Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-12-07
Mr. JOHNSON, Of Arkanss., offered The foIowing 1s.

solution
Resoiued That the Clerk Of the House, Immediately ate
and delegate Of the House of Representatives upon
separate piece of that he then proceed In the pre-
of the House. to draw from said box one al me sa
pieces paper each is drawn he shall announce the
of the member upon it. who shall then choose his sea-
for the present session rord That before said drawing
shall Speaker shall every seat to be
selected under this order.
Mr. EVANS, of Maryland inquired whether the resolu
ton included Delegates OF the Territories
! The SPEAKER replied in the affirmative. 81
Mr. STEPHENS of Georgia, said that be would move
an amendment that resolution, providing that member
might select for those who were sick or not In their
seats He would that his colleague (Mr OwEs) was
now sick in this city, and there might te other gentle
men who were in the same condition He wished en-
only such in the city and sick In his opinion
the best quorum to draw for seats on the
first day of the session. But there gentlemen
the city who sick and could not leave their rooms He
thought that some member should have the privilege of
Letting for them. J.
Mr. JOHNSON, Of Arkansas, said that he would for
the amendment offered by the gentleman from Georgia He
would not however, accept it. for the simple reason that he
preferred to have the voice OF the House on It, he believed
the amendment just and right
Mr.. EVANS, Of Maryland, stated that he had received
letter from member who detained on the road by sick
He could not perceive any distinction between the
case Of member who sick at home, and who was
sick in this city He did not why such should not be
included in the resolution He therefore moved the follow
ing amendment to the amendment
sand that the privilege be extended to those menu
ber Of the House who sick and absent from the
IA message was received from the Senate by Mr. DIcK-
ms their Secretary informing the House that the Senate
had appointed committee, conjon,ly with such committee
might be appointed by the House OF Representatives. to
wait the President of the United States and INFORM hm
that quorum of the Houses had assembled and were
ready receive any communication he might be pleased TO
make -l.a
Mr.. JOHNSON said that be should certainly object to
this amendment Those who present (and this rule
bad brought them hee entitled to the best chance Tor
1t fair rule If any members were SICK and
could attend was their misfortune. He called for the
previous question, and hoped the House would sustain It,
Mr.. SCHENCK suggested to the gentleman, before ne
called the previous question: that the OF the individual
(Mr OwEs, of Georgia) be mentioned and that his col
league be allowed to draw for him. If the member was not
nsmed they would always have difficulty, and it would give
rise vague excuses for absent members. ~.
Mr.. STEPHENS, Of Georgia, then modified his resolu-
ton read as follows: .s.-. ..s ~.
sAnd that one the colleagues of Mr. OWEN OF Geor
ga allowed select for him, he being sick in the
City,
Mr. JOHNSON, of Arkansas then renewed the demand
the previous question, which seconded and under
the operation thereof The amendment of Mr. EVANS to the
amendment of Mr.. STEPHENS disagreed to-
The question then taken the amendment OF Mr..
STEPHENS, and it was decided in the affirmative
The resolution amended was then agreed to. .,
The House then proceeded select seats in the manner
specified 10 the resolution Of Mr. JOHNSON which proceed
ing occupied about an hour and half.
Mr.. billiard, from the joint committee appointed on
the part the Senate and House Of Representatives to wait
on the President and inform him that quorum of the two
Houses had assembled and ready to transact business
reported that the committee had performed their duty, and
that the Presden. replied that he would send communlca
ton to both Houses of Congress Immediately.
message then received from the President OF the
United States by Mr. WILLARD P FILLMORE, his private Sc
cretary. -... .... .~~.. r.. .t....4.
The message having been read .....
Mr.. BAYLY moved that the message and accompanying
documents be referred to the Committee of the Whole on the
Of the Unon and that 5000 extra copies be printed
for the Of the House, he understood that was the usual
number. .~<E 4. ..-.t. ,l. #
Mr.. WENTWORTH remarked that before that motion
put the House, he wished to say that if no one else
would make the notion he should at the earliest possible day.
that the House go into Committee Of the Whole on the
Of the Union for the purpose of taking up the river and
harbor bill. ,.... ..t .
The motion Of Mr.. BArLr was agreed to.
Mr.. HAMPTON moved that the hour Of meeting Of the
House. until otherwise ordered, be IL o'clock which was
agreed TO. w.. 4.
On motion of Mr. McCLERNAND, the House then ad-
joulned. f..