Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-02-11
TUESDAY, Jan. 9, IA.
IN SENATE,

IN SENATE,
IHB BANKRUPT LAVA BREACH OF DEcoRua
Mr. BENTON presented memorial from eiti'
gems Of New York stating tho great depreciation IN
the prices OF stocks and other property, which mas
taken plsce since the Bankrupt Law has been IN
opsration; and requesting that tho Dill may cc re-
pssled before the first day OF May ne&', Q. .na.
nav be amended TO guard, as far as pracucaole
against the evils Of which the memorialists complain
After auding To tho distress which existed IN the
country, and the great number OF persons who had
applied for the benefit Of the Bankrupt law IN the
ei,y Of New York, he expressed the hope that the
Senate would proceed TO the consideration oil the
bill which no had introduced to postpone its opera
ton.
MIR TALLMADGE presented several memorials
against a postpone ment a repeal OF the BANK
rup, law. and remarked that, after the action which
had been taken by Congress upon the suolee', nc
had thought that there was an END Oh IL; out. no
the Senator from Missouri persevcred IN continual
agitation Of the subject. If the gentleman wou'a
consent TO LET this Law alone they could alter tfom
time 10 time as experience might dictate, and he en-
tertaincd the opinion that so far from producing en-
barrassment and distress, IT would be salutary
law, aud correct the evils which were complained OIL
TIE Senator, however, had endeavorcd to give the
law party aspect, and had charged upon the Wings
the responsibility Of producing the distresses
Of the country; but did the Senator not know that
the D,moeroiie party, by their course Of policy,
were themselves obnoxious to the charger and, after
contributing TO this distress. had not the Senator
heart to feel for those who were sufiering1
Mr. BENTON, with great emphasis,) 1t IS false,
The PRESIDENT Immediately called the sena.
tor TO order, and
Mr. CLAY arose and expressed the hope that
the order of the body would be preserved
MIR PRESTON said that the scene which had
just been presented was very dlscredita6le and 1t
seemed TO be proper TO take some immediate action
10 prevent further disorder. He expressed ms deep
regret at what had taken place, and, in common
with other Senators, the greatest PAIN and morthca-
ton.
MIR TALLMADGE said that it was matter
which did not disconcert him, for every man knew
that he had confined himself within the limits Of the
parliamentary law; and he would repeat
MIR BENTON, rising in his seat. Ii is false-it is
false.
Mr. CLAY hoped that the Senator would taks his
sea, until order should be preserved.
Mr. BENTON, lin a loud tone.) am in my
seat.
Mr. CLAY, tangriy.) If the Senator thus ad
dresses me. he will receive corresponding language.
MIR BENTON. Apply it, and it will be followed
up by corresponding action.
MrCLAY, Shaking his finger at Mr. Benton)-I
The Senator knows, ay, he knows me WELL |
When order IN some measure restored,
MIR PRESTON observed that there was rule |
Of the Senate relative to breaches Of order in the
body, and he hoped that 1t would be adhered to.
MIR PHELPS moved that the whole subject be
laid on the table.
MIR PRESTON desired to make n point OF order
Mr. CLAY said that it would not be in order
unless the Senator from New York, who was entl
tied to the floor, would give way for that purpose
Mr. PRESTON was at a loss to suggest the mode
o. proceeding, but u was necessary 10 take some
decided action. On one occasion, when difficulty |
arose between two members, the Senate proceeded |
10 consider, with closed doors, what course It was
necessary to pursue; and the Senate could now |
take that method, or appoint n committee. lie |
moved that the Senate now proceed TO an investiga.
ton of the subject with closed doors.
e IL -
good could result fromiL Whenever personal difficult
lies arose, they must be settled by the gentlemen
concerned or by their friends of doors and he
would never for moment aid IN investigating
breach OF d6c,rum with closed doors.
MIR. PRESTON did not insist on his suggestion. |
MIR. LINN thought that 1t would do well foe |
them adopt some rule but no, like the Bankrupt
law, make it Retrospective in its operation, and
cause this affair ~ stand out in bold relief, when
there had, heretofore been so many breaches of pr
yilege Of the body.
Mr. PRESTON said it seemed necessary tina,
some order should be taken with reference TO the |
breach of order, and that this was due to the Senate
therefore, he would make the point Of order.
Mr. SEWER remarked that it seemed TO him
that this very singular affair. The Senator
was in order, ne was out OF order, and he asked
the Chair to decide the question.
The PRESIDENT replied that he did not under. |
stand the Senator from y. York as making personal
application TO the Senator from Missouri il he had
he would have arrested him in his remarks.
MIR CLAY remarked that violation OF the |
docorum of the Senate consisted in two particulars
In the first place, the language employed, and in the
other the Senator from Missouri retaining his seat
while he made use of it. AS the Senator from
Missouri (Mr Linn) had perhaps referred TO him
and to another member oil this body he would here
state that whatever language was employed on
that occasion by either of them, was used while
they were in the lawful possession OF the floor; but
they had now different case presented, for while
one member executing his duty, another men,
III l. o.Is -.
were false. II any thing like this had ever before |
occurred in the Senate, he was not aware of il.
MIR LINN said that this was breach Of the
propriety OF the body, and he asked every Senator
and every individual who frequented the galleries.
whether there not frequent violations OF order
as prescribed by the rales2 And would they ira |
vel out Of the way to make his colleague an excep.
iion and would they draw a distinction between |
bis colleague and other members Of the Senate7
Mr. WALKER differed from the Chair and
thought that the remarks Of the Senator from New
York were Of a personal character. The Senator |
had spoken, in the ardor Of his feelings upon sub
iect in which he had always taken peculiar inter /
est, and he could not have been aware how far he |
was hurried on by his feelings with regard to this
matter; and he (Mr Walker) had understood him |
as saying that the unfortunate distress OF the
try had been produced by the course Of the Senator
from Missouri.
MIR TALLMADGE had only stated his honest
that the which the Senator from
M issouri had taken had contributed 10 the distress.
He had expressed this sentiment former occasions
lsre and elsewhere, and he would repeat it.
Mr. WALKER understood the Senator ns saying
hat he had not only made the assertion, but that
be- repeated it,
Mt TALLMADGE explained. He had re-
marked that he re-assered what he had said on for
msr occasions, here aud elsewhere, as his profound
belief.
Mr. WALKER hoped that he would be permit.
TO say that os the Senator had spoken in the intense
nrdor OF his feelings, he not good Judge as
those who had heard his remarks; and, If he would
make the inquiry he would ascertain that he had
gone much further than he thought he had. The
remark was Of such character as was calculated
10 arouse the passions Of any Senator on this floor
Mr. PHELPS insisted that the whole debate was
out of order.
Mr. KING said that he was no, in the Senate
when the disorder occurred, he confessed that he
had heard Of 1t with deep regret, and he hoped and
trusted that this occurrence would warn Senator's
m future, not TO give way TO any impulse OF unkind
feelings. They were now presented 10 an attitude
which did not belong TO the Senate; and rs he
thought that this thing had gone fer enough, he
now hoped that the Senator from New York would
proceed IN lis remarks, and that he would, from
sespee avoid the least approach to personality.
The PRESIDENT remarked that he had alfea.
dy deeeted u, as his opinion that the Senator from
New York was In order, and that, II no appeal be
taken from the decision Of the Chair the gentleman
ves entitled n the loor,
Mr. MANGUM said that, in order IN nrevent
recurrence OF such proceedings rs had taken plsce
10 day, It seemed 10 him 10 DO necessary tbot sorns
suitable rule should be adopted for the povernmsn,
OF the Senate; therefore, he would submit tho fol
loving resolutions