Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-12-24
THIRTY-sECoND CoNGREss--eD SESSION
MvSpAY, DECEMBER ~, 1852.
AHE

The called the Senate 10 ofoef anu ltau eci
10 him from The Hon. W. R. King requesting him 10 lay De-
fore the Senate his resignation as presiding othcer
The letter of resignation in the following words :
Senators The feeble Of my health renders me un-
able to discharge duties of President pro tenn Accept
beg you my resignation f,he honorable position in which
you have with SO much unan'm'ty, placed me.
In taking leave OF you Senator'S permit me to express my
grateful Acknowledgements Tor your Uniform personal Kind
the generous support have never Jailed TO give
mentary law. May merciiu Providence preserve TO each
of you the greatest of all earthly blessings-hea
With the highest respect and esteem, am your obedien'
servant, NM Il, HING
Mt Butler said his colleague Mr. De Saussure pre-
sent and of precedent moved that the oath
Office be administered to him by the Hon. John Davis
Agreed TO- and the oath of office was administered TO Mr.
LIE SauSsure by MIR. Davis.
Mr. Blight submitted a resolution appointing the Hon. D.
T. Atchison President pro tempore Agreed 10 unanimously
Dir. Atchison took the chair and said:
SenatorsPcrmit me TO return 10 you my thanks for the
honor you have again conferred and al the same
time TO express my regret in common with every other
member of the Senate The which has produced the
necessity for the election of presiding officer this time
Icanno expecindeed it would be vain expectation upon
my partthat should be able TO render 10 this body the
degree Of satisfaction presiding officer that pre-
decesso has rendered But it may not be in bad taste for
me to say that pledge myself least such presiding
officer act with mpartiaity toward all.
Mr. Davis submitted resolutions returning the thanks OF
the Senate the Hon William r King for the dignity and
courtesy with which he had discharged the duties OF Inc
Chair expressing the of The Senate at his conn-
ued Illness Adopted unanimously
The Secretary directed to inform the President OF the
United States and House of Representatives of The cleo
ton Of Hon. D. r. Achson as President pro epore OF
the Senate
dresses made in Congress upon Mr. "ebsters Death were
ordered 10 be printed.
After variety of unimportant business, The Kentucky
contested election case was taken up
Mr. Douglas addressed the Senate IN opposition 10 The va
dity Of Mr. Dxon's election.
Nj. Cass and Mr. Mason followed, expressing similar
views.
Msssrs Seward aud Rusk supported Mr.. Dixons claim
The question was then taken on The resolution declaring
Nj duly elected Senator and entitled 10 the seat and
/, decided in the affirmative ~ nays l6, fol
lows:
Butler, CHASE Clarke Cooper, Davis, Dawson. Dodge OF
Iowa Fish, Geyey Hale, jones OF Tennessee Miller, Nor
ION, Pierce, Rusk Sewtrd. Smith, spruance Sumner I'm
derword, Upuam. Wade-2I.
NArs--Mrsss. Boyao, B"rlcnd, Bright Bradbury, Cass
Cahesrt De saussure :ge Wisconsin, Douglas Downs
Frcn, Gw!n, Mason, Norris Toucey, Weller-l6.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
Mr. Brown, Of Mississippi. moved that the rules OF The
House be suspented 10 enable him TO submit !o
establishing committee OF claims, TO consist of fifteen
He explained his views and the objections hi
had board OF commissioners The duty OF The commit
tee would he said the reports vi committees
each separate claim, the House finally 10 determine.
DR. Sweezer, OF ONO considered Ii an important propo
sition and said he opposed throwing any additional
difficulties in the OF settling claims, or OF giving fu
citles for passing frivolous claims He in favor
of throwing open law the decision of claims
tion every member would sill have the of deciding
claims; thought if claims to be settled by courts
Justice that jurors would give millions tina, Congress
would not grant.
Several gentlemen having expressed themselves for
aud against the BILL eers appointed the amend
ment, which was negatived-ayas So, nays "A.
Mr. Stuart moved The resolution lie the table: and
the and having been ordered Tie motion was ne
gativet-yeas IL nays w.
The question then taken the original resolution
which negaliyed-ayes "a nays SO.
Mr. Ewing OF Ky moved that il be referred TO the commit
ice Judiciary enquire into the expediency OF umend
lag the constitution That electors for President and Vice
President be appointed for separate districts instead oil en-
tire States; which was agreed to.
The H. use then adjourned