The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-02-09
The Speaker.

/ ~ Aoioiohco W iue proceedings IN the Rouse
of Representatives on Monday, we perceive
that the SPEAKER is correcting the habit he
has of doubling on all occasions. He expressed
himself on that day several times with de-
cision and emphasis that shows he is deter
mined to discipline himself to better prac.
| tice
For instance, when Mr.. STUART, of Michi
gan, observed that he never saw the votes fol
/ President counted but once, and then that the
business consumed the whole day, and OBJ
served that he presumed it would again, the
SPEAKER remarked, with emphasis, 'There
| is no question of that"
Again, when JONES observed (not being
"strictly in order" in the Speakers judgment)
that resolution changing the order of business
could only be adopted by a two-thirds vote, the
SPEAKER propped up JONES by remarking,
"1'here Is no doubt of that''
Then there was another passage between
| the SPEAKER and JONES, in which the SPEAKER
gave another specimen of his determination
for the future to transact business without
doubling
"Mr. CHANDLER. Isubmt for adoption the fol-
lowing resolution:
"sResolyed, That Senate joint resolution No.
IS be taken from the table for the action of the
House,
"Mr. CAMPBELL, of Illinois. Ipropose to debate
| that resolution.
"The SPEAKER. The gentleman from Pennsyl-
| vania is occupying the floor.
."Mr. CHANDLER. call for the previous CUES
ton on the adoption of the resolution. ~
"Mr. CAMPBELL. If the resolution is proposed
to be debated, does it not lie over?
esThe SPEAKER. The gentleman has not the
floor to make that objection.
"Mr. JosEs. would submit the question he.
ther two-thirds vote is not required to take bill
from the table?
"The SPEAKER. It Does
"Mr. JONES' Then can this resolution take up
joint resolution No. So by bare majority?
"The SPEAKER. The Chair decides it cannot;
two-hrds vote is required for the adoption of the
| resolution. There is no doubt about that"
Again we have an instance in which the
SPEAKER was scertain''-videlicet:
| s'Mr. STANroN, of Ohio. My point is this: That
the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. GRow)
rises to make motion not in order, and that be
forfeits his right to the floor to others. He has the
| floor for the purpose of making motion in order
l
and for no other purpose.
| sThe SPEAKER. That is true; but the entleman
| fsom Pennsylvania (Mr. GRow) was recognised
by the Chair, and he has right to move to sus-
pend the rules 1t is certain that he has his right
as sOeH as any one else.''
Once more:
|. s'The Chair was of opinion this morning that
if the House would join the Chair in executing
the rules, and he is still ofopnion that if the House
had Joined the Chair in executing the rules in their
spirit as we'll as in their language, every State in
the Union might have been called before the usual
hour for adjournment. That could only be done
by the members from every State introducing only
the business legtimately belonging to their States
The Chair makes this suggestion, and trusts the
House will consider it. He has no doubt, from his
experience here, that all the States in the Union
might have been called to-day for resolutions le.
ultimately belonging to them.'
Still again:
'sThe SPEAKER. 1t is competent for the House
to pass any order on the Speaker. as well as on
any other member, and to change the rule which
gives the Chair unlimited discretion in recognising
members. There con be no doubt abont the rule;
the policy is another question The Chair holds
that he has not been out of order in recognising
any gentleman to. day."
And still once more:
" MIR. BRowN. know 1t is the unlimited right
of the Chair when more than one member rises at
the same time; but the point make is this: Whe-
Their it is the unlimited right of the Chair to recog-
Mise member from Pennsylvania in preference
to myself, when ! rose and addressed the Chair
first?
"The SPEAKER. The Chair alphabetically decides
that he has that right
The SPEAKER is improving. The CHAIR
did not "doubt" once on Monday. On the
contrary, the Chair announced several times.
and once or twice emphatically," that the
Chair did not doubt.
Our Paris letter, received by the steamer