The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-07
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.


The Hon. ALBERT j. ALsToN appeared in his seat
to-day, for the first time this session.
The Journal of yesterday having been read
Mr.. MoCLERNAND offered the following reso-
lutions, viz:
ResoIped, That the rules of the House of Repre-
sentatves, they existed at the close OF the last
session, be adopted as far as they are applicable,
for the government of this House, until otherwise
ordered.
Resolved, That LINN BoYp be appointed and re-
quested to act Chairman, with power to preserve
order in the House until Speaker shall have been
elected
MIR. McCLERNAND said that he would invite at
tention to the resolutions. The first designed to
obvatc the difficulty which exists in all delibera-
tive bodies without rules for their government.
Order is heavens first law, and certainly must be
the first of deliberative bodies which aspire TO a
character for efficiency and decorum. 1t had only
been by the forbcarance of members that order was
preserved yesterday. The House was twice. or
oftener, the verge of being precipitated into
confusion. For the purpose of obvating recur-
of the danger, he had moved the first resolu
ton.
The second resolution is to furnish temporary
charman-a chairman who shall be authorized to
preserve order and enforce the rules. He scarcely
need state to the House, that the only authority
which the Clerk possesses to exercise the functions
body alone. The history of the Office is about this;
There is no law, order, resolution, creating or
authorizing the office. On the first day of the first
Congress, after the House had organized under the
Constitution, motion made for the election of
Clerk, and the officer chosen. Since that
time it has been the practice OF the House to elect
Clerk, and rule has been adopted to continue him
until he is dismissed by successor. The power of
the Clerk now is greater than it was during the
last session. He possesses no other powers than
those pertaining to him as Clerk. 1t only by
the acquescence of the body that he has been per-
mitted to exercise the functions of Speaker.
Mr.. Nice. submitted this question, whether it
is not better in view of this absence of authority to
select Chairman to preside temporarily. He
would be responsible the body in the character of
a representative, and responsible to>the people
The Clerk was only responsible Clerk, and not
as Chairman. In relation to the particular individ-
ual named in the resolution, he would merely say
that he mentioned the subject to his friend from
Florida, and that his friend expressed desire to
have Mr. VINToN, of Ohio To settle the matter,
so far as they were individually concerned, they
placed the names of the two gentlemen in hat,
and ON drawing that of Mr. BOYD came out of it
> first. And this is the why he proposed
for Chairman.
Mr. DUER remarked that the House had already
expressed its opinion, and it required no great
gacity to see that the temporary Chairman would
be the Speaker. Once in the chair, he would con-
tnue there. The liberal proposition would
be to employ the Speaker Of the last House until
one should be chosen. laughter That would
be fair compromise. 1t would not be the ex-
IRENE of liberality to give the Administration
Speaker friendly To 1t. The Wings, he said, had
presented their candidate, and would adhere to him.
- ho Ia he utian
on the table, and asked for the yeas and nays.
Mr. BAYLY asked the gentleman to withdraw
the motion.
Mr. DUER refused to do so. If he withdrew the
motion for one gentleman TO debate, ne would have
10 concede the same privilege to others. A VOICE:
eco ON, BAYLY, nobody decide you out Of or
der. Goon."l
MIR. BAYLY proceeded He thought it very de-
sirablc that the proposition Of Mr.. McCLERNASD
should be adopted. He had heard but one objection
to il from the gentleman who preceded him, and
that was, that there probability of the cleo
ton of Speaker, and that temporary chairman
would be, in effect, the Speaker.
Mr. DUER, (interrupting him. did not say
that there was probability of the election of
Speaker; but said that Chairman, once in, could
not be got out.
MIR. BAYLY replied, that that would depend on
satisfactorily for this he might be continued as the
presiding officer. The gentleman seemed TO object
10 Mr.. BOYD. There precedent for that gen
tlenan being selected He is the senior member
by service in this House, and in all legislative boz
dies the usage is, TO select the senior member. IL
is convenient rule, and was adopted TO avoid diff
Guilty, which gentlemen anticipated. AT the com
mcnccment of the twenty seventh Congress, The
thought il was,) the House selected Mr.. ADAMS by
universal consent, and, on motion Of the opposite
party he was invited TO take the chair because he
was the father Of the House. In the present in
stance, by the courtesy Of the House, proposition
was introduced TO show that there was no purpose
TO have a Democratic Chairman except for a short
time According to custom, Mr.. BOYD ought 10
occupy the chair. The gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
GIDDISes) and the gentleman from Mississippi
mir. THoMPsoS) are cotemporaneous with Mr.
Bow, but he is senior by having served previous
period. MIR. BAyLy could objection to the
resolution. The Chairman would have power only
to keep ORDER TO which he is limited by the PROPOSE
ton Ills conduct could not affect the Admins
tration in any respect, and he can have infu-
ence whatever.
Mr. EVANS, Of Maryland, offered resolution in
lieu of that submitted by Mr.. McCLERHASD, as fol
lows:
Resolped That LrSS BoYD and SAMUEL r. Wis
TON preside Chairmcn, alternately, until q
Speaker shall be elected.
There were several ordinations agreed
"we'll consent TO that" go on"
Mr.. SCHENCK offered an amendment 10 Mr.
McCLERSANp's resolution, viz
PTorided, That the duties Of the Chairman be
confined to keeping order and presiding during
the election ofspesker, and shall not relate TO any
act of legislation.
Mr.. SCHENCK understood 10 say that he
would have no serious objection TO The resolution
thus amended.
MIR. McCLERNAND accepted Of the modifica
ton, as IL looked TO the same object which he hat
in view.
Mr.. ROOT.-f there Is TO be a compromise,
should like Ia have all parties represented laugh
teri should like to see Mr. Bow and my freno
and colleague, Mr.. vINroS, sitting side by side
A smoked team would suit we'll. II the gentle
man whom intend TO name is not the senior mem
her nc il equal with them. | do not know whether