The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-12-19
In CONGRESS OF THE U. STATES.
TUESDAY. DECEMBER Is, 1919.
SENATE.
Ths journal having been read

Inc journal having Deen read
$500 ELECrIoE OF STANDING COMMITTEES
Mr. MANGUM arose and said Mr., President, in part
execution OF the order for this day. desire 10 make re-
p'Tis The VICE PRESIDENT. No order has been made.
notice only given that motion to 80 into cleo
ton OF committees to-day would be made,
Mr. MANGUM, with the assent OF Mr.. DIcKIs.
SON, who yesterday gave the notice referred to-
move then. sir that the Senate dow proceed to the ap
p0intmen OF the charmen of the executive standing
committees Il will be observed, Mr. President that the
majority Of each committee as agreed upon, represents
the majority in the Senate considered politically. Two
years or four years ago. an arrangement TO avoid the
tedious process OF ballot made; and il was agreed
upon, on all sides, that the political majority OF the body
should elect three members Of the FIVE OF which the
standing committees with only two exceptions, are COM
posed and that the other two should DO nominated by
gentlemen OF this side OF the chamber usually called
L win Sc perceived, in the actual state Of parties, that
this arrangement is perhaps as Liberal as we could
is dictated TO u.s. and 10 which we must OF neces.
sity submit, for the same result would come from
q balld as would arise from more compendous
mode of determining and disposing of the matter
therefore propose, pursuance OF the example set
two years ago, and, my recollection serves me- four
years ago. that we now proceed 10 appoint the char.
men by vote OF the Senate upon motion, rather
than 70 through the formal process OF the ballot Tor
each separately list has been furnished me by gen.
lean who is known to be one Of the majority N the
Senate, and nave been requested 10 present these
names, and make motion. which do cheeriuly, as
have done on former occasion.
now move mat MT. MING, OIL Aldbdmd, DC appointed
the chairman OF the standing committee OF this body
MI HALE Mr. President, it is in no spirit Of factious
oppositon, with desire unnecessarily to occupy the
time OF the Senate, that withhold the unanimous
which necessary for the contamination OF the
rangement which has been thus agreed upon; and that
may appear factious, either the country 10 1he
Senate, will stale the which render il ncum
bent upon me- In my opinion. to inerpose an objection
believe it due 10 myself and TO those in whose behalf
stand here. object TO this course, the first place,
because will not consent, either verbally by silence,
to arrangement which classes the whole Of this SEN
ate into what are called two great parties not cosenng
TO recognise the existence OF anybody else that does not
choose 10 come INTO one or the other OF those caegores
Sir, in speaking Tor myself, hone that have al least
one Trend upo this floor who synpahises with me in
feeling that there an nJusce IN the course which gen
uemen have marked out
acknowledge no fealty nor obligation TO either OF
those great parties believe, sir, that upon questions
and principles which oil paramount importance to the
country they bO false and ireacheroIs in their great
and leading policy; and that sir the view that those
who sent me here entertain However impotent our
voice may be here however feeble any opposition such
as can make, will nevertheless make ii and when
can be oyeIruled and ridden down consntutonaly,
trusting that better day will dawn upon US But, sir,
when am asked 10 sit still, and that unanimous
sent TO this state of things should be announced TO the
country, then, sir, think il is asking little too much.
The rule OF the Senate requires that this thing should be
done in certain manner unless by the unanimous con-
sent OF the Senate that method is devated from have
not been consulted In the remoest degree directly nor
indirectly. to the arrangement which has been agreed
upon. do not complain OF that did not expect il.
But not having been consulted In relation to il and not
knowing what this arrangement Isl not knowing any OF
the particulars in relation to it, nor upon what grounds
ito conclusions rest SIMPLY press my objection, and ask
that the rules Of the Senate be observed.
Mi. MANGUM. Ii the objection of the honorable
senator from New Hampshire is persisted in, II puts
end Of course, to my motion. now move, therefore,
that the Senate proceed to elect the charmen of the sew
eral standing committees by ballot
The question being taken upon the motion to go into
an election. Il was agreed TO-
tee upon the list was that on Foreign Relations.
MI. CLAY. Will the Senate indulge me for moment
in saying that whilst am ready to bear any share Of the
lahnrn al fhia body which might have legtimatey at
tached to me as one member, at the same time should
be highly gratfed If the Senate would have the good.
ness 70 excuse me from serving upon any OF the
committees that are now to be voted for. suppose
that there is not much danger-.even without my
making any request to the conirary-of my being
placed a. chairman upon any Of those committees
upon me, / should still make the same request that
do now; which is that from private considerations
which q Is not now necessary to mention, the Senate
VIII have the goodness to excuse me from serving on
The VICE PRESIDENT inquired if Mr. CLAY made
motion 70 that eject.
Mr.. CLAY. II is not motion which make, but the
mere oppression Of wish.
The Senate proceeded TO ballot for chairman Of the
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS,
with the following result
Whole number oil votes cast, 81 OF which
Mr. Benton s,ns received :'ss
Mangum
Mr.. KING having received a majority of the whole
number. was declared duly elected chairman Of said
mittee.
The senator's proceeded to ballot for the chairman OF
the Committee on Finance.
Mr.. MANGUM | move, Mr.. President, that the Sen
ate proceed TO the election OF the chamen OF all the rest
OF the committees upon ballot | suppose that this
ber Of the Senate but hope that il will be satisfactory
TO the gentleman from New Hampshire Ii will greatly
alleviate this very tedious and, 10 me, wholly
unnecessary process Of election vote for the chame
Of the residue OF the standing committees the bal
lot.
A SENATOR suggested that the proposition did not
require the unanimous consent OF the Senate.
Mr.. MANGUM, The rule OF the Senate is as fol-
lows: ln appointing the standing committees, the Sem
ATE shsl proceed by ballot seueray TO appoint the CHAIR
man Of each committee" &c.
Mr. BERRlEN. That 10, "seveally"--not in connex-
ion with the other members Of the committees.
Mr. HALE. want TO say again, sir, that have no
desire to take up time unnecessarily but have not
the lst OF names agreed upon charmen of the CON-
mittees do not know who are on H. nor in what man.
ner has been constituted. II the voting were postponed
unnl tomorrow. and then opportunity thus given to
examine the list perhaps there might be no objection
but cannot consent 10 take dose when do not know
how II has been compounded, having no know ledge
either Of the ingredients or Of the physician who con
Mr. DICKINSON. would suggest that il is desirable
TO organize committees early possible; and il
70 proceed by ballot il will consume the ordinary
business hours oil the day in electng charmen merely
The present order being the election OF chairmen; and
when thais completed the election of the members OF the
several committees can be postponed until tomorrow,