The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-13

should FIRST be tried in large body Now think. il
there any propney at all IN adopting this machine ior
the purpose OF taking the yeas and nays II s IN small
body where the rights OF The minority are not so Ire
quenty violated, and where this means OF defending
themselves is not much needed But IN the House OF
Representatives they should by cast aside The
present practice OF calling the yeas aud nays for Il rs IN
large body like that where The necessity exists that me
tyanniea rule OF the majority should be resisted Dy the
delay occasoned by the pracuce OF calling Tue yeas ana
nays
And would also ask how is it possible TO detect the
presence absence OF senators here II this machinery Is
10 be adopted in which case the power oil working u
may be delegated to some other MEMBER or TO one OF
the pages OF the Senate for certainly one Of them could
touch the keys and give the vote as we'll as the sena
Tor HIMSELF And in that way the most important meas
ufes OF this body might be carried through with not more
than dozen members present al the Tune oil Young
upon their passage.
The losing OF the key, has been suggested here,
will deprive senator OF an opportunity TO vote be-
the key this machine is very simple, and sen
aiors, II they chose, might not employ Tue Key al all
but have the whole machinery open, TO be USED OF mol
they should be present absent unless he chose TO
delegate the power OF casting his vote 10 another
think TO that would certainly be very dangerous
innovation to delegate the power oil volng and ~ would
moi be less dangerous to delegate the power OF using
this machine
When an innovation of this kind-an innovation which
is entirely new, and which has never been called IN
play in any legislative body in the world either IN the
British Parliament or anywhere else--is proposed TO be
brought in this body apprehend that some very cogent
should be given why should depart from The
old constitutional method
The honorable senator from Texas mr. HoUsToNl
has said, that by adopting this machine would ena-
BILE senator's to make more speeches Now, if there is
any thing IN that argument at all. II would deter me from
voting for ii, were otherwise inclined to do 50. shall
vote against this resolution
Mr. BUTLER Ii the honorable senator from Texas
means to insist upon his resolution, must move an
amendment TO it and that is that by way OF economs-
ing time employ the spiritual rarpeTs laugher] 10
decide beforehand how the is to be given. Indeed
suppose they might be able TO tell beforehand how we
would all vole and they could make out the vote in
another room, and send II in here when It was necessary
Now, | like TO hear the honorable senator's voice
sometimes, it is very deep and earnest sometimes,
whereas at others it gives very faint assent or negative
to the questions upon which he may be called to vote
am that | would sometimes give up my own
judgment if could know his vote, aud can tell pretty
well BY the tone OF his voice how TO act IN giving my
Mr.. HOUSTON said that much as he generally deferred
to the opinion OF his friend from South Carolina, Mr.
BUTLER he could not accord with HIM upon this occa
SION Ii would be necessary to consult the spiritual
rappers after this machine had been adopted in order TO
know the right way to vote the same necessity now ex-
voting for and the other voting against any proposition
that might be before the Senate and as II was to be pre-
sumed that party was right the other then must be
wrong SO that If any benefit was to be derived from
consulting the spiritual rappes should be sought aer
whether this machine was introduced or not
The honorable senator then proceeded TO say that ne
had not heard argument against his resolution Whlcn
in his judgment, enable. What he had said about
the lengthening OF speeches to be applied 10 the
House OF Representatives. and could not be applied to Inc
Senate al all, one-hour rule existed there Thu
honorable gentleman then proceeded at some length TO
reply in ocular manner 10 the arguments OF the same
kind which had been advanced by other honorable
aors against the adoption OF his resolution lie referred
10 the small cost Of introducing the machine into the
Senate chamber; stating that should II not be found 10
work well il could be removed with but little loss, and
no injury TO the seats, change would be made IN
them. He had often known the Senate TO vo,e indeed
he bad voted himself give away 81, $780, the price OF
introducing this machine, Tor much less worthy purpose
and object than now proposed.
The question being then taken upon the adoption OF The
resolution 1t agreed to- there being upon divis
| ion ayes 6, noes not counted.