The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-05

Mr.. CASS. Perhaps not.
MIR. HALE thought that wide field now
open, and that this his best opportunity; he
therefore moved thatit be postponed till Monday
| next and the motion prevailed
And then. after an Executive session,
The Senate adjourned till Monday.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr.. CHANDLER presented the memorial Of
John s. Lttell, contesting the right OF John Rob-
bins, jr. to seat in the House of Representatives
from the fourth Congressional district Of Pennsyl-
vania; which referred to the Committee of
Elections.
Mr.. WHITE gave notice of his intention to ask
leave to introduce bill, on subsequent day,
to annpl act entitled, can act reducing the du-
ties on imports, and for other purposes" approved
August 3, 1916.
Mr.. BROWN, of Mississippi, gave notice OF his
intention to ask leave to introduce bill to perpet
uate the presumption of actual settlers on the pub
lie lands.
| to introduce bill to incorporate the Columbian
Manufacturing Company in the District of Column
bia.
MIR. HARMANSON, under the rule, presented
thepetition Of c. d. Layman, for claim against
the United States the petition of Lewis Latel for
the confirmation of land claim. Also the memo
rial of Edward Sparrow, Lewis Selby, and ]. N.P.
Richardson, to establish the term of the district
court in certain parishes.
Mr.. CHANDLER presented memorial of Fred
erick Dawson, James Schott, and Elisha Dana
Whitney, praying payment for certain vessels, &C.,
furnished Texas and given up by Texas to the
United States on the annexation Of Texas, by the
direction of the Congress Of the United States;
which was referred to the Committee the Ju-
dietary.
The SPEAKER, in response to a question, stated
that the first business in order was the election OF
officers of the House.
Mr.. HAMPTON, in order to allow time for absent
members to return TO the city, and participate in
the election, moved that the further confederation
of the subject be postponed until Monday.
MIR. THOMPSON, OF Mississippi, inquired whether
this not in the nature of change Of rule, and
required of thirds to decide the question:
The SPEAKER replied, that only majority was
requisite.
Mr.. WILSON stated that Mr.. AvERETr had re-
ceived telegraphic despatch, acguainting him Of
sickness in his family. On application, he (Mr
w y consented TO pair off with him.
The question was taken and the further consider
alton OF the subject Of the election of officers was
postponed until Monday-yeas SO, nays 81.
Mr.. THOMPSON, Of Mississippi, insisted on the
Speaker voting.
The SPEAKER. Tho decision has been an
nounced. The question is raised too late.
Mr.. WILLIAMS said that he had a number of pc
tons in his possession, and now wished to present
them.
The SPEAKER decided that the gentleman could
not now present the papers, the first thirty days Of
the session having expired, as provided by the
twenty third rule.
Mr.. WINTHROP said that this decision involved
cording to an old maxim Of the English law, and
which should prevail in this country, every inter-
probation should be made in favor Of the liberty Of
speech and the freedom of the press and the people
asked 10 consider whether this great right, in
tended TO be maintained by the rules Of the House
TO allow gentlemen TO present petitions freely, was
10 be done away with by construction. He desired
only TO suggest this consideration to the Chair 90
that il the Chair had not decided deliberately, he
might look into the precedenu.
Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Tennessee, inquired Of the
gentleman whether there was not rule Of the
House which enabled members to file their petitions
MIR. WINTHROP was understood TO respond that
that a why the rule should be abrogatcd,
but not why IL should be obviated and set aside.
Mr.. sTANLY appealed from the decision Of the
Chair.
The SPEAKER repeated his decision, and stated
the question the appeal: Shall the decision Of the
Chair stand as the judgment Of theHouse'
Mr.. McCLERNAND desired TO make few re-
marks.
The SPEAKER informed him that debate was
out Of order The gentleman from Massachusetts,
(Mr. WrSTHRoP) had been INDUCED by the cour-
tesy Of the House. The gentleman from North
Carolina took appeal from the decision of the
Chair
MIR. sCHENCK wished to call attention To the
last clause of the twenty fourth rule.
The SPEAKER said that the gentleman could
proceed only by the consent Of the House.
Mr.. McCLERNAND objected.
Mr.. SCHENCK again called for the reading Of
the last clause Of The path rule. Gentlemen should
not be at the mercy Of the Speaker.
The CLERK, accordingly, read as follows nMcn-
bers having petitions and memorials TO present may
hand them 10 the Clerk, endorsing the same with
their Names and the reference or disposition TO be
made thereof; and such petitions and memorials
shall be entered the Journal subject 10 the control
aud direction Of The Speaker; and IL any petition or
memorial be so handed in, which, in the Judgment
Of the Speaker, is excluded by the rules the same
shall be returned 10 the member from whom il
received
The SPEAKER said that the House had adopted
rules, dating from the commencement Of the SEES
sion. Members claim their compensation from the
commencement Of the session. The clause Just read
had reference 70 the twentyfrst rule, long since
repealed by the House.
Mr.. McLANE, Of Maryland, caused 10 be read
the first part Of the Path rule, as follows:
petitions, memorials, and other papers, adj
dressed to the House, shall be presented by the
Speaker, by member in his place; brief state
ment Of the contents thereof shall be made verbally
by the introducer they shall not be debated on the
day Of their being presented, nor any day as
the first thirty days Of the session, unless where the
House shall direct otherwise; but shall lie on the
table, TO be taken up in the order in which they
were presented"
And. at his instance the following extract from
the Constitution Of the United States was read viz:
Congress shall assemble at least once in every year
and such meeting shall be on the first Monday in
December, unless they shall by law appoint diff
| fcrent day"
Mr.. ROOT | wish to inquire what is really the
question suppose this comes up as really the or
der Of the day, and the speaker dates the session
from the first Monday Of December.
The SPEAKER. The Chair will remind the gen.
tleman that debate is not in order.
Mr.. ROOT. only rose TO ask what the cues
ton is.
Mr.. DUER. This is a question Of importance,
question is when the thirty days for the presenta-
| ton of petitions commenced, or whether we were