The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-12-07

leave might be granted IL not he had no solicltude
about ii, and would leave it to the decision Of the
Senate.
The question being then taken on the motion for leave
to withdraw the papers, i was agreed TO,
No further business being before the Senate
On motion by Mr.. CASS, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
After the reading OF the journal, (the Clerk of the
last House in the chair.)
Mr. McCLERNAND said he would submit, a PROPOSE
ton for the consideration OF the House, through the Clerk
they existed the close Of the last session. be adopted
as far as they are applicable for The government of this
Resoped further That LINN BoYD, of Kentucky be- and
he hereby, appointed and requested act as Chairman
elected.
Mr. Msc continued. that he would invite the attention
of the House to the resolves which had been read in
few words OF explanation. The first resolve was de-
signed to obviae the confusion and disorder which must
almost necessarily attend the proceedings Of any hume
deliberave body unprovided by rules for its gov
eminent 1t is said that order is Heavens first law"
and certainly il must be law Of any deliberative body
that would aspire 70 gain character or decorum and
members that order had been preserved up TO- this time
This forbearance, however. too precarious for
cG.nad e Already hal they n es
state OF confusion and disorder that might have proved
seriously obstinate. II was time they had provided
against the of such danger Prudence and
duty dictated it. He hoped therefore, the FIRST resolve
would be adopted.
The second resolve looked to the general object
o. ne s 70 e win
to preserve the order OF the House until Speaker should
be elected This its scope and design nothing
He scarcely need add that the Clerk unauthorized by
any rule or law to exercise the functions Of Speak.
en- His only authority in. the premises was implied
from the acquiescence Of members in what was
or order establishing the osce Of Clerk neither did
the constitution provide specifically for the Office.
The history Of the Office was about this: The House
o p Of e Ss aode e ns
ton, Immediately proceeded elect Clerk by ballot
who has been regularly chosen at the of
Of bs 10 o s
cessay and proper agents TO assist in the Transaction of
public business; which power is expressly affirmed by
the clause of the constitution which auhoTizes the
election Of Speaker But the powers and duties OF the
Clerk are confined TO his character such; and the
of the present Clerk who holds over under the
rules no greater Than they during the last
session; nor is he responsible any other character,
either morally or politically.
Under these circumstances, the question whether
temporarily chairman Of the House Such selection
would cdmport with the dignity Of the body He would
be one OF their peers and would be responsible in his
character OF both 10 the House and the
country for his Official conduct The precedent would
probably be the best that could be established for this
and future similar emergencies
II was due 10 the gentleman who was named by the
second resolve for chairman TO say that he had been
named withou, any notice on his part The explanation
was this Mr. BoYp's and MIR. VNross names had been
put into hat with an understanding between the men,
Der from Florida, Mr. CABELL, political friend OF Mr.
VIsToS, and myself, political friend OF Mr. Boyd that
the gentleman whose name should be hrst drawn should
be named by mutual consent for chairman. Mr. BoYDs
name was first drawn. The transaction was fair and
liberal one. He hoped the resolves would be adopted
Mr.. DUER desired 10 economist time. He believed
temporary chairman the Speaker for The session He
thought the liberal proposition would be 10 call to
the char the Speaker Of the last House "a general
laugh Mr. here s, commented upon the qualifications mn
knew well his peculiar fitness for the position He
ceved the fact that the supporters Of Mr. WINTHROP held
their ground to be another good reason for his selection
table.
which the latter declined doing. alleging that after hav
ing Withdrawn il at the request OF member, he could
not refuse TO do 80 for others, thus proacng the dis
cusson.
Mr. b. claiming that the rules not being in force, (he
motion TO lay on the table was debaable. the House
being governed now only by parliamentary law) went on
to sate Mr. DuER's views OF the effect OF putting in
temporary chairman, that il would be his election the
Speaker for the session.
Mr. DUER interposed TO correct Mr. B., alleging that
he had stated that II chosen temporarily he MIR BoyDl
could not be displaced from the chair during the session
Mr. BAYLY (continung) required 10 the fact that Mr.
BOYD the Oldest memberthe father OF the House, and
said that under the precedent set al the time OF the diff
Guilty about the New Jersey case he was entitled 10 the
position. In that case, the nomination OF political
opponent, Mr. Adams, then tAe member Of longest
vice, had been placed in the chair 10 discharge only the
duties proposed be inrusted to the gentleman from
Kentucky This act evincea the liberahy OF his (the
democratc) side OF the chamber He would remark that
another gentleman the senior member from Mississippi,
(Mr. THOMPSON ] is eotemporaneous with the member
from Kentucky; that is, in present servce-the latter
having, however, served in previous Congress. Mr.
desired to Impress the House the fact that the duly pro-
posed TO be assigned TO the temporary chairman is merely
to keep order He is not 10 appoint committee or TO
discharge any other usual function Of the office; and I'M
der the crcum stances not being able to obi ,cton
the proposition he trusted the House would proceed to
adopt il.
Mr. EVANS, OF Maryland, offered the following reso
luton substitute for the second resolution Of Mr.
McCLERsASp:
Rssoipsd, That LINN Born and SAMUEL r ViNroN
Chamen Of this House, each sitting alternately day
a time, until Speaker Is elected.
Mr. SCHENCK proposed the following as an amend.
mentand addition 10 the resolutions Of Mr. MeCLERSASp
which accepted by that gentleman;
Prorided That the duties oil such temporary chairman
shall be confined keeping order during tbs necessary
Iar ,l,a nj