The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-02-23
PRIORITY OF BUSINESS


instant. attended add he oath prescribed BY law having
been administered to hm. he took ms seat IN Tue oeiaie
PRIORITY BUSINESS.
The PRESIDENT The Chair considers that the ques-
ton the motion made by The sena
tor from Kentucky TO refer the communication from the
President of the United States to the Committee the
Judiciary Being part OF the morning business, II stands
petition would stand, and therefore comes up before
the regular order al O'Clock, .
Mr. RUSk. Mr. President, move TO postpone II untli
Monday
Mir CLAY Mr. President, hope that will not be
done very sure that there ought to be inerrup
ton to any important BUSINESS but, Mr. President. the
question before is the maintenance OF the laws OF our
country know no business more important, more ur,
gent, demanding the attention OF the Senate AND
hen sir i is proposed TO refer the message and accom-
panyhs to ,G ma wSsa bs
shall have considered and bring in their report we shall
have very few days of The session to act hope there
fore. the motion will not prevail but that we shall pro-
coed to vote upon i will say SIR although the I'M
have desire to prolong my remarks further. hope
shall proceed TO vote upon IT, and let the reference
heard upon will have thus an opportunity to be heard
Sir call for the yeas and nays whether there be any
postponement Of this subject or not.
Mr. HUNTER. have single suggestion TO make
SUCH think. that ought to avoid discussion until
relieve the Speakers table Of the bills upon IT, There
referred to the Committee Finance, that they may 60
to work them. | am also ready TO report on some
bills, and think they could be disposed OF in tive min
utes then this other matter might 90 on Gentlemen are
anxious speak upon it and if we commence with that
question we shall do nothing else to-day Under
these considerations hope that we shall postpone the
matter for hall hour that can take up the APP
preparation bills and act upon them. w
Mr. CLAY. have no sort of objection to the bills
upon the table being read and referred
The PRESIDENT That can be done by general con-
MI SEWARD Before that is done. wish to re-
Mr. HUNTER Gnterposing) hope the senator will
not object These are general appropriation bills
Mr. SEWARD. do not object; | only claim the
% sf ys 9% hsse %as on postpone
ment but the Chair understood that by unanimous con-
waived for the present. to take up these appo
Mr. SEWARD | rose to express my dissent. as had
some petitions to present
The PRESIDENT Them of course, the question re-
ours posponement The bills cannot be taken up if
Mr. HUNTER Mr. President, do not understand
the senator from New York to object, if il be decided
that he has no right present petitions for the
other subject would come up and shut him out He has
objection 10 pos,ponng tor half hour, until we can
refer these bills and take up the general appropra
ton bill, the pension bill, and Military Academy BILL and
dispose of them in five minutes.
Mr.. SEWARD hope, sir, the honorable senator
from Texas Mr. RusKl will insist upon his motion TO
he ns h he 1ss prepared to ve
upon this notion am prepared TO express my vote
when my name is called | want no time to assign any
MIR. RUSK. have no objection to taking up these
bills which lie upon the table The only object had in
view IN making the motion TO postpone TIL Monday was
to sfe debate. Yesterday the subject up and we
had debate OF the whole day, and the very same result
will ensue to-day. There several bills here before
us. and amongst them the important bill in relation TO
postage, which could take up and act upon fifteen
or twenty minutes. think now is favorable time.
The other matter excItes much attention. and many gem
tlemen-honofable members OF the Senatedesire 10 be
heard upon il. They, matter Of course, look ing
forward to that, IL will be much more likely that If
get up the postage BILL they will not debate it. The
| postage bill is completed with the exception OF slight
not ten minutes IN being ordered 10 third read
ing, That will enable US TO act upon II on Monday
think II evident that cannot consume much time the
matter has been discussed fully.
have no hostility 10 the proposition 10 refer this other
matter to the Committee the Judiciary nor have bad
any objection TO the investigation We in impor
crisis The question is distinctly presented, sir.
whether the laws OF the United States be respected
or disegarded: Although regret the consumption of
| tiRe-regret that the whole of yesterday spent
upon thus subjects,l ii is question which involves in
its decision, in my opinion, the peace and happiness Of
the country, not It's very existence Therefore. sir,
am willing TO sit and listen calmly 10 the discussion
which may take place upon H. think the time is prof
itaby employed in this discussion; but, the time,
do hope we may make such disposition OF II as TO ena
BILE get up this already completed BILL that II may get
voted upon and lei this discussion take place afterwards
Mr. HUNTER. have suggestion TO make, sir and
for that purpose must appeal 10 the senator from Ken
lucky, Mr.. CLAY as the senator from New York Mr.
1 SEWARD nterposes objection, and will not suffer
to take up these matters the morning hour think if he
would consent to postpone this subject until Monday,
II is certain will give rise TO considerable debate,
could then dispose OF these maters-ptivaie bills acted
upon by the House of Representatives could refer
them, and thus get them IN train for action By the Senate
And in that way certainly, should have better op
porunty TO dispose also by general consent OF the bill Of
the senator from Texas tMr. RUsx have doubt, sir
that the Senate would agree TO take vote upon that bill
certain hour II devote this day 10 that purpose, on
Monday will come in all of and take up the sub
lec 10 which the senator from Kentucky has referred
and give that attention which Importance deserves
That would facilitate the despatch of business very much
sir because II would enable the Finance Committee to
examine the bills now upon the table, and dispose Of
those we are now ready to report. We should get
the post office bill probably out OF the way, and
Monday shonld have clear field Tor the coasidera
lion OF the resolution OF the senator from Kentucky
Mr.. CLAY ! regret that cannot agree with the
senator from Virginia, Mr.. HUNTER | really must
say that know OF no subject Of Importance than
action upon that resolution. None of the other ques.
tons comprehend the existence Of the government and
the enforcement OF the law bat this question: with
Terence TO the message sir, involves the inquiry whether
the laws are TO be executed in this country not What
more important question than that arise The hon
orabe senator from Virginia says tina, should have
clear field upon Monday Why does he not know tina, such
" The mass OF business pressing upon both houses that
every day brings business OF moment and consequence
that called upon to take up and get through with
When Monday comes, there will be other subjects de.
handing consideration the motion LAID upon The table
yesterday, at the instance of the senator from Tennessee
Mr. TURsEY,l with respect TO a railroad in that State
that expected TO come up this morning, will be
brought up and considered, and have no doubt will be
acted upon And, sir with regard to the post office BILL
perfectly that gentlemen totally mistaken in