The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-05


President, whom by the death of the late Presi-
dent, has devolyed the Office Of President" He had
no motives but TO establish thus early the proper title
and address Of the person now exercising the office
OF President He did not wish TO deny the right OF
the aching President TO the full salary OF the Office
while discharging its duties He read from the Con-
stution passages relating TO the case and commented
ON them. M
Mr. TAPPAN observed that there was but one
mode in which President could be Created and that
was by the election of the people He considered the
case analogous To that Of Associate Judge exer-
cising the office of Chief Justice in the absence, or
upon his DEATH So in military affairs, if the Colonel
OF regiment is shot down. the Lieut. Colonel, though
then succeeding TO the command, does not become
Colonel. He commented on the recent letter of Mr..
Pondexter to the President pro. fem. of the Senate,
and denied its positions. He did not consider the
Vice President in fact entitled BY law to the full
larry of President without vote Of Congress, though
it was proper and Just to do so.
Mr.. HUNTINGTON remarked upon the impor-
lance of passing the resolution with little loss OF
time possible. Doubtless every Senator had al
ready thought Of the SUBJECT, and made up his mind
on it, He therefore hoped the question might be taken
without further discussion. ls..e.- stst
Mr.. ALLEN called for the yeas and nays ~
Mr.. WALKER replied to the arguments of the
Senators from Ohio. He read the disputed passages
Of the Constitution and maintained that the office OF
President actually deyolyed upon the Vice Pres-
dent.
Mr.. ALLEN replied He thought fearful conse-
quences might result from the doctrines advanced on
the other side. In case of the temporary vacancy
the Presidency by the illness or temporary mental
alienation of the President, if the Vice President
should be declared President the restoration of the
President TO health this doctrine might seem to jus
ty the continuance of the Vice President in Office
were he Of one party and the President of another
and parties nearly equally balanced and strongly ex
cited.
Mr. CALHOUN observed that the language o
al 49,.
office shall devolve," that he thought this question
could hardly have arisen but for the contemplation
possible temporary disability If the supposed
should occur it would require provision by law
He hoped the amendment would be Withdrawn.
The question was then taken on the amendment
and it was lost
YEAS-Messrs. Allen, Benton, Henderson, Linn
McRoberts, Tappan, Williams and Wright-S.
NAYS-Messrs. Archer, Barrow, Bayard, Bates
Berrien Buchanan, G aihoun, Choate, Clay, Of Ken.
Clayton, Dixon Evans, Fulton, Graham, Hunting
ton, Kerr, King, Mangum, Miller, Merrick, More
head, Nicholson, Pierce, Porter, Prentiss Preston
Rives Sewer, Simmons Smith, of Ind, Southland
Tallmadge, Walker, White, Williams, Woodbridge
Woodbury. and Young-35.
The resolution then passed without division
( On motion Of Mr.. HUNTINGTON, it was or
dered that the Committee should consist of two thu
part of the Senate. Messrs Huntington and Archie
were appointed.
AT half past. twelve, the Message OF the Presden
was announced by his Secretary, Robert Tyler.
After the reading of the Message by the Secretary
of the Senate (Which occupied forty minutes on mo
ton Of Mr.. MANGUM, 81 90 copies of the Messag
and 1900 copies Of the accompanying documents wer
ordered to be printed
Mr.. CLAY expressed his high satisfaction at tn
Limited number of copies, 900, instead of 10000,
| at first proposed He insisted upon the importanc
Of prompt and thorough retrenchme in the expense
4 ofihe Senate.
1 Mr.. CALHOUN strongly expressed his gratifc'
ton these declarations and his hopes that tbs priI
4 cipte Of economy would be carried out everywhere
Mr.. PRESTON rose to state &c general primo
1 pie, that the number printed Of public docuInen
should not express the degree Of appreciation of tn
/ document.
Mr.. BUCHANAN assented to the remarks Of Il
Senator from Kentucky, and alluded asoto the extr
VACANT expenditures of the Senate in the item of ST
tionery. He hoped for reform in this particular.
Mr. CLAY moved that the Senate proceed to mol
row, at 10 o'clock to the appointment Of the Sandin
Committees, and also Of Select Committees TO tax
into consideration those parts of the Message roIa
| ing to finance an fiscal agency.
II mean, of course" said Mr.. c., ga Bank of tn
United States" E= &
On motion Of Mr. PRESTON, the Senate adjourn
| ed to meet tomorrow at tpeiue O'CLOCK @