Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-01-15
sERYIcl oN COMMITTEES.

Mr. WILCOX askeato be discharged from further SER
vice the Committee~on Military Affairs and desired To
give his foreahkug the request lie said that
he summoned By The chairman Of the committee to
with the compistee Tuesday and Friday each
week 10 pursuance OF this summons he had presented
himself regularly ese meeting Of the committee and
NJ the present time there had not been quorum for
tie transaction Of business lie felt unwilling that the
putc should hold him responsible for the discharge Of
husntss which il impossible him transact with
ont the cooperation Of the other members Of the commit
Tee Important matters had been referred TO them and
TIE aoe Of the committee was groaning beneath the
weight Of business which had not up to the present time
betL taken into consideration Now what would be the
rssli. Al q the business examined into by the
comm uee would amount TO its virtual reputation At
the next Congress committee would be appointed
and when they should look over the journal Of
proceedings OF the present committee and find that mat
tiers referred 70 them had been examined and repo,
Cd upon they would take IL for granted that the business
which had been referred 70 them had been repudate1 nv
its 10 mbers. Hence, he was unwilling that anv orrro
trl should be attached to him by the failure ~ The
committee to meet lie therefore hoped the House would
him from further service the Committee On Mi
aIy Affairs, and thus enable him 70 devote the time he
now spent in the committee the transaction o. bu
siness Of his constituents before the Departments
Mr. STANLY objected to the request Of the gentleman
for reason that he had shown himself digent mem
Der by attending the meetings Of the committee and tho
House could do better by appointing another in m
place
Mr. HAVEN hoped that the request Of his colleague Of
the Committee Military Affairs would not be granite,
by the House Without the aid Of the gentleman and
three other members they would never be able TO &c
even minority Of the committee together. Laughter
kr. GORMAN said il was due that he should make
statement II known that Mr.. BfssELL, the chair
man Of the committee, confined to his bed by
very ngoDzng affection and consequently could not nj
tend the meetings 81 the House. IL also known tha
Mr. Gentry the next in order the committee had bee
detained from bis seat since the commencement Of tn
session by iudsposton There was, however QuoruT
without these genemca. lie had been there almost
day during this session, with few exceptions Their
were some gentlemen upon the committee who Of
tended It's meetings. and II he had an opportunity
would move to strike them off, and keep bis friend fror
Mississippi on.
Mr. FREEMAN suggested to bis colleague thatitwoul
be very wrong excuse from further service an the
five members Of the Committee on Military Affairs
struck him that II would be proper 70 move
cuse those VINO did Of the work OF the committee
by doing this, and appointing gentlemen who would b
willing ~ work, the business Of The committee could
disposed ~
Mr. STEVENS cf Pennsylvania, hoped the rentlema
would withdraw his application. lie MIR. :. y had III
honor on account 3. lis great military services laugh