The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-05

body this question We are drawing TO the close OF
ihe session We have but little time, and yet there Is
much dependent upon our action more perhaps Than we
are aware Of At the first OF the question, and so
far understand The dheehce between the two houses
II il upon point ol etiquette and dgBity am not sui
6ceply con yeIsant with the rules OF the Senate TO de-
termne how far The subject OF etiquette ought 10 be con-
sidered in this matter; am prepared 10 say how far
our dignity is Affected but it is my opinion that in this
controversy very ue would be gained BY either in a
triumph The country, on the one hand, may be essen
italy preudced in its interests. look upon this trans
scon unless do harmonixe it, apple of dscord
that might not be consumed for years 10 come harmony
and operation between The two branches OF the national
legislature very important 10 the object OF successful
legislation and DO lrns that senators coming up their
work will lay aside the first flush of ndi naton. and be
disposed to look at this matter with cooness and calm
ness, and with that consideration which the Importance
OF our position entities u 10.
What would il gain, Mr.. President. il we were on
this occasion. account Of few thousand dollars per-
chance, that may be the matter IN controversy deeat
ne object Of this session OF Congress, and render
cessity for convokng another Congress TO enable the
Executive o the country to conduct the affairs OF gov
ernuent? Our civil and diplomatic relations are en-
braced within the provisions OF this bill Upon the ad-
minstraon OF the civil OF the country depends
the vital OF ths government, and upon our in
ternstiona relations lis secondary interests In dsre-
gardng these, would do great prejudice TO the coun
try; and for all that could accomplish by standing on
our dignity on this occasion, if either party to r
umph in the contest, would not obtain for the whole
body in either house breakfast at Walkers restaurant
tom morning. am not for disregardng the inter-
ess OF the country on account oil any matter oil Imaginary
dignity; but ! am for ransacing the business OF the
country, for which depued by constituents,
and ending, in harmony and peace with each other, the
business for which we were convoked Ii either body
were TO concede little, would il make the body grant
ing the concession any poorer am sure il would not
enrich the ether a
In taking this view OF The subject, might add an ad-
dional consideration An extra session cannot be con
voked and held here for the purpose OF remedyng what
within the reach Of this body this moment for less
is difficulty between the two houses account of
the increase Of the salaries given to the officers Of the
cabinet That Increase amounts only 10 $4,000. Ii we
were surrender this point, therefore. it would retain
$4,000 in the treasury instead OF losing $250,ooo or
100000 in extra session, and not gaming any addi-
lion whatever the salaries Entertaining these views,
move to amend The motion Of my colleague, by striking
out the Decline" and inserting the words agree
to-" That will quiet and harmonize all differences, and
we will be aDe to finish our business, and adjourn in an
orderly manner, with no unknd feelings between the
members of the two coordinate branches OF the legs
laure.
Mr. RUSK called for the yeas and nays on the amend
ment, and they were ordered
Mr. COOPER Mr. President, the honorable senator
from Texas [Mr HousroSl seems to regard this as
mere question o dguy and etiquette. look upon II IN
somewhat different lignt regard II as affecting the
character and Independence OF the body Let us look tor
moment al Tie real condition OF this question. What
10 the object OF the appointment oil committee OF con-
ference when the the legislative branches OF The govern
ment disagree The object OF the appointment OF con-
mlee OF conference is the purpose OF composing the
differences be the bodies and although the par
amentary law does mol require the adoption of the reports
made by The respective committees OF conference YET There
houses have adopted the reports OF those committees
II has become the understanding OF all legislative bodies
that the two houses bound 10 adopt The reports OF
their committees OF conferences and is not reasonable
that they should What is the benefit oil such commit
the houses that appoint them do not adopt Their re-
posi When the two branches disagree, intelligent rep
Iesenaves of them appointed to take into consider
alton the subjects o dsag ment and to present TO each
other the upon which The two houses have dis
agreed. When these reasons have been heard and the
Joint committee has agreed upon report ~ the duty o
both houses TO adopt that report With The exception OF
the cases which have been referred to, know OF no in
in which the reports made by such committees
have not been adopted. ] admit, however, that under
the law of Parliament each house has right 10 disagree
TO the report Of the committees and II there had been IN
this nothing than mere Disagreement on the
part OF the House The report OF the Senate there would
have been nothing offensive, and there would have been
just ground OF complaint the part OF the Senate
Mr. ADAMS. rise to a question of order. ! wish
10 know whether il Is in order 10 aude to anything
done said in the other House, unless II is communi
Mr. COOPER await the decision Of the Chair
Mr. RUSK. II me that is too late 10 raise
the question of order because that matter has been dis
cussed by several gentlemen.
MIR COOPER, am willing 10 submit TO the decision
The PRESIDING OFFICER, (Mr. DAvIs) The
opinion of the Chair would be that, according TO the
strict rule that which does not acpea upon The record
sent from The other House cannot be referred 10 but
nevertheless the debate has taken wide range that
i, seems proper TO the Chair that the gentleman should
Mr. COOPER | might have hesltaied to pursue the
line of remark which have been pursuing, 1T II had
not been that The example set TO me by The honoa-
bic senator who occupes the char. was about 10
cay that the House did not siop with mere disagreement
the report OF the committee but they went step fur-
ther The report dsag reed TO- and by vote oi the
House; a motion (ihe effect oil which you and !, sif,
very well unders,and) was made that RECOMMENDATION
of ha, should be bad and The party who moved H.
al the same moment made motion that The motion 10
consider should lie upon the table, thus tying their own
hands, and preventing them from conierrlng with The
Senate further, except by vote OF two-tbrds Now,
when this has been done by the HouEe, do not owe
TO our own dignity and decency, (although gentlemen
may laugh at dignity and al decency) that we should
vindicate both those qualities which trust we possess
by pursuing a course that will show TO the other branch
oi the legislature that understand rights and that
TO stand upon them think that the course
pointed out by the motion OF The senator IRON Texas
lML RusKl is the true course 10 be pursued II ~ the
one which, in my judgment, best COMFORTS with the dg-
nifty OF this body Although there are those amongst us
wso think that our dgnIiy--that the national SAFE
w.. as one gentleman tells yoa-depends upon our re-
.so'ns from the position which we woad assume, u ihe
o"e winch have pointed out were pursued, venture
say mat II " be adopted IL will not be many minutes
osoe ne Rouse hnd the OF dsenanglng the state
~ nk mo winch they careful to put themselves,
~ oe' ua' 'hey might be able TO out again. Think
ha' closey as ,he Knot may be tied il they cannot
'loose they Will cut and that thew will if we act
mnly agree TO take the amendments as reported by the
committee OF conference - -
Mf WELLER really think that I'VE have debated
hs qneshon ohg enough as am very anxious to bring
the Senate TO vote. The course which has necn nur.
sued in the debate OF this question satisfies me of ,ha
pfoprety and the necessity OF the passage of Thai bIl
which we had under consideration the lime vben ,o
took this subject upi refer to the INDECENT lnsane b
II the debate s continue shall TO Law The whole
snbleci upon the table, with view proceed to the CON
utAn -. zft 81 III