The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-04-26
TELEGRAPH DISPATCHES
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, April %.
HOUSE.

After the presentation of petitions and the
transaction OF the usual morning business,
Nj. Benton moved to take up his motion to
instruct the select committee of thirteen on
Mr. Clay's and Bells resolutions to report
separately on each subject involved, and not
to unite IN one bill two or more homogeneous
subjects.
MIR Clay objected to the consideration of
the motion in the absence Of the committee
of six, who left the city this morning with the
remains of Mr.. Calhoun, and who went way
under the impression that the Senate would
act upon no important business during their
absence upon duty imposed on them by the
Senate. The ma jOrty. said Mr.. Clay, had
already determined by decisive vote not 10
give the committee any instructions, general
or special. But, in the absence of SO many
Senators. whose places were vacant this morn
ing, he could not say that the actual majori-
ly OF the body was now represented.
Mr.. Benton asked no vote, but simply de-
sired the motion to come up for discussion.
Mr.. Clay suggested that the appropriate
time to argue the question of uniting two or
more subjects IN one bill would arrive alter
the committee had made a report joining two
or more homogeneous subjects. If. however,
the Senator desired no vote at present. but
simply to make speech, he had no objec-
| ton.
The Senate then proceeded to consider the
motion.
Mr.. Benton read several extracts from
English works on parliamentary law, TO show
that the course taken OIL referring the Calfor-
na bill TO a select committee, and the uniting
| by said committee of two or more incOngru-
Gus subjects in the act-if il should be done
is i'll violation Of all correct parliamentary
pra, tee.
The citations finished Mr.. B. proceeded
with some remarks on The general subject
The reference of the California bill to 4 COM
mittee known to be against her was viola
ton oil that principle of parliamentary law
which refers every subject 10 Il committee
supposed to be in favor Of it, He defended
I the course he had taken IN the Senate in OPP
position to action on the bill and the reference
to the select committee OF too many subjects
He referred to ii remark made by Mr.. Bor-
land, designating his Mr. Benton's) course
as sort of expedent Tor consuming the time
of the Senate. The Senator from Arkansas
and himself had not been on speaking terms
for some time. If that Senator were Judge
aud he (Benton) OH trial Cor his life before
him, he would ask a change Of venue.
: MIR Borland said the Senator from Mlssou-
ri would be perfectly safe in his hands. He
was opposed to capital punishment, and, i
called upon 10 pass a sensence OF death. he
:. would prefer resgning to executing the duty
The Senator's life would be safe, no matte
whether tried for his conduct here or else
$ where.
t re Chair here called the Senator to order
and continued firmly to resist any attempt a
personalities.
Mr.. Borland resumed in order, and declare,
, himself entirely Indifferent to MIR. Benton
- praise or ceusure
Mr.. Benton replied ifthe Senator repea
the expression alluded to, he would commit
breach of the rule which ferbids personal re
4 Elections. and would say thing in itself un
true. Cries OF order, amid which Mr.. Ben
ton took his seat.
Mr.. Clay said he had no present intentio
of replying to the parliamentary argument G
1 the Senator from Missouri
Mr.. Benton's motion was then laid on tn
, table.
q The Senate took up and passed. the BIZ
relative to Indian claims, and afterward wen
i into Executive session on Oregon.
!, Adjourned