Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-06-08

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if they did not vote for this rule they would be set
| down by their constituents as Aboonists, and VIC
remembered the somewhat strange not to say edfyng
scenes which took place this House under these
tua charges of Abolitionism.
1t was necessary in order to made political capital
for all the members from the South and all the men,
bers from the North, who in the true political al
egance Of that day, to prove that they were not aoo-
litionss; and finally gentleman, certainly not an
Abolitionist but Southern gentleman, sound wing,
an influential member of the Housc-hc might say an
ultra Wing, if any thing -contrived al that time 10
bring up this resolution; and hc the Whiggest o.. the
Wings, upon the strength of the Kinderhcok majority
Of the House, added this to the other rules lie did
what Northern with Southern principles never
dared to propose before hun They had always s;rng
gled against that particular rule. They knew how obi
it was they knew how their constituents detested
it, and they able to bring themselves to the
scrcwing point until the matter brought into this
| House by Wing; and hen it was carried How car
rcd3 By los against III, majority Of only six votes.
MIR. A. here requested the Clerk TO send han the
journal Of the first session Of the last Congress- from
which he read for the purpose Of showing what tie
compound Of that vote.
| He then proceeded to say that lie understood tue
Wings themselves ade great prelensions 10 be Demo-
Gratis. Among other things, they conesing that
name with their rivals; and he had much in the
newspapers about Wing Democracy. Well; the Wings
were at liberty to take what name they pleased. But
at the time tins rule adopted, the Democrats
the party Of the then existing Administration. The
Wings at that time founded themselves on the ground
of sturdy opposition TO Executive power How far
they 1e0uid be Wings in that respect, was matter
about which should hereafter. But, from
one vote given yesterday, he should apprehend that
their opposition TO Executive power beginning to
melt away something Ike ice in the dog-days If he
might take that vote standard, lie did not think
that the Wings would be so distinguished for their op
position TO Executive power they year ago.
II might probably, therefore, be convenient for them to
take the name Of Democrats; and probably, IN the
change Of things, the Democrats Of year would be-
come Wings So far at least a. Executive power
went, he thought that was likely 10 be the
Mr. A. then went to say, that the rule at the time
of lis ADOPTION was most enphatically Democratic
measure 1t was the measure of Northern men with
Southern principles and Southern wing with North
ern principles, made himself TIER tool in carrying IL
| out.
Another important view Of the case, and one which
he extremely DESTROYS 10 bring TO the consideration
of the House. this: the geographical position OF
parties North and South (Nlr. A. here explained the
vote in that view) One of the worst features Of that
rule was, that it measure Of the South against
the Norh-t the oppression OF the people OF Tie
North by the South, sectional measure. lie had
demonstrated, remarks made By him at the last
session. that than in ten Of all the petit
tons coming from the north Of Mason and ID xon line
was received, whilst every coming from the south
of that line received without hesitation.
Mr. a. then called attention to certain resolutions
adopted by the Legislature of the Safe of Massachu
/
laton of the Constitution Of the u s., &c. and con-
cuded by demanding the yeas and nays on the amend
ment.
Mr. WISE said he did not rise for the purpose of de-
batting the merits Of the question, but to move that the
resolution do, tor TIE present. lie on the table; which
motion was agreed TO.
message was here received from the Senate stating
that the resolution of the House appointing JOINT Com
mee TO wait upon the President Of The U. s. had been
concurred I'M and that committee had been appointed
on the part Of the Senate.
Mr.. PICkENS offered resolution providing that
the seats Of the House be numbered, and that members
draw for them BY lot Mr.. +. forth the evils OF the
present mode of taking seats. He deemed it, to say
the least, very unfair nasmuch those members who
hu ppe ned reside the OF Government could
Immediately take advantage Of hose more distant In
many instances seats were taken Immediately alter
the adjournment Of preceding Congress, SO TINT me m
bers coming from distance had chance. lie (alr.
P.) desired tina, rule might be adopted by which
Justice would be secured TO all.
MIR. CAVE JOHNSON offered, as substitute, re
solution providing that the above regulation be moor
porated into the standing rules OF the House
Mr.. Bolts OF opinion that as members had
now taken their seats and appeared TO be very
Portable the beat way would be- adopt the resolution,
with the condition, however, that it take effect hsrea-
ter.
This proposition caused some laughter, and several
members exclaimed, 20 indeed, "that Would be very
comfortable, etc.
Mr. POPE said that by chance he had at last got
comfortable seat and he hoped that il the House did de-
termne changing the seats, his would be an eScep-
ton (Renewed laughter)
Mr. NISBET hoped the resolution would he adopted,
and that it would take effect at He objected to
the present mode of taking seats; as those members
who lived could return few days after an ad
ournment and choose their seats. The tact was, how
ever, the luxurant seats now in Use ought 10 be
done away with altogether. They a great evil
Give US said Mr. ~, the plain benches o! The British
House of Commons, and then shall no longer hav.
the long, prosy, dull speeches with which we are SO Of
ten uearied. We shall then 60 to business at once
After some further remarks, MIR. N. concluded by ex
pressing the hope that at least measure would be
adopted by which every member might have the same
chance in the selection of u seat.
Mr.. SLADE, after referring to the manner in which
the present abuse had grown up said he could not con-
cur the proposition before the House in It's present
shape. In his opinion, the best way would be 10 give
each member drawing his chance, not seat only,
but the choice Of seat; because it would sometimes
happen that gentlemen would get into unpleasant
neIghborhood
Dir. B. KING offered as substitute, 'ahat the
Speaker cause the desks 10 be removed from the hall
Mr.. r. then made some pointed remarks in relationto
the existing abuses He contended that the desks were
the root Of all the evil What they needed proper
attention 10 business and for the choice OF seats
all humbug; for if things they ought to be,
might be heard in any part Of the hall
After some remarks from Mr. BlDLACk,
Mr. PlCKENS moved the previous question, sub
ect TO the Parliamentary rule, under which the amend
me nts were not eff
Mr. SLADE asked whether it was in order to renew
the previous question, when the House had not as yet
adopted any rules.
The CHAIR decided that the call for the previous
question was in order.
Mr.. w. COST JOHNSON moved that the whole
subject do lie on the table
MIR. CAVE JOHNSON demanded the yeas and nays,
which were ordered and being taken, resulted AZ fol-
lows: yeas 92, nays 49, So the motion to lay On the
table was lost.
Mr.. SERGEANT from the committee appointed 10
wait the President Of the u >, on leave, reported
tina, said committee had performed the duty assigned
hem and that the President had expressed his inen.
ton 10 make an immediate communication in writing
to both branches of Congress.
A message received from the President Of the u
s., by Mr.. Tyler, his Private Secretary.
The Message was then read.
MIR. BARNARD moved that the message and accom-
panying documents be laid upon the table, and that
they be printed and that l0,0G0 copies be printed
for the of the House, 5000 TO be printed with the
accompanying documents.
NJ % ID