The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-02

one OF the rules of the Senate
Mr.. FOOTE. believe we never will have II here.
Mr.. BELL believe majority oil the Senate can by
the constitution, at every new Congress- ADOPT rules AND
regulations govern their proceedings and will be IN
their power establish the previous question as one Of
the rules /. too trust shall adopt IL. But II
these appropriations are Withheld from The great West
they Will send majority here that will wIes from the
minority the power defeat these benecent objects
shall be most reluctanl--I shall be among the last-to
consent the adoption OF the previous question IN the
Senate, If il be possible TO AVOID H. and yet do justice 70
the claims of the great interests OF the country The
Senate ought TO be body which would require
such mode OF enforcing the will OF the major
ity or of providing Tor the wants OF the country The
privilege OF debate in either one house or IN the other,
should be free and unrestricted. We should have no
five minutes rueno hour rule. consider II one OF The
greatest safeguards OF liberty and union tina, debate
should be free But II the minority will might persist
and defeat this BILL they must take the responsibility OF
all the consequences. | warn them again, that II they
persist in their present course they may create such
feeling such sentiment OF Indignation in the country,
that the members of this body will be compelled to yield
to IT, Senators from The South, particularly, should re.
e on a God M s sss Of %
would induce TO vote tor Its ADOPTION while any
hope remains OF better and practical temper among
members. 10 Tor freedom OF debate Standing here,
with unrestricted and free debate, defy any combination
of fanatics enemies OF the Union 10 sunaer its ties
But the moment you apply the gag, the moment you
adopt the previous question rule and she free de-
BATE would give much, southern man, Tor the
guarantees of the constitution Situated we are ex
posed as we adverse interests and much hostile
feeling again warn honorable Of the minority
as s s 81 hsy as
the means OF improving their great channels OF trade
them that, they do, voice will finally come up
from the depths OF thai great valley so loud and deep as
TO sweep away all distractions to fair expression OF the
sentiments OF the majority. @a@
Senators that the public morals are corrupted
that improper influences have been brought TO bear in
getting up this BILL by providing tor some objects be-
cause they could command greater strength and more
votes than Others OF greater importance, which are left
out OF the bill No doubt sir there are some items, some
in hill nf han
certain others which are not embraced in IT, have
already adverted the fact that the Cumberland river
which he's been surveyed many years agoa most beau
til rver and navigable Tor seven hundred miles
not included in this bill How it came TO be excluded
know not, except that the amount appropriated to the
other objects in the bill large the House OF Rep
resenalives thought prudent proper to ask at this
time Tor internal commerce. But who that has had any
long experience in public AFFAIRS legislation, that does
not know that all measures of this knd-ail measures
which great variety of interests and sections
less unjust and unequal in their provisions
Take any tariff that passed and you will find
interests better protected than Others and this from
the influences that prevalent in settling its details
Why, sir II you look at the OF legislation in
regard to the great establishments for the public defence
you will find that justice has rarely been done TO all
sections localities and that improper Influences have
often prevailed to the prejudice of the public interest
Take for example the Location OF our navy yaIds1our
the finest harbor the most secure accessible and spa
cous refuge and harbor for our vessels OF on the
whole Atlantic coast Yet Rhode Island could never
bring influence enough bear have naval depot
tablished IN lis waters. remember an effort was made
repair the injustice done only to Rhode Island but
OF navy yards at Newport, since into Con-
gress, but could not be done The prepondeatRg in
fiuence of the powerful Communicating OF New York
and Massach still prevailed. Sir if il had been
Georgia. instead of Rhode Island which contained such
habor, and the government continued neglect il,
and give the preference TO bays and harbOrs OF infinitely
less Importance she would at least have threatened rebel
lion. It is imperfecon, injustice, less,
which runs through all legislation.
want TO know now the opponents OF this bill mean
TO defeat the appropriation bills. Have they made up
their minds that TO defeat this bill. they will throw on,
the appropriation bills II they have, let them consider
upon whom the responsibility ought to be, and will be-
Will it rest upon the minority which obstinaiely persists
in lis opposition TO this bill, upon the majority am
aware Sir, that some share OF responsibility will fall
No one regrets more sincerely than do the state OF
things which has been brought about by the conflict be-
tween the friends and the opponents OF this II
stale OF things that all should deprecaie do not
deem myself competent TO advise those gentlemen who
the friends Of this would scarcely know
how 10 advise them at the present hour OF the session
under all the circumstances. will not undertake to
separate myself from them think il is incumbent upon
those gentlemen who have opposed the measure TO
Mr.. GWlN. still have hope that get up the
appropriation bills Notwithstanding this bill is under
consideration II rs evidently now point of honor be-
tween the two sides OF the house-between the adyo
of this bill and the opponents of it, The advocates
OF tins bill look upon as point OF honor 10 bring the
Senate TO vote upon the bill, and the opponents Of
iooA upon as HdteI Vi uuly On tuen ueIeat
The bill think they can accomplish both objects very
soon, and therefore devote ourselves to other
business. II understand the rule from what | have
seen-l know very little about it-no bill go to
President for his signature If any member Of this
house objects 10 the suspension OF the rules relation
to that matter. II that be true and il the friends OF this
bill have majority TO be able to pass this BILL II
cannot to the President for his signature If any
member OF this house objects TO it, Now, appeal TO the
Senate i this bill cannot or il passed. cannot
ceive the signature OF the President so TO become
law, lei us take a vote upon II at
Mr FOOTE. ] can only say in regard 10 that, that
II we permit them TO vote upon this bill in its pres
en crude and imperfect shape and the bill should be
adopted IN form which we deem and peculiar
and be ready for the Presidents sanction and the motion
made to suspend the rules for the purpose of allowing
The President 10 sign IT. some gentlemen this side cf
the house will, II objection is made when is
made IN regard TO other measures, to amend the
motion 10 suspend as to include this bill, and thus by
that emen this bill will obtain the Presidents sane
ton, and become a law.
Mr.. GWIN. That Is specific motion--for instance,
there is motion made 10 suspend the rules in regard TO
The civil and diplomatic appropriation, that il may go
10 the President for his signature Ii be put that
shape only. II motion made 10 amend that, any one
member can stop the bill.
Mr.. FOOTE. | understand not.
The PRESIDING OFFICER, (Mr. Nona,s in the
char) The Chair will have to settle tina, question when
il arises.
Mr.. GWiN. Well. i am conhden, Of one fact; and
hat ls, That on that very motion TO suspend gentlemen
debate long they debate upon this bill in
Is present condition They then bring forward their
peeehes and arguments upon that very point and thus
ieea the bill
Mr. FoOrE Tha, is not ample enough--it has no,
hAnrt Tn tn tln -. 81