Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-03-11
TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 1854.
TN SENATE,

Mr.. EVERETT. Mr. President am DESTROYS of max
ing brief explanation to the Senate in regard to myself
absent from my place, necessarily, when the vote
on the passage of the Nebraska bill taken Satur
day morning. / was severely indsposed at the time
and is well known to friends, my general state Of
health for the last two three weeks has not been good
was overfagued by the lateness Of the hour and hav
ing remained in the Senate till hapast three o'clock,
utterly unable to remain any longer suppose it
be matter Of doubt With any Of my brother SEN
ators how l should have voted. Having concurred
in the Committee Territories before the bill was
brought into the Senate, the question Of reporting
having expressed my opinions in full in opposition the
policy Of the bill in the remarks which had submitted to
the Senate and having voted in the negative the test
amendment Of the Senator from Illinois, (Mr. DOUGLAS
proposing declare the Missouri restriction inopera
tive and void it is hardly necessary say that had
here my would have been recorded the
tive the passage Of the BILL Nevertheless sir is
matter of very great consequence and interest am de-
sirous with the permission Of the Senate which the
siding officer informs me be given by unanimous
sent ofhavng vote entered the Journal against the
bill will therefore venture to ask the favor Of Sena
tors to allow my vote to be thus recorded
The PRESIDENT. Does the Senator make the motion
Mr.. EVERETT do. 1t requires, however, sup
pose unanimous consent. ...
Mr.. CLAYTON. 1t was my design to record my vote
in favor of the repeal of the eighth section Of the act
which is called the Missouri compromise act, 1920 and
voted for the amendment proposed by the Senator from
Illinois, (Mr. DOUGLAS When heard the speech of the
Senator from New Hampshire MIR. NORRIS who regard
ed this bill triumph of the doctrines of squatter SOW
eregnty the true principles of nonntervention
tanned in the bill of 1s4S determined record my vote
against the passage of the BILL remained here for that
purpose until very late hour hut sick and was
not able to remain until FIVE o'clock in the morning If
the Senator from Massachusetts, has leave record his
vote, | ask leave to record mine also.
The PRESIDENT. Does the Senator make any pro-
position?
Mr.. EVERETT. The unanimous consent is asked to
have the names recorded
The PRESIDENT. The Chair win read the 18th rule
on the subject.
Mr. WELLER l desire to know what has been the
practice Of the Senate heretofore shall nterpose
any objection If has been usually accorded to Senators
who are absent when important votes have been taken
desire to know, therefore, whether it has been the
tom to agree to such proposition?
The PRESIDENT. The 18th rue is:
"When the yeas and nays shall be taken upon any que
ton in of above rule member shall be
mted under any circumstances whatever after the
decision is announced from the Chair"
The CHAIR presumes that unanimous consent can do
away with the operation and effect Of this rule 1t
quires unanimous consent The Chair does not under
stand the Senator from California r WELLER to object
Mr.. WELLER WELLER | interpose no objection; ;,
against the passage of the bill. .'
Mr.. WELLER. i desire to ask the Presiding Officer
however, whether this has been generally done
The PRESIDENT. l have been told that there has
been but cease and that the Of the
Senator from Michigan the other day.
Mr.. DAWSON. That not allowed.
The PRESIDENT. ON informed that there is but
solitary precedent If there 10 objection, the
Senators names will be recorded.
Mr. DAWSON. / merely wish to make one objection
to the consequences growing out Of the adoption of
such course If establish precedent the rule will
be violated whenever constrained to force
through this body by sitting late at night Gentle
men all know that such occasions it win be much more
pleasant to be at their lodgings than here if they will
have right to record their votes by motion the
day some subsequent day Adopt such practice,
and shall find ourselves without that attendance in the
Senate which ought to have when the Senate sits late
at night; and very often shall be found without
quorum That of the difficulties to prevent which
the rule adopted 1t is not in my nor in my
disposition to oppose the wishes Of any gentleman and
will not do now, shall find myself alone in it
but if to adhere to principle and discharge my
duty to the country and to the body, should oppose it,
But these friends of mine SICK and could be
here perhaps it is better to suffer be DONE But the
occasion will have to be very extraordinary when shall
consent to it again.
Mr.. CLAYTON. It viii not affect the result
The PRESIDENT. Is there any objection
Mr.. DODGE, of Iowa object for the reasons stated
by the Senator from Georgia, mr. DAwsos aud because