The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-17

VI
be convinced he has done me. know him too wei
| 10 believe that.
Alter these extraordinary declarations which
| were given with an air Of The most touching solem
| nifty Il was natural To expect that the orator would
come to the points, but, instead Of doing so, he sub
merged both himself, and the matter personal Il
| himself" In the depths of the New Jersey election
caselhe negligence Of the Governor Of Virginia 10
| give his commission 10 certain members returned
| by the sherif-the proceedings in the committee
| room-the motions to print the testimony, &c.
Alter Mr.. RIvEs had gone on In this manner for
more than an hour, without coming 10 the point, il
appeared manifest that he was making speech, in
stead OF personal explanation; and therefore, Mr.
Gentry, Of Tennessee, rose and called him to order
Mr.. GENTRY said the House gave The gentle
tleman permission 10 defend himself as man OF ho-
nor; but he was now defending himself as politi-
clan and public man.
Mr.. RIVES was, nevertheless given still further
Indulgence; and again he went on for quarter OF
an hour longer-never once glancng at the "mat
ter personal To himself" but animadverting the
course OF the opposition generallyon The act Of the
Wing members OF the Virginia Legislature land OF
The Wing party ia that good old State" &C., &c.
A number OF members perceiying that political
disposition, on matters and things 10 general, was
to be imposed on the House, under the pretente Of
making personal xplanalon, again called TO order.
Mr. WISE wished to say that IL his colleague
was permitted TO proceed and talk Of his Mr.. W's)
friends, who were absent in Richmond, that he
wished @ haze an opportunity Of replying 10 him
Mr. Bolts rose 10 order. He said he had
moved 10 suspend the rules to enable the gentleman
10 make personal explanation, when he asked il he
had friend here that would move il. insist upon
II that ne De confined to the explanation personal
Mr.. Jenifer.l
Mr.. BOT rs then, at the request of the CHAR,
wrote out his point of ORDER 10 substance as follows
The rules having been suspended for the purpos. Of
allowing The gentleman from Virginia 10 make an
explanation personal to himself and after the House
had refused 10 suspend the rules for the purpose of
discussing the general merits Of the New Jersey
election he submitted whether he order to dis
cuss the general merits OF the New Jersey election,
and the proceedings of the Governor and Legsla-
ture of Virginia on this subject
The CHAIR was Of opinion that the gentleman
was not in order in SO doing.
Il was then, at last, that Mr. RlvEs made the call
for explanation, which he ought 10 have made en-
he rose frst-as the rules had been suspended Tor
that purpose alone.
Mr.. RIvES. Now, with all proper respect, j ask
the gentleman from Maryland Mr. Jeniier, whether
he said what understood he did say, "that would
do any thing"
Il was stated to me that when he was speaking
some days ago. he inquired il | would come on here
and claim my seat under the return of a sheriff
while my competitor came on with The return Of the
stood that he said would do any thing. hope he
will see the Improperly Of such an expression, and
now ask him if he used it.
MIR. JENlFER said few words in reply, which
were not heard. He was understood, however TO
say that he wished the gentleman to bring out all
his indictments at once II this, however, was all,
he would with pleasure reply 10 IT,
Mr.. RlVES said. There we're many remarks
made by the gentleman, that thought the facts of
the case would not justify. was, however, disposed
to let other matters pass over, because they were
eyelled generally at the party with which act but
this particular question, il seemed, was levelled at
me personally
Mr.. JENlFER said he was happy in having an OPP
DO ia, 10.
He gratifed, also, for another reason because,
since he had commenced his remarks this morning, he
had seen charge made against him, whether official
not he would not pretend TO say that, motion 10
print Mr. JENIFER obtained the hoor and had occupied
it every morning since, without giving the Republican
members opportunity to reply to it, In reply to this,
he had refused yield the floor any gentleman
to make explanation Now, in regard to the gentle
from Virginia. he would answer him; and, in doing
So he would do it frankly, for the gentleman had dis
claimed any attention Of menace. The case he sup
posed few days ago. this that if the Governor Of
Virginia give his certificate The person having
majority OF the votes that he elected and the she
riff give his certificate to tho gentleman he hav
ing minority Of the votes and in that he inquired OF
him if he would come here and claim his seat He
wished il be distinctly understood that if the gentle
believed the giving of a certificate to man who
had minority OF the votes evidence of fraud, that
the gentleman himself has answered the question If
the gentleman would satisfy him that he would not act
that way he understood him to say that he would
by his nod Of assent when he stated. the he had
Just cited, it would give him pleasure 10 disclam the
offensive alusion 10 him.
Mr. RlVES. thought the gentleman was suppos-
ing my Ireceived majority Of several hum
dred votes over my competitor. Now In Virginia, 1t
the duty of the sheriff conduct the elections and
to give to the person having majority Of the votes
certificate that he is elected at the time sending
duplicate Of the same certificate to the Governor the
law then makes It the duty Of the Governor to give his
returns TO the person who has thus received the cert
cate of the sheriff This being the Of the facts
supposed that the gentleman stating my~own case,
and believing that he inquired of me whether J. having
received majority Of the votes would come here and
claim my seat upon the return Of the sheriff, when my
competitor, who received minority Of votes, here
and claimed 1t upon the return of the Governor Be-
ieying this to be the supposed by the gentleman
| nodded assent that would.
| Mr.. WISE hoped the House would now drop this
| matter. There was evidently nothing between the
two gentlemen requiring further explanation. 1t
was point no point and there was nothing further
| between them. He hoped the House would proceed
to the orders of the day.
The discussion having here ended,
| The SPEAKER laid before the House commu-
| nicaion from the Navy Department, enclosing print
| ed copies Of the Navy Register.
Also, the following Communication from the Presi-
dent OF the United States:
To the House Of Representatives. of the United States
| | transmit TO the House of Representatives, in
answer 10 resolution of that body, dated on the 9th
instant The enclosed report OF the Secretary Of State
M. VAN buren,.
WASHINGTON, D. c. March IL, 1910.
To the President of The United States:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, March H. 1910.
| The Secretary Of State, TO whom has been refer
red resolution Of the House Of Representatives
dated the 9th instant, requesting the President to
| communicate TO that body whether any, and, il
any, what measures have been taken since the rejec
ton Of the recommendation Of the King of Holland
and the province of New Brunswick, TO obtain in.
formation in respcct to the topography OF The terri
tory in dispute, by survey or exploration Of the