The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-24
SENATE PROCEEDINGS, LAST THURSDAY.

| NENATE PkUCEEDlNbN, LhSf lHUhSDhi'
A portion of the usual morning business having
been transacted the Senate agreed to take up
and dispose of various resolutions on the table
The first taken up was that offered by MIR Glenn
ems of Alabama, calling upon the President for
information respecting appointments, and the
! movements for State Constitution in California.
Mr. Clemens, remarkng that the information
desired had probably been laid before the other
House, moved that the resolution lie upon the
table for the present, but withdrew his motion,
at the instance of Mr.. Douglas, who insisted on
the expeliency of passing the resolution.
This was the commencement of a debate,
which fills about eleven solid columns in the
Iweligmeer. That paper and the Uson are paid
for reporting and Publishing such unrealable
matter This Is the only reason why it finds
place 10 their columns A more rambling and
absurd discussion in the main we never listened
TO. Mr. Douglas tried to fasten on the Wing
Senators the imputation Of design to suppress
information concerning the acts Of the Admins
tration but even Mr. Butler Of South Carolina,
q brother Democrat, could not cou atenance such
charge. Then there was deal Of small talk
about courtesy, and kindness, and the propriety
of avoiding personalities From the great amount
of words uttered on the occasion, we shall CLEAN
fact or thought here and there worthy Of some at
| tention.
Mr. Smith stated that most explicit communi-
cation on the subjects mentioned in the resolu-
ton had been sent in by the President to the
other I1oase, indna,ug every single scrip or
scrawl relating to the matter in the archives OF
the Government; and, said he
al venture to state to the world, further, that
when those papers come before the public, the
honorable gentleman will learn that the celebra-
ted proclamation of General Riley, on the basis of
which the Constitutional Convention in Calfor-
MIA was authorized, was issued by the authority
of the last administration, and not by virtue of
any instructions given by the present admins
tration.n
There we're several passes between Messrs'
Smith and Douglass the Senators from Connect
cut and Illinois, showing no great skill on the
part of either, when Mr.. Clay interposed to allay
irritation by little pleasantly He said
al really, sir. have no wish to interfere in this
contest between the two honorable Senators-the
Senator from Connecticut and the Senator from
Illinois. -.
1t seems to me 70 be pretty equal combat for
If the honorable Senator from Connecticut has the
advantage in size as he certainly has, the honor
able Senator from Illinois has undoubtedly greatly
the advantage In position, and makes up by that
for any difference there may be in point Of size
between the two Senator'S"
He proceeded to say that it might be as well to
wait and see whether the information communi-
Gated to the other House were sufficient; If it
were, there would be no need of the passage of
the resolution before the Senate; if it were not,
he would Join with the Senator from Illinois in
putting through a resolution for additional infor-
nation.
Then followed Messrs. Douglas, Dawson, But
Ter, and Foote, discussing matters and things
generally At last, Mr.. Clemens of Alabama rose,
aud charged Mr.. Douglas with having defeated
this call for information.
Otis his fault that the information has not been
furnished to the Senate and must be permitted
10 EXPRESS nv surprise at the newborn zeal to OBJ
tain il which seems to animate him now Why
did he not vote for its adoption at the time be
caused it to be laid on the tablet Who prolonged
this matter and prevented us from receiving this
information before this time? II was the Senator
from Illinois He moved to lay it on the table,
and his vote carried it there"
lie continued
81 do not intend, Mr. President to avoid any in.
curry that may be necessary to elicit any informa-
ton in regard to this California matter and If
that proposed to be obtained by this resolution
has not been furnished, | shall draw one which
will get all want But do not want the aid of
the Senator from Illinois in this matter. | can
get along by myself; or, if cannot, am willing,
mt least to undertake the task. | move, Mr. Pres
ident, that the resolutions be laid on the table.
MIR. Douglas | claim the privilege of making
n single remark. As an act of courtesy, Will the
Senator from Alabama give me the opportunity,
by Withdrawing his moton2
Mr.. Clemens. No, sir.
Mr.. Douglas ask the privilege, then, of the
Senate as an act of courtesy.
The Vice President There is no way of OBJ
tanning what the Senator desires, except by vote
of the Senate.
MIR. Dodge, of Iowa ask, then, sir vote Of
the Senate.
Mr.. King. | hope my colleague will withdraw
his notion and allow the Senator from Illinois to
proceed.
Mr.. Clemens Very we'll at the suggestion of
my colleague, will withdraw the motion"
The charge made by Mr.. Clemens every Sena-
tor knows to be unjust On the occasion to which
he referred, Mr.. Douglas had moved the postpone
ment of the special order--the resolution of Cen
eral Cass concerning Austria, on which Mr. Hale
had the foor-for the declared purpose of taking
ND such resolutions on the table as would give rise
to no debate, and disposing of them; and that mo-
ton had been agreed to, with the explicit under
standing that there should he no discussion. The
first resolution, that of Mr.. Clemens being taken
up, it soon became evident that it would not pass
without protracted debate. The Slaveholding
Senators were prepared for il, and when the APP
peal of Mr. Douglas to let the resolution lie over,
as giving rise to debate, was UNDECIDED, he felt
bound in good fa h to those who had sustained
his motion, to move to lay the resolution on the
table That motion prevailed, the Northern Sena-
tors and few Wing members from the South
voting for it-but, as the mover distinctly stated
it was only laid there for time, it being his
avowed purpose to call 1t up when the other
business was disposed Of
MIR. Douglas stated the facts Of the case, and
then appealed to Mr. Clemens.
"Can he, with fairness charge me with having
voted against this inquiry, when he heard me- and
every Senator heard me, offer to vote to take it up
in an hour; especially when went 10 him in ff-
teen minutes and offered to move to take it up, cHf
he told me he did not waa me 10 do u, because WdS
laid On The table By sectional NoHhera pote and hs
moa,ed 10 prore and use that fact al me South that
tbs North mould not ahow The South 10 haze an honest
mreyigaion of This matter H. had accomplished his
object, he said | told him II he had accomplished
his object, that | had not accomplished mine, and
that | desired to see the resolution adopted
Hence | expected that yesterday, when the sub