The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-04-28
GWtMig=SROenth COngrRss.
SECOND SESSION.
I'M 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 MIR. McROBERTS, the Commit
tee 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
Mr.. CHOATE, from the Committee on Naval AZ
fairs, reported that the House bill granting pension
TO Benjamin Franklin ought not to pass without
amendment; also, bill for the relief of Andrew
Forrest, which was read first and second time
THE RHODE ISLAND CONTROVERSY.
Mr.. ALLEN remarked that he did not intend to
occupy the attention of the Senate with lengthy
speech, but merely to submit word or two upon
subject of the utmost Importance. Some time ago
he submitted resolution calling the President Of
the United States, rather requesting him, to
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
he may have taken in relation to these affairs 1t
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. twas
BILE for the Senate close its eyes TO the fact
the President had to extent nterposed in these
affairs. The Senate, them must be aware of The dan
ger of collision between the two parties in that
State; and the question which was submitted to he
Senate was, whether OF not Congress, being in
ION with full knowledge Of a state Of affairs SO cri-
teal as this-
MI PRESTON rose to point of ORDER and in
quired what before the Senate
Mr. ALLEN said that he going to submit q
motion and he requested the Senator from South
Carolina to stale his point of order
Mr. PRESTON observed that there being nothing
before the Senate for lis action the Senator from Ohio
was out of order
Mr. ALLEN said that he was merely in the act of
making a 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 course. II was no part OF
his intention ogo into discuss on ofthe matter, and,
when he was interrupted, he had but few more
marks 10 utter.
Mr. PRESTON would not violate any rule ofconr>
tesy, but cunceivng that the Senator was going into
the discussion Of delicate business, it his opinion
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 was 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 on 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 to exist, this body would remain inet, inaen'
tive whilst the Executive of the United States was
pursuing course which was calculated, as he (Mr.
Alen) supposed, to make this Government party
to civil war To say that Congress must wait until
acosion 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
to which he had acted, in order that the country
might see whether this Congress had right to inter-
pose in such delicate matter as this He there
fore made the motion to take up the resolution, and
said that the sense of the Senate would be given
this vote whether Congress was to remain inert and
allow the President Of the United States to involve
the country in civil without their interpostion'
to avert it,
Mr. PRESTON moved to lay the motion on the
table, and
Mr. ALLEN called for the yeas and nays.
Mr.. SEWER inquired whether the resolution had
not already been laid on the table.
The CHAIR replied affrmatvey.
Mr. SEWER further asked if it in order to
move to lay on the table motion to take up that
which already on the table
Mr.. BUCHANAN wished to know if the question
was debateable.
The CHAIR said that it was not.
Mr.. ARCHER expressed a 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
to be called up they were not prepared to give
their opinions, which were as important their votes
For his own part he took occasion to say that he
anxious as 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 rmness
enough TO carry out that which had been already
menced.
Mr.. LINN said that as the Senator from South Ca
roIina had moved to lay the motion Of the Sc lator
from Ohio on the table, he Mr.. Linn) moved to lay
the motion of the Senator from South Carolina on the
table
Mr.. MANGUM said that the motion was not in
order.
Mr.. LINN then would make it pointof order
Mr. PRESTON withdrew his motion.
The question then REQUIRED on the motion of Mr.
Allen to take up the resolution and, being taken, it
was decided in the negauve-Yeas Is, nays 20, as
follows:
YEAS-Messrs. Allen Archer Bagby, Bucha-
man, Calhoun, Fulton Henderson,, Linn McRoberts
Sewer, Smith of Conn Sturgeon, Japan Wilcox,
Williams Woodbury., Wright Young-lS.
NAYS Messrs. Barrow Bates Bayaid, Choate,
Clayton, Conrad, Cuhbert, Evans, Graham, Hun
ngton Kerr, Mangum, Phelps, Porter Preston, Sim
mons Smith, of Ind. Sprague, White, Woodbridge
20.
MIR. 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 en-,
crossed for third reading, viz
The bill for the relief Of Richard Higgins, ri tho
bill for the relief Reyne Coates and Walter X. John
son, the bill for the relief of Thomas and Ralph Has
kns, the bill for the relief Jubal Hancock and the
bill for the relief Of the legal representatives of Ma
thaniel Pryor deceased.
The Senate then adjourned.
r AND.-A person owning obout 9 acres of wood