The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-25

osion for appropriation for the Improvement OF rivers
Mr. BADGER. Most assaredy; it is done almost sv-
cry day.
Mr. BELL There is no specific rule OF that kind in
this body may be that the presiding officer would have
to refer TO the Senate decide that question But sir
would not be the duty OF every senator upon this hoor
according parliamentary law. to vote it DOWN. Ger
tanly, sir, IL would
Mi BADGER. We could vote il down.
Mr. BELL. Ruling out is totally incongruous, unpar-
amenary, and would render our attempts at legislation
utterly aborve If every member is at liberty 10 bring
up his subee-as for instance in the case OF the honor
able senator from Kentucky, Mr. USpERwooD,l but a
few days since, when he brought up the Cumberland
dam bthen, II il raises discussion, Il would be the
duty OF the Senate to say under the parliamentary rules
OF this body. whether the discussion shall be carried on
further or not.
The honorable senator speaks Of my having come
here mbued with the rules OF the House OF Represent
atves and he has been pleased to say in effect that he
never saw member come here from the other House
who did not here infected with set OF rules, mis-
placed, and totally unfit and inappropriate to the acton
Of this body. When member comes from the other
House, and attempts TO apply the experience derived
there, his advice becomes wholly mpracticabc. | beg
leave to say upon that subject tina, nave oeen very
fcer there; was long member. II became my bus.
ness TO look into the rules to examine into the wisdom 81
the plan established 10 investigate the reasons OF the uts
OF proceeding and to learn how important il was to pr
serve them, and to adhere 10 the established usages
debate That honorable senator says that looked leo
much over the waer-towards the monarchy towards I've
this country may become arbitrary and IS the tendency
Of popular institutions and assemblies 10 vest In them
greater degree OF tyranny limited only by the
Than possibly exist under monarchca form Of gov
enmentmoe, because they are presumed 10 be Backed
by what is called the sovereignty OF the country They
represent the people and have heard the argument
that the will Of the majority ought not to be checked
but that all the restrictions imposed by the constitution
are opposed to free and popular ideas OF government
and will be observed that in many OF the States these
restrictions are being broken down very rapidly look
n n
for the OF their rulesthe reasons for the vndi
cation of the rights Of the minority not only again the
majority of the Parliament but against the Crown. We
adopt these rules here for the purpose of checking the
ebultons il you please, OF the people, our masters call
them by high denomination as you choose TO give
them have no objection 70 that; we owe ioyaly 10
the peope-a certain degree OF loyalty; but would
with much resoluteness oppose an ebuliton q the
passions of the people, under certain circumstances and
contingencies, as would resist the kingy tyrantupon
his throne; and would rely upon my ability to sitisy
them that had aimed to the maintenance OF Their true
rights and interests.
that this is approach to the previous question il this
body only said that concured with the senatorfrom
New Hampshire Mr, HALE] that this was step forward
towards the Introduction OF that gag into the Senateihe
restriction upon debate But allow me TO say tina the
honorable senator from North Carolina mistook me in
reference TO this amendment have no objection tocut
ting off debate upon the amendments that may be offered
suggested that there should be limited previous cues
lion. But do not cut off the privilege OF the Minority
and their right to call upon the majority TO give their
votes upon these questions. That is what l said.
One word more, Mr. President, in illustration gwen
by the senator Whenever a bill comes up here no,
pleasing to the majority OF the Senate one which they do
not think ii proper to discuss, which they think be
brought up Of seasonthe senator says that ther
lists the very thing which is asked in regard to these
amendments You can move 10 lay that bill upon the
and n nd sUss hf
ceases But the senator will observe that in this
there is no mischief done. 1t is negative vote The
very reason OF the distinction is founded upon the dis
similarity OF the case from that suggested by the hon.
orabe senator from North Carolina, MIR BADGER The
privilege is given for the purpose OF defeating
that are greatly obnoxious to the In minority Of che body
action which do any harm 10 the country It's an
cent policy stands There no inroad made upon itsgen
era provisions 1t is the privilege OF the minority TO de-
feat measure urged ndiscreeuy arbitrarily by the zeal
and larger Numbers OF an overwhelming majority; II
allowed upon these amendments they can cheek this
majority They bring some principles 10 bear upon
the dangerous policy of the main measure and II the
majority are compelled to vote upon those amendments,
they may be compelled to abandon the main measure
MOI being able 10 vote against The amendments they
lngrafied upon the bill, and then the majority care
nothing for the bill thus amended That is the object OF
this privilege did not TO enter so earnestly into
this discussion merely desired TO throw out these
suggestions. II you will apply the amendment at the
end OF the session to the Appropriation bills or TO The
bills which usually come up al the close oil The session.
shall not have the slightest objection TO general '%
mode OF proceeding, TO be permanently APP
plicabe al all times to all measures ask, not that
shall have the privilege OF debaie but the privilege OF
bringing the Senate TO vote upon any amendments we
may think proper and pertinent to the subject for take
il that although the Chair has not the right to rule ont
such not appropriate the body can do so
and il would be improper them under the general
parliamentary law although do not find recorded in
rule.
Mr. BADGER. | do not exactly understand the po-
son my friend from Tennessee occupies upon this sub
ject He says the right to have the amendment pre-
scented. considered and voted upon belongs to the mi
nony, because is the right OF the minority to defeat
bill or measure which the majority desires to pass
Mr. BELL. QnterPosDg) No; did not say that. !
beg leave say that the senator cannot misunderstood
me. | say that these rules are founded upon wisdom
and have been long considered. The for Them
10 be found in the parliamentary history OF Great
Britain and this country, 10 some extent The protection
OF the minority requires their Observance. II is not
be projected against the arbitrary legislation OF the ma
lony.
Mr. BADGER. That is what my friend said the
right Of the minority defeat the pressed for
ward by an arbitrary and nconsderaie majority.
Mr.. BELL. No, sir; not TO that extent.
Mr. BADGER That was what he said he might not
have meant IT,
Mr.. BELL. hope my friend does not desire TO put
me in absurd ridiculous attitude in regard TO the
subject The minority have the right TO offer pertinent
10 the bill, and 10 compel the majority TO
vote upon IT, AS they cannot vote against the amend
ment OF the wise and proper character OF the
amendment, they will be Obliged 10 allow the bill TO be
and this mode the minority have the prvl.
lege defeat the intended action OF the majority, BY
showing that il you 90 forward TO adopt the measure,
you propose incorporate this other provision which the
sense OF the majority will not permit them to reject be-
fore the country and before the world 1t not the right