The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-08-29

other feel well assured that the very first time we IN.
esnook 10 ael under such rule as this we should find
,sa ferrous a''eul,.es IN The way Il often happens
saa' lhe main proposition presents one side OF a
question: and an amendment presents the opposite eide
OF me same proposition Under the operation OF this
rule The amendment might be laid on the table, and all
deoa,e cut OIL IN relation to il, while the other side
would continue TO be debaied and this would be done by
me maoy who were ayese to the proposition brought
forward by The minority do hope the Senate will not
depart from its usage this respect II would be far bet
TER ar. to introduce the previous question here at
believe SIR, that the long debates which frequently
take place here although sometimes they are, doubtless
too long productive OF more good than harm They
satisfy the county, and they tend 10 satisfy contendng
parties here Even those who are defeated better
content be defeated when they have had and exer-
cised the right TO full debate OF subject than thew
would be if that right were cut off also believe Il
tends to reduce the excitement which might otherwise
Mr.. UNDERWOOD was not expecting any debate
upon thus subjects but must be permitted to make few
remarks IN reply TO the gentleman who has just taken
ms seat This rule will not prohibit the person who Of
fers an amendment from debating IT, Whenever bill or
resolution is pending and any wishes to amend it,
ne obtains the foor TO make his motion 10 amend and
both The usual courtesy and the rules OF the Senate give
him the broadcast latitude in being heard upon his
ton But, after he shall have been heard as the mover
81 the amendment, want to place i in the discretion OF
the Senate then to get clear OF the amendment if it
pleases TO do SOL the majority considers the PROPOSE
non OF such character that they would entertain
for debate Even after the shall have been heard,
II Will not follow as matter OF that the amend
ment shall go upon the table without further debate but
will rest In the courtesy OF the Senate to entertain it
longer or not If gentlemen still DESTROYS of de-
batting IT, the character of the Senate for courtesy would
IN ordinary cases, secure the opportunity. My propo
ston will have this effect 1t will cut off those amend
ments which may be made the subject OF moracied
debate, and separate them from the proposition. To
that extent, consider that it would have most bene
fetal effect.
Mr. President in reference one,idea thrown out by
the honorable senator from Virginia, that everything
ought to be debated for the information of the country,
and that we cannot consume too much time in debate,
beg leave TO differ from him. The idea has been
sonay suggested, that the less do the better, and
that the longer we debate for the purpose of preventing
action the better Sir, against all propositions OF
That sort The more we do the better il we do il rightly
ne less we do the better provided we do it badly The
remark Them that the less do the BETTER and that the
more time we consume in debae the better, to i'm
Ply that every thing we do i badly DONE Now. sir if it
has come TO that that the Congress of the United States
is more often wrong than right then 1t may be correct
that the longer we debate everything that
comes before the better The more we do, if do
II correctly, the better Tor the country
Now, this proposition OF mine does not prevent su-
cent debate to enable the Senate 10 act correctly upon
every proposition which shall be submitted to it, The
only effect it can possibly have will be to separate an
amendment which the majority OF the Senate do sup
pose appropriate to the bill and allow the amendments to
go upon the table whou! the old parliamentary practice
OF sending the bill with them
Mr. FOOTE | have no intention of debating this
question at length have been always struck with the
Inconvenience arising from the present rule have
never perceived any good reason for allowing an
improper amendment--of such character that it
ought perhapst 10 be at once rejected by proposition to
lay on the tableto drag alter it meritorious bill.
have known amendments OF this sort 10 play most mis-
chievous part
But, sir if thought that this modification of the rule
would tend 10 prevent that happy effect 10 which the hon
orable senator from Virginia Mr. lIUNTERl has alluded
IN other words, II senator's would feel inclined to acQni
esce more cordially and periodically in the action OF this
body without than with it, should be disposed to
against it, hope that such disposition will be
generally manifested hereafter am very happy
sure you, sir, that am deigh,edto hear that sentiment
from the senator frop Virginia at this time.
Mr. DICKINSON always look with distrust upon
anything that nvades the old parliamentary law which
has governed us SO long and well There may be
nd of debate; but in my judgment, they very seldom.
There is no doubt in my mind that so lar from il being
generally object to prevent debate il oughto be en-
couaged Talk in these bodies ia the great safety
OF the Union. We very seldom understand any question
ourselves until we begin TO discuss it, Discussions calls
public attention TO the subject and leads 10 research and
investigation 1t turns not only the minds OF Legislators,
but the public mind 10 the subject. Some good might
come occasionally from the power to sop debate; but
would be unwilling, in order TO attain IT, TO oyerturn
the whole parliamentary system.
Mr. FOOrE. | certainly agree with the general
views stated upon this subject by the honorable senator
from New York, Mr. DIcKISsos But am not go aveIse
as he seems to be 10 a modification of the rules by
which governed. | take the ground that those
rules not perfect and that whenever great msches
arise in any particular case, no good reason can be
given why adequate change should not be made The
honorable senator is laborlng under great mistake If
he supposes that this proposition is TO make great In
novation upon the rues-to alter them totally. he in
Inmates Nothing of that sort, sir. As understand IT,
il is simply proposition TO put end TO one OF our
rules, which in practice has been found TO have mis-.
chevous operation in order to preserve the remainder OF
rules healthy action The Scripture says, ii thy
right eye offend thee, pluck II out and cast 1t from thee
aud f thy rig ht offend thee, cut off, and cast from
thee and any Of our rules work mischief Tor one
am in favor OF reforming rules IN that particular am
advocate the honorable senator from New
YORK, the honorable senator from Virginia, for the
utmost freedom OF debate believe the advantages al
luded to by the honorable senator from New York real
ized from that cause, both in this body and the House OF
Representatives and that II has been expressly the
with respect 10 that great question which has occupied
long al the present session. am by means IN Ia
OF limiting the range Of debate This proposition, II
adopted will not have that effect We shall still have
the opportunity of discussing, in the most extended man
ner the main proposition, and ah those amendments
which appear 10 majority OF the members OF this body
TO be Of such nature as TO merit the attention OF the
body
Taking this view of the subject, mus, say that in
order TO make debates useful, more efficient
more instructive 10 the public well entertain
ing TO ourselves, am decidedly in favor OF the PROPOSE
ton OF the senator from Kentucky. | do not think
approximaies 10 the previous question at all think
the two propositions totally distinct from each other
Mr.. DOUGLAS | cannot vote for this proposition,
because does approximate TO the previous question
The. proposed rule would enable the Senate to debate
one side OF question without debating the other.
member will offer his amendment and make his speech
upon it, The amendment will be laid upon the table, no
answer being made 10 the speech II the previous ques
ton il adopted handed Justice will be dealt TO both
parties With the well known courtesy and llberaly
which prevail in this body, assured that the pre-
vous question would not be sustained until the body bad
become entirely weafied out with subect-unt il had
as may aay, exhausted itself For that reason, would
hoy In