The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-03
Gmentp=4eoemth Congress.
FIRST SESSION.
IN SENATE.
TUESDAY, June I, iS4l.

TUESDAY, June |, lS4l
The VICE PRESIDENT took the Chair at eleven
o'clock, agreeably TO the resolution of adjournment
passed yesterday.
Messrs. Henderson, Buchanan and Calhoun took
their seats to-day, for the first time
A Message was received from the House of Repre-
sentaiives announcing their organization, and commu-
nica'ing the JOINT resolution To appoint committee
to wait on the President.
Mr.. HUNTINGTON moved a concurrence.
Mr.. ALLEN moved to amend by striking out the
word President" and inserting the words Vice
President, whom, by the death OF the late Prcsl-
dent, has devolved the office Of President" He had
no motives but to establish thus early the proper title
and address OF the person exercising the office
of President. He did not wish to deny the right of
the acting President to the full salary of the Office
while discharging its duties He read from the Con-
sttuton passages relating to the and commented
on them.
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 that of an Associate Judge exer-
csing the office OF Chief Justice in the absence
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..
Poindexer to the President pro- tenn Of the Senate
and denied its positions. He did not consider the
Vice President, in fact, entitled by law the full
larry Of President, without vote of Congress- though
it was proper and just TO do
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 sui ect and made up his mind
on it. He therefore hoped the question might be taken
without further discussion.
Mr.. ALLEN called for the yeas and Maya.
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 was actually devoyed upon the Vice Presi-
dent
a al.aJ IL -
quences might result from the doctrines advanced
the other side In Of the temporary vacancy OF
the Presidency by the illness temporary mental
alienation Of the President, if the Vice President
should be declared President the restoration of the
President TO health this doctrine might to JUS
tify 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
cited.
Mr.. CALHOUN observed that the language OF
the Constitution strong, in the phrase the
office shn devolve," that he thought this question
could hardly have arisen but for the contemplation OF
possible temporary disability. If the supposed
should ever occur it would require provision by law
de hoped the amendment would be Withdrawn.
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. ihoun, Choate, Clay, Of Ken
Clayton, Dixon, Evans, Fulon, Graham Hunting
ton, Kerr, King Mangum, Miller, Merrck, More
| head, Nicholson Pierce, Porter, Prenliss Preston
Rives, Sewer Simmons Smith of Ind, Southland
Tallnadge, Walker White, Williams, Woodbridge
Woodbury. and Young-3S.
| The resolution then passed without division
On motion OF Mr.. HUNTINGTON, il was or
dered that the Committee should consist of two on the
part of the Senate. McssTs. Huntington and Archer
| were appointed.
At halt: past twelve, the Message of the Prcsiden,
| L,h .l.z-a III
After the reading of the Message by the Secretary
of the Senate, (Which occupied forty minutes) on mo-
ton of Mr.. MANGUM, So 90 copies of the Message
and 1900 copies ofthc accompanying documents, were
| ordered to be printed.
| Mr. CLAY expressed his high satisfaction at the
limited number of COPIES O00 instead of 10 OOO
at first proposed) He insisted upon the importance
ofpompt and thorough retrenchmen in the expenses
| ofthe Senate.
| Mr. CALHOUN strongly expressed his gratifica-
ton at these declarations and his hopes that the prn-
! cipe of economy would be carried out everywhere
MIR. PRESTON rose to state NJ a general princi-
pie, that The number printed of public document
should not express the degree of appreciation Of that
| document.
Mr.. BUCHANAN assented to the remarks Of the
Senator from Kentucky, and alluded alsoo the extra
VACANT expenditures of the Senate in the item of sta
tionery. He hoped for reform in this particular
Mr.. CLAY moved that the Senate proceed to NOR
row, at IL o'clock to the appointment of The Standing
Committees, and also Of Select Committees TO take
into consideration those parts of the Message rcat
| ing to finance AM fscal agency.
| IL mean of course" said Mr. c., "a Bank of the
| United States"
| On motion of Mr. PRESTON the Senate adjourn
| ed to meet to morrow at tireire 0 CLOCK.