The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-04-23
THIRTY-FIRsT CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION
BY MoRsE's MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH.
WAsHINoros, April p, 1850.

sELEcr COMMITTEES.
After the presentation Of petitions, and transaction
Of morning business,
Mr. Benton moved to take up his motion instructing
the select committee Mr.. Clay's and Mr. Bells
resolutions to report separately upon each subject
incongruous subjects
Mr.. CLAY objected to the consideration Of the
ton in the absence Of the committee Of six who left
the city, this morning with the remains Of Mr. Cal
houh, and who went away under the impression thai
the Senate would act upon important business
during their absence upon duty imposed upon them
by the Senate The majority had already determined
by decisive vote not to give the committee any in
structions general special but in the absence OF
many Senators whose places vacant this
ing the actual majority Of the body was not now
Mr. Benton asked no vote but simply desired the
motion to up for discussion now.
Mr.. CLAT suggested that the appropriate time to ar
que the question of uniting two or subjects in
bill would arrive after the committee had made
a report joining two more incongruous subjects.
IT, however, the Senator desired vote at present
but simply to make a speech, he had no objection.
The Senate then proceeded to consider the motion
MIR. BENTON, ON PARLIAMENTARY Law, CALIFORNIA AND
NASHVILLE CONVENTION.
Mr.. BENTON read several extracts from English works
on parliamentary law to show that the taken
on referring the California bill to the select
mittee, and the uniting by said committee Of two
incongruous subjects in the act il it should be
done, is in violation Of all correct parliamentary prac
tice, Having got through with his citation, Mr..
Reptop proceeded with som remarks upon the gene
Ri subject Hs said the reference of California
committee known to be against her was violation Of
that great principle Of parliamentary law which re-
He defended the which he had taken in the Sc
nate in opposition to the action the BILL in the
ferring to the select committee Of so many subjects
II his duty to do SO, and all the epthets and ami
madversions which had been levelled against him
that intended for him lie referred to the
remark made by Mr.. Borland last week. which al
luded TO his Mr Benton's) course designating il as
a sort of cxpedient for consuming the time of the
Ser az lppis triH Ia had
desire to reply TO this nsinuaton The Senator from
Arkansas and himself had not been upon speaking
Judge, and he (dr. Benton before him trial for
his life, he would ask change of venue. Injury to
base attempt to violate the parliamentary law 1t
had already injured her to extent only appreciated
by those who understood her real condition. When
bill, uniting California with other subjects should
be brought into the Senate then and then only would
the war begin. Never for one would he submit to so
fragrant violation Of all law and right What had
been the excuse for this attempted violation The
Nashville Convention threatens dissolution of the
Union of the States lie had already alluded to that
Convention as a procession which had passed by-a
something which had spent its hour upon the stage,
and made its exit.
MIR. noRIasD AND Mn; BENTON:
Mr. BoRLASD said. that if the Senator from Missouri
trial before him. his life would be perfectly safe
matter what the crime Of the culpr and If called
upon TO pass sentence Of death upon the Senator,
would prefer resigning to executing the duty. The
Senator's life. therefore, would be safe, matter
whether tried for conduct here elsewhere.
The CHAR here called the order and con-
tinued warmly to resist any approach towards viola
on Of the rules Of decorum any attempt at pcrso
nalities.
Mr. BoRLASp resumed in order, expressing his readi-
to repeat the sentiment which the Senator had
objected to, and declared himself entirely Indifferent
to his praise or censure.
MIR BENTON replied that If the Senator repeated the
expression alluded TO- he would In the first place
init breach of the rules which forbid personal rshec
tions- would say thing in itself untrue. loud
cries Of order amid which, Mr. Benton took his seat)
Mr. cLAs said ne had no present Intention Of reply
ing to the parliamentary argument Of the senator from
Missouri but he must say he felt somewhat In the 81
tuation Of eminent lawyer, who after having, by
accident, seen the notes of his opponent, and COM
mented upon them to establish his own side of the
question the consequence that his antagonist was
astonished to ind his weapons turned against
him. that he unable to himself and the
decided against him lie did not know he should
much dsmay ycd this legal gentleman but really
positions taken by Mr.. Benton, he should have Sc
icctcd the which had just been cited In their
hearing lie held himself prepared to show, at the
proper time that we not bound by English par
properly presented by the Senator lie was prepared
to show that have own parliamentary laws and
the uniting Of incongruous subjects fnatter
Of high dscreton-a question of policy to be decided
upon by this body.
MIR CAS-. said he thought II quite probable that the
Select Committee would report no bill at all Instead
Of reporting specific bills they would probably report
in favor Of bills already before the Senate The sena
tor, therefore, in his argument, pre-supposcd case
which probably would never arise
MIR BlsIoN's motion was then laid on the table,
rur INDIANS, rrc.
The Senate bill, providing for making treaties with
the Indians In Oregon, aud estingushing the indian
title to lands west VI the Cascade mountains taken
up and passed
The senate then, after an executive session, ad-
journed