The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-06-09
he Senate to take up the Apportonmsnt bill at this


that the Apportionment bill would be taken up at 80
early an hour and there scarcely quorum now
present.
MIR. LINN observed that yesterday, it seemed to
be the understanding that the general orders should
beiproceeded with until one o'clock.
Mr.. SEWER withdrew his motion, and
The Senate proceeded to the consideration OF the
I'LL for the settlement of the accounts of Silas Deane
and after debate it laid the table until to-mor
row.
A message received from the House of Repre-
sentaves, stating that they had passed the Army APP
preparation bill.
Mr.. EVANS said that on looking the bill he
found it to be different from the ordinary ApPProprla-
ton bls-it appeared to be like bill for re-or-
ganzaton of the Army than bill making appropria-
ton for its support. That being the case, ne
hardly knew what direction the bill should
take. But he would propose that SO much OF the
bill as made an appropriation be referred to the Com
mlttee on Finance, and so much as relates to
reorganization of the army and new system OF mill
tary discipline be referred to the Committee on Military
Affairs. If it was in order he would make that mo-
ton.
MIR. KING remarked that the motion certain
ly not in order.
Mr.. EVANS replied that different opinion from
that of the Senator prevailed on his side OF the
chamber.
Mr.. KING said that they could refer to commit
tee any entire BILL but they could not cut it up In
asmuch as the bill proposed reduction of the army,
it could be referred to the committee having charge
of matters connected with that branch of the public
service and, after that committee shall have made
report it could then be referred to the Committee on
Finance; and that was the only way in which the
two committees could act upon it,
MIR. EVANS knew that the motion which he had
made extraordinary one, but the Senate would
recollect that they had before them extraordinary
bill Such bill was never before seen or heard OF, and
such system of legislation in an appropriation bill
this presented was one of the dangerous precedens
growing up in Congress and, in his judgment, should
be arrested speedily. Otherwise the Senate would
make the Committee Finance investigate every
subject connected with the operations of the Gov
eminent, either by land sea, any other way. He
thought that the bill ought to be separated, and that
the subjects involved should undergo the examina-
ton of the separate committees designated.
Mr.. PRESTON spoke against the insertion, in an
appropriation BILL OF provision having for its object
the modification of important branch of the public
service, repeal of existing law, and the adoption
of new one under the guise OF an appropriation bill
1t was due to the spirit of the rules that the bill
should 60 to the Committee Finance; and if, in
their opinion the condition of the Treasury such
as not to sustain the expense of the present number
in the Army, the Senate could instruct the Commit
tee Military fairs to report bills for its reduc-
ton that the bill appropriatng money and reduc-
ing the army would go on pai pass!'.
Mr.. SEWER moved to refer the bill to the Com
mittee on Military Affairs.
After some further remarks by Messrs. PRES
TON, SEWER, BAYARD, WOODBURY., and
ARCHER as to the proper reference,
Mr.. BUCHANAN said that he would inquire of
the Chair whether it was proper, question to re-
fer bill to committee, to 90 into debate
ing its general merits If the debate was to be con-
tinued he feared that the Apportionment bill would
not be reached to-day The Legislature of Pennsyl-
vania would meet tomorrow; therefore he would
to lay the further consideration OF the subject
now before them the table, unless gentlemen would
agree to take the question now.
MIR. SEWER withdrew his motion, and
The bill was then referred to the Committee on
Finance.
The Senate proceeded to the orders of the day, be-
ing the bill providing for apportionment OF Repre-
sentaves among the several States according to the
sixth census.
The question pending was on the following sec
ton
Sec. 2. And be ufurH,er enacted, That in every
case where State entitled to more than one Re
presentative-the number to which each State shall
be entitled under the apportionment, shall be elected
by DISTRICTS composed of contiguous territory, equal
in number to the number of Representatives to which
said State may be entted-no one district e.ecting
more than one Representative.
Mr.. LINN had moved to amend the section, by
adding
Provided, aaoays, That the provisions of this Sec
ton shall not affect the election of Representatives to
the 18th Congress
Mr.. LINN, after few Introductory remarks said
that the bill had assumed party aspectin fact,
was a party question: and to speak plainly if the
amendment should be adopted, it would give the
Wings great advantage over the other party as
thew had in 1870 He would prefer that the consde-
ration of such section should be postponed for two
years. that the people might have time to express
wise and discreet opinion upon its merits Missouri
would be of the first States that would elect Re-
representatives. by the time that this section if passed,
would go into operation; but she wou elect In The
usual way, and her Representatives would come here
and claim their seats in spite of the law and whether
his amendment should be adopted or not, he hoped
that other would be agreed to- for the pur-
pose of preventing any unpleasant consequences
MIR. BAYARD proposed to amend the provso OF
Gin those in which, by the existing laws Of any
State, the election is by general ticket"
After some remarks by Messsrs. BAYARD,
WALKER, CONRAD, KING, WILLIAMS, BAR
ROW, ARCHER, LINN, WOODBURY., and POR-
TER the question taken on the amendment to
the amendment, and it was disagreed to--yeas 10,
nays "a, as follows
YEAS-Messrs Bagby, Bates Bayard, Berrien,
Calhoun, Crafts, Cuthbert, Evans, Fulton, Hender-
son, King, McRobers, Rives, Sewer, Walker, Will
cox, Williams, Woodbury., Young-l9
NAYS-Messrs. Allen, Archer, Barrow, Benton,
Buchanan, Clayton, Conrad, Graham, Huntington,
Kerr, Linn, Mangum, Miller, Morehead, Porter,
Preston, Simmons, Smith, of Connecticut, Smith, of
Indiana. Sprague, Sturgeon, Tallmadge, White,
The question was taken on the amendment of Mr..
Linn and was decided in the Affirmative cas- %,
nays %
MIR. SEWER moved reconsideration of the vote
just taken, and the motion prevaied,-Yeas "a nays
b.
The question was again agreeing to the amend
ment of Mr.. Linn and it was decided in the affirma-
tive, as follows:
YEAS.-Messrs Allen, Bagby, Benton, Berren,
Buchanan Calhoun, Crafts, Cuthbert, Fulton, Hen
derson, King, Linn, McRoberts, Rives Smith, of
cticut Tannan Iker Wilcox
Williams, Woodbury., Wright, Young-23.
NAYS-Messrs. Archer, Barrow, Bates Bayard,
Clayton, Conrad, Evans, Graham, Huntingdon Kerr,
Mangum, Merrick, Miller Morehead, Porter, Pres
ton Simmons, Smith, of Indiana, Sprague, Tall
madge White, Woodbrdge-22.
A r;o Alo