The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-10

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Committee of the Whole House on the state OF tn
Union W
The SPEAKER replied in the negative.
Several suggestions being made fiom all parts
the House, -.
TO the former decision of the chair. The only
thing he could do would be TO put the question OF
a reconsid Grafton, if any member proposed II,
The question was upon the resolution OF the gen
tleman from Virginia.
A member having moved the previous ques
ton,
MIR. SCHENCK arose to say he did not under
stand the call for the previous question he lei
| constrained TO say that the gentleman from Massa
cbusetts was endeavoring get the ear OF the chhr
while the decision was being made on the question
and he was sure the gentleman did not the
| decision was made when he arose IN reference 70
the matter. He therefore thought was due 10 ths
gentleman to give him hearing
| The SPEAKER again explained, by recapituia-
ton ofthe case, showing that the question could on
ly be again brought up by motion for a reconsider
alton of the vote just taken.
| Mr. SCHENCK thought it due to themselves 10
saw that when the gentleman arose to address the
House, he did not know that the Speakers decision
had been given and the question put
| Mr. r. CHAPMAN said few words sustaining
the views of Mr.. ROCKWELL.
| Mr. j. G. HOUSTON did not intend saying
ANYTHING in reference to the question: but as there
/ q
il ought to be in accordance with the rules OF the
House. He was confident that the Chair took the
proper course; but there seemed TO be some msun-
derstanding about facts, some believing that the
| Speaker had not yet put the question. now, u
there was to be reconsideration of the vote 1t was
as well TO put it anew. For his part, he thought
with his colleague that the Speaker did not put the
question at all. That was his opinion; but 1t the
gentleman from Illinois persisted in his motion for
a reconsideration, the question ought to be put anew
| from the chair.
Mr. T. SMITH made one or two remarks, con-
curing with the last speaker; when
| Mr.. MCCONNELL inquired whether the gentle
man had voted in the majority.
Mr.. JONES observed, that if the Speaker had
once decided the question, it could not come up
again; he therefore insisted that the House should
adhere to the Speakers decision unless some gem
tleman who voted in the majority moved for re-
consideration.
Mr.. G. DAVIS briefly dissented to the decision
of the Chair, observing that it was always important
to look closely at decisions affecting the rights OF
members
The motion for reconsideration was put and
lost.
The SPEAKER said the next question before
the House was the motion to elect chaplain
When the Clerk had read the resolution,
Mr.. PETIT arose to move that the words IN the
resolution of different denominations" be stricken
out He could not see what the object was IN ask
ing for two chapains Of different denomnations, un-
less to foist error on the House He always thought
there could be but religion, one true church,
| one baptism. Laughter Suppose there came to
them ain oldschool Presbyterian, unlike his divine
master, seeking for high places; and also minister
of the true and apostolic. church, in the
one House they elected the orthodox candidate, In
the other the heterodox; but, if either was the true
promulgator of the truth, why not have two such
There were two candidates Of the same denomi-
nation, who offered themselves. One had long oc-
cupied the ofce the other was in the city, and had
received (Christian preacher!) democratic nomi-
nation for the Office. [Laughter.] BY being COM
PEELED to choose two chaplains OF different denomi-
nations, they were compelled to elect one that prop
| agated error.
He wished not to abrogate the rule. He spoke
the truth from his heart when he said he would be
glad to see the House opened every morning with
prayer. But he despised to see n commissioned
general from tho Almighty-[The remainder Of this
sentence lost at the desk at the left OF the Speak
err, many other portions OF his remarks very
| imperfectly heard He would be glad to see a
man who sustained high character for purity, for
learning and for consiser cy, invited by resolution
of the House by name-the Rev. DR.. - So-and-so
Let him be man of established reputaton-let him
officiate az chaplain during the session; and let the
members resolve individually that they would hand.
somely compensate him.
perhaps trouble the House with few letters which
| he had received upon this subject. But on this
amendment he asked that the restriction be stricken
out, and they be left free to select whom they
pleased.
any debate on this question. The resolution was
in strict conformity with what he believed to be the
uniform practice of this House since the foundation
| of this government. He thought any debate or
this question (for they had had some debate on il
for the last few years) would result finally in an al
most unanimous vote in favor of the resolution il
plna there
FORE to save the time of the House, and allow them
to proceed TO other business, he asked the previous
question.
Mr.. PETIT. Will that cut of other amend
mentsl
The SPEAKER replied that it would.
Mr. PETIT. wished TO offer another.
The demand for the previous question was Sec
| onded--ayes 80, noes not counted.
Mr. PETIT asked for the yeas and nays on the
, amendment which were refused.
The question being taken, the amendment was re-
jected-Mr. PETIT voting very nearly alone In Its
favor.
The SPEAKER announced the question to be or
the original resolution.
Mr.. PETIT. believe will ask to be excused
from voting on the adoption of the resolution; and
l will state my reasons.
The SPEAKER. Does the gentleman ask to be
excused
Mr.. PETIT. will state my reasons.
| The SPEAKER. The gentleman has right to
ask to be excused, and to state succnctly his rea-
sons therefor.
Mr. PETIT was proceeding with his reasons,
when
Mr.. HENLEY called him to order for irrelevant
cy in the reading of letters from candidates for the
chaplaincy.
The SPEAKER sustained the point Of order, and
requested the gentleman 10 proceed in order.
| Mr. PETIT, stating that he had read no letters,
proceeded to state that the first why he wish
cd m he excnsed was that he feared in case of tn
adoption of the resolution, that man would be
foisted upon them for this Office whose doctrines he
could not approve. Secondly: he feared a man
would be elected who would be too much engaged
in eectioneering to accord with the purity and the
spirit of the Christian religion. Thirdly: he asked
to be excused because he was prevented from offer
ing an amendment he had intended to offer, in order
to make the proposition palatabe, proper and con-
stitutionaI, by providing that the members of the
two houses should pay the chaplans themselves.
Mr. HENLEY interposed, remarking that It was
very evident to the whole House that this was all a
/ r. orncxx hv,