The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-19

agree upon some other mode Which may be sanction
ed BY the commune"
Il will be seen, il ! am not mistaken. by
those who refer to tho journal Of the commit
Tee al that time, land cannot now Instantly
refer TO the page) that when The testimony was
taken up under that resolution, the parties
we're heard expressly upon objections 10 It's
/" coD,psteney, and admissibility in the case"
And, that after the objections had been stated
on both sides, " On motion of Mr.. SMITH, the
committee proceeded 10 the consideration Of
the competency Of the several papers which
had been objected TO as evidence IN this case"
That all the resolutions taken on the evil
denee were, that it was competent or incompe-
tent, and that when the committee had COM
pleted this examination for this purpose-and
this purpose ouly--lhey gave the parties per-
mission to return to New Jersey "a finish TAX
ing their te ,timoDy. And the committee then
took up other business and from about the tn
of February until the 29lh, when the commit
tee was called together under the resolution
of this House, nothing was done by the COM
mittee in the New Jersey case.
But, come now TO the proof hat the ma
iority of the committee refused to send this
mysterious sealed package of testimony 10 the
Speaker, to have il opened, that they might
consider it. 1t will be seen by the Journal,
from which shall presently read, that after
the Chairman had drawn UP his report and be-
fore it was adopted, this testimony came into
his hands. That when resolution was un-
der consideration for adopting that report, and
before il had passed, Mr.. Smith moved an
amendment, the object of which was to have
that package sent to the Speaker and opened
that il might be considered. 1t is due, howe
yer, 10 one gentleman Of the minority, (Mr.
Crabb, To say that certain amendments were
made, stating certain facts, of which he was
not cognizant, which induced him finally to
vote against it. But wall readlt:
:" Resolved That the report Just read be adopted by
this Commi,tee-whch resolution Mr. Smith moved 10
amend by striking out all after the word Resolved"
and inserting, that nasmuch the dispositions offered
to this Committee to prove that the polls at South Am
boy held in conformity to law ected by
this Committee or account OF defect Of notice IN
taking said Dispositions and Mr. Smith, member Of
this Committee, mas this morning presented sealed
package directed to the Speaker of the House Of Re-
representatives. Of the United States, to The Of the
Hon J Campbell, Chairman Of the Committee pnr-
porting TO be dispositions taken in the case of the New
Jersey election. under a resolution OF this Committee
rostponng the examination into the ultimate right Of
the clansats, until the second Monday IN April next
and which the said Mr. Smith asserts the authority
Of letter received from Mr.. Has,ed. relates to the
mannes Of conducting the election at South Amboy,
and Tho validity Of the poll there holden therefore,
Ordered, that the said sealed package be sent forth
with TO the Speaker to the end that It may be opened
and that This Committee will proceed to examine said
new depositions, and determine whether said poll
held in conformity with law" Which amendment
Mr.. Medill moved to amend by striking out the
words defect Of notice IN taking SAID depositions
/,C,ar If and hi
| serting ats incompetcncy" Which amendment to
the amendment rclecled-the ayes aud being
| taken-ayes. Messrs Rlves, MedIl Brown, Fisher, A.
And in the negative, Messrs Fillmore, Crabh, Smith,
and Campbel-4 And ,hereupon Mr. MediI moved
amend the said amendment by inserting after the
words "rejeeted BY this Committee the words "by a
roie Of sir one" And this amendment to the smend
men, adopted without division. And, ihereupon.
| the question being taken upon The adoption Of the
amendment amended-those who voted in the atfr-
native Mr.. Fillmore aud Mr. Smith-ayes q
And in the negative, Mr. Rivcs, Mr. Medlll Mr. Crahb,
| Mr. Brown, Mr.. Flsher--noes s: And SO the amend
menl amended was rejected.
SO you will perceive after these little amend
ments, the resolution was rejected. Was
not this direct and express refusal TO send
that package to the Speaker that it might be
opened, that the Committee could consider of
its contents.
Mr.. MEDnL here arose, and addressing
Mr.. FILLMORE, said-does the gentleman
mean to make any question of veracity with
me
Mr.. FILLMORE. make questions of vera
city with nobody. have not come here to
settle my character for veraciy. l state
these things as facts and here is my proof.
| TAler some further remarks by others,]
Mr.. FILLMORE proceeded. | saw, that
in relation to this matter, make no issue of
veracty with any man. have not come
here for that purpose. | am compelled, from
sense of duty, 10 state these facts, that the
House and the country may know them, and no
threats or attempts at intimidation, will pre-
vent me. II any gentleman differs with me
in regard TO these facts, cannot help it.
do not profess to be infalbe; but state ac-
cording 10 my recollection, and give you the
evidence, so far as the journal OF our proceed
ings can be evidence, TO show the truth Of
what state. hope those who may differ
from me will be able to produce as good
voucher. With all these facts-wilh the
incontcsible proof that have offered from
the journal itself, must leave it for the
House aud the world to Judge, whether
have done the majority Of this committee
"groSs injustice" by charging them with ','e-
fuSing" TO consider this evidence when they
made that report-and with desire to sup
press" evidence when they refused to send the
sealed package to the Speaker to have it
opened and agreed upon their report without
looking at it.
Here Mr. FISHER rose to a question Of
order. Mr. Fillmore remarked that he had
said about all that he intended, and he had
rather yield the floor than to enter into any
contest Of order. He thea set down, and
! Mr. Jenifer resumed