The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-01
CONGRESSIONAL.
DErEnRED DEBATE.
MONDAY, MARCH .. 1851.
I'm CONTINUATION.
SENATE.

TWELVE O'clock, p. M
MIR DAVIS, OF Mississippi. must now bring befor,
the Senate the question which has been argued fome
OCCASIONS ou. never ssiled,hs question OF the hour
the session has terminated my duties under former cleo
ton have closed There are others in the same situation
with mysslf. The honorable senator from Michigan
lMr CAssl stated his opinion former occasion, ant
sustained II by his action upon that OCCASION the eec
that the session closed at l2 o'clock at night mus
confess have always entertained doubt. My
opinion is not quite clearwas not clear when was not
interested now the is one in which do not iee
willing to risk my judgmentone which III moi
pS.sT that should decide because a% party M
therefore desire to know OF the Senate whether the ses
sion 10 closed submit the question TO the Sen
ate whether we can longer remain IN session In order
taksn now move because the session has closed that
the Senate do now adjourn sine die.
concurrence with the resolution OF the House.
Mr.. DAVIS. am quite willing make that motion.
The resolution was again read.
MIR CASS. Two years ago this night, on the Sd of
March. ls49 this question arose then stated my opin-
ion to be that the Congress of the United States erm
mates by the constitution at IL o'clock the night of the
81 OF March. My term OF service senator from
Michigan expires on the Sd OF March. The question is
when the ID of March expires The bills you pass this
night will all be signed the % Of March as will be
upon the Cd Of March, and this very fact shows con.
cfusively that the Sd Of March the terminating point
Of our session. You have to resort 10 what is called
fiction, which is in fact fasehood upon the face of it,
n order 10 Justify holding over II you hold the
4th Of March you can hold over any other day: Two
opinion and my decided opinion, that my term OF service
has expired wish to say that after voting upon this
question. shall do nColher business at this session
Mr.. BADGER. AS understand the resolution OF the
House, il is merely an announcement that they are ready
to adjourn II we concur in that, shall merely admit
h; iy rs Isas Pe resolution cannot be taken
up without general consent
Mr.. WALKER. object, if it is not too late.
Mr.. MASON II it is taken up, shall object TO il,
because have not disposed of the important business
Mr. HOUSTON. have just learned and have no
doubt it is correctthat the House have almost unan
mousy resolved that they would not adjourn, and that
they competent to transact business My own opn-
ion 10 that the Senate until tomorrow at sunset will
have power TO act live adjourn upon the 9TH OF March
il is all that the constitution requires OF us.
Mr.. WALKER. understand that the river and har-
Dor bill 10 under consideration. of those who
believe the river and habor BILL and every appropriation
BILL may yet be passed, if will act up 10 the real prn-
ciples At the foundation Of our form OF government
has been complained of by who say they in
the minority on this bill that the majority is endeav0r-
Mr.. DAWSON. Upon that question have the floor.
The PRESIDENT The Chair had forgotten ii. The
senator from GGsqIsa is entitled t to the floor.
no: aware that the floor belonged 10 him supposed be
had concluded
make motion TO adjourn Has that question ever been
The PRESIDENT. The senator withdrew il in order
to take up the resolution from the House, TO which there
Mr. DAWSON did not wish to embarrass the bill
at ALL My only object 10 vlndicate the position
which occupy Il has been said that the course pursued
by the minority here disorg in its character
and intended to defeat the appropriation bills with
TO embarrass the administration. wished to place my
self right about that There on this floor who
il better friend to the administration than am-no
one. We had the civil and diplomatic bill up We had
progressed with it We had adjourned with view to
take up the unfinished business of the preceding
day. A majority carried the proposition to keep down
the civil and diplomatic BILL and all other appropriations
with view TO place this bill between the adjournment
Of Congress and The appropriation bills in order to en-.
force its passage Then they laid down the principle that
amendment should be made to this bill, either 10
change the features OF II came from the House, or
to add anything to Against this did interPose my
voice One amendment made, but II was before II
was understood what course was TO be pursued Inter
posed my objection and now they come here and say
that we dsoganizng in our tendencies, when they
assume the position of forcing the administration into
the unpleasant extremity OF beng driven TO called SEES
son. Who is responsible for this Not the opponents
OF the river and harbor bill No, sir; not they ap
psaled to Them and told them 10 pass the necessary APP
preparation bills, and then take up this measure; and il
they had the power TO pass IT. TO do H. have not inter.
posed one single calculated 10 defeat this bill
have resorted TO parliamentary s,ratagems. | have
voted upon every question which has been presented and
prepared 10 do il to the end OF the session But
for fear may be said that my object 10 defeat the ap
preparation bills, will desst from discussion. | will say
to the Senate now, that, notwithstanding any views
may have, VIII SIT here without opening my mouth,
and vote for the passage of appropriation bill and
for every calculated 10 carry this govern
ment
IA message was received from the House Of Repre-
ssntatves, by the hands Of Mr. Young their Clerk
nouncing that the Speaker had signed the following
rolled bills:
An act to reduce and modify the OF postage in the
United States, and for other purposes
joint resolution providing Tor auditing and settling the
accounts OF the public printers during the recess OF Con-
gress
An act making appropriations for the service of the
Pos Office Department during the fiscal year ending June
30, 1852. and for other purposes.
Also, bill for the relief OF H. J. McClintock and
Nanshed Carter.
The aforementioned bill signed by the President
OF the Senate.
Mr.. HUNTER. ask the unanimous consent Of the
Senate 10 move 10 suspend the 18th joint rule, for the
purpose OF sending the four bills which have jus, been
signed to the President OF the United States for his sigma
turs.
The motion was agreed tol
Mr.. DAVIS, OF Mississippi The question raised
settled by the Senate account OF my SUPPOSE
ton that il would be settled il withdrew my motion
adjourn. now send q resolution 10 the Chair, and ask
that il may be read H#. #="
Mr. DAWSON. II cannot be read while there i. a
motion before the Senate
Mr. DAVIS II is aqueston OF privilege.
The PRESIDENT. The senator from Mississippi
wshes 10 know whether the time has EXPIRED and sends
this resolution TO the Chair. II will be read.
Ans secretary read the resolution, as follows:
Hssoipd That the session of the Thirty Con
h.s eiosed oy The arrival of ~ y. M OF the Sd Of
March ana therefore the Senate do notify the House that
thsy are ready to adjourn.
MIR. GWIN. | ask the yeas and nays upon that oues.
ton 70 $3.50 f'7
The PRESIDENT. The Chair canno, consider ,ba, ,
privileged question The subject-matte being be fore The