The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-05
DEFERRED DEBATE.


Remarks Of M. HUNT on calling up The Resolution
ss6mnied By him ~ The House Of Representatives. on
me 4h December, 1899, propiding for temporary
orgaaisaison which resolution 10 the following
words:
Rssoired, That this House will n1w proceed TO
elect temporary Speaker allowing the members from
New Jersey (produclig The evidence given according
TO the law OF That Stale) TO the question that
the Speaker thus chosen shall appoint OF the Com
mlttees Of the House that the Committee on Elec-
tons shall be chosen by ballot aud that after the ques
ton OF the disputed shall have been settled by the
House we will then proceed 10 choose Speaker for
the 10th Congress"
have avoided (ssid Mr. H.) taking part in this de-
bate, hoping some gentleman Of more experience stand
ing, and weight Of character than myself, would feel
the necessity Of submitting proposition, that might he
acceptable to oil parties aud extfieate US from the dlf
Guilty ~ which we have been placed by the cxTaordi-
nary conduct Of the acting Clerk But have waited
IN vain, aud therefore call the attention Of gentle
to the resolution Just read from the table Mr. ii.
said he did propose entering at oil upon the srgu
meD IN which genemen had been engaged for the last
three days. For himself he considered the question
settled one was not open for debate, unless gentle
men feel prepared to question FIRST principles, aud ny
in the face Of the Constitution, laws, and unbroken
usage Of this Government. For he would venture q
assert that could not be found III the history
Representative Government, Colonial, Monarchal, or
Republican, IN which the member producing the certih
cate, return, commission required by law has not
been allowed in the first instance to qualify and take his
seat.
Hence his resolution provided that the members
from New Jersey who had produced the legal evidence
OF their elections, should IN the present inorganic form
Of this body take their Mr. ii said he assumed
this point It was one he would not argue But IN as
suming this, he had provided against either section
this body (speakng party view eapng any ultimate
benefit or advantage from 1t. Gentlenen had been
pleased say good deal about their regard for the
l'eopc-ior the Will Of the majority. Mr. II observed,
he had nothing TO say that subject but would leave
his love for the People, aud his respect tor naories TO
be judged by his acts lis resolution would give full
effect 10 the will of the majority IN this House; II
would make this House as IL should be) the
ponent OF the will Of the People No party was called
upon by the resolution TO surrender rights and is
adoption would enable gentlemen TO organize at
and proceed III the Transaction OF the business OF the
nation. Besides, It's adoption would remove all tenpta
on TO do wrong and violence to the Consttuon--al
temptation to exclude individuals, having the same
dence OF night with ourselves to seats upon this floor
all temptation TO dlsanchise sovereign State-and
all temptation 10 try peers without Judge, without
jury, and without witnesses.
Inc resolution termed the Speaker temporary one
II did so 10 relieve members from all embarrassment
proceeding TO a new election. Mr. IL said he had no
doubt OF the power OF the House remove Speaker
at any me but must be by resolution; and that re-
solution explained equivalent TO mleachlnent.--
1t would, ~ It's mdest FORM be harsh, aud migh ope
rate unlusty upon the character Of the Speaker
Adopt the resolution proposed by him, and the House
could at any time when the majority should be ascer-
tanned, proceed 10 election, without embsrrass-
menl to itself reproach the temporary incumbent
Of the Char.
The resolution had also guarded against the power
Of the temporary Speaker control the committees Of
the House. The important one, Elections, vas to
be chosen by ballot. He had provided for the other
committees, because he dad choose cucumber his
resolution with too much detail HIS object
ganzaton for purposes Of business, and upon basis Of
entire fairness. But he would say, there could be
difficulty raising the other committees Of the House
IN mode acceptable all parties, aud he had left that
mode TO be suggested by the good of gentlemen
Mr.. h. said he RETAINED from gong further into the
details Of his proposition He had submitted 10 the
consideration Of gentlemen, actuaed solely Oh his part
by the desire Of speedy organization OF Congress-.
II any gentleman would submit proposition better
calculated TO effect the object he had in he would
yield II his cordial support But he called upon gentle
men all sides Of the House up to the work
OF organization for the transaction Of the business OF
the counrylhal business, for the transaction Of which,
our constituents sent US here, and for the delay in
Iansacing which, they most assuredly will hold
sponsibe.