The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-01-26
INVENTIVE EIGHTH CONGRESS-.
FIRST sSION.
Senate.


WASHINGTON, Jan. ~, 18Th.
POSTAGE REDUCrfoN.-Mr. HUNTINGTON presen-
ted petition in favor of this object and he took
occasion to express his full and decided conviction
of the universal and strong public demand Tor this
reform.
HARBoR OF ER1E-More petitions in favor Of
completing these works by Mr. Buchanan.
Fox AND WISCONSIN RIVER Bi.L-Several fur
Their amendments were made in this bill.
The TARlFF.-Mr. BERRIEN rose to question Of
order The propliety of discussing the merits OF
the Senate. In the case the Senate should decide,
is it may, that it has no jurisdiction. no constltu-
onal power to take up this subject, it then follows
that the Senate has been discussing the merits OF a
question on which it has power to legislate.-
And he thought Improper to take the question first
upon the power of the Senate to legslate upon this
question And he denied that the remarks of the
Senator from New Hampshire Woodbury. might
De confined TO the question Of power to introduce a
BILL He wished to ascertain the sense OF the Sen
ate, whether It Is its pleasure to go into the discus
sion of the merits OF the whole subject. If it has
10 power to leglsate upon the main question, then
how can it be discussedl He wished direct vote
of the Senate either affirming CT denying its con-
.ttutiona powerto originate bill! OF this descrip
tion. If it decides in the affirmative, he would be
pleased to hear the discussion upon the meritsnol
otherwise.
Mr.. HUNTINGTON thought a great constitutional
question bad been raised, and ought TO be settled
by the Senate. First settle the jurisdiction of the
Senate, and then discuss its merits
MIR. ARCHER made remarks upon the same side OF
the question He would look upon stigma upon the
Senate if it should entertain discussion upon the merits
of his question and then should ultimately decide thai
had Jurisdiction in the premises. He also stated that
had learned from the other end OF the Capitol that the
House would shortly pass bill upon this subject
IN that the Senate would have it legtmaeiy before
hem.
MIR Archer moved that the whole subject be laid OF
the tabewith view to obtain division Of the question
and thus get decision Of the Senate upon its power to
originate this bill
MIR SEVER regretted that any opposition should be
IN the merits this OuestiOu
cited numerous examples in which discussions had bee
entertained by the Senate, which had never come to
results lie wanted light. The Senate had but little bu
sness before them and he hoped 1t would proceed for
few weeks in this discussion
Mr. BAGLEY thought the Senate had jurisdiction. He
willing to hear discussions but he wanted to vote
first upon the preliminary question Of jurisdiction.
Mr. ALLEN said he should vote against laying the
luton upon the table He did not wish to have the de-
bate arrested but he would propose to vote directly
on the question Of jurisdiction. He did not believe that
Senate had that clear and unequivocal jurisdiction
which would justify it in legsating upon the initiation
Of the question lie proposed to Mr. Archer to withdraw
notion and let the question be first taken upon the
matter of jurisdiction.
Mr. ARCHER said he had disposition to arrest debate
On the contrary he hoped at the proper time that this
very question would be fully and amply discussed He
gain renewed his motion to lay these resolutions upon
the table,
Mr. EVANS asked for division Of the question.
Here some points Of order were discussed
MIR. ARCHER disclaimed any discourtesy towards Mr.
Woodbury..
Mr. WOODBURY. admitted the truth Of Mr. Archer's dis
caimerand said he did not wish to make speech unit
he questions Of jurisdiction settled the Senate
esjred
Mr.. MonEnEAD would by all means allow Mr. McDuhi'
to reply.
The whole subject finally postponed till Monday
next, when it will be the special order ofthe day.
The Senate then went into Executive Session