Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-03-08


n. BRIGHT believe The resolution has not ys. been
recved desire make myself understood II can make
myst unorsood have objected to the reception OF the
resolution. In making that objection do not wish 70 be
dersSod as hing hostile to it. reserve that question io ~
Iufe 'onsderon. deny that the Senate have ngn. 70
transact iegive business this session ldeny inat tney
athis session. called for executive purposes
make appropriations for past services object to the recep
ton Of the resoon on that point and desire the sense Oh
ths Sentse % to neither can be received am unwilling
u over u the idea that lies on the table one day
fof consideration; ID object to its reception.
Mr. RHETT. lhink We had better settle the matter, 50
that we may hereafta know how to act
Mr. SEWARD asd for the reading Of the resolution, and
eoped That eachIember of the Senate be supplied with
twelve additional copiesf the Congressional Globe and APP
pendx Of the first and ond session Of the soth Congress-
and that the Secretary cave the same to be bound.
Mr. RHETT. undstand that the reception of that re-
solution is objected to- Ten say let the be taken
to whether ii shall be rsceNd OF not.
Mr. WALKER. There va question behind that-a ques
ton Of order 10 objeced because proposes intro
duce species Of business With we have no right to transact
The question is proposed to ID Chair that If any thing to
be done it may be regularly doe. If the Chair declines to
decide whether introducing species of business which
cannot transact this sesso then the question can be
referred to the Senate and cal decide It and make pre-
cedent directly on the point
The PRESIDENT. II seemedto the Chair Just now to
be the general sense Of the Senate hat each
ing in legislative session, and hattherefore the executive
journal was not to be read until the nas proceeded to the
consideration Of executive business II that generally
acquiesced in by the Senate (and il seemed to be SOY the
Senator from North Carolina has ghtto lay his resolution
on the table, seemed to be the opnionof Senators gene
rally that we meet in legislative session every morning.
whether not engaged in executive business
the previous evening. II such be the case the presiding
morning; and no executive action, action whichis
ecutive, take place until the doors closed on
motion made to that effect. That understand to be the
general sense Of the Senate
2rvv 2rw IN In
Mr.. RUSK. If have power at this session to do
any thing but sit with closed doors and confirm nominations
and rafy treaties, have power to buy any stationery
or any thing else that may be necessary.
Mr.. CLARKE. Is it understood that the resolution Of
the Senator from North Carolina is received
The PRESIDENT. It is received if the understanding
OF the Senate be what the Chair has stated.
Mr.. BRIGHT. Does the Chair decide that is in order
to submit the resolution t
The PRESIDENT Certainly, if / is the opinion Of
the Senate that We meet every morning in legislative SEES
sion. When it up for consideration, will be for
the Senate to say whether 1t comes within the range OF
the constitutional powers of this body, when organized
parately from the other branch of Congress.
Mr.. BRIGHT. l do not understand the Chair to have
decided that we meet every morning in open session.
The PRESIDENT. The Chair had entertained differ
opnion-hst met in executive session that the gal
eres be cleared and the journal read and that then
any proposition might be introduced which might think
proper to discuss there any thing necessary to be
discussed in open session did but moi, proceed
ed TO the consideration Of strictly executive business. The
Of the Senate seemed to be different appeal had
been taken, though not persisted in The journal Of
yesterday was read and the Chair stated that appeared
to be the general Of the Senate his opinion would no
doubt be oveued, and be would not be bound in the dis
charge of his duty have the gallery cleared any morning
until motion made to 60 in executive session. II that
is the sense of the Senate, this resolution is in order
Mr. DAVIS Of Mississippi think there is mistake in
deciding that meet here every morning in open session.
The Senate may meet in open session may meet in
cuve session. If when in executive session to-day, we ad
journ 10 meet tomorrow, should In executive
son But the Senate adjourned yesterday from open
sion, and they meet in open session to-day and continue
open session until motion made and carried that the doors
be closed It in the power of the body adjourn to meet
in executive session, and Is not in the power Of the Pre
dent to decide that can only with closed DOORS This
morning 1t was necessary to transact business which
could properly be done only in open sessohe swearing in
OF member which very solemn and should be an open
transaction The oath ID not taken for the Senate merely
is taken for the whole country, and especially for bis
stuen and there should be great number Of Witnesses
That proceeding o this morning which should be in
open session.
Then there was the reading Of the journal There is
journal for open seons and for secret sessions II does
not follow that there executive journal to be read be-
cause we not in executive session yesterday The last
day we were in executive session Is so far as the executive
action Of the Senate concerned yesterday three
had interviewed. This is perpetual body Our sessions
not for day, not for year. two years, three years
executive session must be read whatever time might have
elapsed.
The PRESIDENT. With the permission Of the Senate,
the Chair will state to the Senator from Mississippi that
involved in difficulties to-day. We have transacted bus
not Immediately connected with executive proceed
ings without going into executive session. Tomorrow when
what would the Senator do with the journal of these
proceedings if we meet in executive session
Mr.. DAVIS of Mississippi It depends the order of
the Senate whether meet in executive session not
Mr. BRIGHT would ask the Chair for its decision on
the resolution
The PRESIDENT. The Chair decides that it can be re-
ceived.
Mr.. BRIGHT. Then appeal from that decision
MI. CLARKE. ask for the yeas and nays the
appeal.
The yeas and nays were ordered
The PRESIDENT. The Chair has decided that it is in
order to introduce the resolution proposed by the honorable
Senator from North Carolina From that decision the hon
oabe Senator from Indiana appeals The question Is, will
the Senate sustain the decision Of the Chair !
Mr.. ATCHISON. do not think the decision will effect
the object which the Senator from Indiana has obviously in
view. His motion, understand it. is to test the power
resolution. will receive that resolution, and will
vote to receive all other respectful papers presented to the Sc
nate seems to me that the question which the Senator
has tried to get at 10 ths Has the Senate organized
the same power that il had during the last three monhshe
same power subjects Of this kind know the Senate
has power to egslate unless in conjunction with the
House Representatives but the Senate exercised pow
or purchasing books opnng books and doing precisely
what the honorable Senator from North Carolina proposes
do, upon various occasions during the last sesonndeed
too often. hold that the Senate has the same power now
upon all subjects Of this kind that il had during the last
sion Of Congress- 1t any such thing which could
done during the last session Of Congress II seems to me
that this term Legislative session used implies, and
intended to mpy. nothing more than omen seaaon Now