The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1848-09-07

a special Committee was debated at considerable
length, and seems to have been decided in favor
OF a special Committee, principally for the fol-
lowing reasons, assigned by Senator Davis, OF
Massachusetts, who was member OF the stand
ing Committee, and who said -" Looking at the
motion rather a matter of courtesy, than in any
other light, he for one, would be glad TO send il
to a special Committee; because it was desired
by the gentlemen OF the South. He viewed this
peculiarly southern interest, and was willing
the gentlemen from that section OF the country
should present to the Senate their views-south-
ern gentlemen certainly best knew their own
embarrassments in relation to this matter. 1t
seems not only courteous but parliamentary, that
those who are most vitality interested, should first
present us with their views"
"Mr Ewing also took the same view of the
subject, and said Congress had been called upon
in all quarters by the public press to act upon the
subject, and gentlemen from the South best knew
how to satisfy public expectation The motion
carried without dissenting voice as appears BY
the records and Mr.. Calhoun, Mr.. King OF Ga,
Mr. Mangum Mr. Davis OF Mass. and Mr. Linn,
constituted the Committee.
son the 4th OF Feb. 1886, about six weeks al
ter the reference, that committee made very
long report, drawn up by Mr. Calhoun, and ac-
companied by bill of five sections in length,
prohibiting oil Postmasters in the Union from
receiping and putting tnto the mail ANY written
or printed matter pictorial representation,
touching the subject of slavery addressed to any
person or office in any State, Territory, or dis
trict where, by the laws of the SAID State, Terri
tory or District, their circulation was prohibited
and prohibiting the delivery OF any such mat
ter to any person, requiring the Postmaster Cen
eral to dismiss from Office any Postmaster that
should violate the act; making 1t an offence pun
lshable by heavy hne; requiring the papers to
De burnt alter certain time, and also containing
variety of other regulations.
"Mr. Davis of Mass, rose and said that as he
was member OF the committee, he would re-
mark, that the views contained in the report did
not entirely meet his appreciation, though it con-
tanned many things which he approved of. Mr.,
Klng OF Georgia, and Mr.. Linn, also stated that
they had dSsented to the report, but did not fulv
concur in all Of it. Mr. Mangum assented and
concurred fully in all respects and on his motion
i've thousand of the Report and Bill were
printed
In April, 1886, the bill thus introduced was
taken up and debated. In the course of this de-
bate, Mr. Morris, an abolitionist from Ohio. and
who was subsequently the Liberty party candi-
date for the Vice Presidency, stated in the de-.
pate substantially, that the parliamentary rule
was to give the friends OF the measure or bill
every possible opportunity to amend, perfect and
remodel it, in all ats stages previous to ats being
put upon ais final passage, and he remarked
"OpPosed myself both TO the Bill and amend
ment, upon the broad principle that its passage
wouid De an abuse OF the Legitimate power of
Congress- its details are, to my mind OF but little
Importance, for cannot possibly see any shane
In which the principle contained, both in the
amendment and in the Bill, could be presented IN
my understanding, that would induce me to vote
for it."
ln all cases, is this rule considered as obigoto
~ upon the presiding officer of legislative bodv
though hamseT opposed to measure, he is TO
give committee from the friends of the hill and
not put child to nurse that cares not for If In
case OF tie vote in any stages of bill pre vops
70 It's hnal passage, it is claimed by the friends of
'hat Dill as an act OF courtesy, as in accordance
WIN STRICT ana customary parliamentary practice
mat the casting vote be given in their favor that
they may have every chance to perfect their
measure, previous to its final trial.
NO hnal action was had upon the Bill at this
uhe' mere the matter slept until the 30th day
OF April, when Mr.. Grundy of Tenn. introduc.
ed substitute for the whole Bill, which vas NOT
acted upon until the Sd OF June after. THIS
SOBSTlTUTE CONFINED THE PROHIBI
TON TO THE DELIVERY OF MAIIARIr
MATTER, PROHIBITED BY THE LAWS
OF THE STATES WHERE THEY WE'RE
~ BE DELIVERED, AND HAD NO PEN
Atty ATTACHED BY WAY OF FINE,
MI calhoun moved an amendment to the
-, oiii winch was IOSt the Senate heinz
equally divided. Mr.. Grundy's substitute was
then adopted by the Senate ,oithout n division
mus lar all had been done in Committee of tho
Whole The substitute was now reported to Tho
senate, when Mr.. Calhoun again renewed the
motion lost in committee, and 1t was again lost
mere Inc amendments made In committee h.,
striking out the original Bill and ADOPTING Nj
0fundy rs substitute, were also agreed to in the
senate, aud the question being nov immediately
cailed Tor, on the engrOsSment of the biI a.
amended, for its third reading, the Senate was
equally divided, and Mr.. Van Buren,, as President
oil the Senate voted in favor of the engrossnent
and thus sent the bill down to its las3 etriaIto'
the test vote called in its legislation, third read.
ing or maj passage. The third reading canno,
De on me same day of the engrossnent, and here
me matter rested until the 9Th of June when tha
olll was PVT upon its final passage; was debated
curing the day, and rejected by vote of nineteen
~ favor OF, and twenty-five against it-sersn
senators voting against the bill, on its fnol noa
sage, VINO did not vote against its engrossmet
line head and 'front.' OF Mr.. Van Rmren,.
"oHending, has this extent and nothing mora ,,
ne SIMPLY In compliance with uniform role IF
parliamentary courtesy, gave his casting vote on
ue Vo.e IN the Senate ordering the engross,ns,,t
o. Mr.. Grundy's substitute for Mr., Caboun,s IN,
mus enabling the friends and opponents Of this
Ill