The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-26

nothing in the objection OF my friend from Tennessee
(hir Bell !
Mr. BELL. should like very much TO have you do
Mr. UNDERWOOD. Well, sir think will con-
vince you yourself, II you will listen the expression
Of my idea. The genileman's objection is is sir. that
if my proposition be adopted IL will restrict the rights OF
the minority with reference to Discussion. and thereby
deprive them OF The privilege oil exposing the oil
Mr BELL. No, cir did not say any such thing.
Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. President. ! understand
that the tenor OF the objection is that dominant major
ily may be disposed TO uampe the rights OF the mi
noriiy Now sir, wish 10 show that II IS impossible
that such .hlng can De- bill care no. what may
amend il the amendment which otter is either peril
nen and relevant 10 the subectmatte OF the bill or i Is
substantive and distinct proposition, having relation
TO the matter OF The bi--l must be the other.
It either qualities the matter OF the bill in OF its
provisions, il is distinct and independent question
having no connexon with the operation or the subject
matter OF the bill.
Now. suppose that i, be one of then--a distinct and
independent question, having rothng TO do with the
matter OF the bill. My amendment only authorizes the
Senate to say, We will not consider that we will lay
upon the table How does that affect the rights Of the
minority How does that prevent them from exposing,
by discussion, dominant and tyrannical majority! II
isuley impossible that it have any effect OF that
sort lis only effect is to allow majority OF the Senate
10 say that this independent and distinct proposition
having no relation connexion with The matters OF the
bllshal be laid upon the table They dispose OF every
amendment OF that fort.
Sir, how is il with reference to an amendment which
Will qualify the main proposition OF the BILL TO enlarge
that proposition or restrict In point OF ume or in reIer
ence to Ills operation upon soceys rise and move
my amendment restricting the main proposition or
laTging it, and qualifying 1t in any way. A gentleman
moves to lay upon The table, and there is discus
sion until the vote is taken, and this amendment,
which would qualify the main proposition. is laid upon
the table. What is eft TO ME, sir Why can get up
and oppose the pill upon the very ground that this dom
nan and iyrannical majority refused by laying upon The
table this amendment which | offered TO allow me 10
qsafy that bill and make acceptable 10 the country
can show in debate that from the want OF this very
amendment which the majority have laid upon the
table, the bill will be injurious TO my constituents and
10 the whole country; and in that way by discussing
and debating can place the responsibility of that
oriiy upon such footing that the whole country will
see Can anything be palmer than all that Nothing
nothing
In reference to the point at issue between my friend
and the gentleman from North Caroline, Mr. BADGER,l
recolec an incident which suppose my friend from
Tennessee Mr. BELLl has forgotten. When we had
appropriation bill up some years ago for consideration,
the gentleman from Wisconsin, over the way, Mr..
WALKER,l offered an amendment proposing government
for the Territories of New Mexico and California The
question up then whether such an amendment
IN order and believe my trend IRON Tennessee made
speech upon it showing tina, that matter, proposing
territorial government in order by way of amend
ment TO appropriation bill Now, sir, very sorry
TO have even detained the Senate long upon propo
siton which everybody seems 10 admit. in principle
ought 10 be adopted thank my friends from Misss.
sippi tMr ADAmsl and from North Carolina Mr.. BAD
0ERl for giving their support 10 The amendment, and
only afraid II will really he killed by This disease
eacoehes io9usad"as my friend at the left here sug
gested-and perhaps may be able TO get the sub
Mr.. HALE. Mr. President, | appreciaie--certanly as
highly as the honorable senator from North Carolina Mr.
BADcERhe courtesy OF the Senate and think we naye
had of IT, The honorable senator says that he
has always been IN minority here and he has had no
reason 10 complain. Well sir. there have been two mi
noriles here, and one little smaller than the other
have been on the smaller OF these mnorites, and wish
10 refresh the recoleciions OF those who disposed TO
glonfy themselves account of that uniform courtesy
Of the Senate that decision stands upon your records
uhic tbs aitnnfa mill
il is revoked. II was soemnly decided by the Vice
President OF the United Staies-who under the constiiu
hon is made the presiding officer OF this body--hat
was in order, FUNDAMENTALLY and ghtfuy Tor mem
Der oi this body 10 charge another with introducing
proposition, not for The purpose OF business debate,
but simply for amusenentha It was 10 order 10 charge
member with Introducing matters in this body 10 make
amusement, Tor himself and others. The Vice Pres
dent OF the United States decided that that parlia
mentary and that II was 10 crder and upon appeal
taken from the decision OF the Vice President. this
teous body-coureous ] grant, but 10 excess--a
caeoefes of courtesy, st-decided that right and
that II was parliamentary.
may charge, IL please, the senator from Kentucky,
MIR UsDsRwooDl not with any DEERE Of having these
rules amended, but with introducing this amendment
merely TO grstfy love OF fun amusement, and 10 set
mess OF speeches going and this is The law here 10
the Senate noG, solemnly settled on an appeal taken
from the decision OF the Vice President doubt II we
can hnd single decision OF the lords spiritual tempo
raj OF Great Britain which be gaced with adjec
tves than this. | will not make the attempt will let
that goet II stand. So much for the experience which
miroes. When the senator from North Carolina speaks
OF couresies extended TO mnorites he will remember
that there different degrees OF comparison in
grammar there different degrees OF mnorltes in
politics; AT least have found IL so.
Now sir, wish TO call the attention OF the Senate 10
fact which be denied that this is step in toe
direction OF restriction But SIR with all the restrictions
with which the operations OF business have been ham
pered in bc other branch OF the national legislature we
the facility that they do. With all their previous ques-
tions and all tier ingenious devices with which they
have cumbered their rules, II - TACT, as have been
informed that, with all the facilities they have for doing
business they have called through the committees
in that House the first weeks OF the session
They have been IN session nearly six months and yet
have done what do here every mornng-that is,
call through the committees With all their devices cir.
il would though ingenuity taxed, instead of
facilitating. to embarsss and impede, to hinder and OBJ.
struct The business.
| concur with the suggestion made by the honorable
gentleman from Tennessee Mr. BELL as 10 this principle
OF proposing amendments and bringing the Senate to
vote upon the amendments This privilege IS one OF the
great privileges OF the minority and, appreciate the
privileges OF The minority much more ,han yos do-hey
are dearer TO me- know bull very little about the pvi
leges OF majority here-very little.
IL there any privileges which minority has, let
keep them. suspect II the senator from North Carolina
will search 10 the bottom OF his heart, he will find
that he is beginning 10 lose his tender regard for the
rights OF ;onorlties from lurking skeplcsm in his
mind whether that which u majority will con.
tnue to be co. whether there will be upside
down, and that which is a minority will be trans
lated to a majority. confess, sir that the honorable
senator from North Carolina Is one oi the last
this floor whom should expect TO find advocating
amendment OF this kind
Il -