The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-12-13
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. l3 lS43.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
WEDNESDAY Dec. l3 lS43
A prayer was offered up TO the Throne of Grace by
the Rev, Mr. Tuston after which the Journal of yes
terday was read when
Mr.. ADAMS rose and asked the House to excuse
him from serving upon the Committee of Manufac.
lures, from ndrsposition
lie was excused
Mr. HARRISON announced the attendance Of his
colleague EDWARD J. BLACK, who was qualified and
took his seat.
Mr. HOUSTON announced the attendance Of his
colleague the Hon. H. CHAPMAN, who was qualified
and took his seat.
Mr.. ELMER made motion to refer the memo
rias of JOHN NJ Bolts and VIM. L. Goggin &C., TO
the Committee on Elections
Mr. DAVIS moved TO refer also the question
denying the right Of seats TO those gentlemen claiming
them by general ticket 10 the Committee on Elcc-
TONS
Some irregular conversation took place as 10 the
true question before the House; when
Mr. SrEENROD moved to amend the motion of
the gentleman from Kentucky, by striking out the
words COMMITTEE On, Elections" and inserting "Se.
ie. Committee ~
Mr.. ELMER said he was not disposed to inter-
rupt the House by pressing the subject and withdrew
his motion.
A motion was then made TO amend the motion of
Mr.. STEENRoD.
Mr. HAMI4lN rose and asked why should these
four States be singled out Is not this the grand in
quest of this nation Is IT not arragning four States
of this Union at the bar of this House in its judicial
capacity Such being his opinion, he moved still
further to amend the resolution by inserting "to the
whole House"
MIR. JAMESON rose and said there were no ind-
viduals here contesng the seats of the four States
enumerated, He said he stood here sworn in sim
liar TO every other member of this House
This being the state Of the facts, why single out
these four States Is to prevent us from wildcat
ing rights This is the aim of the motion lust
made, but he should vote for the amendment of the
gentleman from New Hampshire to bring the cues
ton before the House as Committee Of the Whole
which would place them upon a fair footing; but he
did object TO its being sent TO select committee and
be thus ostracised at least until they made a report
upon the law and The facts.
Mr. WELLER said he was anxious to settle
this vexed question: and he thought that the resolu-
ton of the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Dayis)
the proper one, and he hoped it would be adopt
ed.
At this stage an irregular debate took place be
tween Messrs Elmer Houston, aud Thompson, of
Mississippi, as TO the proper course TO be pursued
and IS to the true question before the House
Mr.. BELSER said he should vote for the motion
Of the gentleman from Virginia, (Nlr Seenrod be-
cause he believed il was The proper course
Mr. DAVIS, Of New York, spoke in favor of re-
ferring the subject TO the Committee which had been
already appointed for that purpose, whose duty would
he 10 report their opinions 10 the House the Law
claiming their seats were consulutionally elect
ed and his vote should sustain them in their rights
Nj, BLACK, of Georgia, said he was opposed o
The views entertained by the gentleman from Jew
York and be should feel himself compelled TO vote
in favor of the MOTION OF Mr. SteenroJ because he be-
lieved Il was the only course which would bring th,
subject dir, city before the Hou-e For himself he
would scorn To hold scat this floor in dcfogalion
of the laws of his country. All lie wanted was frll
fee, frank and open discussion upon question If
such magnitude. IL was not political qu stion in
the State ofGeorgia because gentlemen OF both p,l,-
cal parties run upon The general ticket Ills OH &C.
ton Of re errng HI subject to the Committed OF &c
tons of poini al character but because he
believed he business they would have 10 act u,on
Of such com Heated character MS TO preveng a
speedy actn upon this subject and he hoped abe
aucndmcnl of the gentleman from virginia Mr.
Siocnroj would be adopted and bring this question
in it, j n cai character dr,cily before the House
with q full &c, ort OF the facts.
Mr.. $ WITH, Of Indiana thought the proper course
to be pursued would be to refer the subject to the
Committee the Judiciary, VIII CHI had been raised
anterior TO the Committee on elections or a select
committee, and therefore should vote against the
amendment of the gentleman from Virginia, Mr..
Stecnrod.
MIR. JAMESON said, as the gentleman from New
Hampshire had Withdrawn his amendment and he
believed It in order TO offer an amendment To Inc
amendment, he moved TO amend tbs whole mat
ter by referring the subject TO a Committee Of the
Whole House which he believed TO be the proper
course 10 meet this question
Message from the Senate announcing the death
OF the Hon SAMUEL McRoBERus.
After the announcement Mr.. JAsrsos continued,
and said this was judicial question, aud not OF
contested character No memorial had been present
cd TO this House con,estng the seats of the members
fsom the four States mentioned by the gentleman
from Kentucky Mr.. Davis and which he moved TO
refer to tie Committee Elections. This subject,
being Of judicial character, did not belong, as he
conceived, TO that committee, which alone
stued 10 investigate elections OF contes ted chsrac
ter where there were two sets of claimants. In this
such question arises-t is a que son involv-
ing the sovereignty Of the States and entirely judi
cIal IN IFS character and from this view of the facts
he was Of opinion that the proper To pursue,
TO guarantee TO the States interested in this qucs-
ton their rights, was to refer the whole subject to
Committee OF the Whole House, where those into.
rested would have an open and fair opportunity Of
indicating their rights. lie here gave way for
Mr.. WENTWORTH, who rose and addressed
the House as follows
I, is with feelings Of extreme dclicacy that J. new
member, and the youngest upon this floor, arise To
address you at This early stage of our session ard
u painful consideration that | must make my fret
speech frat not only on his floor, but first the
floor Of sny legislative body whatever --upon funo-
real subject. But have lost n f. end and 30 have
you, sir Aud so has the State Of III nos and 50 our