The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-01
Mr.. WALKER submitted the following resolution fo

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binding is now done brings down our binding, IN the
language OF the senator from Missouri, which think is
most appropriate, 10 documents OF the size oil primers
We ordering our binding TO be done to re-
strict il TO documents of $50 pages. have one here
which has reached l7o pages; do not know that II IS
an entire document but appears to be- It's thickness
is about three -eighths OF inch believe that is far
from being the smallest but these are fagends, rem
nanis OF documents, while those of $50 pages have
to be bound separately have introduced thai resoln
on, for the purpose OF making regulation upon the
subject OF binding, but for the purpose OF suspendng The
binding until the Senate have time to investigate the mat
ter, and TO make iurtheI order IN regard TO IT.
BILLS.
! Mr. SEBASTIAN gave notice that he should 10 NOR
row, on some early subsequent day, ask leave to m
,roduce bills for the following purposes;
To limit the act of March 2, 1881, for the punishment
OF ,respasses upon the public lands,
Togrant TO the States of Arkansas and Missouri the
right of way for and portion OF the public lands u aid OIL
the construction OF railroad from st Louis. Missouri
via Little Rock, to some point Red river, and for
branches OF said road to the Mississippi ryer and Fort
| Smith, in Arkansas;
To extend and render elfecua the jurisdiction oil
the circuit courts OF the United States.
AMENDMENT THE RULES.
The Senate proceeded TO consider the following resolu
tion, submitted by Mr.. BADGER on the 25th instant
RssoiUd That the tenth rule OF the Senate be amended
] by adding thereto the following words:
'"And every motion may be withdrawn by the
any time before decision amendment, excepa motion
/ of the Senate
Rssoved That the following be added the rules OF the
|
san motions take up bill, resolution, Other sub
ject which shall have been laid the table, all motions 10
proceed the consideration OF subject and all ques-
lions the priority of business shall be decided without
debate /"
Mr. BADGER If there is any difficulty or doubt in
the minds OF the Senate the prope,y OF these amend
ments, not at all solcitous that there should be any
immediate action upon them. They have been drawn
after considerable observation, on my part Of the opera
on OF those portions OF the present rules OF the Senate
The tenth rule OF the Senate is as follows;
'.When a motion shall be made aud seconded, IL shall be
reduced writing, desired by the President mem
be delivered in at the table. and read before the same
shall be debated"
The amendment intended to remedy this provision OF
the general parliamentary law that whenever question
is raised by the motion of any member, it is in possession
of the Senate and cannot be wthd drawn by the mover
without the leave of the Senate Practically, we know
that this parliamentary rule is very rarely ever en-
orced but every now and then, as have observed 10,
application has to be made to the Senate by the Tor
leave to withdraw motion which he has submitted The
House of Representatives have rule upon that subject
which mbodied in the amendment to the tenth rule OF
the Senate which have submitted; but the rule OF the
House of Representatives is liable TO objection which
have endeavored TO guard against BY tue exception
ANY bs s Of
amendment, at the will OF the Ordinarily there
be objection to il; because if any other member
chooses make the motion, he has right to il
and seems scarcely reasonable compel member who
has made motion, and who afterwards reason to
doubt the proprey OF IT, to appear to insist upon this mo-
on, and TO have so passed upon IN the Senate This
III
reconsider, as well 10 other motions. Sometimes ii
happens ia the House that motion reconsider is made,
and does hot come up for decision until after the time
when will be IN order to make another moon Is past,
and then is withdrawn by the so that although
the House may be disposed 10 reconsider, they may be
deprived Of doing il because other member make
that motion. The effect of the amendment before the
Senate is that the member of the Senate moving the
amendment or motion may Withdraw il at any time before
amendment decision, except IN case OF motion to re
consider which shall not be Withdrawn without leave of
the Senate That exception is for the reason ! have
stated With regard to every other motion, no injury
done, because any member may renew the motion II he
thinks proper to do and to bring it 10 consdera-
ton motion to reconsider is pecuar for, by the rule
of the Senate, after the appointed tune has elapsed
although the Senate should be disposed 10 reconsider, and
although another member who voted in the majority
should be disposed TO submit such motion, would not
be in his power
Then Mr. President, in regard to the rule proposed, in
two words it is this that the question in Tie Senate
whether we proceed to the consideration Of subject
shall be decided without debate am sure that every
senator who hears me must have felt, in the OF
every session in which he has been in the Senate what
have felt for the four previous sessions have served
here, the great inconvenience in having large portion Of
the morning disposed OF in debate whether the Senate
will take up subject for consideration which is very
nearly the thing spending the whole morning in
debate when there is no question before the Senate That
is the effect of the rules proposed
| Mr. BRIGHT. | doubt the propriety OF the change
proposed by the honorable senator from North Carolina
| / think can imagine serious inconvenience
would result from IT. ! would refer, as an instance,
which occurs at once to my mind, TO the motion made by
Inc senator 1rOm view SEWARD,J uuflng Tue
last session, which preposterous, that when the
vote taken he was the only senator voting IN the
affirmative Occasionally there propositions presented
here that require considerable discussion and after gen
temen have given their opinions upon them they would
be glad to record their votes and TO make part OF the
journal. think the rule is better it is. The ten
dency OF II 10 prevent gentlemen from presenting prop
osilions upon which they would not be willing TO say
yea nay upon the journal Our rules system, and
the alteration of would distarb tho harmony o that
system am not prepared 10 say TO what extent would
be disturbed by adopting the changes which have been
proposed by the senator from North Carolina; but
consider il matter of 80 much Importance, that would
suggest him the proprety Of referring the subject TO
select committee. That. believe, is the usual course
when parliamentary body proposes change long
lshed rules II there be no objection will make the
oon that the matter be referred to COMMITTEES OF three
members Of the body conversant with such matters.
4 MIR. BERRlEN. do not apprehend any objection TO
that course will say however that cannot perceive the
difficulty that appears TO be felt by the senator from In
DIANA who that aer subject has been debated
the members desrous of recording the expression OF
their opinions upon that given subject which may be de-
feated by the withdrawal of the motion. The answer
s that they restore themselves that right by the re-
newal OF it, with statement OF the motives that induced
the renewal, ii they desire TO vote against il.
With respect TO the fact which has been stated, that
our rules constitute system will be recoected by the
have rather than to change those rules But with these
suggestions, leave the subject trusting that the senator
from North Carolina will readily acquesce IN the mo-
ton to refer his resolution to select committee.
Mr.. BADGER, Certainly, Mr. President. would be
the last person. member OF this Senate to desire any
rule to be adopted without full consultation or any
thing done impair the symmetry which onr rules pre-