr.. WISE having declaS.
I ed that bis colleague Mr. ID. was T" a caught
/ fish" After debate, the question was de
cided against The Chairman Ia votes to | 05.
Mr.. Crabb then made a motion to recon
slider the vote Of yesterday by which the
committee had been ordered to examine into
the subject Of the N. Jersey election and
report thereon, After disorderly debate,
the House unanimously agreed that the
vote should be understood as reconsdered,
without any formal rule on il. Mr.. Wise
thea moved 'thl, the New jersey mem
bers who had received the Governors Ger.
ti6cate shall be allowed TO take their seats
in the House" The previous question be.
ing called on this motion, the Yeas and
NAYS were taken, and the votes were III
IN favor Of IT, and III agains, it. So 1t
was no, carried slessrs. kempshall and
HAYES, two Wing members were absent
Mr.. X, beng prevented from leaving home
by the alarming sickness of his wife (since
dead aud Mr.. II. by his own serious illness
Your member, Mr.. Fisher, voted through
Oh, with the Administration Party
MIR. Smith, Of Name, then moved that
the House now proceed to the election of
Speaker.
I THIS proposition produced long and III
multuous debate. 4 motion was made TO
adjourn, which was negatived III to Il3
Mr. Smith called for the previous ques.
ton on bis proposit;cn.
On this motion warm and somewhat
disorderly debate arose, in which the call
to order was very frequently heard. Mr..
Smith very urgently demanded decision
on his motion, when he was called 10 order
/ by Mr.. Thompson, Of s. c. Mr.. Smith in.
sisted on his right 10 the floor. Mr.. rhomp
son called out, vehcmenty, +" You shall sit
down, Sir, you have been called TO order.
II is your duty to take your seat You
shall do it, Sir" Loud cries of order, or.
der, and grea, confusion.
Several other motions to adjourn were
made.
Two Intellectual motions were made for a
call of the House, and others 10 hay the re
solution on the table.
After long and disorderly contest, in
which majority seemed TO be determined
to force an election of Speaker before the
House rose, motion to adjourn prevailed
little before midnight.
DECEMBER IA.
Attic meeting ofthe House this mornins,
the Chairman stated, that the subject be
fore the House, according 10 the vote OF
Yesterday, was the election OF Speaker.