The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-14
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

a
After business of no general Importance ON mo-
ton of MIR. RIoHARSsoN, the House took up the Sen
ate bill increasing the pension of John Mitchell to
twenty dollars a month during his life He said
that the soldier lost both OF his during the
with Mexico.
Mr.. THOMPSON, of Mississippi wished to know
whether there was a general principle or prece-
dent for this?
fix a general rule or scale to bestow pensions No
two men wounded exactly alike There is
minimum rate-iour dollars per month half pay
for a soldier, and eight dollars full pay Here is
man who Is unable to help, or even dress or feed
himself, and twenty dollars a month will no more
than provide for his comfort.
Mr.. ASHMUN said that he not opposed to
the bill, but he thought it out Of place, and he
had therefore risen to move the previous question,
which was seconded and under its operation an
amendment proposed by MIR. Preston KING was
agreed to-, making the increase of pension com.
mence the 10th of May 1850, instead of 1876 and
the bill passed
Mr.. JACKSON, of Georgia, asked, but did not
obtain leave to present the proceedings of meet
ing of citizens of Savannah the subject of slavery
Mr.. BAYLY moved that the rules be suspended,
and that the House resolve itself into Committee
of the Whole on the state of the Union; and the
question being taken, 1t was decided in the neg
ativc-yeas SO, nays So.
THE FIVE MINUTES RULE.
The SPEAKER announced reports to be in order
from select committees when
Mr.. JONES, from the Committee on Rules, made
the following report:
At the and Of the proviso of the twenty fourth
rule, which is in the following words, viz: "That
where debate is closed by order of the House, any
member shall be allowed, in committee, five min
utes to explain any amendment he may offer, in
sert as follows:
CATER which any member who shall first obtain
the floor shall be allowed to speak five minutes in
opposition it,; and there shall be no further de-
bate on the amendment, but the same privilege of
debate shall be allowed in favor of and against any
amendment that may be offered to the amendment;
and neither the amendment, nor an amendment to
the amendment, shall be Withdrawn by the mover
thereof, unless by the unanimous consent of the
House"
Mr. JONES said all were aware that, under the
rules, five minutes were allowed, after general de-
bate was closed, for explanation of amendments;
and all were aware that under this rule some of
the most business-ike and beneficial debates had
taken place; but he thought that it had likewise
been seen that this rule has been abused IL
originally intended, as all must know, to give the
mover of amendment, particularly 10 appro-
pration bills an opportunity to explain. All were
aware that amendments had been transferred from
one to another, and debate thus prolonged. This
report was from the Committee on Rules, and pro-
posed to extend the right of member offering an
amendment to make five minutes explanation to
any other member desiring to reply, and that then
there shall be no further debate The came privi-
lege was to prevail with regard TO amendment
TO amendment; then the committee shall vote;
and the mover shall not be permitted TO withdraw
1t without the unanimous consent of the committee.
He moved the previous question.
MIR. THOMPSON, of Mississippi, expressed the
hope that the gentleman, after making speech,
would withdraw the motion.
Mr.. JONES did so, merely 10 say that the report
was from the Committee on Rules, and offered
for the purpose Of endeavoring facilitate the bust
ness OF the House; and they had instructed him to
demand the previous question
Mr.. THOMPSON, of Mississippi said that this
was the only rule which had not been abused, and
he moved to lay the report the table. [Cries of
"Order, ordcr."l
s1oJ, 40 -, a..
report, and called for the yeas and nays, which
were ordered, when
The question taken, and decided in the neg
ative-yeas 50, nays 100.
MIR. BAYLY moved that the House resolve itself
into Committee of the Whole the state of the
Unionj and the motion was disagreed to-yeas 90,
nays III.
The question recurring on secondng the demand
for the previous question,
Mr.. DANIEL moved that there be call Of the
House; and on this the yeas and nays were taken
and the question was determined in the negative
yeas 80, nays 40.
Mr.. JONES moved that the House adjourn
Mr. McLANE asked the gentleman whether lac
would not withdraw the previous question. Voices:
"No," "no,' "don't Withdraw"
Mr.. JONES said he had no feeling in this matter.
If the House were disposed to debate, he would
withdraw the motion.
Mr.. INGE. object to explanations
MIR. McLANE moved 10 proceed 10 the business
expired.
The SPEAKER said that the morning hour had
commenced, but not expired.
Mr.. McLANk thought when the amendment
was hrst reported, 1t would be virtual repeal Of
the five minute rule; and further than that that IL
would, In effect, deprive members Of the House Of
an opportunity 10 explain consider any portion
Of the bill, except the immediate amendment
He was satisfied, on examination, that 80 far IA
the discussion on the bill the proposed amend
Inent was concerned, the proposition did not
limit the debate at all He was satisfied that it
merely reached the single point, that if member
proposed an amendment, il could not be- as the
habit heretofore had been, Withdrawn for the pur-
pose Of having II renewed in order that speeches
could be made upon that or some other amendment.
u wa still competent for any member 20 move an
amendment, and ~ speak ~ IL, and there no
power 10 prevent members from moving an amend
ment Al any stage u the proceedings. lie submit
Ted, that II Sss no limitation Of debate. II made
ten minutes 81 debate upon every amendment,
rather than i've. lie could not zee that IL accom-
plshed any purpose whatever.
Mr.. INGE remarked that the report proposed two
speeches one for the amendment and the other in
oppositon.
Mr.. McLANE must be allowed TO say and he
begged the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. JoS,s)
10 give attention to single point he does not, by
that rule, cODhnc the debate to the amendment
pending, further than the general parliamentary law
now contincst. II, under the genera parliamentary
law, in Committee Of the Whole on the State Of the
Union, IL be in order to debate a bill At large, il
would still be in order for members, with rule
allowing five minutes for, and five minutes in op-
position 70 an amendment, TO discuss the State Of
the Union generally
Mr.. CLlNGMAN expressed his belief that the
morning hour bad expired and he asked the gen
ueman 70 give way, with a view Of going into ON
mittee Of the Whole on the state OF the Union
Mr.. VINTON hoped not. If this report went
over with the unfinished business, it would never
come up again.
voice; That's my opinion
Mr.. CL1NGMAN inquired whether the report
would not come up when the committees arc again
calledi
The SPEAKER was understood TO say, that II
motion we're made TO refer the report, IL would
come up as the first business in the morning.
Mr.. lNGE. rise TO point Of order. ! wish
to know If the morning hour has expired.
The SPEAKER. II has not.
Mr.. INGE. thought il had.
Mr.. MeLANE resumed bic remarks, and after
further proceeding,