Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-16
IN SENATE.
WEDNESDAY, Feb. l3, 1856

The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate the fol-
lowing message transmitted by the President Of the u
States:
To the Senate of the United States:
transmit herewith to the Senate for the information
OF that body an authenticated copy of the Constitution
Hon. WliamlM. Gwin. T. TAYLOR.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 49, 1880
Mr.. DOUGLAS. Mr.. President, move to refer the
message and accompanying papers to the Committee
Territories.
Mr. Benton; 1t had been my expectation. sir, that
the honorable Senator from Kentucky (Mr. Clay would
make motion for select committee on the Presidents
message which has just come in. think, sir it is
appropriate occasion Tor such a committee and that the
honorable Senator from Kentucky is the appropriate
person to make 1.-The motion | watt sir, to see if he
will in obedience to sense OF public duty, make that
motion.
Mr.. CLAY. Mr.. President, after the motion which
has been made blythe honorable Senator from Illinois,
it would not be in order to propose reference to
ect committee.
Mr. DOUGLAS. will, with the permission of the Sc
nate, state to the honorable Senator from Kentucky
that if it is his wish TO submit that motion will waive
my own.
The motion to referthe documents to the Committee
on Territories then Withdrawn
MIR. CLAY | am very sensible indeed, of the cour-
tesy OF the honorable Senator from Illinois 1t was not
my purpose to make the motion to refer this subject to
select committee. The honorable Senator from Mis-
souri, lMr Benton and myself had little conver-
saon on the subject day or two ago. in the Of
which he kindly expressed wish that | would make
such motion; but told him, think that nv personal
feelings were such that had desire to take the lead
upon the subject but added that, if it the pleasure
OF the Senate to direct me to act in conjunction with
any select committee the subject especially as it had
had the kindness heretofore to exonerate me from the
duty OF acting on its standing committees should feel
myself bound most cheertuy to obey that wish; but at
the time that could not in accordance with nv
present feelings, make the motion myself
Mr.; FooTE move, sir that the subject lie upon the
table Tor the present.
Mr.. DOUGLAS hope it will not take that course,
but that tmay go to some committee.
MIR FooTE. The reason why wish the subject to
lie is, that holdin my hand resolution which
propose to offer, and which embraces this whole sub
ject. would have offered it to-day, only thought
that the attention Of the Senate would have been called
to other matters more pressing.
The motion to postpone rejected by vote Of 20
to IS.
Mr.. DouGLAs. Inow move that the message be re-
ferred to the Committee on Territories
MIR. BENTON. Mr.; President, l but pursue course
according to the early precedents and the early action
OF the Senate. have in my hand memorandum o t
the admission of all the States which have been admitted
into this Union from Vermont to Iowa The course
which was followed in the admission of the whole of
them down to Wisconsin, was to refer the applications
for the admission Of new States together with the
Presidents message by which they were usually COM
rstprecedent which find upon this subject relates to
the admission OF Vermont "ln the House of represen-
tatvess the 9Th Of February 1891 message was re-
ceved from the President Of the United States commu-
of the State Of New York. that Vermont be admitted
into the Union" That message and accompanying
documents were referred to three members. l find
FEBRUARY eth, bill tor admission OF Vermont, re-
In the Senate of the United States, 9th February,
i79l message was received from the President of the
United States
Ordered, That the message from the President of
the United States OF this date with the papers
panyng it, be referred Messrs. King Monroe, Els
worth, Langdon and Hawkins, to consider and report
what is proper to be done thereon
These are the early precedents, sir, on which think
we may act.
think the present is appropriate occasion for re-
ferrng the Presidents message to committee specially
appointed by the Senate for that purpose and will
therefore, submit motion that the Senator from Ken
lucky be Chairman OF such committee by order OF the
Senate. IT. the Senator himself does not feel justified by
his personal feelings in coming forward on this occasion
though believe if he yielded to sense OF public duty
he would feel that the country looks to him this &C.
cason-but ii he does not feel himself at liberty from
personal considerations, l. sir, will make the motion,
and now move that it be referred to select committee
OF which the Senator from Kentucky to be chairman
the rest to be appointed by the Senate.
The VICE PRESIDENT. 1t is moved that this message
be referred to select committee to be appointed by the
Senate, OF which the Senator from, Kentucky, Mr.
Clay9 is to be chairman The Chair is in doubt whe-
Their this can be done under the rules less by unan-
nous consent.
Mr.. FooTE. | object to that motion wish it 10 be
understood, however, that have no objection to the
honorable Senator from Kentucky at all but | hold in
my hand resolution which intended to offer during
the day. the object OF which is to permit this particular
subject with ali questions before the Senate on
the subject OF slavery, together with all bills ito be re-
ierred to special committee of fifteen members of the
Senate, TO be chosen by ballot. For one SIR am un-
willing that the different portions of this subject shall
De divided. am anxious that special committee
shall be raised by ballot consider the whole question
in all its bearings, which well known that it is
unnecessary tor me toexplan them. 1t is on that ac-
count and not because have the most exalted re-
specttor the honorable Senator from Kentucky that
object to the motion.
Mr. DOUGLAS rise merely to state that submitted
the motion In obedience to what considered nv DUTY
to refer this message and the constitution accompanying
1t, the Committee on Territories, which all the
other Oils IN relation to the subject have been re-
ferred and wish to state further that if it is the desire
OF the Senate IN the present attitude of affairs to raise
select COMMITTEE as proposed will interpose obec-
tlon On the contrary, will be entirely willing not
only that this should go there but that all the other bills
and resolutions on this subject which have been referred
to the Committee on Territories shall be reported back
and sent there too.
merely wish to state that, in making the motion,
nave no desire and no feeling the subject and hope
the Senate will take that course which they think it due
to the subject to take without reference to any feelings
OF delicacy,
MIR FooTE. am not DESTROYS to submit nv motion
at the present moment, especially the time is come
Tor taking up the order OF the day. and it is not in my
opinion seemy that we should continue this debate un-
der present circumstances. | move therefore that the
further consideration of this subject be postponed until
tomorrow morning.
Mr. MILLER. would suggest to the honorable Sc
naor from Mississippi whether it would not be better to
order the constitution to be printed.
Mt FooTE. Certainly; include that in my motion
The further consideration of the subject was then
postponed, and the message and accompanying docu-
ments were ordered to be printed