The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-20

MIR. DOUGLAS Upon that point feel constrained to
say for myself that do not feel authorized 10 ask the
OF these members of the Senate, any question OF
great importance would not feel it right TO press this
subject therefore. My only object in taking up was,
to go on and consider II so long the objections men
toned do not exist and that afterwards, when we arrived
at the point where there anything like an important
test VOTE should feel constrained at once, not to pres
Mr.. CLAY. The declaration OF the honorable senator
is entirely IN conformity with the liberal and manly
course ne has heretofore pursued and with that under
standing hope the bill will be taken up now and act
ed on. s4sa
The Senate then, as in committee Of the whole, pro-
ceeded 70 the consideration OF the California bill.
MIR. MASON When the subject OF the absence Of the
committee TO attend the remains OF our deceased col
league was mentioned the other day, stated that the
committee would leave the city on Monday next, and
would probably be absentrom eight to twelve days; and
expressed the hope that during their absence the sub
ecs which OF much interest to the country,
before the Senate, would not be taken up and acted
understood that expression TO meet with the approval oil
gentlemen on both sides OF this chamber. | did not
mean simply that no test vote should be taken but that
there would be action either upon the California bill
upon the territorial blls-they being the bills which
are really involved in the important questions before the
country. meant that there should be no consideration
Of them, because. confess az one Of that committee
committee etha should consider that was not prop
erly discharging my duty TO those represent,if were
not present at All the conscientious o nat subject
Now, sir would respectfully say to the Senate that
there is OF business which remains to be acted
upon,-some of general and others Of partial nierest
the committee will be absent, and hope il will be
derstood that while The committee is absent, these more
SS,S w no, oe Sousn. W .o Is
ate being OF melancholy character should be dis
charged with solemniy. presume the committee will
9 oaf stb IN ssiees 3
Mr. WEBSTER. VIII the senator name the day for
taking up the California bill III,
Mr. MASON. will say this. II is impossible for
to name day. because although the place Of inter-
ment has been suggested and probably designated by the
authorities Of South Carolina, with the concurrence of
enabled q return without going any further than Charles
ton it may be that we shall have to proceed further
to Columbia II we 90 no further than Charleston, we
shall probably return eight days; but, ii proceed
to Columbia, may be detained twelve days from Mon
4 Mr. WEBSTER, Say Monday week and then it can
be put of, in case the committee do not return
Mr. MASON can say next Monday two weeks
One word further. A gentleman me has suggested
that the consideration OF all the subjects embraced in the
resolutions referred TO The committee should remain
touched during this interval concur with that sugges
ton. s3 &Rs8F4g sisas A
Mr. DOUGLAS will not interpose any wish Of my
own in opposition to the views OF the Senate. made
the suggestion mainly in order to hear Others. II no
other member interposes objections which meet the APP
proyal OF the majority Of the Senate, shall nterpose no
objection its ponement to the time Indicated for the
reason that il we cannot take test vote do not see
that do than occupy the time uselessly,
whereas there is important business OF local character
that might be transacted shall nterpose, therefore,
objection 10 posiponement until Monday two weeks,
and then make il special order. do not make the
ion OqI OD throw nsss out the suggestion
the California bill until two weeks from Monday next
MIR, WEBSTER Nothing is more proper. certainly
than that this important measure should not be proceed
portant particular in the absence OF great number
the Senate this committee consists Of this
vice OF the Senate do not know that any discussion
IN he ix N yha
is vote vote 10 psotpone from day TO day, under
some circumstances, may be important wish, how.
ever that the earliest day may De agreed upon that viii
gina, Mr. MAsox,] and the gentlemen that pro-
coed with him; because if circumstances Of any kind
should delay their return OF course y will always be at
the discretion OF the Senate 10 postpone the subject fur
ther until the committee returns. The object, think
is not much to fix apartcular daythough il is highly
important have early day hxedas il come 10
resolution or decision when the time comes TO take
mp this important measure and act upon IT, IL the hon.
orable member thinks that week from Wednesday next
ment IN case the committee should not return should
prefer to postpone il TO that time.
MIR DOUGLAS. Allow me 10 make a suggestion to
postpone this bill until Monday week, with the under-
standing that IL the committee DO return by that time
Mr. WEBSTER That is just what suggested.
Make il the order for Monday week and IL the commit
lee has not returned il will then be in the discretion OF
the Senate to postpone IT,
Mr. DOUGLAS With the understanding that men.
uOneQ,
Mr. WEBSTER. With the understanding that il is
not 10 be taken up until the committee retuTns-or
would say week IRON Wednesday next. il it is pre-.
ferred.
Mr. KING made remark or two, which were not
heard sufficiently distinct 10 be reported
Mr. HALE | wish TO make this suggestion that
hope the Senate will postpone this subject until the day
indicated by the senator from Virginia, for this reason
there may be some other senators who may desire 10
take this opportunity, during the absence OF the commit
tee TO be absent themselves short time III il under
lnax n.Vfo
be taken up during this interval il would be conye.
nent arrangement 10 all know there are some who
are anxious 10 leave for few days. and who would be
deferred from it, il the bill likely to be taken up too
soon. With that view, move TO postpone il until two
weeks from Monday.
Mr. BUTLER. donot rise to say anything upon the
motion OF the senator from New Hampshire, but to ey
press nay surprise al the assumption thai the California
bill IL TO be taken up and discussed during this interval oil
together with the admission OF California, have been re-
ftfed 10 the committee OF thirteen The great end OF the
raising o that committee will be defeated II this course
OF proceeding shall be taken acquesce with that CON-
mitee, and shall carry out, in good faith, every pledge
that has been made in support OF but II things TO
take this course, those who are running Tor Cali
fofna will fad themselves mistaken; and say to lhem
and say TO California her self, Sal cito sat futo.
Mr. CLAY. The senator from Illinois, in consequence
OF an expression made by those friendly to this commit
tee has moved to take up the California bill Well cir,
il Is done. Bot sir, my friend from South Carolina s
mistaken, II he supposes that that bill TO be passed
without struggle eHort--a successful effort trust
against its standing b, itself. | have got an amend.
ment to attach 10 1.-THE territorial biIls-whenever we
arrive proper period for making them and have also
10 contemplation The pfoprety Of attaching further