Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-02-22
CONGR ESS.
IN SENATE
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY IA, 1851.

= -~~-S
Mr.. FoOTE. Mr. President, rise to point of ORDER
and do with reluctance But make it seeing that
other Senator will do it, The point Of order is whether
it is order to discuss the merits OF proposition simply
upon motion to introduce a bill
The PRESIDENT. There can be question with
gard to that Senator asking leave to introduce bill,
only give briefly one or why he should be
permitted introduce the bill And until leave is granted
in regard to the merits Of the bill are in order
Mr.. BENTON. The contrary has been decided in other
When made my movements against the Bank Of
the United States, made elaborate, full, and complete
speeches on asking leave 10 introduce the BILL That the
Presiding Officer will surely recolect.
The PRESIDENT. The Presiding Officer has no doubt
that subject The Senator from Missouri and others have
been allowed go much further in discussing the merits of
bills before take them up granted than the strict
application Of the rules would permit But when the atten-
ton OF the Chair is called to the subject he is bound to ad
here the rule The Senator from Missouri will therefore
cnfne himself stating the objects of the BILL and dis
cuss It's merits. sue DIN ag
Mr.. WALKER. / presume il is in the power Of the
Senate give the Senator from Missouri leave proceed.
therefore that the Senator from Missouri have leave
proceed with his reasons why leave should be given to intro
duce the bill. nsf-.1a.@ sAaa"
The PRESIDENT, The Chair has no disposition to in
teupt any Senator but objection made, the decision
must be in strict conformity with parliamentary usage With
unanimous consent the Senator proceed.
Mr.. WALKER. My motion is based upon the suppose
ton that the Chair correct and 1t is to ask leave of the
Senate, which hope may be given unanimously.
ArFOOTE. If may be allowed, desire t. ssv that
shall against such notion the ground that there is
no opportunity for any Senator respond the that
may be given the motion for leave to introduce the BILL
1t me, therefore, to be UNFAIR and could not give
my consent even if all other Senators should do
The PRESIDENT. The Senator from Missouri there
FORE will conne himself stating the objects of the bill
Mr.. BENTON. The Senator from Missouri will do what
he has done heretofore and what other Senators have been
permitted to do the Senator will do what be did asking
leave introduce bill to make grand national road to the
aci6 cean. do Wha he has
five times this session. and what other Senators have done
be will do nothing. The Senator will have the rights which
he has enjoyed here for thirty in making full expos
ton Of bis BILL he will have nothing the other
The PRESIDENT. The Chair is obliged to decide
cording 10 the rule.
Mr. BENTON. Well, sir, the Senator will not have his
rights muilated he will have all or
The PRESIDENT. The question will be granting
leave. II is objected the Senator cannot proceed
Mr.. WALKER. II occurs to me that have had that
question put several times and after the Chair had called
the Senator to ORDER (not the present presiding officer My
motion that the Senator might be allowed proceed
order
Mr.. FOOTE. Use to point Of order. Unless an ap.
peal taken from the decision of the Chair all discussion is
out OF ORDER s
The PRESIDENT. The Chair has decided in accord
with parliamentary law, and with disposition
tail the remarks Of the Senator Whatever might have been
done heretofore when the attention of the Chair is called to
the subject he is bound to adhere strictly to parliamentary
law. The Chair will repeat that uct leave granted to in
troduce bill peton the Senator who asks introduce
such bill petition must conne himself to stating the sub
stance Of il, without going into general arguments.
Mr.. WALKER. make question as to the
The PRESIDENT. Does the Senator appeal from the
decision of the Chair 84 haslaag. 81. lr# 4,
Mr.. WALKER. No, sir. s,s.E a..s... ..a. ...
The PRESIDENT. Then there is an end Of that ques-
ton.
M WALKER make no point Of order asked that
the ru. might be dispensed with believe il has been dis
pensed with this session Of Congress- Il because the
rule precudes the Senator from Missouri from proceeding that
made the motion that he might have leave to proceed
show why the rule should be dispensed with The Senator
from Missouri is going into the merits Of the BILL
derand but showing why the Senate should give
him leave introduce that bill second time this session,
and his reasons 50 far they given, were to very
forcible. Now the question is may he not be permitted to
proceed show why be should be allowed intro
duce the bill a second time at this session.
Mr.. FOOTE. wish TO remark that have not the least
objection to that speech being msde can accord to the
Senator from Kentucky the privilege of responding to it.
The PRESIDENT. That be done only by the unani-
nous Of the Senate Every perceive what
will be the consequence Of discussing the merits Of PROPOSE
ton when person be permitted to reply Hence is
that when gentleman asks leave to introduce bill petit
ton the Senate decides whether leave shsbe given When
member asks leave introduce BILL he may simply state
what the substance Of the BILL that the Senate may decide
whether leave may be given to introduce H. and nothing be-
yond that Any thing like general arguments cannot be al
lowed by the Chair who bound decide according the
parliamentary law, when his attention called particularly
10 the subject.
Mr.. WALKER. have doubt that the Chair Is cor
that decon but ask that the Senator may have the
unanimous of the Senate to proceed want to hear
his reasons for asking leave to introduce that bill.
The PRESIDENT. Objection is taken to his having
leave proceed The Chair will state what the para
nentay law on the subject but while he does that he will
state at the same that is in the OF the Senate to
change that decision il they think proper TO do So The par
hamentaIy law IL this itse E-s IS
Gin Parliament question carried cannot be qnes-
toned again the session. bat must stand as the udg
rnent of the House. And bill rejected OF the
substance cannot be brought in again at the same session.
That is the parliamentary law. tssN
Mr. WALKER. The only question then DOW is, whether
there ia any reason which that rule II
to me reasons might be produced which would command the
unanimous consent Of Senate think there
why we should step aside of the rule
The PRESIDENT. Does the Senator consider argu-
ment upon the merits of the bill why he should
proceed Ng ta&
Nj. WALKER No, sir but contend that the Senator
simply showing the why he should have leave to
introduce his bill. 4s1a ,.f#r
Mr. FOOTE. call the Senator to order. think all this
discussion of ORDER with great Difference the Chair
Tne PRESIDENT. The Chair will read another portion
of parliamentary law.
When member desircs to bring in bill any subject,
he the House general terms the for doing 1t
and concludes BY moving for leave bring BILL entitled
&c. Leave being given the question: committee is APP
pointed TO prepare and bring in the bill The mover and
seeonder always appointed Of this committee and one
more in addition te.-.-.; '#5
Hence is evident that leave be given before he
enter into general statement.
Mr.. BENTON. | apprehend that what the Chair has
read from The principles Of parliamentary law is under the
control of the House, and that they rules of this body
be enforced by the Chair That is what un Ierstand
They principles Of parliamentary law and may be de-
cided upon by majority Of this body Am right or am