The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-03-08

heretofore appointed, should be compelled,
/ by the adoption of the resolution, to i'm.
mediately report bill to that effect. The
result Of which action would be, direct
vote Of censure on the committee. Now,
sir, | am in favor Of every committee dis.
charging with promptness their duties; but
circumstances must, by all deliberative
bodies, be considered. Now, how stands
the case? Four weeks of this session the
chairman of this committee has been alb.
sent, on account of sickness in his family,
and is still absent. Death has visited his
household; and who blames him for being
absent, to perform that last but painful
duty to one endeared to him as child?
| Who believes that he is censurable for lin.
gering there, to soothe an afflicted family
or to perform parental duty? Sir, will
not believe, until the act is done, that this
House will be guilty Of so great an impro-
prety! Must this House single out this
committee. and permit all others, who have
charge of more important matters, to es.
cape their censure2 Will, or does, the
mover Of this resolution think he effects
any purpose by penetrating the chamber
of death and the house of mourning with
any such charges Of neglect of duty as is
contained in that resolution, against one
who has but acted the part Of faithful and
afectonate husband and father. He may
love the performance of that part Of the
drama, but for one envy not his position.
When the gentleman from Ashtabula
LETT. he was in possession of all the papers
and matters connected with the subject;
and, so far as know, the balance Of the
committee had no access to the papers.
How could they acta
i The probability is that the committee
will not agree upon any propositions; there
will probably be majority and minority
report; but portion of the committee ha We
agreed upon measure, or 10 a measure,
which has been introduced in the Senate.
Ii it passes there, we will be called upon
to act upon it in this House. If it is de.
feated in the Senate, there will be no use
Introducing it here, though we could pass
4 it. Neither is it true that any member ol
that committee is welded TO any particular
measure. believe, sir, that any effective
measure will meet the views of the most
ardent friend Of temperance in this House.
and feel assured that no delay whatever
is intended by any member of that com
mittee, and that report will be made in
a short time. There is no reason for the
resolutions; no necessity for probing deeper
the wounded heart of an afflicted member
of the committee, if no regard was had
for the feelings and position of the men,
bers present.
Mr.. Gest said the insinuation that he
had not acted in good faith. was ungener.
Gus and gentlemanly. He was in favor
of Legislation on this subject, and had SO
expressed himself heretofore. He was in
favor of law that would effectually pu,
down dram. shops; but the demagoguism
Of the peculiar friends Of the Maine Law
he was not disposed to patronlze.
i Mr.. Logue said he had ascertained since
this question was sprung. that DR.. Elwell
had left the papers with Col. Taylor, and
that it was intended to submit report to-
morrow.
i Mr.. Gest expressed his willingness to
withdraw the resolution, but objection was
made.
! Mr.. Eckley denied that the friends Of
temperance were welded to particula.
measure. This was not the case in any
instance.
] He hoped the resolution would be indefin-
itely postponed. lie had been informed
that Dr. Elwell would return tomorrow
The question was taken on the indefinite
postponement and lost-yeas 81, nays 32
i MFR. Allen, of Pike. moved that the reso
luton be referred TO the select Committee
on Temperance. Lost-yeas 90, nays 81
The question then being on the adop'
ton OF the resolution,
Il Mr.. Allen Of Pike, said that when the
resolution was first offered, he was dis.
posed to favor it; but when he learned
the present condition Of the subject, his
}, opinion was changed. If the chairman
/ were present. he saw no objection to the
resolution. He had therefore hoped the
{ resolution would be referred, but motion
TO that effect had failed. Under the cir
cumstances, therefore, ne could not vote
80 censure committee of the House.
!. Mr.. Walkup denied that the adoption o
the resolution would be casting vote o
censure upon the committee. He hoped
, it would pass.
Mr.. W. denied that the Committee or
Temperance had been appointed with {
, view to any particular law. If he though
4 tUlS were pOSSlole, H0 WOuiu tiIoV0 III tuei
dissolution, and for the appointment Of {
committee by the House. But such wa:
not the case. They were organized tt
| investigate the subject in all its bearings
| and frame law as the resul: Of such in
, vestigation.
Mr.. Birchard spoke in favor Of the res
olution. Postponement would be certain
> to cut off proper investigation, or prolon;
3 the session.
r Mr.. Ross favored the resolution. Th'
agitators on this question who belonged
, to the House, had secretly consulted will
, a well-known leader, and had resolved t
!. have the Maine law or nothing. He fount
!. that The very gentlemen who so earnestly
f urged the House to adjourn by the 20,l
g March, were now pertnaciously urginl
!. the further postponement of this question
lie regarded the whole agitation for Bun
q combe-to enable few to ride into Office
|, He claimed to be an honest friend Of tenn
o perance, and had come here with the in
d ten,ion of going for judicious law to sup