Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-02-01

III l
ask for no immediate action; | submit resolution
but call upon you, the presiding officer OF this
House OF Representatives, TO protect It's members from
interruption, inconsistent with deberaton, and es
tremey injurious TO the we'll being OF body which,
trust without distinction of party, will feel that all
are equally in.e! sed TO pot end 10 such abuses
Mr.. ID. p KING addressed the House st some
length in rclatoa to the resolution OF Tue Legislature
Of Massachusetts, tor the am ndma.t CT the Consllu
ton; IN the of which he stated that the petitions
upon which that resolution was founded were signed
by $4,000 freemen of Massachusetts,
Mr.. GILMER inquired, whether that petition was
not drawn up and signed by runaway negro from Vir
Mr.. KING replied, that to that, after he ran
away, if his freedom was purchased, he was Tree
Mr. GILMER Purchased without the consent Of
MIR KING proceeded He presumed the petition
was signed by feemen only for, in Massachusetts,,
they had slaves every man created In the image OF
his Maker
Mr. King was here called to order by several men,
bers.
The SPEAKER observed that the gentleman could
not be permitted to proceed, objection was made.
MIR. CLlNGMAN moved that the gentleman have
leave to proceed in order
Leave being granted
MIR. KING proceeded and debate ensued
upon points of order after which
MIR. WISE wished to say word on this matter
The gentleman from Tennessee (Ar. G. Johnson) had
called on the members of the House to say what they
knew ABOUT inns man, In ms character OIL letter writer,
for that he letter writer, could not be denied.
Nathan Sergeant not the floor 10 speak for hun
SELF and he therefore would not interfere with his cha
racter If he connected with the privileges Of
the House. AS he was thus called 10 speak of thai,
mans character, connected in sort with the
House, he would say, of his personal knowledge,
corroborated by his letters, and corrobora!ed by the
oaths Of respectable Witnesses Of the courts Of
this District that he most mendacous letter
ter continually false his statements relative to
bers Of Congress, and proceedings of the House, and
this proved upon him by the oa,hs of respectable
witnesses examination in of the courts OF this
District. Furthermore what he knew of his character
was that when called upon personally to account for
his lies, this mans coward,ce proved to be
rate only with his mendacity.
MIR. &. JOHNSON made remarks which, from
the noise of conversation in parts OF the House,
the reporter could not hear. He understood, how
ever to express the opinion that some measure ought
TO he adopted to put stop TO the license taken by let
ter writers, and TO limit the number admitted the
floor, which produced confusion in the House and
among the members He therefore submitted dis
tnct motion, that reporters be admitted within the
bar of the House, bet these belonging to the city pa
pers. This his opinion, tue only way to get rid
Of the abuses they committed
The SPEAKER remarked TO the gentleman from
Tennessee that his proposition that went
change Of rules, and could not be introduced without
notice.
Mr. C. JOHNSON then said that he would, on the
first opportunity, give the required notice.
III.
opinion the best conclusion of the proceedings in
the very mode suggested by the gentleman. Surely,
if there in that char the power and right and
vigor sufficient II keep this House IN ORDER and pre-
vent these ebulitions Of temper from member TO
another, the dignity of the body, which supposed
10 concentrate, some measure, that of the nation
was at end. The power must extend in a circle
from the Chair control and keep in order not only
all who members OF the body but those who, BY
courtesy, were permitted TO within the hall to
cord lis proceedings The remedy not 10 be found
in a motion to expel-exctng those very feelings that
ought to be suppressed-but in the exercise of the
power of the Char. So help him God, had the hon
or fallen on him TO preside that body, he
would not hesitate instant to cnll to order any
member, be he the most distinguished the most hum
Bile, if he ransgressed against those rules of courtesy
and decorum which should characterize their proceed
ngs and if necessary, would call for The assistance OF
the House to aid him in preserving ORDER and if any
reporter letter writer should interfere to excite angry
feelings among the members, and misrepresent what
took place here, he would expel him with ignominy
He the families of members would bless the pre-
siding officer peace maker, for pursuing such a
course.
Mr. WINTHROP hoped, that whatever done
either by the House by the Speaker, would be done
at least after nights sleep. Hi remarked the cthe
day that the House had been engaged the discussion
ofhrst principles They had had the habeas corpus ac
under considerations and then the right Of petton anC
seemed 10 hun that they had the question OF the
freedom Of the press before them.
Mr. 2. KING called the gentleman to order, or
the ground, that there was no question before the
House.
Mr. HOLMES insisted that there was question be
fore the House. and that the member had right &c
proceed.
Mr. P KING made remarks the point o
order which the reporter could not collect, the po
ston Of the gentleman is such that he cannot be
and hardly heard, at the reporters desk.
The SPEAKER stated that the debate had been per
mted to proceed by the general consent Of the House
amounting, as the Chair thought, 10 suspension O
IL ..I-
order, after others had been permitted to speak
the subject.
Some further conversation took place: when
Mr. HOPKINS raised the point of order, that, a,
there was, in fact, question before the House on
which the previous question could be moved, and there
fore, no way Of terminating the discussion it was out
of order.
The SPEAKER again stating his opinion, and de.
Ginning to arrest the discussion,
Mr. HOPKINS appealed.
An irregular conversation ensued on the point in
volved, in which Messrs. DROMGOOLE, HOPKINS,
BARNARD, WINTHROP, CAVE JOHNSON, w.
HUNT, and SCHENCK, took part when motion
was made by some member to adjourn; and
The SPEAKER was about putting the question on
adjournment: when
Mr.. SCHENCK insisted that motion to adjourn
was not in order while he had the floor.
The yeas and nays then taken on the adjourn
ment, and resulted as follows: yeas 50, nays l21.
Some irregular conversation then ensued, IN which
Mess's. PAYNE, BlDLACK, SCHENCK;, BAR
ly, the subject indefinitely postponed, the mo-
ton Of Mr.. McCLERNAND.
Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON then called for the orders OF
the day.
The SPEAKER said that the order of the day was
the report of the Committee on Rules; which Mr.
j. A. WRIoHr had the floor.
Mr. HARDIN moved adjournment; which was
withdrawn, after attempt 10 get the yeas and nays
thereon.
Several members wished the order Of the day II be
suspended it could not be expected that the gentle
man from Indiana could calmly discuss tina, import
ant question, after much excitement prevailed IN the
House.
And after conversation, the subject was postpo-
ned until tomorrow.
Mr. HOPKINS moved that the House resolve itself
into Committee of the Whole order to take up for
consideration the private bills upon the docket
The motion negatiyed, upon division &c rs-
ing in the affirmative and IS in the negative.
On motion Of Mr.. RAMSEY,
The House then adjourned.
WAsHiSGToS, January 90
CoscREss.-Immediately after the reading OF the