The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-28

SION we consume more time IN such debates ihan upon
the bills themselves when actually before US and upon
Their passage. For that think the mpolicy oil
taxing sucha course as this demonstrated to the Sen
ale.
But sir another consideration with me is this-that
the lmpraelicabiily OF attaining any advantage for the
Senate in such this IS manifest from this con-
sderaon the only reason that can be assigned Tor these
special assg OF particular days that the bill has
some special merit over and above other bills, and
should therefore have this precedence them. sup
pose that brings in bills here who does not
consider some b particularly important and worthy Of
special attention nj the hands OF the Senate. know that
there twenty, ay, il not hundred bills each OF
which the mover would consider OF greater importance
than the which the senator claims should take pre-
cedence Suppose that proceed 10 act upon this sup
position, and assign special day to each OF these bills
and what do we gain We now have q regular order
and place assigned 10 each upon the calendar; and we
gain no advantage. ii we treat equally fairly and I'M
partially The measures brought in by every senator
upon this ioor, in giving them an order and place
upon the list OF special orders My short experience
in the Senate is that this course has delayed the bust
ness OF the Senate that i has done no good that 4 has
advanced no particular bill faster than it would have
been advanced II all had been allowed TO rest in their
places upon the calendar; while great deal OF lime has
been consumed in these discussions The amendment OF
the senator from North Carolina was not adopted; the
rules Were not amended and for that reason have in
dnged these few remarks 10 add strength TO his argument
that we should have discussion upon such question
Mr.; BELL. have word TO say, not upon this ques
ton, because, by the principles oil parliamentary law, il
is not debaiable and deny that any gentleman can
offer in parliamentary law anything more than loose
practice grown up in this body, 10 show that is de-
batable subject | never knew il in my parliamentary
experience in the other House TO be extended further
unless by general consent and indulgence, than merely
Tor the member desiring 10 give priority 10 any business
upon the calendar 10 state the nature OF IL and II he had
reason or two to throw out he was at liberty 10 do so
but any other member arose, il was not in order TO dis
cuss the question. Nor is II in order here. II alto
gether ont of order. and it proceeds merely by the ndu
gence OF the body. know that you sit in very diff
cult position, 1t is very difficult to restrain members
when many desire 10 express sentiments in opposition
10 or IN favor Of the special assignment OF bill; but
must maintain that il entirely out of order have not
said anything except in vindication Of what consider
the parliamentary rule Of the body. II the Senate choose
10 indulge licenous debate of this description il is their
Mr.. BADGER. Following out the example of the
honorable gentleman who has just taken his seat and
endeavoring, like my friend from Arkansas, Mr. Boz
LAND TO furnish an additional reason for the adoption OF
the amendment TO the rules which proposed at the last
session, will occupy the attention OF the Senate for
thinks he has escaped the whole difficulty Of irregular
debate, because he made speech but did not say
word upon the question before the Senate Now, Mr.
President. Twill follow his example, for know that
shall then be in order He says is out oil order to speak
upon the question under the consideration OF the Senate
but you may avoid all the difficulty by speaking upon
avail myself of that And in the first place, beg leave
10 suggest to the Senate that rules specify The ques-
tons which in this body shall be decided without debate
and that know that the rules do not know any other
parliamentary body in the world whose rules add 10
the number OF unbeatable questions in this body That
depends upon our rules and every question which is
not by the rules oil the Senate, by the long established
usage OF the Senate which supplies The place OF an
press rule, declared to be not debatable is OF course
debatable The right Of debate exists upon every ques-
lion, unless il is precluded by rules When my
friend speaks OF cenous debate, agree with him that
1t is not allowable in the Senate upon any occasion
J upon any subject. But although such debates may
sometimes in other bodies they totally un.
known in this wish TO say, upon this occasion, that
hope, after the little experience we have gained upon
upon weeks, which, during The five years have had the
honor of serving in this body, have been consumed in
determining whether the Senate will or will not proceed
TO the consideration Of this OF that bi-when all put
together, will induce honorable member OF this
body. who has influence than ! have, who has
more persuasive power and logical argument. 10
renew the proposition at this session which rejected
at the as-to place these questions beyond debate.
We ought long since TO have decided, one way or HE
other, the question raised by the senator from Maine,
mir. BRApBuRY.l And now, il | may be pardoned for
saying word upon the question before the Senate,
would respectfully suggest that there is no particular
wrong improperly in giving precedence 10 these claims
for French spolialons They are claims OF half
ury's standing. They have been discussed and reds
GUESSED in both branches OF Congress for twenty five years
past Most able reports have been made by members oil
both branches OF Congress- and uniformly in their favor
A bill has once passed both houses OF Congress author
zing the payment OF those claims but rejected and
vetoed by the then President OF the United States for three
reasons, OF which that at and needed
all money, and not in situation 10 pay our
debts. That reason has passed away we have, slr ac
ment OF the session. surplus OF twenty millions OF dol
lars ihnk this very good time TO bring forward these
claims ana tnem mus we snow that the eN
pense OF the war; and the fact that wanted the money
Tor fighting, and could not spare IT, the true reason
il, that we have the money, and can spare II, we
devote il 10 the payment OF these Just demands.
Mr. HAMI.lN. Mr. President, by your kindness
have been permitted 10 take from your table list OF the
present special orders of the Senate and find first upon
that list bill granting the right Of way and making
grant Of land TO the State OF Iowa. 10 aid in the consiruc
lion of certain railroads in that State.
The PRESIDENT. That was the unfinished business,
and therefore takes precedence
Mr.. HAMIlN II Isl special order, as the unfinished
business And the next tho resolution presented By
senator now longer member of this body-he prdc
hcnl resolution OF The senator from Mississippi (Mr
FooTEl upon the " Compromise" The next is bill iol
improve The navigation OF the Upper Mississippi; and
the next is Joint resolution in relation TO printing the
turns OF the seventh census. All these subjects have
been raised from their Order placed upon the calendar
and have been made special orders. think the senator
from Arkansas Mr. BeRLasDl and my friend who sits
before me [Mr WALKsR1 were among those who ia. |
vored The proposition 10 make these subjects special
ders.
The senator from WISCONSIN [Mr. WALSERl says
wrong in that take it. then, he is one Of those
who devotedly wed 10 the Of taking two mil
lion OF the public land 10 complete that road The
senator from North Carolina MIR. BADcERl says these
claims have been standing for hall century, and we
ought not To deny 10 that class OF claimants the right TO
place their matters before this body in position equally
favorable with others / think, too, that there arc other
gone alone and these special orders have been made
without votes they without particular friends /
think that with relation 10 the Improvement OF the Up
per Mississippi, and the public prinngboth questions
of some Importance think that the friends Of these
several measures may, at least be expected Join in
giving this place upon the calendar We only
ask for the action Of the Senate in such time that The bill
mai IN the House their lcton@in such