Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-12-11

There may be differences Of opinion the powers which
ths constitution coners upon but the purposes Tor when
was created inscribed upon its face in language which
cannot be msconsued 1t ordained and established =
form more perfect union, establish justice, domestic
tranquility provide for the defence, promote the
general welfare and the blessings Of liberty to ourselves
and our posery."
Union JUSTICE domestic tranquility the defence,
the general welfare and the security of liberty for and Tor
those who shall come alter US thus the great objects Tor
which we are to exercise whatever have been entrusted
to u.s. And hazard nothing in saying that there have been
few periods in national history when the eyes of the whole
people have been turned nteny and anxous to-
wards the Capitol than they at this moment to see what
to be DONE here and for the vndcaon and promo
ton Of these lofty ends.
Let resolve then, that those eyes shall at least witness
part duties discharged with dgence deliberations
Quoted with dignity, and efforts honestly and earnestly made
for the peace, prosperity, and honor Of the Republic.
shall esteem it the highest privilege of my public life if
shall be permitted contribute any thing these results by
faithful and impartial administration Of the Office which have
now accepted.
The oath of office, required by the sixth article Of the
Constitution, and prescribed by the act of Congress of
June ], 1889, to wit: "Ihat oH support The Constau
lion Of the United Sate then administered to the
Speaker by Mr.. JoaS Q. ADAMS
The SPEAKER announced that the next act TO be done
in the organization of the House administer the oath
Cor airmaon) of office to the other members present. and
TO that end he would therefore, direct the Clerk call the
The roll then called over, and the oath Cor ar
aon as stated above administered by the Speaker
all the other members present.
On motion Of Mr. WHITE, it was
Ordered That message be sent to the Senate inform
that body that quorum of the House Of Representatives has
assembled, and that RoBERT O. WINTHROP, one of the Re-
presenatves from the State of Massachusetts, has been
chosen Speaker and that the House ready to proceed
business and that the Clerk do go with said message
Mr. C. J. INGERSOLL moved the following resolution
Rcolred That select committee be charged with the
vision amendment and smpfcaton of the rules of this
House.
The resolution having been read by the Clerk
Mr. C. j. INGERSOI.L remarked that he had merely to
say reference this resolution that at the beginning Of
the 2sh Congress committee appointed for the purpose
contemplated by this resolution committee Of which Mr.
Davis, the late Speaker, was member That committee
was ndustrousy employed for several days. and he reco
ected that they expunged about forty old laws There were
many laws which nobody understood For his part others
did, he confessed he did understand them and he wished
see this House dsencumbered of multiplicity of laws
which were of no utility The laws to govern the House
should be as simple possible They embar
raised with the slave question, which involved pre-
vious occasions they could therefore, frame simple
rules by which the public would be benefited and every
gentleman who has had experience in such matters would be
satisfied At present they had rules than were for
their good. That all he had to say.
Mr.. TRUMAN SMITH suggested to the gentleman from
Pennsylvania Mr IsGERsoLL) difficulty which would arise
if the course he indicated pursued Adopt the resou
ton Of the gentleman from Pennsylvania, and until the
mittee shall report the House would be without rules.
Mr.. C. J. INGERSOLL. So much the better. We shall
then be governed by the parliamentary law, which is
preferable.
Mi. TRUMAN SMITH apprehended that that would not
L. n,
rules Of the House must adopted least temporarily
enable them TO the organization Of the House
Until rules were adopted they could have sergeanta
Arms as authority for that appointment found in the
old parliamentary law. And il he mstook not, there
rule in the nature of the previous question in the parliament
tary law.
Mr. C. j. INGERSOLL. So much the better.
Mr. TRUMAN SMITH, Tin continuaton) The difficult
ties in which they would be involved would be nteminabe
avoid which he would to amend the resolution by
striking out all after the word resolved and inserting in
substance Prorded That the ordinary rules and orders Of
this House in force the end Of the last session shall be the
rules and orders Of this House unit the third Monday of De-
cembe Is47 with the exception (and he made it at the
quest of some gentlemen around hm) of the 33d,
hour rue-[seveml voices oh, strike it utand that
committee be appointed 10 take the entire subject into cons
Iteration.
Mr.. BARRINGER said he held in his hand resolution
which, with the permission of the gentleman from Connect
cut (Mr saITu) he would read, and submit amend
ment TO the resolution Of the gentleman from Pennsylvania,
(Mr c. j. INGEnsoIL) believing that it would accomplish
the object contemplated by the gentleman from Connecticut
II was as follows
Resolred That the rules Of the House Of Representatives,
they existed the close OF the last session OF Congress-
be for the present adopted the rules OF this House, and
that committee be appointed to revise and report to this
and
deemed advisable
Mr.. TRUMAN SMITH replied that, if a resolution were
adopted in that general form, the rules would become
binding the House for the entire session and hence, in
stead Of the words for the present. in his amendment he
had preferred the words until the third Monday of Deem
ber ls47" He however, adopted the amendment OF the
gentleman from North Carolina, with modification
The Clerk the request Of several gentlemen again read
the resolution as amended follows
ReOied That the rules of the House OF Representatives.
they existed the close of the last session oil Congress-
be- until the third Monday of December, 1917, adopted as
the rules of this House, except the hyhrd rule ana mat
committee appointed revise the rules and report TO this
House such attentions and amendments may be deemed
advisable.
Mr.. TRUMAN SMITH further urged the necessity OF
limiting the OF operation Of these rules. II they adopt
cd them indefinitely il would be impossible to pass through
this House any modification of them, and in many respects
he desired to see them modified The onehour rule should
be modified and there others that equally required mo-
d6caton which he would audc to only IN general
he all and