The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-22

The Senate proceeded to The consideration of the fol-
lowing resolution, subHitied by Mr. HAIE on tho l4th
Rxsopsd. That the Senate chamber, during tho
Of Congress, while The Senate is not actually in session,
shall DC under the control and direction Of the SeIgeanat
| On motion by Mr.. HALE.
Urdsrsd That IL lie on The table.
4rs AMENDMENT OF THE RULES.
The Senate proceeded 10 consider the resolutions sub
milted BY Mr. BADGER the Goth instant add to and
amend the rules OF the Senate, with the amendments
ported thereto.
Ths first resolution was 10 amend the 10th rule to read
as foilowsi
when motion shall be m AIDE and seconded il shall be
reduced 10 whiting, ii desired BY the President OF any
member delivered ia at the table, and read before the
same shall be debated and any motion may be Withdrawn
by the mover any before decision, aniendinent
OF oaetax me yea and nays except motion 70 recon
| Senate"
The other resolution foows
Rssoip1, Tnat the following be added the rules OF the
Senate;
"A motion take up bill, resolution, other subject
which shall have been ordered lie the table, noon
70 proceed to the consideration OF subject and all qu1
e. tue priority OF business shall be decided without
Mr.. BELL lido not wish TO delay the Senate in pass
ing upon this resolution it that is their pleasure; but
daced this resolution whether proposed Gu, OF
mark when proposition 10 made 70 take up for consdera
ton = measure y ing upon the liable Y tis think tnay
operate very inconvenently; for think it hardly pos
ble upon motion 10 take up matter OF great public
necessity that all the senators would be OF It's i'm
potance, unless sone explanation c9uldbe male OF the
reasons Tor taking up measure, on account Of the ne
cessiies Of public convenience. Senators will vote
ayains, such very often, not hayingA thought
about i par,iculay whereas with suggestion IN lew
words Of the reasons and necessity that ente II 10 pri-
GRITTY, they will very readily the view OF the
gentleman who makes the motion.
Again. sir, understand that It is The parliamentary
law OF the body ii II Is moi motion to cut oil a
explanation, and only enacng what is the law OF
the body understand that il is the parliamentary law
Of this body and Of every of like kind that we know
OF, not 10 allow debate upon the merits OF measure
Ill it is taken up. That il frequently done here, know
but have always understood that It is done by the
courtesy OF the body and Of the Chair, because any
gentleman has right to stop all remarks not pertinent TO
Inc motion ITSELF whether or not the measure is ened
TO priority II is therefore enacil6g what is the paflia
mentary law this the object OF il; and II is intended
60 further and pecude all explanation, then goes
too far and will operate very inconvenientiy, and we
shall fall by necessity into the practice OF extending the
courtesy, and sometimes when not properly due OF al
lowing debate upon the merits | should like 10 have
this explanation ior il is intended TO cut oil all expana
tion, and TO allow nothing TO the mover but the mere
statement 81 the bill or OF moton % % !ake
be allowed with regard the object OF moving II, the
reason why is entitled to precedence, what il the pub
Inc exigency that demands ils immediate conslaeiaon'
Etail not object 10 IT, Ii il means 10 preclude those
proper parliamentary statements OF the mover think 4
will work very nconveniently, and therefore shall
vote against that part OF the proposition.
MIR BADGER suppose my friend from Tennessee
does imagine that il to give any explanation OF
the meaning OF that rule, that explanation will form any
authority OF Interpretation upon the rule when il shall
be acted upon. The rule means what II says
/" shall be decided without debate" 1t means exactly
the rule that excludes debate upon motion 10 lay
upon the table means. when il says without debate
II exactly what the rule means when says that
the motion adjourn shall be decided without debate
suppose that term perfectly understood by para.
menlary usage. Ii it has meaning, that is not my
fault borrow the word from the rules Of the Senate.
and from the parliamentary law is very obvious that
nothing could say with regard TO the meaning and effect
OF the rule would in the slightest degree affect the inter
probation which you, sir, would put upon the rule alter
was adopted
lowed for some reasonable explanation why particular
subject should be taken up which the Senate has ordered
to ls upon the table That is true and there ought
ton OF the why subject should be ordered to lie
upon the table and there is much for the
Tor the other There ought to be opportunity Tor
reasonable explanation why the Senate should adjourn
but yet the rule OF the Senate excludes debate each
OF these questions And why, MIR. President! Not be-
cause a reasonable explanation upon every subject or
bic of the ground for every proposition
not itself and by ITSELF proper and becoming but it's
rule dictated TO BY the necessities OF the There
are some subjects that decide without debate in
order 10 have an opportunity Of dsposng OF other subjects
upon debate This necessity has dictated the exclusion
OF debate upon motion adjourn, and upon motion to
upon the tables and this rule proposes to extend that
exclusion 10 motions take up subjects from the table
and 10 Questions respecting the priority OF business Thai
is the object OF II. sir.
l.
law cannot discuss the merits OF question before
is taken up That very true, but You can discuss
a variety Of topics connected with the question whether
it shall be taken up. appeal 10 you, sill appeal to
every gentleman who has seat upon this hoor, since
he has been here he has known 10 happen over and
lover again. that the Senate occupied during the whole
morning hour in discussing the question whether par
lcuar subject shall be taken up Now, admit, with my
friend, have stated that in the nature OF things, alb
saced from these necessities which require us to restrain
and control in particular instances what may be IN gene
raj order TO secure greater good may
be desirable allow these opportunities Tor explanation
But every member OF this body knows you cannot allow
without introducing upon almost every question OF this
kind an extended debate and discussion That is all,
The question: therefore, resolves Itself into this wheh
e il 10 better that the Senate should decide whether they
will vary the order which their business 10 be taken
up whether they shall decide 10 vary or not to vary
without discusson for the purpose OF accomplishing the
greater good oil going with some bushes: before the
Senate 10 he transacted That is the rule feel par
ticular solcitude anxiety in this matter have looked
on for the four sessions that have been a member Of
this body and have become satisfied tina, there sub
ject whatever which has received useless discus
son, which has occasioned wsnton waste OF the
time OF the Senate than these discussions upon the p
ority OF business, and the order in which il shall be
tuie about but being satisfied from four years expert
ence that this modification Of The rues was necessary
thouRht proper 10 submit this resolution. II the Sen
think proper TO continue to waste the public time IN
discussing the question whether they will DO business o.
not, they will do it. Il 10 matter about which feel AZ
are the reasons which induced me 10 introduce the
amendment and this 10 its purpor II is for the Senate
to decide whether shall shall not adopt the rule
| Mr. RUSk. do not see any great good which Till
will accomplish, and do injury which think
will result from it, In the first place, If we desire tc