The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-19
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION..
TUESDAY, December IS, 1919.
SENATE.

Alter the Journal had been read, the lntefFal en-
sued without the transaction of any business; and
| at one O'Clock
/ Mr.. MANG UNI rose and stated, that in part ex-
ecution of the order of the day, fixed for this hour,
lie desired To make proposal.
The PRESIDING OFFICER informed the SEN
ator from North Carolina that there was no order
of the day.
! Mr. MANGUM then moved that the Senate pro-
coed To the election of the chairmen OF the several
standing committees of the Senate, and the motion
| prevailed
Mr.. NJ said that il would be obvious that the
chairinen OF the several committees, whose names
he would read, had been chosen from the members
of that party who had the majority in the Senate.
Two years ago the Senate had baloted for the sew
eral chairmcn, and it slow and tedious pro-
cess. 1t was then agreed upon all sides that the
party having a majority should select three and
the other party two members OF each OF the stand
| ing committees This arrangement was made to
prevent the difficulty attending balloting. IL was
an arrangement not altogether in the present
| such the Wings desired, yet they must sub
| NIT to 1t, the thing resulting II the other
| course was pursued The motion he was now about
| to make similar to one made two years ago,
! and, II his memory served him right at the ses.
sion four years ago. The list has been prepared
| by the Democratic members Of the Senate and he
had been requested to present it to the Senate. He
moved that MIR. KING, of Alabama be appointed
Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations.
| The PRESIDING OFFICER stated that the mo-
| ton required unanimous consent.
| Mr.. HALE desired that should consider
MN dCtuatcu any laCtlOu5 spirit Wnen nc Will
held his consent to the adoption of any such propo-
| stion. Nor did he design taking up the time of
the Senate further than to express to the country
and the Senate the reasons why he did so. He OBJ
| jected to the course proposed, because Senators
chose to divide this body into too great political
parties, without any regard whatever to the opin-
ions interests of such Senators do not think
proper to into either of these two great parties
| Now, he held no fealty, and was under no obliga-
ton TO either of these two parties. He believed them
wrong in the principles upon which they were
| based. Whenever he could be beaten fairly and
constitutonally, by the rules of the Senate, he
would submit; but the rules Of the Senate gave him
the power to object, and he felt justified in doing
He objected, therefore, TO the notion because he
knew nothing of it, and could not submit or con-
sent to any proposition of which he knew nothing.
Mr.. MANG UNI stated if the objection was per-
sisted in, the motion, requiring unanimous consent,
could not be entertained. He moved the Senate
proceed to ballot for Chairman Of the Committee on
Foreign Relations.
Mr.. CLAY hoped the Senate would indulge him
| for moment, while he expressed wish. He was
perfectly willing to perform all the duties incident
to his position, but he hoped the Senate would ex-
| cuse him from serving on any committee. There
was no DANGER he apprehended, of his being
chosen chairman of any of the committees, but
even if that honor held out to him, he would
make the same request Considerations of pri-
vate character induced him to ask this favor.
| The Senate then proceeded to ballot for Chair
man of the Committee Foreign Relations with
the following result: Mr.. King, AZ; Mr.. Benton 3;
i l..
! For Chairman of Committee on Finance.-Mr.
Dickinson, "A; Mr.. Seward, 2; Mr.. Davis, of Mas
sachusetts, l; Mr.. Webster, l.
| Mr.. MANG UNI hoped now that the objection
would be withdrawn and the Senate allowed to
choose the remaining chairmcn without balloting.
He did not clearly see but what, under the
rule such course might be adopted
| MIR. HALE could not withdraw his objection. He
knew nothing of how this list prepared. Sen
ators could not expect him to swallow DOSE with
out knowing OF what it was composed
| MIR. DICKINSON suggested that chairmen only
were proposed, and that the Senator from North
Carolina read the whole list, and then the Senator
| from New Hampshire could see who were pro
posed.
Mr.. HALE thought, 80 far the selection of
Chairman for the Committee on Finance was con
cerned, 1t very good IL the rest were like that
! he would be satisfied
Mr.. BERRIEN read the Senate rule, and thought
that the whole of the chairmen might be chosen at
one ballot.
