The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-19
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
s EN- TIE
FIRST SESSION.
TUESDAY, December Is, lS49.


sued without the transaction Of any business; and
at one O'clock
Mr.. MANGUM rose and stated, that in part cx,
ecution of the order of the day, fixed for this hour
The PRESIDING OFFICER informed the Sem
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. M. 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 chairncn, and it was slow and tedious pro-
cess II was then agreed upon all sides that the
party having 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 ballotng. Ii was
an arrangement not altogether in the present case
such as the Wings desired, yet they must sub
NIT to it, the same thing resulting if the other
course was pursued. The motion he about
to make was similar to one made two years ago,
and, II his memory served him right, ut 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 Mr.. KING, OF Alabama, be appointed
Chairman OF the Committee on Foreign Relations.
The PRESIDING OFFICER stated that the mo-
tion required unanimous consent
Mr.. HALE desired that should consider
him actuated by any factious spirit when he with
held his consent to the adoption of any such propo
sition 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 or 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 III the principles upon which they were
based. Whenever he could be beaten fairly and
constitutionally or 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 III doing.
He objected, therefore, to the motion, 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 per-
sisted In, the motion requiring unanimous consent,
could not be entertained He moved the Senate
proceed to ballot for Chairman of the Committee
Foreign Relations.
Mr.. CLAY hoped the Senate would indulge him
for a 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 was 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
T.. IA,
Mr. Mangum, /.
For Chairman of Committee on Finance.-Mr.
Dickinson, "A; MIR. Seward, ,; 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, even under the
rule, such course might be adopted.
MIR. HALE could not withdraw his objection. He
knew nothing of how this list was prepared. Sen
ators could not expect him to swallow a dose, with
out knowing of what it composed
MIR. DICKINSON suggested that chairnen only
were proposed, and that the Senator from North
Carolina read the whole list, and then the Senator
from New Hampshire could who pro
posed.
Mr.. HALE thought, SO far as the selection of
Chairman for the Committee on Finance was con-
cerned, it was very good. If the rest 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 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 one ballot.
MIR. CHASE was not forgetful Of the courtesy due
TO the Senate, nor the courtesy shown TO Senator
by Senator. He, too, objected TO the course pro-
posed. If gentlemen on 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 50 class
ihed require that they be allowed to express their
opinion In their own way Perhaps II might be the
case, that there were some gentlemen on this floor
who did not choose TO be classified with either Of
these parties. And ought not these Senators have
the same opportunities granted to other Senator'S
However, If Senators would allow this matter 10 be
postponed till to- morrow to allow time for consid-
Grafton, there would perhaps be no difficulty, or no
objection interposed.
Mr. MASON explained the rule, and thought that
the whole of the chairmen could be elected at one
ballot, and to obtain decision of the Senate he an
Pealed from the decision Of the Chair
Mr. MANG UNI hoped the appeal would be with
drawn. He thought with the Senator from Vir-
glna, but was unwilling TO vote TO overturn a de-
clson, 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 il pro hac rice
Mr. FOOTE was opposed to the postponcment.
To do 50 now would be showing too much respect
not personal, but TO the opposition made by Sena-
tors o-day TO the uniform custom of the Senate.
The opposition shown, 20 say the least Of il, was un-
reasonable, and nc would not consent 10 any thing
like giving way 10 1t, He was for fighting out the
battle now,
MIR. DOUGLAS agreed with the Chair in the de-
cision made, and hoped the Senate would not sus-
pend or alter its rule, but continue the baotings
lie trusted the appeal would be Withdrawn. And
MIR. MASON withdrew his appeal
The Senate proceeded then with the balotings
for Chairmen of the Committees with the following
result:
Chairman Of Committee Commuce.-Mr. Ham |
lin, 49, MIR. Davis, Of Massachusetts,, l; Mr.. Hun
ter, |.
Chairman of Committee on Manufactures -NIr !
IS; Mr.. Hale, l. Mr.. Norris, 1; Mr.. Da-
WIS., of Massachusetts, Il Mr.. Davis, Of Mississippi !;
Mr.. Blank, /.
Chairman Of Committee on agriculture Mr.. Stur-
geon, 80; Mr., Hale, 1; Mr.. Chase, l.
Chairman Of Committee on Military dDars.-Mr. |
jefferson Davis, 81; Mr.. Benton, q Mr.. Davis, Of !
Massachusetts,, 2; Mr.. Hale, /.
Chairman of Committee on The Dfiiita.- Mr.. Hous-
ton, 30; Mr.. Shields, 1; Mr. Hale, /; Mr. Borand /;
Mr.. Dodge, Of Wisconsin, /; Mr. Dodge, ofIowa, I; |
Mr.. Chase, ..
Chairman Of Committee on NdUal 4Gdirs.-Mr. !
Yulee, 81; Mr.. Bradbury, u Mr.. Baldwin, /; Mr.. |
Hale, 2.
Chairman Of Committee on Public Lands.-Mr. !
Felch, 80; Mr.. Phelps, Il Mr.. Blank, /.
Chairman of Committee on Priodts Land Claims
Mr.. Downs, 49, Mr.. Chase, l.
Chairman of Committee Indian affairs. MIR. |
Atchison, 40; Mr. Hale, l.
Chairman Of Committee on Claims Mr. Norris, ~; |
Nj Hall A.