The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-01-22
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

The Senate adjourned till Monday.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The SPEAKER. this being private bill day, an
nounced the hrst business in order to be the bill Tor
the relief of David Myere, which was heretofor e
reported from the Committee Of the Whole with a
recommendation that ii do not pass.
Mr.. SACkETT inquired whether it would be in
order to distribute the various bills on the Speak
er's table among the several committees Before
going into Committee of the Whole on the private
calendar. -z
The SPEAKER replied that bills in the cases of
David Myerle, Patrick Gas, and one two others,
remained to be disposed of when it would be in
order to take up the other private bills, and refer
pass them.
MIR. HOUSTON asked whether the Speaker e.
Cided that private bills ia Ike the morning hour.
= The SPEAKER replied such was the universal
practice under the rule.
Mr.. HOUSTON always understood that the
morning hour was devoted to the reception of re
ports of committees. a,,.t
The SPEAKER said there was no instance of that
kind.
Messrs. BRECKENRIDGE and BOCOCK then
addressed the House, the first in opposition and
the second in advocacy of the bill for the relief of
David Myerle; when the bill was passed-yeas 80,
nays76. .
UNITED sTATEs RELATIONS WITH SPAIN
Mr.. POLK said that when the House adjourned
yesterday motion was pending TO reconsider the
vote by which the Presidents message, in con,
nexon with relations with Spain, was ordered
to be printed. He now desired to bring it up for
the consideration of the House.
The SPEAKER announced that question as now
being before the body.
MIR. sTANLY asked the gentleman from Zen
nessee to give some reason why the message ought
not to be printed.
Mr.. POLK replied that he stated the reasons
Mr.. HOUSTON said that debate was not in or.
DER as yesterday ne had demanded the previous
question.
The SPEAKER remarked he 30 understood.
Mr. POLK said he would explain if the gentle
man would withdraw the motion
Mr.. CABLE asked for the reading of the docu-
ment before he was called upon to vote
The SPEAKER decided that the gentleman had
right to hear the document read.
Mr.. POLK inquired whether they could not have
a secret session and cause the galleries to be
cleared
The SPEAKER replied it was competent for the
House to clear the galleries and close the doors.
Mr.. FOLK That may be proper.
Mr.. STANLY. There ia no secret in the docu-
ment. voice: "You have read it, then!''l
MIR. POLK did not desire to give the commune
cation publicity until he knew what it contained;
and ii 1t was proper he would move that the gal
leries be cleared. Laughter
The SPEAKER repeated. the motion was in
Mr.. FLORENCE wished an exception to be
made, pledging himself to become responsible for
two ladies in the galleries. [Laughter.]
MIR. POLK said that in picdging himself that the
young ladies would keep the secrets, the gentle
responsibility Renewed laughter ]
Mr.. STANLY asked what rule referred to secret
Communications, when the ll2th rule was read as
follows:
ceyed from the President of the United States the
House shall be cleared of all persons except the
members, clerk, sergeant at arms, and door
keeper and so continue during the reading of such
communications, and (unless otherwise directed
by the House) during all debates and proceed
ings to be had thereon. And when the Speaker,
any other member, shall inform the House thai
he has communications to make which he con.
ceives ought to be kept secret, the House shall in
like manner, be cleared till the communications
be made; the House shall then determine whether
the matter communicated requires secrecy or not
and take order accordingly"
Mr.. STANLY raised the question that thi.
was not confidential communication, and there.
fore the doors could not be closed.
The SPEAKER remarked, the gentleman from
Tennessee had so stated it.
Mr.. STANLY said the gentleman did not
MIR POLK observed that he had not examined
the paper, but had been informed by members oil
something it contained. At the same time, not
wishing 10 do injustice, he for having the gal
leries cleared. fLaugbter]
The SPEAKER stated the question on the mo
ton to clear the galleries; when
Mr.. SFANLY inquired whether the motion was
in order.
The SPEAKER, in reply, said the gentleman
from Tennessee conceived that the document
ought not to be published; and that the Chair,
say whether the doors should be closed
Mr.. STANLY said that was not the point The
rule provided that when member states there ia
confidential matter the doors may be closed; but
the gentleman mad not 30 stated
The SPEAKER repeated, the gentleman from
Tennessee stated that the communication pre-
sented to this body not. in his opinion, of
such nature to authorize its publication. 1t
was competent for the House, on the gentleman q
motion, to close the doors.
:, Mr.. POLK wished to be distinctly understood.
he had not examined the paper, and he was OPP
posed to having published any document connect
ed with our affairs with Spain, in present con-
dtion, unless examined, Tor the simple that
the past teaches Us that communication lin rela
ton to the purchase of Cuba) was made public
which acted against the dignity of the Republic.
The SPEAKER said that the question was not
debatable.
Mr. TAYLOR said 1t seemed to him there could
be no improperly in publishing the document, as
the resolution calling for the information con-
tanned proyiso, "if not incompatible with the
public interests - au
MIR, BAYLY remarked that the message refer