Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1844-01-05

90 30.
Mr.. Adams. The explanation Of the gentle
man leaves him still 10 wha, Judge Chase once
called "a sequitur." 1t does no, follow S |
apprehended, that this II Iuse is a, liberty to
fuse q petition because IT asks Congress 10 DO
what Congress has no, power 10 do. Suppose,
is the in many Of these petitions, the pc
tiioners put their prayer IN the form OF petition
for the amendment Of the Constitution, 50 that
what they wish may be cons,tu'lonally done,
land such is the prayer Of the Massachusetts, res
uiuiions IL can be no objection 10 the reception
Of sIch petition that The object sought to DC
obtained 10 not now constitutional; for the very
thing prayed for IS an alteration OF tho Consiitu>
ton and the Constitution itself provides that
such propositions for It's amendment may be made.
Congress has always power to propose amend
nents 10 the Constitution: this IS secured 10 it
by the Constitution ,tself; and therefore II can
not be unconstitutional TO pray for II. Every
body has figh, 50 10 pray; IL is oae Of The lib
critics Of American frecmen. And say further
that II any description or class OF petitions de
more especial respect from this House than
others it is prayers for the amendment Of the
Constitution. Wha, would become Of this House
# every VI its members preciuded from
the right Of petu,oning for an amendment Of the
Constitution? Yet do not see but that follows
from the genieman's doctrine, for It the House
has power 10 receive propositions TO amend
the Constitution, 1t might, il seems to me, prohib
1t every of its members from presenting
Mr.. French explained, in substance, that he
hal not sad that Congress might not receive Pc
t!!Ions for The amendment of the Constitution.
MIR. Adams. l now understand tho gentleman
ns expressly discaiming what yesterday under
stood INN distinctly affirming. hope that
The genleman will no, vote to receive any Pc
iItions The prayer OF which IS for an amendment
oi The Constitution, tho ground that the pets
tion IS violation Of the Constitution
klr. A., III conclusion, said | htve already
tres SaeH Inn Of tha
and will nj presen, say no more; unless II be
say, that, although am not in The habit Of
making broad and unqualified professions Of ut
tachment 10 the Union, ! am new iheless devo
led to tho Union aud dev oted to the Constitution
My whole lilo hitherto has been devoted to the
supper, Of both, and all my rem,ining days uron
earth. which IN the course Of nature can be but
few, shall DO IN the Same manner dedicated to
support and to sustain both tho Union and the
Constitution. Bat | do not, therefore, pledge
my sell not to present petitions either Of my
OF my States 10 amend the Constitution. That
IS within the power of this House but IT is not
within The power Of this House to refuse 10 re-
ce'vo petition to amend the Constitution in any
Of its parts.
Mr.. Beardsy | hope the House will give
the gentleman the committee which no himself
desires.
Mr.. Kennedy Of Indiana. And that it may ba
composed altog e,her Of Massachusetts men, that
may what they will do.
quest Of many members. he would withdraw his
motion to refer 10 the Committee on the JUDI
ciary.
So tho motion withdrawn.
Tho pending question motion Of Mr..
Adams, TO refer the resolutions to select COM
mitee.
Alter brief conversation, the question was Ia
ken, and decided in the affirmative withou,
division.
50 tho resolutions were referred TO q seec,
committee TO consist Of nine members.
Friday 22], among other papers resented TO
the senate wero resolutions of the Tennessee
Legislature protesting against army order in
Juriously affecting Gen. Gaines. After an Exec
utive session, the Senate adj burned to Tuesday.
In tho House, the Massachusetts amendment 10
the Constitution camo up IN order, and, nfer
q proirac.ed discussion. referred to a selec,
committee Of nine. The call for petitions for the
States was then Como through with, after which
the House adj burned TO Tusday.
On the goth, in the Senate, petitions presented for
the improvement Of the Savapnah River-makng ap
preparation for bridge OHIO River Nation-
al Rond-and from the council of Alexandria,
asking that Ia, banks that may recharterei
of the of Lakes Huron and
by means Of around the falls Mays, afap
the doors opened when executive during all b
slnes', save when treaties under discus.on-and
ther, calling for statement OF the expenditures CO.
vcrntncnt. from s present.
faere andfo rhat purposes these expenditures made
Ials Viii DO important document, and viii make
some astounding disclosures of the amount OF
paid quarters Nothing of importance occurred
the HoIso excepting resolution allowing transfer
DO nude by the Secretary of tho Navy of appropriations
from ene iund 20 another bu, i, doubtful whether will
be adopted.
On the 2ith, in the Senate Mr.. Ahen's resolution III
reari TO setting with doors in executive
by his motion. laid table. Mr. Walkers resolution
sasrn tied yeserday expenditures the
@4yssaen after some remarks by Messs Walker, Evans
aud woodbury.. vas adopted In the House. resolution
capg for list of soldiers Of war or ,ei. hers.
who had vet received their land bounty ana balances
OF pension, after debate adopted This reso.
Mr.. Hale, calling Home squadron expenses
taken up; Mr.. H. said that ttn-
out corrcsncndng benefit aud that
issod MIR lngersoi thought that rtreachment should
taxa aaee At the Capital rather than the Navy and
'hat ne snond move an adjournment Of both Houses
ne on the lst OF May. Mr. Adams the ground tha,
there TOO much expenditure in the navy, and tina,