The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-27
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

/ Inc senate ADJOURNED.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
/ ALLEGED MUTILATIoN THE JOURNAL.
Mr.. PRESTON KING rose to privileged ques-
ton, and asked leave to offer resolution, that all
| debate in Committee of the Whole the state OF
the Union, the bill to admit the State of Califor
mia into the Union, printed by order of the House,
| and now under consideration in said committee,
4 shall cease --- at - O'Clock, SC.
Mr.. BOYD said he believed that the resolution
| was not aebatable.
| The SPEAKER remarked it was not.
| Mr.. KING observed that the resolution was in
| blank.
! The SPEAKER said that the resolution was not
in order. One, however, to terminate debate on the
Presidents message, transmitting the constitution
of California, would be. So far the bill was
cerned, it had not been referred to the committee
| by the House. The House knew nothing of it. The
adoption of the resolution would stop debate the
message, and would have the same effect on the
bill.
Mr.. KING said that his object was to induce such
action on the part Of the House as would require
| the Committee of the Whole to report the Califor-
MIA BILL disconnected from other propositions, so
that vote may be taken on it.
1 Mr.. INGE. is it in order to debate the resou-
| ton?
| The SPEAKER said that the gentleman had
risen to privileged question
! Mr.. INGE. Does the gentleman appeal
| The SPEAKER said that the gentleman from
| New York had offered resolution, and adj
dressing the House in conformity with the sug-
| gestion of the Chair.
Mr.. KING preferred the terms of the resolution.
The object he repeated, to get the bill before
| the House, of which majority, no doubt, was in
| favor Of its passage.
The SPEAKER reminded the gentleman that
| his remarks we're beyond the point
! Mr. KING said he had good reasons for putting
! the resolutions in that form.
| Mr. INGE called the gentleman TO order.
The SPEAKER said that resolution for termi-
mating debate privileged question iso
1 lated point. resolution, under this privileged
motion, had never, in the recollection Of the Chair
been made use Of for the purpose of directing the
\ bate on bills referred to them by the House.
Mr.. KING said that the resolutions to stop debate
in committee were in printed forms, to be filled up
with the name of the bill, and the time for the ter
mnaton Of the debate, and to report the bill, with
such amendments as may be agreed to, to the
House.
Mr.. McLANE called the gentleman to order
MIR. ASHMUN wished to make suggestion
He was sure this was time to entertain the
luton, and he requested the gentleman to drop the
point.
the resolution and not as to any particular time for
closing the debate.
} The SPEAKER observed that the resolution was
not debatable at all
! Mr. KING wished to be allowed, on these resolu-
! tions, TO give his reasons. He claimed ques-
ton Of privilege. He thought that the point Of or
der was an after thought, TO accomplish certain
Mr.. McLANE, of Maryland. What is the point
The SPEAKER The gentleman rises to ques-
ton of privilege, and will state it.
Mr.. KING. II is this: the point of order is
after thought, designed TO accomplish purpose
MIR. INGE That is not a question Of privilege. i
insist on the regular order of business
Mr.. KING. My object in offering the resolution
was twofold. First, to indicate my own willing
TO vote for the admission of California, and
Mr.. STEPHENS, Of Georgia, (rising.) call
the gentleman TO order.
The SPEAKER. What the gentleman from New
ata IL nm OF Drlv
chair cannot entertain 1t as SUCH
Mr.. KING. If you will hear me, will state il.
The SPEAKER. The gentleman must state his
Mr.. KING well, then, charge that the Jour
nal Of the House has been mutilated. On the 18th
instant offered resolution similar to this sim
ply requested the Clerk 70 fill up the ordinary
blank resolution to close debate the California
bill MY object 10 indicate my own willing
ness to vote Tor the admission of California, indie
pendenty of all other questions, and
Mr.. STEPHENS. I call on the gentleman to
state wherein the Journal has been mutilated.
( The SPEAKER The gentleman must make a
charge against some person.
Mr.. KING. will state what heard
( Mr. INGE. object TO that.
I The SPEAKER. The gentleman will submit his
charge against the person who mutilated the
Journal.
Mr. KING. ] was informed by the subordinate
clerk that il done by the direction Of the
The SPEAKER. The gentleman charges the
f aRoa.e with having m0''''0 'N' journal inc
Mr.. INGE. That is the charge.
MIR. McLANE. ] ask for committee Of inyesti-
Mr. STEPHENS. insist on my point He must
state specifically the mutilation complained of.
/ The SPEAKER. The gentleman charges the
Speaker with having mutilated the Journal after IL
had been acted on by the House.
Mr.. KING. The Chair does net state the charge
precisely in my language.
The SPEAKER. viii the gentleman submit his
CHI ft,x .grtftp ur
Mr. KING sat down and wrote as follows, which
was read, viz:
al charge that the Journal of the House has been
mutilated by erasing motion that did make, and
substituting, by interim cation, that did not
make, in the journal Of the thirteenth instant My
motion was TO close debate the California bill
These words changed, and message, substi.
tuted."
The SPEAKER. Incorporate the name Of the
Mr. KING. was told that tho alteration wa.
made by direction Of the Speaker.
Mr.. RICHARDSON addressed the Chair.
The SPEAKER requested him to suspend for a
Mr.. WINTHROP, in the mean time, was pri.
vately requested 70 occupy the chair; and
The SPEAKER took a seat among the members
Mr.. STEPHENS. I ask what was the motion
! made, and what Il the specification
Mr.. KING. IL was motion made on the thir
teenth instant 70 close the debate the California
BAL, and the alteration the substitution Of tn,
California message.
The SPEAKER pro tenn. The chair has strong
impression that the Manual requires that when
charge IL made TO the alteration or incorrectnes,
Of the Journal, a COMMITTEES shall be appointed Il
|, investigate.
Mr.. KING. repeat, wanted to bring the Cal
ifornia bill before the House.
Mr.. STEPHENS. insist, before a committee il
raised, that the matter complained Of shall be par
ticulsrly and specifically stated-what motion wal
made and what motion was substituted.
Mr.. KING. will relieve the gentleman and tn,
House. ! called the Clerks Office, and saw tn,
Journal myself, and requested the Clerk 10 bring
in the Journal Of that day and exhibit IL 70 tn
, House. charge that the Journal Of the House ha
been mutilsted.
Mr.. McLANE. The gentleman made charge
and was called upon TO commit IL 70 writing. HI
= verbally charged the Speaker with having mutt
lated the Journal but has omitted the Speaker iron
the written charge. Before the House proceed
r further, call on the gentleman TO complete tn
charge in writing.
! The SPEAKER pro TEN. The House cannot in