The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-06

MIR. ToomBsS
The SPEAKER informed him that an amend
ment 10 that of Mr.. BOYD was already pending.
MIR. WENTWORTH inquired whether it would
be in order 10 move 10 commit the bill 10 the Com
miltee Of the Whole on the state OF the Union with
instructions?
The SPEAKER replied in the affirmative, and
Mr.. WENTWORTH made the motion, sending
TO the chair the following, viz
"With Instructions go to amend the bill as to ex
cude slavery from all territory acquired from
Mexico by the treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo, lying
eastward of California"
Several gentlemen appealed to Mr.. WENTWORTH
to yield the floor, that they might move amend
mens.
MIR. WENTWORTH inquired whether, if more
instructions were added, questions could be taken
upon them.
The SPEAKER having replied in the afiirma-
tive,
MIR. WENTWORTH accepted several amend
ments 10 his instructions, namely
Strike out the following words in the first sec
ton OF the amendment, defining the boundaries
of New Mexico ) "thcncc following the main
channel of said river to the parallel of the thirty
second degree of north latitude; thence east with
said degree TO its intersection with the one hun
dred and third degree of longitude west of Green
wch;" and insert in lieu thereof: "thence down
the inun channel Of the Rio Grande to the point
where the said river crosses the one hundred and
second meridian of longitude west of Greenwich"
Also, to strike from the fifth proposition of the
bill the following:
Crowded also, That no more than five millions
of said stock shall be issued until the creditors
of the State holding bonds and other certificates Of
stock of Texas for which duties on imports were
specially pledged, shall first file at the Treasury of
the United States releases OF all claim against the
United States for or on account OF said bonds or
tihcates III such form shall be prescribed by the
Secretary of the Treasury and approved by the
President of the United States"
Mr.. FEATHERSTON had an amendment which
Mr.. WESTwoRTH willing to add to the in
structions, it was his desire to give every one
chance TO move instructions, and as II had been de-
cidcd the question was divisble.
Mr.. McLANE rased point of order, that the
question not diyisbe.
The SPEAKER said that if a motion be made to
commit with instructions, it is not the right of the
member making the motion to ask for separate
vote each clause of the Instructions by virtue Of
his having made the motion, but, when question
on the instructions is pending, the Chair decided
that division can be had, SO far as they divsi
bic, leaving distinct motion from that to commit
MIR. WENTWORTH asked to embrace Mr.
FEATHERsToS's amendment in his Instructions
There would then be two northern and two south
ern propositions-no gag, and fair play.
Other proceedings took place; the House seemed
to be in a ferment
Mr.. WENTWORTH yielded the floor to
MIR. FEATHERSTON, who offered his amend
ment: strike out all after the enacting clause in
the FIRST section of the bill, and insert:
s.That the boundaries of the State of Texas, as
defined and established by the act q her second
Congress, on the 10Th of Decembers 1896, be and
the United States"
Mr.. FEATHERSTON sad that the floor was
yielded to him by the gentleman from Illinois on
the condition that he would move the previous ques
ton, which he now did
Mr. THOMPSON, of Mississippi, would be obliged
if the gentleman would yield the floor, in order that
he might move to commit the bill without any in
sructions.
Mr.. FEATHERSToN was appealed to on all
sides to withdraw the demand for the previous
question; but he not at liberty to do 80.
Questions of order were raised and disposed of,
amid much confusion.
The SPEAKER, in reply to an interrogatory,
said that if the previous question should be sus-
tanned the vote would first be taken on the amend
ment of Mr.. FEATRERsTsN; and secondly, if to
commit the bill with instructions If the House
should refuse to commit with instructions, then
the question would occur on the amendment of the
gentleman from Georgia, (Mr. TooMBs.) Next,
on the amendment OF the gentleman from Ken
lucky, (Mr. BoYp) whether il shall be amended
not, as the House may determine; and finally,
on ordering the bill TO a third reading.
The demand for the previous question was
conded-yeas l02, nays 4Oi and the main question
ordered TO be put.
After additional questions of order had been dis
posed Of,
The question was taken on the amendment of
M FEATHERsToN, Ito strike out all after the
enacting clause in the bill, and to declare the boun-
diaries OF Texas to be those enacted by her second
Congress, in lS36-from the mouth to the source Of
the Rio Grande,) and it was decided in the mega
tive-yeas II, nays l2S.
The question now occurred on agreeing TO the
instructions, when
Mr.. INGE called for a division and
Mr.. WENTWORTH demanded the yeas and
nays
The SPEAKER having reviewed his former dc.
cision, ruled that the only vote 10 be taken
wa. on the motion tocominit with instructions, and
that the question was indivisbe.
Mr.. lNGE said that this Was in conflict with the
decision announced little while ago. They had
right 10 demand a vote on each of the branches of
instructions. He appealed from the decision Of the
chair.
The SPEAKER. The question is, shallsthe dc.
cision Of the Chair stand as the judgment Of the
House
Mr.. WENTWORTH said that AZ there was some
Misunderstanding between the Chair and himself,
he wished 10 state how he understood the question
when he proposed the instructions.
Mr.. CARTER objected to Mr.. WENTwoRTH pro-
cceding with his rcInarks.
Mr.. WENTWORTH appealed 10 the House TO
permit him TO explain; but the privilege
fuscd. lie then asked leave TO modify the instruc.
tiOns by Withdrawing part Of them (thc propo
siiiOns Of other gentlemen which hc had accepted
under the former decision Of the Chair, that they
could be voted on separatcly.)
The SPEAKER decided that IL was not competent,
unless by Unanimous consent for the member 10
modify-thc motion for the previous question hay.
ing been seconded, aud vote had under II since
Me-. INGE wished to know what the gentleman
proposed 90 Withdraw.
Mr.. WENTWORTH appealed from the decision
Of the Chair and the question being taken,
The House sustained the decision that tho qucs
ton on the instruC tons was indivisbc.
The question REQUIRED on committing the bill
with instructions, when
Mr.. CLING MAN dcma nded a division Of the qucs-
ton on the motion Of Mr.. wRSrvoRTH, 70 that
separate vote may be taken upon the commitment
and the instruc tions.
The SPEAKER overruled the point
Mr.. THOMPSON, Of Mississippi, appealed from
the decision Of the Chair; and, the question being
taken, the Chair was sustained
Mr.. ORR moved that the House adjourn, but the
motion did not prevail.
The House then refused to refer the bill with the
instructions-ycas 80, nays l2i.
Mr.. DISNEY moved 20 reconsider the vote by
which the main question was ordered 10 be put
Mr.. lNGE moved question Of higher privilege,
viz That the House DO nov adjourn. But the mo
ton did not prevail.
The SPEAKER overrulcd the point raised by Mr..
DIsSEy, on the ground that the House had already
proceeded to vote on the several propositions
der the operation Of the previous question.
Mr.. DISNEY appealed from the decision Of the
Chair, and,
On motion Of Mr.. McLANE, the appeal was laid
upon the table.
MIR. INGE made another unsuccessful motion to
adjourn.
The question was now stated on agreeing 10 the
amendment Of Mr.. looms 10 that Of Mr.. BoYD,
which latter proposed territorial government for