The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-17
AN IMPORTANT RULE EXPLAINED.

AN IMPORTANT RULE EXPLAINED.
The Washington RtpuJlic, few days since,
had long editorial, designed to show that "a
considerable number of the Democratic members
of the House of Representatives from e&ee1}s+zts
ha ye been fer some time past effectively exerting
themselves, in connection with Mr.. Giddings and
his ccmpeers to aggrayate the excitement, which,
il says, "unhappily exists in mot parts OF the
country on the Slavery Question" 1t refers, in
proof Of this, to the fact, that Southern Demo-
Gratis have from time to time been found voting
with "Mr Giddings and his compeers, on me-
tions designed and calculated "to force direct
vote on Ant-Slavery resolutions
Southern Democrats will doubtless admit the
truth of this charge, and justify themselves
to their constituents, by telling them that the
Wing party had elected a non-committal Presi-
dent, by non-committal policy, on the question
of Slavery that, so far as lay in the power
of it's leaders in Congress, this policy was sought
t, be maintained by evading or postponing all
resolutions which looked to practical action; that
their own cooperation with the Anti-Slavery men,
bers of Congress extended merely TO preliminary
motions--only so far as was necessary to unmask
dishonest politicians; but that, when they had
succeeded in forcing these from their hiding.
places, and compelling them to vote, they them
selves of course would vote as Southern men
They could 20 further with the explanation than
this, if they chose. For example; by forcing
the Administration party to vote directly on
questions connected with Slavery, they might
succeed in breaking up its harmony, in sowing dis
sensons between its two sections, in impairing
equivocal policy on the Slavery Question.
But what has their conduct, what have their
motives to do with Mr.. Giddings and his COM
peers Z" They have their own special ends to
subserve; and, if in the pursuit of them they
choose to cast votes which Anti-Slavery men can
turn to good account in smoking out the tribe of
dodgers and non-committalists and in arousing
the attention of the Public to the sggressions of
Slavery, we suppose none will mourn but those
who are interested in the success of Political Du-
plicity.
But our attention has been drawn to this arti-
Gle of the Republic, chiefly by certain views it
presents of an important rule in the House of
Representatives. We beg the readers attention
to the following extract:
C And here we take leave to remark, that the
principal means of agitation resorted to by Mr.
Giddings and Others for some time past, have been
resolutions on the subject of slavery-eyer drawn
nm in the most Injurious and offensive form pos
they have succeeded, on several oc-,
casions, nth the ain abore indicated in gdggng
through the House of Representatives. In order
that the subject may be well understood, 1t is ne
cessary to refer to the goth rule OF the House,
which is rs follows: -.
GO All the States and Territories shall be called
for resolutions on each alternate Monday during
each session of Congress-; and II necessary TO
secure this object on said days, ofresouons mich
gpe rise 10 dbate shall lie ouer tor discussion u"der
the rules OF the House already established; and the
whole OF SAID days shali De aPproRra'ed 10 reso-
lutions, until all the States and Territories are
called through
" A member under this rule, when his State Is
called rises in his place and offers resolution,
and if no objection is made, 1t is acted on at once
But if of an exceptionable character, 1t is COM
petent for any other member TO intimate that ne
desires to debate 1t, wherenpon 1t is passed over
or, in other words goes on TO the calendar, TO
come up in its order
=" IL this were all, any member could nave pre-
vented action on any one OF the numerous infiam-
matory resolutions which have emanated from the
same mint or workshop of mischief, and which
have kept the country in incessant turmoil for
several years past. But, unfortunately, con-
structon has been given to this rule which has
opened wide door to Mr. Giddings and those
who sympathize with him, for the prosecution OF
the business of agitation. 1t has long been held,
10 that the construction has become part of the
rule itself) that the member moving q resolution
may at the same time, call for the previous ques-
ton and then, if il IL sustained, or, in other
words, if the main question is ordered to be put,
the matter is brought at once to an issue and the
without the slightest chance for amend
ment or explanation, are obliged to say yea or
nav to the proposition. This is what is Familiarity
called gaggiag a resolution through the House,
and is an outrageous violation Of the right of free
debate.
alt is precisely in this manner that Mr.. Gid
diugs and those who act with him. have been en-
abled nth Democratic aid, and from the South too.
to get, during the last few years vote on many
propositions exceedingly offensive to the good
people of that section, and we do not hesitate to
say, made 50 purposely; or, in other words, the
main question has been ordered, contrary to the
wishes OF the moderate members from the North)
ny tne cOopsta,on W sSo,,;a,;a.s WIN
@Rut nerbons il will he said that nothing would
be gained by refusing the previous question; that
if the proposition went over for debate it wonld
take us pace oh .ne uanenu"ri gu" ~" Noon ons
~ ~ ',o no,nhor ~ tbe Uouse Of Renresento.
,iyes knows that it is not so-for when one of
these resolutions gets on to the calendar, u IS
nertI nara aeam N1' an ,nssdsSe, ~ - ue
an aso,,,;on ,hus s;tua,ed has come nm for
debate II is uniformly OVERLAND by other bust.
ness. So, all that Southern Democrats had to
do, when Mr. Giddings has offered one OF his Ia
hs.ca' Propos wa" ~ IUn W.. anJ roSnaa
The nreyious question thus the resolution would