The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-12-26
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
TUESDAY, Dec. 26, l843
PRAYER by the Rev. Mr.. Tusros.
The Journal of Frday--last was then read by the
CLERK; after which
Mr. WILKINS rose TO present resolution
Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON rose and inquired the bu-
siness first in order'
The CHAIR replied to tho satisfaction OF MIR.
johnson, and informed him that the resolution of MIR.
King, of New York. instructing the Committee on
the Post Office and Post Roads in relation to the
duction of postage, being the unfinished business,
the first in order.
The resolution then read
Mr.. WILKINS then moved a suspension of the
rules to allow him 10 present a resolution.
1t was read for the Information Of the House.
Here irregular debate of desultory character
arose, which the CHAIR decided to be out of order.
Mr.. ADAMS called the attention of the CHAIR to
the unfinished business, and asked il the resolution
referring the Presidents Message to its appropriate
committees not the first in ordcr'
The CHAIR replied that his object could only be
reached by going into Committee of the Whole to
whom this subject had been referred, and which had
not reported to the House their proceedings.
Mr. CAVE JOHNSON rose and called the atten-
ton of the SPEAKER TO the rules of the House.
The CHAR said his views wer, incorrect
The Speaker then put the question upon suspend
ing the rules. to allow Mr.. Wilkins to present his
resolution; which decided in the negative.
MIR. BARNARD rose to point of ORDER and
gave long history in relation to the business which
he conceived to be in order
The CHAIR explained, and said the rules upon
this subject appeared to him to be explicit and read
them, to which he adhered
MIR. KING said he did not wish to consume the
time of the House, that his resolution not to in
struct the Committee the Post Office and Post
Roads, but simply TO request them to act upon the
resolution, that the subject relation to the reduc-
ton of postage might be acted upon at once-ths
all he desired.
Mr.. CARROLL rose and argued this subject at
some length. He said, if the People of this Union
demanded this reduction whether the Department
able to sustain itself not, he for would feel
himself bound to go in favor of a reduction. lie
thought this subject had been brought forward pre-
maturey, before all the petitions uPon the subject
had been presented to the House.
Mr.. DAVIS, Of New York. replied to his objec-
TONS and in favor OF bringing the subject before
the House by the Committees acting promptly
thereon He proposed TO his colleague Mr.. Car.
roll to amend the resou ion to meet his objec
tlo,s.
The question required upon the luton with in
struc,ions and it carried 10 the affirmative.
Mr.. LEVY asked the indulgence of the House 70
allow him to present resolution; to which objec
ton made. He then said he should not trouble
the House with any petitions.
The CHAIR then called the Territories of Iowa
and Wisconsin.
MIR. C. J. INGERSoLL moved 10 suspend the
rules.
1t decided in the negative
The CHAIR then called the States for petitions
commencing at Arkansas and a very large number
of which were presented and appropriately referred.
Mr.. GlDDlNGS presented petition, the purport
OF which wss to instruct the Committee the Judi
ciary to report 10 this House the proprety Of so
amending the laws Of the District of Columbia, as TO
prohibit the buying and selling of slaves, sc.
The CHAIR decided that it came within the rules,
and could not be received
The call then proceeded.
Here there was debate Of explanatory cha
racter between Messrs. CAVE Johnson, BpLAcx and
BRoADHEAD, in relation to the proper course Of re-
ference, &C.
Mr.. BRODHEAD then moved tina, the petition
which he had presented, in relation to the establish
ment of National Foundry be referred TO select
committee.
The question was then put and decided in the alir-
native.
The call again proceeded until it arrived at the
State OF Massachusetts,, when
Mr.. ADAMS presented several petitions Of pr
vae and public character, which were appropriately
referred. He presented in relation to slavery
which the Chair decided 10 come within be rules and
it returned 10 him. He then presented one
praying Congress TO abolish any rules which affected
the right Of petition.
lie presented one in relation to slavery and the
slave trade, which the Chair decided came within
the rules, and IT was returned TO him.
lie also presented one containing two or three
prayers which the Chair decided came within the
rules
MIR. ADAMS disseuted, and hoped the Chair woud
lei IL go TO the Committee, who would only take cog
nzance OF that part which did not come within the
rules and which had been done at The last session of
Congress.
The CHAIR replied that he was aware of the gen.
teman's objections but he could not well separate
the various subjects, and all would consequently get
into the possession of the House. by a reception
Mr. ADAMS appealed from the decision of the
Chair, aud demanded the yeas and nays
II was put, and decided in the negative
Mr.. ADAMS called for tellers; when Mes.rs
Cave Johnson and winthrop were appointed teers
who reported 10 the House that no quorum had yo-
ted when
MIR ADAMS called for another count.
1t was ordered, and the telles reported that quo
rum had voted, and that the call for the yeas and
nays had been seconded
The CHAIR then distinctly stated the question to
the House, from which Mr.. Adams had appealed
The ques ion then required "Shsll the aeosion Of
The Chair stand as the judgment of the Houselp
II was decided by yeas and nays, as follows-yeas
los, nays 40.
So the decision of the Chair was the Judgment of
the House.
Mr.. ADAMS arose and presented several petitions
oil private aud public nature, which were appro.
priately referred
The CHAIR then called upon the State of New
Hampshire.
Mr. HAMllN rose and presented petition Of
widow OF an American seaman who had recently
married. and who, by the decision of the Navy De.
Paftment, was decided not to be a widow; making
gisuncuon between those # the Army and the Navy.
tie moved that the petition be referred to the Commit
"e on Nsnai Affairs, 10 which II was referred.
huer une states had been called through the
Speaker called upon the Committees for r.nor,s
Mr. PARMENTER reported a bin from the Com.
oa.,e on Navs Affairs IN relation TO transfer of
certain iunds' VIII cb was read twice, when
,,S hr IAknnNTtR explained the object of this bill,
ana SAID that, IN consequence # the exhaustion of
,ne iunds appropriated Tor h, particular branch NJ
.he service, large number Of workmen had been
uuroWn out oil employment, and this bill was intend.