The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-01-22

The resolution was not received
resolution was submitted that the Commit
tee on the Judiciary be instructed 10 inquire whe-
ther there was any law for administering oaths
to applicants for pensions, and II not, to consider
the expedepcy of providing one.
Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON moved suspension
of the rules in order to go into Committee OF the
Whole, which motion, after one or two counts,
prevailed.
Mr. WINTHROP took the Chair, and the de-
bate was continued upon the reference OF the
.vt PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Mr.. STEWART, of Pa, and Mr.. McCAUS-
LEN, of Ohio, addressed the Chair almost SIM
ultaneously. The Chair assigned the floor to Mr..
Stewart unless his right was objected to as hay
ing already occupied the floor. Mr.. Stewart
asked the gentleman from Ohio, as matter Of
courtesy, TO allow him to make personal ex-
PLANTATION.
Mr.. MCCONNELL said if nobody else object
ed, he would.
MIR. McCAUSLEN then addressed the COM
mittee. He advocated the rights Of the West,
but did not wish to have this subject Of improy-
ing the western rivers made an isolated question.
The interests involved were of a national, not
local, character. The gentleman from N. York
says New York is great State, and pays 10th
and If the officers Of the Government al New
York collected the revenue, il was the West that
paid the duties What made New York great
State ?-the West and her rivers. Mr.. McC.
spoke in terms OF strong disapprobation Of what
he had heard in the House about dividing the
Union; such language ought never to be indulg-
ed in here. There was no sentiment among the
people to justify it.
MIR. STEWART, of Pa, and Mr. Boards
LEY, of N. Y, rose next
The CHAIR gave the floor to the latter gen.
tlen,an.
Mr. STEWART again appealed strongly to
the courtesy of the gentleman entitled to the
floor TO allow him to make some explanation; he
promised not to allude to the disgracefu scene in
the House yesterday, except in language strictly
decorous.
Mr.. BEARDSLEY refused to yield. Mr.. B.
believed the power to appropriate money for the
improvement of the great navgable rivers OF the
country was to be found in the Constitution, and
he ridicued the idea of Mr.. Holmes, Of s. c., who
pretended to find this, one of the highest powers
conferred on the Government in an old ordinance
Mr.. SAMPLE, Of Ia, next addressed the COM
mttee.
Mr. PETIT, of Ia, had but twelve minutes
(before the subject was to be taken out Ct COM
mi,tce) to speak, which time he improved in max
ing speech studded with gems of eloquence.
The hour of two having come round. the de-
bate ceased and the resolution of reference, with
its amendments was voted on All other amend
ments were voted down, and the original reso-
luton which refers the subject of the West
ern rivers to the Committee on Commerce, was
adopted.
SMITHSONIAN FUND,
The resolution to refer this subject to Select
Committee, was changed into one for reference to
the Joint Committee on the Library.
The Committee then rose, and the SPEAKER
resumed the Chair.
Mr.. REDING, of N. H., moved the previous
question on the report Of the committee.
Mr.. STEW ART, of Pa, again appealed to the
courtesy of the House to allow him hearing,
but resistance was made in several quarters
principally, however, and with great tenacty OF
purpose, by
Mr.. MCCONNELL, of Ala, who moved, with
his cane raised, and pointed towards Mr., Stewart,
that the gentleman's appeal be laid on the floor
and if he have any explanations to make mat ne
! should make them out OF doors. He (Mr. McC.)
was for making an individual job of it.
After considerable time spent in alteration on
the point of allowing privilege, never before
denied, OF members making personal expla-
nation,
Mr.. SCHENCK, of Ohio, suggested that on
the question of voting, the gentleman from Penn
sylvania could assign his reasons for desiring 10
be excused.
The yeas and nays were then called tor on
agreeing to the report Of the committee, and
Mr.. STEWART rose to be. excused from
voting. He appealed TO every gentleman in the
House to bear witness that he had never uttered
single word that justified the personal assaults
that had been made upon him in so many differ
emf quarters One error he acknowl lodged TO
have committed, that Of attempting to respond
at all to the member (Mr. Weller) Of Ohio. Had
he known as much about that gentleman before
he did this, as he now knew, he would not have
done it.
Mr.. C. JOHNSON here raised point Of order,
and the Speaker sustained him in it. Mr.. Stew.
art was therefore again interrupted, and Obliged
to take his seat.
Mr.. WINTHROP moved that the gentleman
from Pennsylvania have leave TO proceed in
order, and demanded the yeas and nays. The
House gave him leave by vote OF ~ to Is.
Mr. STEWART thanked the Hcuse, and was
about to proceed, hut was soon interrupted again
by the Speaker, whereupon be said ne would
......,. h;c rryht IN epook and ask the House.