Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-05-10

move the appointment OF select Committee to
investigate the circumstances of this case, both
as an act of justice to the individual himself, and
as the right of the American people. whose rep.
resen,a'ive was each Senator on this floor.
Mr. Fairfield said, that having been fellow
boarder for some time past with the Senator
elect, and formerly we'll acquainted with him,
he would undertake to pronounce that he was
rs capable Of performing his duties here as any
member of this body ; that he had been allie
ted, and still labored under physical debility he
did not deny. While he protested against the
right of this body to take the course proposed
he was instructed by the Senator from Connec-
ticut, To say that he waived all objection, ana
would freelv accede 20 the investigation.
The Chair asked if the Senator from tennes
see would reduce his resolution to writing?
After a pause, the resolution was sent to the
desk and read, as follows:
Resolved. That the credentials Of Hon. J. NJ
Niles be referred ia Select Committee of five,
whose duty it shall be to enquire into the cleo
ton, return, and qualifications of SAID Senator
elect, and his capacity, at this time, to take the
oath required by the Constitution.
Mr. fairfield thought the resolution would en-
brace sufficient ground, if the latter clause, re-
specting his capacity, sc. were omitted
AIR Jarnigan consented to the Modification.
The resolution, as modified, was read
Mr. Fairfield SAID that some around him were
etill dissatisfied with the form of the resolution,
doubling The constitutional power OF this body to
the extent covered by the resolution, and he
would suggest the addition of the following
Said Senator elect waving all constitutional
objections to this course
Mr. Crtendcn felt great delcacy in approach
ing this subject, but he was constrained TO say
that, as it struck him, The resolution did not, as
now drawn, embrace the only real inquiry in this
rha If I bo -f Tor
ncal character, and in the form prescribed by the
Constitution, which looked to age, citizenship,
&c. as the notifications necessary for seat in
this body. The question WAS novel, and OF
great deicacy; he would suggest, therefore,
that as the Senate was thin at this time the whole
business should lie ON the table until there was
full attendance.
Mr. Allen was DESTROYS that there Should be
no delay about forms. Ii the resolution did not
meet the views of the Senator from Kentucky,
as it now stood, let hun amend It, by inserting any
such language, not repugnantto the COnstltu-
ton, as would SATISFY him.
MIR Crttenden was somewhat embarrassed
with regard to the proper form of amendment,
but thought that the resolution should look TO the
menia competency of the individual.
Mr. Allen here interrupted him to say that. al
the request of the party most interested, (Nr
Niles, who sat at his sidc,) he would suggest
that the reso uton should be in the shape first
proposed, and let the inquiry COUGHING his fore
Ar (7r;,,andnn saiJ ,his would Lo sufficient
The resolntior v,,s thon rost,rod tn H.. oryinal
form.
,ha, ,'', " .,, I,. ,'rI Lo j., Tho
power of corrupt mon, hereafter il such there
should be, to take advantage OF the authority
herein claimed, in order to re ain numerical
j.; H.. ,'i'1',, ,La '1,,t;,,,, no So,
.t,- q Ioc,
Nrrr,,onJo, ,borrh, ,bo s,rros,io, If ,bo
S,,a, fr,.,, oLt,,,.a1i ,,o.,L,, ~ ,,,,,io-o,,,,
Tha cnas,ion u,s naval AMI If rrea, ;,nn,,r.
t,nco II, ,nnuiJ ,harof,ro NOW, -I,, ,bo nro
da,,i,Is Tho ro.,I,,io,, .nd ,lo ,,.hni, .,,Iio,,
ha l,iJ ~, III. ,obIo n,,iI U,nI,y nov.
Mr. Allen Insisted that all tho owls srnrosed
H.. w.; 'IIa s'.". a., Wv t '.o
SION nf ,hnsa uLo uoro o,,i,le1 f. s,,a,s bcra
uould eo,,Ilv rosur, from, \ to,r,,r,rre ,,,lu.
sim. There was M Necessity for delavinr ac.
tion in the cas-. when. for out5ht ,ye know, the
Senator has as much rirbi to vo,e here his d,v.
as any us.
Mr. Buchanan would dos;ro ,hot tho So,o,o
should act with entire unanimi,v in this matter
and that the question should he determined with
as little de Law As nossible. The ,ro,,Iopan was
nIaced in vcrv awkward nosi,inr hv h,vur
this question deferred. The constitutional oues.
tiou mich, NOT ari.oa, all ia b,d an,oroJ in
to an i,npljed understandng bn said Win son,e
Senators ON this side. WIN were alsan.. that No
question of nuhic ;,nnort,nce sLomId ho aclo1 on
during their absence.
Mr. Critlenden said that the constitutional
question had already been raised by the Senator
from Ohio, Mr. Tappan.) He xncw that some
of The Senators who were absent had thought
deeply on this subject. and thew ui,ri,t. soma of
tne"' De placed on this Committee. He con-
sidered mat tins question was one OF those en-
ofareo ny me obligations OF the Senator.
MIR Wright knew nothing of any such ar
10, 80 W. ,' "o"'u say s,ng'e word
NJ, ao, ,a. =, a', ',i p'oru' 1'e SENATE nee"
All J. u"n ~, u'''i t'e,G "ds 'u'i attehance'
an ue,ay 'usl oe pa'h'ul % me individual con-
nainfuI ''''''o"'''
Mr. C,;,o,ao, t
ponement. remark nr that he o,i, ';oo 'o' ro9,
meet mis- ore.,;nn 7no,i,, ivy '.' vas ~
L.