Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-04-23

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but the question of credentials, to the committee wnch
is proposed to raise And, sir, there IS quesnon OF
credentials The Senator presents credentials
ed upon the action of the Legislature Another has pre-
scented certificate which, it is commended here extends
beyond and does constitute credenual, for the whole
term until another Legislature shall elect 80 that there
is question to credentials ana y seems % me per-
fecy proper and perfectly consonant with previous pre-
ceent to refer that question well as the other TO
select committee of the Senate the Senate should de-
termine to raise My only object was % get along
with the public business and get rid OF any embarrass
ment in the mode of getting at the question 1t seems
to me that the best mode would be- by unanimous
sent to drop Mr. Meriwethers name from the roll, and
let the whole matter be referred to committee for
animation. 44 ssftN
Mr. BRIGHT l apprehend that if Mr.. Meriwether
were in his seat he would be entitled to vote in this
case upon general parliamentary principles 1t is
matter in which he is directly interested and every prin
ciple of parliamentary law excludes member, situated
us he is from voting such question He is absent
for two of deicacy would prevent his
occupying place TO which he believes he is entitled
under the circumstances that surround this case tits
due him say that he is claiming this place. He
sets up claim to it, understand him to occupy this
attitude that if he be declared entitled to it under
order Of the Senate carrying Constitution accord
ing to its letter and its spirit he willing take it
otherwise believe that he is the sitting member
and such would be entitled to vote upon ordinary sub
jectupon any other business than that which directly
interests him. But in this case, Iapprehend he would
not be entitled to VOTE will read from Jeffersons
Manual this point for believe the general principles
laid down by parliamentary authors in force in the
Senate, and are observed here
Where the private interests of member concerned,
in bill question: he to withdraw And where such
interest has appeared his voice has been dsalowed
after division In case contrary not only the laws
of decency but to the fundamental principle of the social
compact which denies any man to be Judge his
is for the honor Of the House that this rule Of imme
mortal observance should be strictly adhered TO-"
AS said BEFORE if Mr.. Merwether were now in his
seat he would be entitled oyote therefore
of time to discuss that question.
The PRESIDENT. But that will not prevent his name
being called unless the Senate make order to the
contrary. ,
Mr.. BRIGHT. AS matter Of course his name will
be called if it be upon the roll; but he cannot vote
the question
Mr.. CLEMENS The Senator from Virginia misunder-
stands and misunderstanding the question before the
Senate The question pending is not upon the
luton to refer the credentials of Mr. Dixon to commit
tee but it is upon the amendment submitted by the Sena
tor from North Carolina, Mr.. MANGUM that in the
mean time Mr.. Dixon be sworn in member of this
body Therefore say that the decision of the question:
whether Mr.. Meriwether's be called not deter
mines my vote. If Mr. Meriwether presents prma
facie case if his is bloted from the roll of the
Senate then the gentleman presenting credentials is
titled be in, and shall have him sworn
in But if Mr. Meriwether claims to be member Of the
Senate he has the prma ace case and the other gentle
man is not entitled to be sworn in This point brings up
the whole Its decision settles my all events
The PRESIDENT. The Chair viii be governed by the
disposition of the Senate in this matter.
ceeds to call the roll and the of Mr.. Meri
wether and the calling of his name is objected to- it will
bring up the whole question The roll stands pre-
csely it did the last day of August when we ad
journed. If Mr.. Meriwethers term has since expired
there is an end to the question before the Senate
The PRESIDENT. Unless it is otherwise ordered, the
Chair will direct the roll to be called with perfect
Outstanding on the part of the Senator'S that the Secre
tary shall call the name of Mr. Meriwether.
Mr.. CLEMENS. If so, have no objection to the roll
being called; but when his is called shall object
to it. shall wish to ascertain whether he is member
of the Senate and that will raise the whole question
think it better to settle the before the roll
called
The PRESIDENT 1t will certainly be much better to
decide, before the commencement of the calling of the
roll whether Mr.. Meriwether's name shall be called or
not IL would be very embarrassing to have the call
interfered with in the way suggested.
Mr.. BUTLER. If we to have an impartial deci-
sion upon these questions the issue by
of Mr. MeriwetAers name, many gentlemen win be
mitted without full understanding of the subject
The PRESIDENT. The Chair was aware Of that and
therefore it that he wished the decision Of the Senate
to that point
Mr.. BUTLER l say that this is a form Of decision
unfavorable to truth. The result will be that shall
have the decision first and the discussion afterwards
Mr.. CASS There to be no help for il.
Mr.. BUTLER. If the honorable Senator from Alabama
should object he intmates that he will it will bring
up the whole question confess that for one am like
him. My vote win depend very much upon the question
of whether Mr. Merwether is is not entitled to be call
ed as Senator.
Mr.. MANGUM. | would inquire how the name of Mr.
Meriwether to be upon the roll The making
of the roll is mere clerical duty and if the Secretary
confines himself to the mere prma acie upon the
certificate the of Mr. Merwether could be upon
the roll would therefore inquire by what authority
that name is upon the roll
The PRESIDENT The authority is very apparent.
Mr. Meriwether was member Of the Senate the last
session. His appeared on the list Of Senator's
such, and there is decision made that he is not ent
tied his at this session That is the question
pending and until that is decided the Secretary has
alternative but to keep his upon the list There
fore that the Chair brought the matter to the at
tenton Of the Senate with the hope that they would take
immediate action without preudicing the claim Of either
of the gentlemen, to get clear of the difficulty and
by general consent let the be passed for the
present. which would not prejudice Mr.. Meriwether
any ese and that the suggestion Of the Senator
from Virginia.
Mr.. CHASE. Mr.. President would ask whether IL
would be in order TO in to the suggestion Of
the Presiding Officer that the Secretary be directed in
calling the roll the present occasion TO omit Mr. Meri-
wethers name IL that motion is In order II will meet
the whole difficulty and answer the object Of the Senator
from Virginia.
The PRESIDENT That can be done by general con-
sent
Mr.. HUNTER. II It be done by general consent we
Mr.. Merwethers right but his be strick
en- off by order Of the Senate his right would to be
gone
Mr. CASS. The proposition suggested by the Senator
from Ohio would the difficulty. Ii still brings
up the old question before
Mr.. HUNTER. think was not precisely under
stood in the suggestion which made This case, il
understand il in its present position assmlaes itself
nearly to the double return than any ohern rea
ton to which have precedents Suppose two members
present themselves each with n rpturn In such