The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-20


ton, looking TO an organization of the House, be
opened to debate, provided it be confined 10 the
subject matter presented. He said that, from the
debate which took place yesterday morning, many
gentlemen insisted that any resolutions introduced
must be passed on without discussion. Thus, a
most important resolution might be introduced,
and members compelled to vote for IL without
| opportunity for assigning the reasons which con-
troed their votes. Other gentlemen insisted that
no resolutions could be introduced. ALL there
fore, would see the necessity of modifying the res
| olution
Mr.. KAUFMAN said that the previous question
should be in force here, and moved to amend the
resolution accordingly. Debate would be inter-
minable without this check.
MIR. PECK had no objection to the gentleman's
motion
Mr.. EVANS, of Maryland was one of those who
thought that there was too much talking. The
sooner the House organized the better There will
then be time enough for debate. And he moved to
lay the resolution on the table which motion pre-
vailed.
MIR. JOHNSON, of Arkansas offered a resolu-
tion to the effect that any resolution which restricts
or cuts off debate be rescinded. He expressed the
hope that the House would decide whether there
should be debate not.
The question taken, and the resolution laid
on the table.
The House then proceeded to vote for Speaker
but made choice.
calculated to effect an organization. II would
plain itself
The CLERK read the resolution 1t proposed
that the delegations of the several States be author
lied and directed to appoint committee of one
member from each, TO concert and report measures
for speedy organization of the House.
MIR. McMULLEN desired that the House would
indulge him with the yeas and nays.
Mr. fNGE proposed to raise question Of order,
and hoped that the Clerk would submit the propo-
sition to the House.
Mr.. McMULLEN. believe that l am entitled
to the floor.
Mr. NICE made the no;nt of order that ,,,do,
the resolution adopted few days since, resolutions
are not only not debatable, but not admissible.
MIR. Mem ULLEN said that the House had de-
cided to receive his proposition
Mr.. INGE remarked that he had no objection to
general discussion, but he insisted on his point
while the rule remained in force.
MIR. LEVIN said he was convinced that every
effort to pass resolutions delayed organization of
the House. If gentlemen would consent to continue
voting, the House would be the sooner organized
Mr.. STANTON, of Tennessee, remarked that it
was perfectly idle to sit here and vote they had
done.
Mr.. INGE repeated that he had no objection to
resembling the resolution which precluded debate,
but while il remained he would insist its enforce
ment.
The subject then laid on the table.
MIR. BOWDON moved to rescind the rule
ferred to- adopted the 18th instant that debate
shall be allowed by any member until Speaker
shall be elected.
The motion was laid on the table-ayes I27, noes
not counted.
The House again proceeded to vote, but without
definitive result.
Mr.. BUTLER, of Pennsylvania, rose to offer a
resolution, and commenced making a few re-
marks, when
Mr.. INGE called him TO order, and said that if
the gentleman would move to rescind the resolu-
ton interdcting debate he would vote for it; but
while the resolution in existence he would in
sist on its application.
The resolution of Mr. BUTLER was then read as
follows
Resolued, That -- and - be appointed
committee, and instructed follows, viz they
shall each select and write down on list the
names often members elect of the House, where
upon, the said committee, having each selected for
witness of their proceedings one member not
named on the said list, shall draw by lot from the
names of all the members of the House, except the
twenty already named on the list and except, Also
the names of the committee and the witnesses
aforesaid, one name, which shall be added to the
said list, making in all twenty-one; whereupon
the said committee shall, with the witnesses afore-
said, forthwith retire to the Speakers room and
proceed TO strike out names alternately from the
list until there shall be but one left, whose name
shall be forthwith reported in the hall of the House
OF Representatives; and the member reported
shall be conducted to the chair by the committee
aforesaid and the usual oath of Office administered
to him by the chairman thereof as Speaker of the
House of Representatives for the thirty first Con-
gress.
Mr.. KAUFMAN moved TO lay the resolution ON
the table.
Mr.. INGE insisted on his point oforder.
MIR. VAN DYKE moved to lay the question of
order on the table.
Mr.. INGE said that it could not be laid upon the
table, because the resolution had been received
and could not be received. The House alone could
decide the question of order.
MIR. BUTLER was willing to postpone the con.
sideration of the resolution until Saturday.
After brief conversation between several gen
tlemen,
Mr.. VINTON remarked that the resolution of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania looked TO the cleo
ton Of a Speaker. To say that any other resolu.
ton could not be offered, seemed TO carry the infer
ence that the resolution precluding debate cannot
be rescinded. Would any gentleman say that that
would not be in order9 II so, the hands of the
House would be tied up, and there would be no
hope of extricaton He thought that the resolution
of the gentleman was in order.
MIR. BUTLER wished TO say but word; the
resolution would give the House organization.
MIR. INGE called the gentleman to order.
The CLERK put the question, and the House de-
cided that the resolution in order.
On motion of Mr.. KAUFMAN, it was then laid
upon the table.
The House again voted, with Intellectual re-
suit as heretofore; and the result ofthe days efforts
is as follows