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

ing shall be made well for absent members those
present.
Mr. PICKENS accepted the amendment.
This was debated by Messrs. Bolts, Pope Nisbet,
and SsiIe.
the resolution: go
cause the desks to be removed from the Hail. and that
the seats be numbered by the Clerk and drawn for by
placing the number in box 10 be drawn in alphabet
cal order by the Clerk as the names Of the members
shall be called from the roll aRd that each succeed
ing session Of this Congress the shall be drawn
for in similar way.
Mr. K advocated this proposition at some length,
calling upon the members, ii they We're in favor Of
Of real REFORM they had professed TO 60
for this one Of them The Hall, at present, wore
the appearance of irregular, ilordered counting
room-each member transaciing his business,
regardless Of the business for which he sent here
These desks and seats gave great opportunities To
members for the transaction of their own private
business and threw proportonate obstacles in the
way Of the transaction Of the public business
Whilst the Senate had maintained its character
of the first deliberative bodies in this or any
other country the House Of Representatives had be-
disgraced TO have applied 10 it the epthet
of bear garden" and others equally disgraceful-
These desks he regarr ed the root Of all the evil
which existed and all the disgrace which had attached
to this House as public body. And he should not
let the matter rest here He would ring the changes
upon it until he had awakened the attention of the
country to it, He asked for the yeas and nays his
proposition, that it might be who were and who
not the friends OF and substantial reform.
Messrs. BDLAcK and PIcKENs briefly opposed this
substitute. I
Mr. MORGAN then moved to lay the whole sub
ject on the table,
The question beng taken by yeas and nays, at the
| call of Mr. Pickens, was negatiyed Yeas 90, nays
| 100.
Mr. SERGEANT, from the joint committee APP
pointed wait the President Of the nited States
leave reported that the committee had performed
the duty assigned them and that the President had
| requested them to say that he would make written
| co mmunication TO each House Immediately.
| The Presidents Message was then received by Mr..
RoBERT TYLER his private secretary and read BY the
| Clerk
| On motion Of Mr.. BARNARD, after debate in
which several members participated and the rejection
| Of some amendments, it was
Ordered That the Message be laid On the table, and
the usual number printed also ten thousand ex-
ira copies, with the accompanying documents
| The SPEAKER then announced, the recurring
business the proposition of Mr. Pickens to seats
! but
! Mr. PICKENS expressing himself wiling to yield
for the present.
| Mr.. ADAMS offered the following resolution
| RESOLVED, That committee of one member from
each State in the Union be appointed the part of this
House. 10 join such committee may be appointed on
the part of the Senate consider and report by what
Congress Of the United States express the deep
sbiy Of the nation to the event Of the decease Of their
| late President, WILLIAM HENRY HARRIsoN; and that
SO much Of the Message of the President as relates
to that melancholy event be referred to the said COM
l nitiee.
4 Which was adopted unanimously
i Mr.. BARNARD gave notice of his intention te
offer the following resolution, which was read for in
a formation, viz:
Resolped, That so many only Of the standing com
med In ha a.off ha last Of
shall be appointed the present session
shall be necessary and proper under these rules I,
take charge Of and consider the several subjects pre-
scented in the Message Of the Presdentu just read AM
requiring in the opinion of the President the acton
of Congress at the present session; except that IN
Commlttee of Elections and the Committee on Ac
counts may also be appointed
RESOLVED, That select committee OF nine mem
bers shall be appointed to take charge of and consider
so much of the Presidents Message relates to the
currency of the country and fiscal agent for the Go
vernment. .E .r 2 u. 2
Resoiped. Thata select committee of nine members
shall be appointed take charge of and consider 81
much of the Presidents Message relates to the dis
position of the public lands and of the proceeds of the
sales thereof
The House then resumed the consideration of the
mod fed proposition of Mr.. PicKsNs (above noticed,)
and OF the several amendments thereto.
| To which Mr. SLADE offereu the following
| amendment
Resoired That at the opening of each session OF
Congress- after the 9th Congress, the namrs of all
the members present the first day of meeting shall
he placed in box and drawn out by the Clerk sue.
cessively; that the member whose is FIRST draw
may choose his seat and each member whose name
drawn successfully may choose in like manner; and
that the thus chosen shall be holden during the
continuance of such session.
After farther discussion, on motion of Mr.. VIM
Cost JOHNSON, the whole subject was laid
| the table-ayes l05, noes lO2.
! Mr.. STANLY introduced his colleague, Hon w.
HI. WAsHINGroN, Representative elect from the State
of North Carolina, who was qualified, and took his
seat.
Mr. GRAHAM, of North Carolina, gave notice
that on TO- morrow or the rules and bust
ness of the House would permit, he would present a
| bill to repeal the Sub Treasury law .a
! And then having previously resolved to meet to-
morrow at 10 o'cock) the House adjourned.