The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-26
The resolution was accordingly read. as fellows.


MIR. CASS. IL is singular commentary upon the
charge of the disposition OF the majority in this body 10
exercise tyranny It's MEMBERS that this measure has
been Introduced and principally advocated by gentlemen
of The minory-gentemen who have sat here for years.
and who have seen the action OF the majority repeat
II is very singular commentary upon That acuon have
respect myself sir very little al any rate and that
le sgowiog less, for the metaphysics Of parliamentary
law | have been sometimes strong ly inclined TO believe
hat we could get along better if had no parliamentary
law and scarcely any rules any raie have no belle OF
The obligation of any parliamentary law here, any more
than in the obligation Of membeIs, when IN the perorm-
OF their official functions to wear wigs or robes or
Tor the masters bringing in bill to make three bows before
they get to the speakers chair believe in the right OF
the American Congress to regulate their business n their
own way. Nor do believe that there is the slightest
danger that the majority in either branch OF this body Will
have any disposition to yrannize the minority. The
members OF The minority who have spoken have done
more than justice 10 The majority II there was such
disposition, public opinion would put end TO II at once
We talk OF public opinion. It is not made here There
is greater mistake than 10 suppose that public opinion
originates in the discussions OF this body and Is sent from
here to the people. Why, sir how many thousands and
hundreds of thousands are there in our country just
competent TO sit here any members OF this body occu
pyng seats in either branch Public opinion comes to US
Thank God, il comes 10 u.s. and we have felt the power
OF it since ] have been here am for discussion. |
have no belief in that miraculous power OF discussion
which may members seem to acknowledge, at least in
speaking OF cong ressional discussion believe the pow
er of Congress depends upon the will of the people Of
this country and not upon discussion, although believe
III the right and Importance OF discussion.
but word. What is the proposition9 When bill be-
fore us has been discussed time after time, week after
week. Or II you please, month after month, gentleman
gets up and puts in an thai is or IS moi proper
week after week. Now, in the name OF common sense
putting all metaphysics out OF the way, why should not
the majority have the power to put an end to the amend
inent as well as to The principal matier You give the
majority the right 10 put their fingers upon the original
and put it down when they please Why
not upon an incidental and unnecessary part OF ii The
MAJ ha nh .pI. thaFa iG no hnnht nj Of III
parliamentary power may be abused. All you can do is
to check II IN proper way The right of passing bills
may be abused The right OF discussion may be abused.
We have it abused by that cloak but il is absolutely
essential and il has been found in this and in the other
body. The power should exist in the majority of the
body at times to force 10 termination important public
measures You may abuse The power OF putting bill
upon the table You may abuse the power OF putting
amendment to bill. Gentlemen seem TO think that the
moment an amendment is stated il will be put upon the
table That agreeable to the usual practice of this
body The amendment will be discussed, and the orgi-a
nal bill remain untouched until the majority gets tired oil
the amendment, or finds il 10 be only cloak for contn.
nng discussion, and then they will put their hands upon
il as they would upon an original bill which stood in the
way oil other business ] can possible objection
to H. unless there is an objection to all power of this de-
scrpon Ii there s then it applies just as much TO pat
Ting original bill upon the liable as an amendment
MIR. PEARCE. cannot agree with the senator from
Michigan, [ NI. CAss.l The practice Of this body has
been exceedingly courteous, ] know. 4 do not know.
indeed that remember any instance OF oppression by
the majority here but do recolect and have felt The
oppression OF majority elsewhere, i have the
freedom of debate very much tramped down. have
tha, delberation absolutely necessary the under
standing OF the question put end 10 by the power
which, BY The rules of the House. is conferred upon the
majority And although do not think IL very likely
that in The course OF very short space OF time we shall
witness in this house the violation OF the rights OF the
minority, yet think the time may come, If no, in my
time, and that il will ii furnish TO the paori
ty the OF oppression which thiuk this RUE fur
nshes tits only By allowing the free Offering OF amend
mens, and the free and full discussion OF amendments
ha It,af httf
OF which, at all events, very rhing Inconvenience
compared with the serious Inconvenience arising
from denying that freedomthat The minority can be Sc
cured from oppression. You cannot deny that freedom
without mpainDg the freedom OF discussion. We know
very well that oftenmes majority would be unwilling
TO give direct vote upon question which they would
put aside indirectly by supporting motion 10 lay upon
the table And the responsibility OF public cannot
be enforced il you pass such rule as this But will
not the time OF the Senate with the discussion
OF subject with which II has already been occupied
long wished, however, before voting against this prop.
osition, 10 put upon record in positive form, my
decided objection; because do believe that i not
an instrument of wrong, the time will i0alliby
when il may be abused and will be so abused, il the
power IL given 10 abuse II.
The question being taken upon the resolution, the re-
suit was-yeas ~ nays 81 -as follow;
YEAS-Messts. Adams, Badger, Bradbury, Brodhead
Cass, Clarke Dawson, Dssaussure Dodge OF Wisconsin
Felch, Fish, Houston, James, lone. Iowa. Mallory. Nil
NAYS-Mesus. Atchison, Bell, Boiand, Brooke, Char.
,qn, Clemens. CoopeI Davis Dodge q Iowa, Downs, Foot
tian, Sumner, and Waker-2l
SO the resolution was not agreed TO.
CONGRESSIONAL COMPENDIUM.
Mr.. BRADBURY. | ask The indulgence OF the Senate
TO take up for consideration Senate Joint resolution No
II providing for the preparation OF compendium of the
annual public documents. The resolution lies upon the
table
The Senate accordingly proceeded TO consider the Joint
resolution as in committee OF the whole
II authorizes the President OF the United States TO pre-
pare, al the commencement OF each session, soon
thereafter as pactcabe compendium OF the public doc
umens accompanying the Presidents message, embracing
IN one volume the more important portions OF the report
of the Secretary OF the Treasury, and of such other e-
ports as may be Of general interest
Mr BRADBURY Mr.. President, il will be necessa-
~ that occupy but a very few moments in giving
brief explanation OF the objects OF this resolution. II
designed TO obtain, compact FORM the valuable por-
tions OF the annual public documents submitted with the
Presidents message, omittng the unimpottsnt matter
II Is not designed to supersede the printing OF the docu
mens in trfeaso, far they may be necessary for
the OF members OF Congress, OF public Libraries
but that tins compendium shall take the place OF the er-
ira ngmbrs which ordinarily publish OF these docu-
ments. | have examined the Presidents message and
accompanying documents laid before Congress at The
present session. and will refer them to show the ne
ceseity oil such compendium as propose.
The message and documents comprise three volumes,
embracing, generally, reports from the heads OF depart.
meats and from the chiefs OF bureaus. Two volumes
have been already received These Two volumes con-.
volume will contain $50 pages The report Of the Sec
relary OF The Treasury on commerce and navigation
cuples 395 pages, and bis report the finances SIS pages
more. Thus we have five volumes spreading over a
space OF 2,252 pages coming into Congress AT the com
mencemen OF the session This does no, include the re-
port OF the Commissioner on Patents, which occupies
Two volumes, and $50 pages more as the eso-
luton does mol touch that repou but take this occa