The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-05
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.
SENATE-IIs CosrrNuArIos. J

THE RIVER AND HARBoR BILL.
Mr. SOULE moved to amend the bill by adding
thereto appropriation Of 8 l30, 900 for deepening
the mouth of the Mississippi river. And as part OF
Secretary report by Mr.. Ellet, communicated to
the Senate by the War Department, making a
document of sixteen printed pages.
MIR. BADGER moved 10 dispense with the read
ing Of the report.
And the question being taken, the motion was
not agreed to-yeas %. nays "a.
The report was read till after six o'clock when
Mr. PHELPS moved to dispense with the further
reading of the report.
MIR. FoOTE raised the point Of ORDER that the
Senate having once ordered the paper to be read it
was not in order to move to suspend the reading Of
it now.
The CHAIR decided the motion to be in order.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Mississippi, appealed from the
decision.
Messrs. DAVIS, Of Mississippi. CLAY. FOOTE,
PHELPS, and SOULE. debated the appeal, and
the propriety of the majority in insisting the
passage Of the BILL and the justice of the minority
in resisting its passage by recourse to parlia-
mentary motions. The question then taken,
and the decision Of the Chair sustained.
Mr.. PEARCE, it being now nearly eight o'clock,
said that pretty evident that this contest was
TO be fruitless struggle. The majority was exas
perated against the minority on account of the
mode pursued to defeat the bill and the minority
was exaggerated against the majority on account
of the manner in which it was alleged this bill was
forced upon them. The struggle was hopeless
was, that there would have to be an extra session.
or the President would in a few months be obliged
to disband the army and navy, and remove num-
Der Of civil officers II an extra session were called
Legislatures in several States would have to be
called together to change existing laws in relation
to the mode and time Of electing members of Con-
gress. There was no use in one side attempting
10 place the responsibility the other; both sides
were responsible, and the country would SO
slider it, He hoped, therefore, the bill would be
laid aside, and the appropriation bills be taken up
He hoped the Government would not be placed in
such hazard, nor the singular spectacle be pre-
sented of government without any means.
There would be no government. II would be
anarchy. He moved the bill be laid on the table.
The question was taken on the motion, and de-
cided in the negative-ycas %, nays 80.
The qucsion required on dispensing with the
further reading Of the report sent to the Chair by
Mr.. SouLE; the motion was agreed to-yeas q,
Mr. sOULE explained the contents of that por
ton If the report which had not been read.
Mr. DOWNS followed in support Of the amend
ment, and, after some time, yielded the floor to
Z. MIR. BRADBURY, who moved the bill be post
poned for one hour and half. Lost-yeas 20,
nays3l
18th joint rules, as to enable the Military Acad
envy bill to be sent to the President, and the Navy
bill to be received from the House.
MIR. kUSK asked the unanimous consent Of the
Senate that this bill be laid aside, and the Postage
bill be taken up. Objection, however, was made.
tinued them for some time.
Mr.. FOOTE followed in support Of the amend
ment
The question was then taken on the amendment
81.
Mr.. FOOTE moved to lay the bill on the table,
in order to go into Executive session. The motion
was lost.
THE POST OFFICE BILLS.
Mr.. HUNTER, by unanimous consent, called up
the Post Office Appropriation BILL and, on his mo-
ton, the Senate insisted on its amendments and a
committee of conference was appointed.
RIVERS AND HAnpols.
Mr.. ATCHISON expressed the hope that no op.
ponent of the bill would again move to lay it the
table; he would not vote for the motion unless it
should be made by the friends of the bill.
Mr.. CLEMENS said that he had several amend
ments yet to offer During the discussion he had
heard much said about the true Democratic doc
trine. He proposed to read what he considered to
be the true Democratic doctrine. Mr.. C. then
commenced reading the message Of President
Polk OH the occasion of vetoing the River and Har
Dor bill some years agoi and be concluded reading
at half past ten.
THE POSTAGE BILL.
Mr.. HUNTER, from the committee confer
ence upon the Post Office Appropriation bill, made
| q report, which was concurred in.
Mr.. RUSK, by unanimous consent, called up
the bill TO reduce and modify the rates of postage;
and, motion, the House amendments were
! CURED in.
THE RIVER AND HARnoR BILL.
| was resumed.
Mr. CLEMENS moved to strike out the appro-
| pr;ation for the improvement of the Arkansas
| river.
And after debate the motion disagreed to-
| yeas II, nays %.
Mr.. GwlN said that he had been informed by
the Secretary of State that the President would,
twelve o'clock, notify the Senate to meet to-mor.
] row for Executive business. In order to mako one
more effort to save the appropriation bills. ht
| would move to lay the River and Harbor bill or
the table. He withdrew his motion, however, a
| the request Of
Mr.. DICKINSON, who appealed to the Senate t.
forego this chids play, and take up and act the
obriOus to all that III. bi could not pass
| Mr.. UNDERWOOD said the responsibility
should rest in the proper quarter; the responsible
ty of the defeat Of the appropriation bills would
| be placed on those who are using every means in
their power to prevent vote on this bill.
| Mr. FOOTE followed, defending the minority
| for their course of opposition to the bill.
Mr.. HOUSTON considered the bill bill O.
denominations in its present shape and he justified
its opponents for resisting it.
Mr.. SEWARD explained certain appropriation
in the bill; and urged that the minority should al
low vote to be had on the bill.
Mr.. DAWSON followed in opposition to the bill
and in defence Of the measures rcsorted to by it,
| opponents.
nouncing that that body had acted upon all the
QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE.
X being now twelve o'clock
Mr. DAVIS, of Mississippi, raised question Of
privilege that, under the Constitution, the session
now closed. 1t was, he knew, long doubted
point but there was the authority Of the Senator
from Michigan, who had similar occasion, some
years ago, given it his opinion that the session
expired at twelve o'clock on the night of the third
of March; and the Senator had gone further, and
| refused to vote after that hour. His term now
expred and he knew no other course to pursue, OK.
cept to move that the Senate do now adjourn.
| At the suggestion of several Senators, however
| be changed his motion TO TO concur in the
| resolution of the House
Mr.. CASS said that it had always been his opin
ion that at twelve o'clock the night Of the third
/ of March the session terminated. He would &c
vote, and he would do no other business from thii
| hour.
| Mr.. BADGER said the resolution from the Hous,
| could not be acted upon till il taken up, anc
| it could not be taken up except by unanimous con
| sent. and he objected
Nr. DAWSON continued HE remarks for SOM
1 time, when
Mr.. DAVIS, Of Mississippi, again rose to ques
ton Of privilege He offered resolution dcclarin;