Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-25


had been the enomity of his crime, if he had COM
mitted every crime named in the decaogue, would
resign my place than to pass sentence OF death
upon him So sir, the Senator would be perfectly safe
il his life before me- upon what he should
be tried whether upon his conduct here elsewhere.
The VICE PRESIDENT The Chair is OF the opinion
that illusions of that kind are not in order.
Mr.. BoRLAND. May have leave to proceed in OIL
der!
The VICE PRESIDENT Certainly
Mr.. BoRLAND. The Senator spoke of our person.
al relations, and said that for long time he had ceased
TO speak to me. | do not know whether the Chair
considered that personal or not but trust may be
permitted to say that so lar as the personal relations be-
tween the Senator from Missouri and myself con-
cerned, have never known that had any personal
relations at all. certainly have sought any;
certainly have never enjoyed personal intercourse with
that Senator. And far the suspension OF our per-
sonal relations is concerned his ceasng to speak to
me, it is matter about which have thong ut so little
and cared SO little, that do not know whether be
true or not, and shall give myself the least con-
Germ to ascertain whether it be true or not because
it is a matter ofperiect indifference to me-
Again Mr.. President, beg pardon OF you and OF
the Senatefor occupying your attention upon this mat
ter and repeat that if LEFT to follow my ncina-
tions should mention myself my personal re
latons before this Senate.
Mr. BENTON Mr.. President, have the words
here and | will read them.
cit is sort of expedent for consuming the time OF
the Senate, and delaying its legitimate business sort
of legislative trfling which can neither approve nor
hesitate to condemn.
These are the words Now, sir the Senator from Ar
kansas ell,Slr
is in futuro He will repeat Them hereafter; and il he
does repeat them hereafter, sir, it will be- in the first
place breach of the rules by which this body 60
verned for him to say that what member has done
expedent consume the time OF the Senate and to de-
lay legislative business 1t s in my opinion, reflection
upon the motives and conduct OF that Senator. That
is the way it strikes To say that it is sort OF e
gslatve trtiing, is IN my opinion, stigma upon the
conduct of member, contrary to the rules OF decorum
which provided for the government OF the conduct
ct members. But he says he will repeat it all Then,
D.; ha III no yArIyI nl1n
Inc rules of decou both prescribed by the rules OF
this body and felt in every members breast. And,
besides that he will be speaking an tuturo and he will
say thing which is untrue in itself.
Mr. KING and several Senators. Order! order
Mr. BENTON. You are very prompt with your order"
am spe aking of the future, sir.
The VICE PRESIDENT The CHAIR IS OF the opinion
that any assumption with regard to the future conduct
of members is not in order.
Mr. CLAY. Mr. President, l ntimated some time
ago have intention to reply to the argument OF the
Senator from Missouri the subject OF what is called
parliamentary law and do not think the honorable
Senator dealt with entire candor when he told he
meant to repeat and to continue his Speech rather
make other speeches of the kind, when the sub
ect shall be taken up hereafter did suppose that his
speech day would prevent the necessity of his speak
ing again the same pc int really feel in the con-
don of an eminent lawyer knew in Kentucky, who,
by accident seen the notes OF the opposing counsel and
the authorities he referred to in those notes. got hold of
all those authorities, and IN anticipation OF the to
be made of them against himself read them in open
court commented upon them, and applied them we'll
as he possibly could to his side OF the question:
The gentleman who had prepared the notes and col
eeted the authorities was so utterly asoDlshed at the
employment OF his instrument against himself that
he really could not from it, and believe lost
the cause. Now, sir not surprised to the extent
that he was but really if | had made OF parcel
of authorities in order to show the power othe Senate
together these very subjects, should have
gone the precise authorities which the learned Sena
/ Or on the other side brings forward.
But, sir rose merely tor the purpose OF saying that
when the Senator comes on with his war OF words,
which is terrible enough, when accompanied by any
emphatic use of terms, shall come on for peace And
if the Senator's object against any proposition to
connect together subjects which shall show to be per-
tectly coherent is directly the of mine, which
will be peace Upon that occasion | shall show-for
do not mean to go Tito the argument now-n the first
place that the ntmaton OF the honorable Senator, that
all the subjects contained in the resolutions presented by
the Senator from Tennessee and myself, or any consi-
derabe number Of them, were to be associated toge tn
err and especially that the fugitive slave bill should be
associated with any other measure, Is an intmation
which the progress of events will show be totally I'M
grounded and without the slightest foundation NO such
purpose existed Twill also show, upon the occa
sion TO which refer that the laws OF Parliament,
prsed in the work OF Hansard are nothing more nor less
than instances and examples OF parliamentary action like
the instances and examples in life which constitute the
basis OF the common law OF England, forming together by
deduction and by practice system for the regulation Of
the Houses OF Parliament OF Great Britain. will
also show that this business OF lacking, it is echni-
cay called has been carried to an extent much greater
in Great Britain than in any other country that has
been tolerated and has existed tor centuries there; and
that it is only the great abuses OF the practice which
have called down the reprehenson OF the distinguished
individuals Lord Finch and some others, who Thoughts.
his majesty would be in some way affected by having
these subjects presented to him. But, tortunatey for
us, we have aesty here to conciate. will also
show that have own law of Parliament, Con-
gress will show that it is question OF sound dscre-
ton, be exercised upon high considerations OF State
and public policy, to unite measures to-
geher; and will show that, in the OF ncon-
gruous Subjects may be done, and that if the subjects
before the Senate to be united, would be union
ofperecty congenal, congruous and coherent subects
shall show, in the last place. that in variety of in
stances, of which have before me, according to
the practice oil Congress- and according to the law Of
Congress- that subjects infinitely thousand times more
ncongruous than the subjects proposed to be uni
ed have be combined together from session to ses
slon from year TO year.
But, sir the proper time, in my opinion, to discuss
this question, will arrive only when the proposition is
pending before the Senate for the union OF these subjects
and discussion would be discussion two three
weeks ahead OF any practical result VIII not now take
up the time OF the Senate in answering the speech OF
the honorable Senator but will answer at that period
of adjournment, when he threatened us with such ter
rble OF words and when shall resort to all the
laws OF peace that | can
Mr.. DOUGLAS Mr.. President, as it is not proposed
that vote be taken this resolution to-day wish to
procure an order tor the printing OF an amendment
which Twill offer to the California bill. trust the
of the resolution will make such disposition of
it, as will enable me to do this.
Mr. CASS. Mr. President, | merely rise to say
word on this subject l understand that the homo
rable Senator from Missouri that is contra
ny to the parliamentary law that these subjects should
be united He then assumes that the committee is
going to violate the law, and then is going to make
provision that they shall violate the law. under
stand that to be the state of the case. Now, sir think
quite possible, yea, even probable, that the committee
will not report any bill all. The Senator then, pre-
supposng state OF things which may at all
and which twill be quite time enough to discuss when
1t does The Senator avows that he will discuss it
Them and it seems to that discussion now would be
discussing state of things which may never hap
pen.
Mr. BENTON, shall rejoice ifit does not happen
Mr CAss 1t is perhaps necessary that should ex-
PLAN what said moment ago | merely meant
that instead oleportng specific bill or bills was quite
possible that the committee may propose amendments
10, or recommend the passage OF bills before the
Senate.
Mr. DOUGLAS moved that the resolution lie on the ia
Bile; which motion was adopted.