Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-22
DEBATE ON THE COMPROMISE.

The whole of the highly interesting debate, which
preceded the adoption, on Wednesday, OF Mr.. CLAWS
amendment to give the committee OF 13 Instructions
we find it impossible insert We give, however, as
specimens of the great forensic engagement between
Senators CLAY and Benton, the two following
speeches.
The reader will understand that the original question,
when the debate opened, was the motion of MIR FooTE
to refer the resolutions of Mr. CLAY and Mr. BELL to
committee of 10. The question pending an
amendment, moved by Mr. BENTON, as modified at the
instance of Mr. CLAY providing that nothing in the
ference should be construed implying certain adms-
sions of power and duty the part of Congress- with
regard to different issues connected with slavery This
| amendment Of Mr.. BENToN's, Mr.. CLAY moved to
amend by substituting for it provision that the Senate
did not deem necessary to give in advance any in
str,Ictions to the committee. Upon which Mr. BENTON
withdrew his amendment and re-offered his original
one Mr.. CLAY then moved to amend that, by substi-
tuting the provision to give no instructions Mr. BEN
TON next moved to lay the whole subject on the table
and his motion was rejected ayes "a, nays %. The
question required on Mr. CLAWS amendment, in these
words provided that the Senate does not deem it ne
cessary and therefore, declines to express in advance
any opinion or to give any instructions, either general
or snecific for the guidance OF the committee Mr.
Mu,rR raised the point whether this amendment was
in order
The VICE PRESIDENT. The Chair is of opinion that
the objection is not well taken. The amendment,
which proposes to restrict the action OF the committee
is moved to be stricken out by another amendment
That clearly in order 1t is then proposed to sub
stitue in lieu thereof, the declaration that the Senate
do not deem Unnecessary to express IN advance OF any
oppon or give any instruction, either general or spec
fic for the guidance OF said committee. The utmost
that can be said OF the amendment is that decides
nothing. And, if it expressed nothing but the mere
motion it would leave the matter just where was left
| before the amendment was proposed. Therefore,
though may be consideration toinduce Senator to
against it, it is not question upon which 10 raise
| point Of order as to its reception.
| Mr. BENTON This which is called an amendment,
and which strikes being nothing but rule OF ae-
ton which the Senate called upon to adopt tor ITSELF
was objected to by me being supplementary at the
time it was offered but Was so unfortunate as not to
make the point OF my objection Ineligible will
endeavor do so now, and let 1t be seen that here
Mr. KING. If the Senator intends 10 discuss the
question of ORDER he appeal from the decision OF
the Chair In the absence OF any such appeal the de-
cson is binding upon the Senate and every Senator
bound to acquiesce in it. The Senator from Missouri
therefore if he is dissatisfied with the decisi on must
take an appeal before he discuss the point OF order
Mr.. BENTON. What l say is for the Senate, and moi
by way of appeal. -,
The VICE PRESIDENT. Does the Senator appeal!
| Mr.. BENTON | am speaking merely to the Senate
and not by way OF appeal am speaking on the propo,
s,ion submitted by the Senator from Kentucky, and
mean to give my reasons-very poor ones to be sure
why it should be adopted. take that to be in or
The Vice PRESIDENT. Yes, sir.
Mr.. BENTON. Well, Hhave learned something. If !
cannot teach can be teached Yes, sir, here is pro-
positiop which is called amendment, that the Sc
nate does not deem necessary to express in advance
any opinion or give any instructions, either general
or specific, for the guidance of said committee
Now, here is declaration, very proper perhaps TO
be adopted in a caucus, but not belonging to the
I Senate at all. by which the Senator asks that
the Senate shall cut itself off from its parliamentary
rights of offering amendments to bills and resolutions
whe going through the body. All this might do in
caucus, but it will not do in the Senate The Senate
does not deem necessary why not deem necessarily
TO give any instructions at all any subject to the
rnittee Ii is committee, as is frequently proclaimed
though its appointment is not yet entered on the jour
nal-composed OF distinguished and leading men,
it may be that they have all the wisdom OF the Sena
in their hands, and that when they go out nothing vii
be left behind and all the rest OF the Senate put toge
1: Their can give them no information. All thsmay be so
hut it is the first time that the American Senate was
ever called upon to make such declaration 1t is MOI
TO do it in advance Why not do it in advance! Has
not the Senate been in the practice OF glypg Inslruc
tons to committees, from the foundation OF the Govern
ment to the day Is not done in regard to al
committees, whenever Senators choose Ana was II
ever proposed before to tie up the hanos OF e SENATE
hv prev;os declaration that they VIII not give opinions
~ JPancs9 They may give them afterwards, and may
amee to what may be DONE but beforehand the body o
the Senate do nothing 1t Is not 70 give any In
structions either Seueia Vi etN0' 'oA 'io f9"ieS
's s Ha the objection is well taken by the Senator from
New Jersey that this goes beyond the amendment
II goes beyond what before the Senate, and declares
once that, no matter what amendments any Senate
may have in his bosom, no matter what may DE oier
red. the Senate will not consider them This, SIR, is
declaration to be MADE in the Amerean Senate
;nn hronoh such parliamentary forms will mark it
ian ns Sssso s auesS
or never anplied in this body 1t new method OF APP
plying the gag-a thing never done in this body It
l.aa,, ,hosa who 90 out on the committee. Sir, a
this Is new; and is not smpoent as is newt SUI
nose it is adopted. Suppose the Senate resolves int
I'd What seems to me be nothing more than caucu
and sdont this resolution. What next2 The mome
have adopted it, has not every member b here pa
ardless Of what the Senate has decided upon III
We have Ssa asS ID q bs oa,
the Senate to do, fit will not adopt them is to
fuse them; that is, to vote them down when pFesene
:; That is the only waythe only sensible method
81 the Senate adopts this resolution that It will not 81
any instructions, they cannot get rid of the question
We have the right, every one OF US, while we rem'