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

amendment may be ordered 20 lie the table without
carrying the bill or resolution win IT.
MIR UNDERWOOD will say TO my friend on my
left sufficient 10 the day is the evil thereof IL IS not
worth while for us TO go beyond the evi which have
pointed out and 10 commence seeking oI remedies 10 me
other evils which he has contemplated, until there is
some necessity more manifest than any which have
heretofore seem showing the popriey OF their adoption
would simply remark that all the debea.lye bodies
with which am acquainted, except the Senate OF the
United States, have had the previous question pant
OF their rules. We have never bad the previous qnes
ton part OF the rules OF the Senate and think u
probable il this amendment OF mine 10 our rules should
be adopted we may be obliged TO adopt that mode
of cutting off debate, il has been in the other branch OF
Congress Sir, the thing is so simple and plain that
will detain the Senate by making any further remarks
with regard TO it, hope the amendment may be adopted,
THAI we may see its practical results and II should not
work well. we can easily get clear oil IT,
Mr. ADAMS 1t does seem TO me that the amend
ment OF the senator from Kentucky clearly neces
say, and right and proper that there can be objection
10 il whatever Even he senator from New Hampshire
IMr. HALE seems TO think the only objection that can
be made to il arises from fear that il may be considered
by the country that this body is assimains itself in its
rules TO the other branch OF Congress- He says hmse
that the country has long since discovered the necessity
OF such change in rules; and If the country has
discovered it, presume the senator has discovered II,
and every other gentleman upon this floor There is moi
a senator upon this floor who does not know that such
rule is necessary for the completion OF the business OF
this body at the present session. well for all future
lime The proposition is TO change the rule, so that
when amendment is proposed TO billiard the appro
pration bills are principally referred tof majority OF
laid upon the table without carrying the bill with it, The
effect Of that is, to cut of debate npon all irrelevant mat
ters that the Senate act more promptly upon the
business before IT. as, whenever amendment is Of
fered the majority will always have power to dispose OF
it. Upon that suggestion they debate such they
please, and at the time It cuts Oft all amendments
which the majority OF the Senate do not desire TO
discuss.
But sir, it is said that it will assimate this body TO
the other House. In every OF the word, think il
necessary that this should be done and that this
body will not hesitate TO do thing that everybody
knowedges to be necessary on account OF maintaining
dssmarity between the government Of this body and
the other branch Of Congress | am perfectly willing TO
adopt all the measures OF restriction indicated by the gen.
eman from New Hampshire, as he says if this is adopt
ed it will lead to the others but this is important sug
geston, to put these amendments in the power OF the
jority OF the Senate 1t 10 that this resolution
should De adopted and hope there will not be dissent
himself will vote for this proposition and let the conse
quences be what they may with regard to the other
not under consideration This should stand
upon It's own merits and be adopted, because il is
sary.
Mr.. BELL. Mr. President, it was not my intention 10
participate al all in this debate in regard to alteration
OF rules am very reluctant to do now, sir; but
the Senate seems to be very much in favor OF this propo
siion and II II is going TO be applied and 10 operate
only in the manner pointed out by The honorable
from kentucky, MIR UNDERwooD,] do not know that
shall have any objection to lttha is, to limit ii TO the
appropriation bills which TO be acted upon at the close
OF session Of Congress. have certainly felt the in
convenience, the want OF such restrictions at the
close OF session, particularly upon these bills and
slOulu De favor oil proposition oil thIS knd
10 be limited TO these bills, because there TO be
pressing necessity that the Senate should TO de.
cislon upon the man features OF such bills We have
sometimes, in the last hours OF session, that we
have even been compelled 10 invade questionable ground
as to time Now, have no objection to such prop
osition as have indicated but 10 the arguments
urged by all the honorable senators who have spoken
upon the subject respecting the necessity of cut
ting on debate upon amendments offered 10 bills in the
progress OF session generally, would say, if their OBJ
lect 10 cut of debate let establish the previous Ques
amendments, lT. e.
serve the right OF putting to vote the amendments them
selves Now, when gentlemen look into the history of
the British Parliament and the American Parliament, and
legislative assemblies generally, and notice the grounds
upon which these rules have been placed, time out OF
organized government established by colonists
and States, they will lind that all these privileges of put
ting amendments TO bill have been regarded the
rghtfu prerosatve Of the minority. II is done for the
purpose OF checking the impetus of an arbitrary majority
and sometimes parliamentary majority, who are hurry
ing through measure which is popular for The moment
for day, when the minority agreed that the
try, alter the lapse OF time, and when the excitement OF
party feeling shall have subsidized will become convinced
that the is absolutely mischevous in its charac
Ter and elects and all these privileges OF putting amend
mens in various forms aad shapes will be found be
for the protection Of the minority against arbitrary
majority.
Now, sir, can foresee ahead of us at this moment
some bills upon which il may be very convenient for the
majority 10 dodge vote itmay be very material often
times, for the purpose of giving proper shape 10 BILL
10 avoid great mischief IN the passage OF bills which may
be popular at this moment, and which may be fraugh
with great mischief in the future, and ii may be the only
safety the minority may have. do not say that these
may be fatal, but they may be very mschiev-
II is the privilege, by the ancient parliamentary
rule and custom, OF the minority TO bring the members Of
the body 10 vote upon amendment with the view to
check the main evil, and II possible, to defeat IT, IL is
one OF the arms provided by ancient customs and usage
for the defence OF the minority against arbitrary
loy IL is alleged that debates likely 10 become
lnermnabe; there Is end TO the discussion OF an
in6niiude OF amendments 10 bills of indispensable i'm
porance II thus felt TO be be remeded lei us
adopt limited previous question, applicable TO such
amendments; to exclude this dIusesess OF discussion
which occupies much time, and leave 10 the minority
the privilege OF proposing and Of asking vote upon sau
tary amendments 10 the main question. know that II IN
the general experience 10 parliamentary proceedings and
should lead us 10 urge these conside raons, that
Ioes become large they become fconhden and pre-
sump,uous II the handspring OF their action shall be
the popular good and all shall be brought for
ward with due consideration and after sufficient invest
CATION and research there would seem to be mischief at
tending H. But when the maJony have arrived at parc-
uar point becomes necessary TO resort TO those restrictive
rules TO preserve the rights and privileges Of the minority
IN this body 10 preserve the privilege OF the individual
think the fullest privilege should be given The danger
in this country is not that we shall have too little legis
ation, but from over. leg isation. Gentlemen become
restless and less cautious they have IDEAS and ad
vocate sweeping changes in the policy Of The country ex
tending over the whole vast economy OF the country and
lis legislation Hence the attempt TO restrict The privilege Of
debate. am willing thatibe debate should be restricted
but let have votes upon all The amendments which we
choose 10 offer agree with the honorable senator from
Mississippi [Mr ADAMsJ that there may be some neces
siiy oil limiting the debate upon amendments to the