Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-02-11
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY
GEN ATE

SENATE
Mr. Seward presented two petitions from New York, PRIV
ing the repeal Of the fugitive slave law Laid on the table
Mr. Winthrop said that he had received Wednesday last
from the Secretary Of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
certificate OF the election Of Hon. Robert Rantou J TO
seat in the Senate till March 9TH.
The Secretary instructed him either present II to the
Senate or hand i TO Mr. Rantou his arrival the Of
Government Mr. R. not having arrived he was unwilling
TO retain his by the Of his discretion He
fore presented the credentials thereby understanding
according TO the of the Judiciary Committee the Office
of the sitting member terminated Mr. W. then retired
Mr. Clay raised the question of privilege and urged the
right of Mr.. Winthrop 10 retain his ill there evil
dence of Mr.. Rantouls acceptance.
Mr.. Davis Of Mass. offered resolution declaring that
Mr.. Winthrop was entitled to his seat till Mr. Rantoul ap-
peared 10 take the place.
Mr. Butler commended that the credentials being presented
TO the Senate acceptance of the office by the person
elected TO be presumed and therefore the vacancy had
been filled provided for by the legislature. Mr. Win
MIR. Davis Of Mass, followed In opposition contendng
that the vacancy was not filled till the person chosen was
qualified &c.
Mr.. Rhe commended that the senators appointed by the
governors TO fill vacancies had right TO seats after the
meeting of the legislature whose duty 1t was 10 fill the
vacancy.
peted till the person chosen accepted the Office There be-
ing evidence that Mr. Runtou had accepted the Office he
urged that Mr.. Winthrop's right continued.
Mr. King said that under the preceden Senators appon-
ted by Executive authority had right hold their till
the vacancy filled by the legislature until the lcgsa-
ure adjourned The credentials now submitted showed the
legislature had filled the vacancy the Senate had nothing
do with the acceptance by the person chosen.
Mr. Hale said that Massachusetts, had certified the Sem
that the vacancy had been filled by the legislature the
Senate had right to Massachusetts thar she had
done
Mr. Rhett repeated his views and offered resolution de-
carng that seats of appointed by Executive auto
y vacated by the assembling of the legislature whose
duty it was TO I'll the vacancy.
The debate continues Messrs Borand Rhe and Ber
en sustaining the positions Of Mr. Rhetrs resolutions Messrs
Butler Downs Bradbury, Walker, Seward and Underwood
the position that Senators the Governors had
right TO occupy their seats till the legislature filled the
Cyl and that the of the credentials evidence
and Davis of Muss contendng that such vacancy no,
ed till the person chosen by the Legislature should signify
his acceptance Of the Office.
motion 10 lay the the table was rocted-yeas
%, nays25
And without any vote the senate adjourned.
HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES,
Inc House resolved itself into committee OF the whole on
the state Union the special ORDER for the consdsra
board OF accounts Mr. McLaneof Maryland 10 the chair
Inc oi az It came from the Senate gave TO the commits
annum and made the term OF service OF the
chief officers four and six years. the first instance after
which 1t would be twelve
The repor, of the judiciary which the
OIL had REFERRED then read Recommending that the
eaiares OF tne commissioners should be fixed at S26OO
instead Of and determining the period service
six years instead of twelve
Mr. Meade OF Virginia moved substitute, which, as he
explained IL limits the existence of the Board of Accounts
sel 10 IouF yeas- being experiment which was about
TO be tried and provides sufficient guards against corruption
and abuse of powerhe decisions Of the commissioners
from Time TO time and their be laid before the
House. thereby enabling the House Judge accurately
the merits Of the claims that be adudcaed upon
Mr. Daniels of North Carolina submitted bill in amend
ment.
Mr. Nelson of New York referred to .atis,icsl sta,e
ments TO show that of the claims tina, have
70 Congress during the last years not one twenty
have been acted and that the number thus rsmannR
undetermined s,26 must bs evident b. said tina.