The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-26

MIR. CHASE. would ask whether there Is moi any
rule known to The proceedings OF the Senate which
will enable US 10 compel the attendance OF absent
members
refers 10 the subject The Char Will read IL is The oth
rule, which is in these words;
mo member shall absent himself from the Of the
Senate without leave Of the Senate first obained And IN
case less number than quorum OF the Senate shall con-
gene they hereby authorized 70 send the Sergeant al
AIMS o. any Ss a. Se ea aas
present shall at the oil such absent me M
sss be- made a. the senate, when quorum Is convened
shalt Judge sufficient and in that the expense shall be
paid contingent fund And this rule shall apply
as well first convention Of the Senate lego me
OF meeting each day OF the session after the hour has
| arrived 10 which the Senate stood adjourned"
Ii will be observed that The words OF The rule do not
apply 10 any other case Than the want OF quorum al the
meeting oil the Senate; but IN several instances since
have been member of the body the Senate has acted
upon il il has been acted upon TO night and absent
members have been sent Tor.
Mr. CHASE. Do understand the Chair as holding
that The Senate has power to compel the attendance OF abb
sent members nj Tins time!
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair of opinion
that the Senate has the same right to proceed IL
would have had at the hour of meeting this morning if
quorum bad not then been present.
| Mr., HAMLlN Have we not under the constitution,
independent OF the rule, RICH, 10 compel the attendance
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Not without a rule
| Mr.. HAMLiN Does II require quorum 10 make
| such rule!
MIR. CHASE do not conceive that we have any such
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The provision of the
constitution is, that majority OF each house shall con-
may be authorized to compel the attendance OF absent
members, in such manner and under such penalties as
each house may provide" SO that il requires rule
TO be adopted IN order to carry out that provision and
quorum is OF necessary to make such rule
| Mr. FITZPATRICK 1t is now half past o'clock
and | should like TO know what practical result can
be obtained by sending to the lodgings OF some members
of the body who reside remote from the Capitol
Mr.. HAMLIN presume the Sergeant at-Arms has
gone up the other end Of the avenue where, have
doubt, he will find large number OF senators. .
| Mr.. FITZPATRICK. II is a violent presumption to
suppose that he has gone that distance, and equally
violent one to presume that he will find any senators al
this hour of the night morning. have listened pa
tenty any on this ioo and think the Senate will
do the justice say that have consumed little time
grave senators. and those who seemed to know OF
the deliberations of the body than myself find, how
ever that many distinguished gentlemen who have
pied the attention of the body TO considerable extent,
have gone away and left those OF us who are disposed to
be quiet and working members to wait for their return,
before we can proceed with business II to me
here lie now hall past one o'clock, and think in duty
ourselves, and in view OF the business ahead OF
morrow, and Tomorrow night and the next day, and the
next night ought to adjourn aud come here fresh to-
Mr. WALKER | shall vote for the adjournment be-
of the neciency of our rules to compel the attend
ance of absent members.
MIR. FITZPATRICK. There is no rule to compel their
attendance, and il is useless to wait for them.
Mr. WELLER | ask for the yeas and nays on the
molten to adjourn, in order that the Senate may who
are here at this hour OF night
The yeas and nays ordeed and being taken, re-
suIed-yeas ID, nays Pas follows:
YEAS-Messrs Badger BayaId, Brodhead, Chase, Daw-
son, Fish. Fzpack Houston. Jones of Iowa, Rusk, Spru-
NAYs-Messrs Borand, Bright. Dodge Of Iowa, Foot.
Geyer Gwin Hamlin Hunter, Jones OF Tennessee, Ma
son, Morton, and Norris-l2
Mr. BAYARD. Is tin order to move that the hour of
adjournment be entered on the journal /!
The PRESIDING OFFICER. II can be so ordered by
unanimous consent.
No objection being made, it was ordered.
So, at twenty-five minutes TO two O'Clock, m, the
Senate adjourned.