The VICE PRESIDENT decided that the rule re-
quired a separate ballot for each chairman.
Mr.. BRIGHT suggested that the list agreed upon
be read, and If any were Objectionable TO the Sen
ator from New Hampshire, they might be laid over
and all the rest elected at ballot
| Mr.. CHASE not forgetfu of the courtesy due
| TO the Senate, the courtesy shown TO Senator
| by Senator. He, too, objected TO the course pro-
posed. IL gentlemen this floor chose 10 classify
themselves into two parties, and chose not TO re-
cognise other gentlemen not classified with
them, they must not object when those not class
lHeu require that thcy DC allowed 10 express their
opinion in their own way. Perhaps it might be the
case, that there some gentlemen this floor
who did not choose 20 be classified with either Of
these parties. And ought not these Senators have
the same opportunities granted 10 other Senator'S
However, If Senators would allow this matter 10 be
postponed till o-morrow, TO allow time for consid
Grafton, there would perhaps be difficulty, no
objection interposed.
! Mr. MASON explained the rule and thought that
the whole of the chairmen could be elected at one
ballot, and obtain decision of the Senate he APP
pealed from the decision Of the Chair.
MIR. MANG UNI hoped the appeal would be with
drawn. He thought with the Senator from vir-
g1nia, but unwilling 10 vote to overturn a de-
cison, with but the short consideration he had be-
slowed upon the subject. He proposed that the
Senate postpone the further proceedings until to-
morrow, when, perhaps, there would be no objec
\ ton. Before adjourning, however, he suggested
that resolution be laid upon the table TO suspend
this rule of the Senate, revoke it pro hac rice.
! Mr.. FOOTE was opposed 10 the postponoment
! To do now, would be showing too much respect,
not personal, but 10 the opposition made by Sena-
/ tors o-day 10 the uniform custom Of the Senate
The opposition shown 10 say the least Of IT, was UNI
i reasonable, and hc would not consent 10 any thing
like giving way TO il, He was for fighting out the
battle now,
| cision made, and hoped the Senate would not sus-
pend alter its rule, but continue the ballotings.
/ lie trusted the appeal would be Withdrawn. And
| Mr.. MASON withdrew his appeal
! The Senate proceeded then with the ballotinRs
for Chsirmen Of the Committees, with the following
result:
Chairman Of Committee on Comm1ce.-Mr. Ham
! lin 80; Mr.. Davis, Of Massachusetts,, 1; Mr. Hun
] ter, /.
/ Chairman Of Committee on Manuyactlp Mr..
Sebastian, IS; Mr.. Hale, /; MIR. Norris, Il Mr.. Da-
Wis, Of Massachusetts, Mr.. Davis Of Mississippi,
/ Mr.. Blank /.
| Chairman Of Committee on agriculture Mr. Stur-
! ReOn, IS; Mr.. Hale, 1; Mr.. Chase, 1.
| Chairman Of Committee on Miiitary dGau,-Mr.
jefferson Davis, 81; Mr.. Benton, 2; Mr.. Davis, Of
\ Massachusetts,, 2; Mr. Hale, /.
/ Chairman Of Committee on The bifta.- Mr.. Hous-
ton 30; Mr.. Shields |; Mr.. Hale, 1; Mr.. BOrand, i
Mr., Dodge, Of Wisconsin, |; Mr.. Dodge, ofIowa, !;
| Mr.. Chase, 2.
Chairman Of Committee on NaUGI AGairs.-Mr
Yulee, 81; Mr.. Bradbury, !; Mr.. Baldwin, 1; Mr.
| Hale, 2.
Chairman Of Committee Public LGnds-Mr
! Fetch, 80; Mr.. Phelps, Il Mr.. Blank, l.
Chairman Of Cerusatftes Prtpats Land Claims
| Mr. Downs, 80; Mr.. Chase, 1.
Chairman of Committee Indian 16dirs.--Mr
| Atchison, 40 MIR. Hale, l.
Chairman Of Committee on Claims. Mr. Norris 81
| Mr. Hale, !; Mr.. Mason l.