The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-28
Tmemtp=&FOenth Congress.
SECOND SESSION.
IN SENATE,

IN SENATE,
WEDNESDAY, April 81, 1912.
Mr.. EVANS, from the Committee on Finance, re
ported the Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation bill,
with several amendments, which were ordered to be
printed.
On the motion of Mr.. McROBERTS, the Commit
tee on the Post Office and Post Roads discharged
from the further consideration of the petition of Salt
marsh and Fuller, praying extra compensation for
carrying the mail.
fairs reported that the House bill granting pension
to Ben amin Franklin ought not to pass without
amendment; also, bill for the relief of Andrew
Forrest, which was read first and second Tune
THE RHODE ISLAND CONTROVERSY.
Mr. ALLEN remarked that he did not intend to
occupy the attention of the Senate with a lengthy
speech, but merely to submit word or two upon a
subject of the utmost Importance Some time ago
he submitted a resolution calling on the President of
the United States, rather requesting him, to COM
municate to the Senate such facts as have been
brought to his knowledge with reference to the state
Of affairs in Rhode Island, and likewise to commune
cate such proclamation, order, or such action AZ
he may have taken in relation to these affairs 1t was
impossible for the Senate to close its eyes to the fact
that there existed in that State position of affairs
verging towards very serious consequences. 1t was I'M
possible for the Senate close its eyes to the fact that
the President had, to extent nerposed in these
affairs. The Senate then, must be of the dan
State and the question which was submitted to The
Senate was, whether not Congress, being in ses
on with full knowledge Of state of affairs SO cri-
teal as this
Mr. PRESTON rose to point of order; and In
CURED what before the Senate.
Mr.. ALLEN said that he going to submit q
motion and he requested the Senator from South
Carolina to stale bis point of order.
Mr. PRESTON observed that there being nothing
before the Senate for it's action the Senator from Ohio
was out of order.
Mr. ALLEN said that he was merely in the act of
making few remarks prior to the motion which he
about to make, and that whatever might be the
rules of the Senate the practice and courtesy Of the
body justified him in this 1t was no part of
his intention to 20 into discussion of the matter and,
when he was interrupted, be had but a few more re-
marks TO utter
Mr.. PRESTON would not violate any rule of cour-
tesy but conceiving that the Senator was going into
the discussion of delicate business was his rF.Aon
that the violation Of order very clear. Besides,
there was nothing before the Senate if there was,
it would be another question. Although the utmost
latitude in debate generally permitted, he had
heretofore ntimaed, and he would now repeat, that,
in relation to this state of things, he exceed
ngly adverse to discussion that he would invoke the
aid Of every rule of the Senate to put end to it.
Mr.. ALLEN remarked that he had announced his
intention to submit motion to the Senate which
they could act, and not with view to make speech
on barren waste. The proposition was, whether,
in this existing state of affairs, which the Senate
knew 10 exist, lDlS DOQy WOuu REMAIN
tive, whilst the Executive of the United States was
pursuing course which was calculated as he (Mr.
Allen) supposed to make this Government party
to civil To say that Congress must wait until
collision shall take place, to say that Congress
must do nothing with the matter. Now, he wished
Congress to take action to prevent civil war; which
will take place if nothing be done to avert it. His
desire that the resolution heretofore submitted by
him should be taken up and passed. that the President
might lay before Congress the facts, and the extent
yxhi~ he hoH in rde hiatt bn nfrV
might see whether this Congress had right to inter-
pose in such delicate matter as this was. He there
fore made the motion to take up the resolution and
said that the of the Senate would be given on
this vote whether Congress to remain inert and
allow the President of the United States to involve
the country in civil war without their nterposon
to avert it.
Mr.. PRESTON moved to lay the motion on the
table, and
Mr.. ALLEN called for the yeas and nays.
MIR. SEWER inquired whether the resolution had
not already been laid on the table.
The CHAIR replied atfrmatively.
Mr.. SEWER further asked if it in order to
move to lay on the table motion to take up that
which was already on the table.
Mr.. BUCHANAN wished to know if the question
was debateable.
The CHAIR said that it was not.
MIR. ARCHER expressed hope that the Senator
from Ohio would be gratifed but he desired
that the resolution would not be taken up to-
day. because, gentlemen had not expected it
10 be called up they were not now prepared to give
heir opinions, which were as important as their votes.
For his part, he took occasion to say that he
was anxious the Senator from Ohio to have the
subject discussed, but with different motive. The
Senator anticipated fatal conflict but his apprehension
was, that there would not be found spirit and frmness
enough to carry out that which had been already
menccd
Mr. LINN said that as the Senator from South Ca
rona had moved to lay the motion Of the Senator
from Ohio on the table, he (Mr. Linn) moved to lay
the motion of the Senator from South Carolina the
table.
Nh MANGUM said that the motion was not in
order.
Mr.. LINN then, would make it point of order.
Mr. PRESTON withdrew his motion.
The question then REQUIRED on the motion of Mr..
Allen to take up the resolution and being taken 1t
was decided in the negative-Yeas Is, nays ~, as
follows
YEAS-Messrs. Allen, Archer, Bagby, Bucha-
nan, Calhoun, Fulton, Henderson, Linn, McRoberts,
Sewer Smith, of Conn, Sturgeon, Tappan, Wilcox,
Williams, Woodbury., Wright Young-le,
NAYS Mcssrs. Barrow, Bates, BayaId, Choate,
Clayton, Conrad, Culhbert, Evans, Graham, Hun
tington, Kerr, Mangum, Phelps Porter Preston, Sim
mons, Smith, of Ind, Sprague, White woodbridge
20.
Mr. ALLEN gave notice that he would renew his
motion tomorrow.
The Senate then proceeded to the consideration of
the general orders, and the following bills were
crossed for third reading, viz
The bill for the relief of Richard Higgins, jr; the
bill for the relief Reyne Coates and Wslter r. John
son, the bill for the relief of Thomas and Ralph Has
kins the bill for the relief Juba Hancock and the
bill for the relief of the legal representatives Of Ma
thaniel Pryor deceased.
The Senate then adjourned
T AND.--A person owning obou acres of wood