The republic., 1850-12-03
Ark.ns.s-Mr. Robert w. johnson.


Henry II. Sibley
Delegate from the Territory of Utah-vacancy
Delegate from the Territory of New Mexico
Vacancy.
One hundred and seventy members having
swered to their names, quorum was announced
to be present.
COMMITTEE TO WAIT UPON THE PRESIDENT.
MIR. HILIIARD offered a resolution that COM
mittee be appointed on the part of the House, to
Join such committee the part of the Senate, to
wait on the President of the United States and in
form him that quorum Of the two Houses is now
in session. and that Congress is ready to receive
any communication which he may be pleased to
make.
message was received from the Senate, inform
ing the House that a quorum Of that body was pre-
sent, and ready to proceed to business.
On motion of Mr.. JONES, similar notification
from the House was directed to be sent to the
Senate.
ADMISSION OF NEW MEMBER.
Mr. PEASLEE introduced GEORGE w. Nor
RIsoS, elected member from the third Congres-
sional district of New Hampshire, in the place OF
JAMES WILSON, resigned; and that gentleman
qualified and took his seat.
Mr. TUCK presented the memorial of Jared Per-
kins, contesting the scat of Mr.. MoRnIsoN; and
it was referred to the Committee Of Elections.
The resolution of Mr.. HnLIARD, proposing the
appointment of joint committee to wait on the
President of the United States, was then adopted;
and Messrs. HILLIARp, of Alabama; Mcdowell,
of Virginia. and DUER, of New York, ap-
pointed the committee on the part of the House.
SELECTION OF sEATs.
MIR. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, offered resou-
ton, (Which, he said, similar to that which
was heretofore adepted,) that the Clerk, immedi-
ately after its passage, shall write the of the
members and the delegates on separate pieces OF
paper, and proceed, in the presence Of the House,
to draw from a box each piece, and announce the
name on it, when the gentleman shall select his
seat provided, that the Speaker shall first cause
all the seats to be vacated.
Mr. EVANS, of Maryland Does the resolution
include delegates3
Mr.. JOHNSON. Yes, sir.
Mr.. STEPHENS, of Georgia, clearly Of the
opinion that gentlemen who had come to Washing
ton, and were detained at their lodgings by sick-
ness, ought to have the privilege Of selecting seats
through their friends. His colleague (Mr. OwEN)
was in such conditions; and he offered amend
ment with the view stated.
Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Arkansas could not accept of
the amendment, modification of his own, for
the simple that he desired the House to have
the voice of the House his naked proposition.
He believed, however, that the amendment was
just and right.
Mr.. EVANS, of Maryland said that he could
perceive reason why the privilege of selecting
seats by proxy should be extended only to mem
bers in the city, and sick; and he moved to in
clude sick members elsewhere, either at home, or
on the route.
"A message received from the Senate in
forming the House that that body had appointed a
committee, TO act in conjunction with that Of the
House, to wait on the President of the United
States.
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, in adverting TO the
amendment of Mr.. EVANS, preferred hearing il
read before he could submit any remarks in rela-
ton TO it.
The amendment of Mr.. EVANS read, fol.
lows: "And that the same privilege be extended to
all members sick and absent from their seats"
Mr.. JOHNSON. We who here entitled
to make the best arrangement for seats, and move
the previous question.
Mr.. sCHENCK proposed that the name of Mr..
OWES be inserted in the amendment of Mr.. STE
rHESs, he being sick in this city. This would
avoid vague excuses from other gentlemen, and
difficulty in the future.
The amendment Of Mr.. Evans was, undet the
operation Of the previous question, reectcd that OF
MIR. STEPHENS, as modified at the instance Of Mr..
soHEScR, agreed to; and Mr. JoBssoS's resolu-
ton passed.
The SPEAKER said that under the resolution,
the House would Immediately proceed to the exc
cution of the order. He would state, however, be-
fore doing so, that the usual practice had been 10
place the Of all the members in the box
Two newly elected members had not been sworn
in; and the Chair, supposng that they are not yet
entitled to the usual privileges directed that their
names should not be placed in the box.
Mr.. STEPHENS expressed the hope that their
namcs would be included.
The SPEAKER replied that they were not pres.
ent, and therefore could not make a selection o
seats.
MIR. HOUSTON. They are abscnt members.
The SPEAKER. They are not yet admitted a'
members Of the House.
FREsIDEST's MESSAGE.
The members, in pursuance Of the resolution
proceeded to soeet seats in the manner designated
This being concluded
Mr.. HILLTARD, from the joint COMMITTEES, re.
ported that they had discharged the duty with
which they had been entrusted, and that the Presi
dent replied that he would send a message to boil
Houses Immediately.
| A message from the President Of the UniteC
States was then announced, and delivered into in,
hands Of
| The SPEAKER, who said that If there was NJ
objection, II would be laid before the House.
| There were cries Of Read" "read;" and tn
Clerk accordingly read the annual message Of tn
President Of the United States.
| Mr.. BAYLY moved that the message and Tn
accompanying documents be referred TO the Com
mittee Of the Whole on the state Of the Union an,
that fifteen thousand copies Of them be printed 70
the use OF the House; which, he believed, was th
usual number.
Mr.. EVANS, Of Maryland, inquired wht thcr tbs
| vss the extra number
| Mr.. BAYLY replied in tho Affirmative
| The motion agreed TO.
RIVERS AND HARBoRs.
| Mr.. WENTWORTH wished to say that. il NJ
one else should make the motion, he at the earlics
possible day, would move TO go into committee OF
the bill making appropriations for rivers and hsr
/ bors.
MEETING.
| On motion Of Mr.. HAMPTON, IL was ordere,
that the daily hour Of meeting, until otherwise di
| rected, shall be twelve O'Clock, meridian.
| CLAIMS or NEW HAnrsHfRE.
| Mr.. PEAsLEE, under the rule, gave notice tina