The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-11
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

the secretary OF the navy relative 10 expenditures In
that Department
Mr. KING moved to refer il to the Committee on
Naval Affairs.
Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON objected, on the ground
that the Committee was not yet constituted A more
proper would be to lay il the table for the
present.
Mr.. WISE moved that the communication be laid
on the table and printed.
Mr.. HOPKINS observed that the resolutions now
pending would decide this point He therefore moved
to take up those resolutions.
The SPEAKER mentioned that the resolution re-
ative to the election of Chaplains in order.
Mr.. HOPKINS would move then to proceed with
that business.
Mr.. REiETT nominated the Rev. DR.. b. NJ Palm
or, for Chaplain
Mr.. BRIGGS observed that this was out of order.
The joint resolution for the election of ChapIans was
not yet passed both Houses. Each House had passed
joint resolution this subject neither Of which
had been concurred in He moved therefore, that
the House concur in the joint resolution of the Sc
nate.
Mr.. WOOD asked if petitions were not in order
Mr.. FILLMORE said he understood that petitions
were passed over by general consent.
Mr.. w. COST JOHNSON said that as il was the
desire of many gentlemen around him, he would move
the postponement of the special order the subject Of
the Rules ofthe House,
Mr.. FILLMORE inquired what would be the eff
feet of this disposition OF the subject Would il re-
qure vote Of two-thirds to take il up2
The SPEAKER said that il passed over by general
consent il would not. If laid the table post
poned by vote, it could not be taken up, out of
der, without vote of two thirds.
Mr.. w. COST JOHNSON moved TO lay on the
table. He was requested by many members 10 with
draw his motion, but insisted upon it.
The motion to lay the table carried. Yeas
96-Nays 49,
MIR. CAVE JOHNSON moved an adjournment
Mr.. FILLMORE called for the yeas and nays. He
wished the country to know who were disposed to do
the regular business of the session.
The yeas and nays ordered.
Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON withdrew his motion.
Mr.. CALHOUN moved an adjournment.
Mr.. LEWIS WILLIAMS called for the yeas and
nays, which were ordered, and being taken resulted
thus yeas II, nays 10.
Mr. CUSHING asked whether the subject of the
election of Chaplains was not in order. 1t must
have precedence relating TO the organization of the
House He moved therefore to proceed with the cleo
ton Of Chaplain. [Cries f"No Nop'l
Mr.. BRIGGS expressed his opinion that this ques-
tion pertaining TO the organization Of the House,
must take precedence Of all other business He sug
gested, ALSO that the call for petitions now the
regular order.
The SPEAKER said that any motion pertaining to
the organization Of the House, was in order. The
Clerk referring to the journals found precedent
by which the election Of Chaplain consid-
cred
Mr.. LEWIS WILLIAMS said he would then
move to postpone the election of Chaplain.
Mr.. CUSHING asked for the yeas and nays !;
which were ordered.
The House voted 10 postpone. Yeas l0S-nays
IS.
Mr.. FILLMORE observed that he understood i, to
have been decided that any motion in order that
pertained to the organization of the House He had
yesterday moved series of resolutions for the refer
of portions of the Message to of the Stand
ing Committees, and to certain proposed select
mittees-a motion which woudnot now be entitled to
precedence. He now would change his ground and
substitute a proposition which would be in or
der lie offered resolution to refer to three separate
select committees of nine members EACH the following
subjects l. The plan OF finance referred TO in the
President message. 2. The subject ofthe apporton-
ment of Representatives among the States under the
late census. 3. The subject of the Smithsonian le
gacy. His original object would thus be attained
which was to decide upon the number of select com
mttees before the members of the Standing Commit.
tees appointed
Mr.. THERTON objected to the reception He
had been willing To hear 1t read for information.
The SPEAKER said it was in order relating 10
organization.
Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON objected to the reception,
and conlended against the decision of the Speaker
Mr. PROFFlr asked if petitions not the
regular order.
Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON said the rule wa. express.
Petitions in order.
The SPEAKER said that petitions were certainly
in order under the rule, by general consent.
Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON said that tho effect of the
adoption of tho resolution would be To enable the
Speaker TO constitute all his committees please his
own views, and to adapt his appointments to the sub
iects referred
Mr.. ARNOLD said the gentleman was not in or.
der He had not appealed from the decision OF the
Speaker
Mr.. JOHNSON. l do appeal and on the appeal
ask the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
Mr. PROFIT expressed his surprise, together
with the gentlemen from Tennessee at the of
proceeding. Yesterday the gentleman from N. Y
gets up with well-dgested plan for the appointment
of committees TO meet the views of the Speaker
To-day This is modified to suit the same purpose
BY the plan proposed the tariff to be referred TO
the Committee Manufactures. Now all knew
that the committees would be mainly constituted as
they were last session. The Committee on Manu-
lectures constituted with three four members
from the North, and two or three from the West
The South should be more fully represented in the
Committee which TO have charge Of this subject
SO il would be with the Committee on Finance. He
considered this proposition ten thousand times more
tyrannica in its operation than even the infamous
"gag.law" Of last sesson.
Mr.. FILLMORE said that lest he should have
been misunderstood by other gentlemen in the way in
which he appeared 10 have been by the gentleman
from Indiana he would explain the resolution and its
object. The proposition effects precisely what the
gentleman from Indiana asks for. IL avoids the very
objections made IL leaves the whole question Of the
reference ofhe Presidents message still in the power
of the House
Mr.. CLIFFORD objected with great reluctance
to the decision Of the Chair. This he did on three
grounds /. II did not pertain TO organization under
the rules of the House The Speaker decides petit
tons be in order but allows this AXE precedence
on this ground. II this decision ~ affirmed il estab
fishes a precedent new one. No such decision
can be found in the records Of the British Parliament