Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-02-11
Missins.ppI Legislature.
Ffon the Mis- issippidn.

q the right OF the Legislature 70 Icpcai Des. u
narters.
Mr.. Bodley first took the floor, and in an Ella e
crate argument Of several hours length, mann 8
ainedthe position be had assumed at an ear
er period in the iscussion--denyng the c
over Of the Legislature, as claimed IN the 4
ubiect under consideration. Il
Mr.. Besancon replied to Judge Bodley, and
n chaste and forcibe arguments contenoed
or the right of the Legislature and the people, i
,ver the swindling constitutions OF the coun- .
rv.'' Mr.. Besaneon was followed by Mr..
Kendall on the same side, whose remarks we
viii have the pleasure of publishing IN full 10
our next
Mr.. Sharp next followed, in opposition. 70
the resolutions He denied that It was any
part of Ieffersonian Democracy to contend Tor
the principles sought 10 be adopted by them.
He thought every member Of the House was
willing to admit the question to be doubtful
one, and he had been want toslook upon the
principles Of the democratic party as ayerse TO /
the sexercise of doubtful powers, Mr.. ,,
speech was applauded BY portion OF the wing
members.
Gen'L Speig.lt replied to Mr.. Sharp; pro-
duced the writings of Jefferson, and controver-
ted with them the position which Mr., 5. as
sumed.
Mr.. Bell, of Winston, then rose and effectu-
ally put an end to this protracted debate. He
said that he had intended to have made speech
in favor of the resolutions, but, inasmuch as the
patience of the committee was already worn
thread-bare, by the lengthy harangues of
others, he begged that the members would &C
count his speech as having been spoken with
eloquence, ability and effect, and permit him to
read It by the @.itle only" He then read as
follows:
aSpeech of Joseph Bell, of Winston, on the
right of the Legislature to repeal bank char
fers, delivered in the House of Representa-
tives, Jan. "a, 1S40!"
Aud then took his seat.
The question was then put on the adoption
of the Resolutions, and decided in the affirma-
tive.
The committee rose and reported their ac-
ton, which was confirmed in the House by the
! following vote:
Those who voted in favor of the resolutions
are,
Mr. Speaker, Messrs. Acker, Ayres, Besan-
con, Berry, Bell, Bradford, Binford, Boon,
Cole. Cunningham, James Drane, Drake, L..
w. Ellis, Samuel Ellis, l.. B. Ellis, James FL
! lis, r.. Elicit, Fore, Fox, Frost, r. S. Graves,
Grimstead, Guy, David :. Greer, John R. Gre
er, Hemingway, Holland, Hargrove, Edmund
Jenkins, ]. Jenkins, Jones, Kendall, KIlgore,
Low, Moody, Marsh, Null, ]. w. Matthews,
]. E. Matthews, MCGOWAN, Owen, Rayburn,
Roberts, Stewart and Wagster-47.
Those who voted against the resolutions
are,
Messrs. Anderson, Allen, Bodley, Burrus,
Billups, Cook, Craig, Childress, Draughn
Dunn, Evans, Field. J. ]. Graves, William
Graves, Jno. H. Greer, Harper, lnge, Moore
Magruder, McCaughan, Norris, Offutt, Ruff
Robinson, Shoemaker, Sharp, Talbert, Ven.
tress, Wilcox, Weathersby, Woodwood, Wat.
kins, Wood and Williamsun.-34.
After the adoption of the Resolutions the
House adjourned.
! SATURDAY, Jan. %.
Mr.. Fox, chairman of the committee appon
ted at the request of Col. Besancon, to inquire
into certain charges affecting his character, re
ported the evidence which had been taken IL
the case by the committee, without comment
The report was read and 500 copies orders t
be printed.
Mr.. Wilcox, from the minority of the com
mittee on elections, made report, denying tn
constitutional right of A. L. Besancon, mem
Der from the county Of Tunica, to seat in tn
House, on the ground of his not having resides
in the county twelve months previous to tn
election IN November last.
Mr.. Besancon defended his right to seat i
few eloquent and animated remarks.
Several other members made some remark
on the subject, when
r On motion of Mr.. Allen,
The report was laid upon the table, and 20
> copies ordered to be printed.
! mr.. Graves, of ChoctasV, offered the follow
mo resolution.
:. Resolved. That the charge of forgery mad
:. against Col. A. l.. Besancon, and put into circu
lation. has not been established by the eyidenc
which was submitted to, and taken by, til
n committee appointed to inquire into the maj
ter, and, further, that it is due to him as a men
: / Der of thus House, as citizen of Mississippi
member of society and head of family, thu
a an expression of regret that reports shoul
have been put into circulation calculated I
njure his standing as aman, and to sting mo:
is poignantly the sensibilities of citizen and
family, should be made, and accompany tn
I, evidence which has been submitted to tn
,e House, to the end that the matter may
f slenced. And, further, that this resolu
ton be printed, and accompany the ev
dence which was submitted to this Hous
s by the committee.
! Mr.. BURRUs moved the following amend
y ment.
1t ResoEred further, That, in the estims
I'd ton of this House, the Hon. Hiram
It RrtnnezS has substantiated the truth of tn
s. charge that he made against L. A. b
ID sancoa, and that no censure rests upO
IN him.
Which, on motion of Mr.. IIARGRovI
n was rejected by an overwhelming cote.
:. Mr.. ALLEN made motion to Law ii
= resolution Of Mr.. GRAVES, of Choctaw, G
the table, in order, as he remarked, tn;
Is the evidence might first be printed, an
40 the members generally be enabled theret
Sc TO form their opinions.
es Mr.. GRAVES, Of Choctaw, replied. +
a said that as member of the committe,
st which had Investigated the charges
es gainst Col. BEsANcoN, he had 70 say tn;
IS. nc shadoU Of doubt rested upon the min,
IS of any ofthe committee of the entire inn,
~ cence of Col. b., that the committee h;
&c omitted to report this fact, believing thi
the evidence was fully sufficient to pro,
! it, and if members were not prepared
Z, vote, he hoped the evidence would
40 read, again and, again, and again, I'M
&c they were satisfied.
ng The evidence was then read again, an
mt the resolution introduced by Mr.. GRAY
u of Choctaw, adopted without division.
Sothe infamous ISLANDERS in regard
IN the member from Tunica have fallen
~ the ground
The EIot,set 49,, 81, -. H. : H..