Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-04-05


to the honorable senator from Missouri | have de-
tended myself against his reproaches fhaTe freely
spoken Of him and his acts I am prepared to stand
up to what have said both now and hereafter, mere
or elsewhere.
On motion Of Mr.. Douglas the whole matter was
postponed and the Senate proceeded with the orders
of the day.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,:
Soon after the reading of the Journal Mr.. P King
of New York offered resolution to stop the debate
on the California bill, leaving the time at which he
proposed to stop it blank. This the Speaker ruled
to be out of ORDER stating at the time that the
mover could accomplish his object by changing the
nhraseoogy of the resolution, inserting the words,
Presidents message, transmitting the" California
constitution" &c. in place of the California bill
The Sneaker explained that the bill of Mr. Doty not
having been referred by the House to the Committee
of the Whole on the state of the Union, could not be
noticed Gin order) in the resolution.
Mr. King Directing to this decision went on toI
charge that it was Identical in principle with & a
mutiation of the Journal" in the case of similar
motion made by him ON the 18th inst 1t was then
demanded on all sides that the charge should be dis
tinctly made-the mutilation of the journal of the
House being grave offence. Mr.. King reduced his
L
ker of ordering a subordinate clerk of the House to
mutilate" the journal, by erasing the California
bll from his motion of the 13th and interlining in
stead thereof the Words &c the Presidents message,
transmitting the constitution of California" After
Mr.. King had addressed the House at some length,
accusing the Speaker of making this alteration with
improper motives, &C., the latter, calling Mr. Win
throp to the chair to preside Speaker pro tenn,
by the unanimous consent of the House, explained
the circumstances connected with the alteration,
saying that the motion of the 18th had been made
verbally, and reduced to writing by one of the
clerks under his (the Speakers) observation and
pervision. Seeing that the motion, made, was
out of order, and being so it could not be recog
nised he (the Speaker had directed him to write
it out to make it admissible and at the same time
to attain the object sought by the member from N.
York. The clerk, however, who kept the minutes
for the journal, had taken down the words of Mr.
K, and the Journal made up in this particular
from the minutes rather than from the resolution.
On the next morning, in pursuance of his duty to
correct the journal before being read to the House,
he had directed the and interlineation to be
made The Speaker then at some length explained
his duty in such case, under the rules, to show that
in this instance he had strictly fulfilled it,
Mr.. King then made statement to show that the
change had vitated his intention. &c. But in re-
ply queries, he admitted that he had not seen his
resolution of the 18th after it was written and that
he did not write it.
motion was made by Mr. Stanly to lay the whole
subject the table, the charge being evidently fri
volous. But it was withdrawn at the request of
friends of the Speaker, who insisted that it was due
to him that ample refutation of the charge should
go out to the world with it's promulg cation, and that
the journal on which it would be found should also
embrace the decision of the House that it clear
f. ly without foundation
To this end, Mr.. Burt moved resolution express
! ing the sense of the House, that the charge was
without shadow of reason justification. On this,
Mr.. Stephens call the previous question, which
not seconded many of the friends of the Speaker de-
f handing committee of investigation due to him
The charge then debated the question discussed
being for the most part, whether it was not
the duty of the House to censure Mr.. King for ma
king such charge under such circumstances Mr.
Holmes moved for the appointment (by Mr.. Win.
throp) of committee of nine, to consider the charge
and investigate the circumstances; and Mr.. Schencl
q moved resolution declaring, as the sense Of the
i House, that in directing the change of the journal
in this case, before it had been made journal (rath
er than mere minutes OF the clerk by beng formal
# ly adopted by Che House, he had done what wa
e right and proper" The question being on the ap
l. pointment of the committee, it agreed to.
$ The following is the select committee appointed
h by Mr. Winthrop, viz Messrs. Holmes, chairman
i Vinton, Stephens, Ashmun Boyd, Doty, Strong
It Gentry, and Richardson.
n The House then went into committee of the whole
J., and Mr. Harris of ILL.,, delivered his speech on tn
r California question. After which, the House ad
h journed
Is WEDNESDAY, March 9th
Is SENATE.
J. Mr. Hale made personal explanation of some re
ot marks which he had recently made in debate. Sew
d eral petitions and memorials were presented Anon
is others, MIR. Mangum presented petition signed
three hundred citizens of Onslow county, n c. pray
ing for an appropriation for the improvement of Ne0
It River and the removal of shoals at it's mouth TIL
= petition referred to the Committee on Commerce
I'd Mr.. Benton asked to be excused from serving ur
on the Committee Foreign Relations. Reques
n granted, (Mr Foote is member of this committee
Mr.. Benton called the attention of the Senate
the report of the personal alteration between hin
self and Mr.. Foote, reported in the Union and NJ
tional Intelligencer. He said that report was COZ
rect so far as his remarks concerned but as
garded the remarks of the other Senator it was falls
. from beginning to end. 1t was usual for Senators
Oh or amend speeches made upon public question