The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-08
In CONGRESS OF THE U. STATES
TUESDAY, MARCH :, 1854
SENATE
VOTE on THE NEBRASKA BILL.

SENATE.
VOTE on THE NEBRASKA BILL
Mr. EVERETT. Mr.. President am DESTROYS Of
making bnei explanation TO the Senate in regard 10
myself, aud OF asking favor | was absent from my
place, necessarily when the vote the passage OF the
Nebraska bill was taken on Saturday morning was
severely Ddisposed at the time; and well known 10
my ieGds my general state OF health for the last or
three weeks has not been good was over-falgued by
the laeness Of the hour, and. having remained the
Senate ll half past three O'clock, utterly unable
remain any longer suppose il cannot be matter OF
doubt with any OF my brother senators how | should
have voted, Having non-concutred in the Committee
Territories before the bill was brought into the Senate,
on the question OF reporting IL having expressed my
opinions IN full IN opposition to The policy OF Ae bill IN
the remarks which had The honor OF submitting 10 the
Senate and having voted IN the negative the test
amendment OF The senator from lllines Mr. DOUGLAS,
proposing 10 declare the Missouri restriction inopera
tive and yod, ii s scarcely necessary 10 say, that ii
had been here my vote would have been recorded the
negative the passage of the bill Nevertheless, sir.
is matter OF very great consequence and interest,
am desrous with the permission OF the Senate which
the Presiding Officer informs me can be given y unani
consent OF having my vote entered the journal
against the bill will, therefore, venture TO ask the
favor Of senators 70 allow my vote 10 be thus recorded
The PRESIDENT Does the senator make motion
Mr. EVERETT. 1 do. II requires however, sup
pose unanimous consent.
Mr.. CLAYTON. II 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 &C. of 1890 and
voted for the amendment proposed by The senator from
the senator from New Hampshire. (Mr. NORRIS ] who
regarded this bill triumph Of the doctrines OF squaier
sovereignty over The true principles Of nonnervention.
contained IN the bill OF ls4S. determined 10 record my
vote against the passage of the bill remained here for
that purpose until very late hour; but sick, and
was not able TO remain until five o'clock IN the morning
the senator from Massachusetts has leave to record his
vote, | ask leave to record mine also.
The PRESIDENT, Does the senator make any prop
osioni
Mr. EVERETT. The unanimous consent of The Sem
ate s asked % have the names recorded
The PRESIDENT. The Chair will read the 18th rule
MIR. WELLER | desire 10 know what has been The
practice of the Senate heretofore with regard TO this mat
shall not inerpose any objection If this privilege
has been usually accorded 10 senators who absent
when important votes have been taken desire know.
therefore, whether has been the custom to agree such
The PRESIDENT. The l7,h rule is:
"When The yeas and shall be taken upon any ques-
permitted. under any circumstances whatever al
Ter the decision is announced from the Chair"
The Chair presumes that unanimous consen, do
quires unanimous consent. The Chair does not under
stand The senator from California Mr.. WELLERl To OBJ
ject.
Mr.. WELLER | interpose no objection.
The PRESIDENT. Then, the votes will be recorded
against the passage Of the bill
Mr. WELLER. desire 10 ask the Presiding Officer,
The PRESIDENT. have been told that there has
never been but one case, and that The OF the
senator from Michigan the other night. am informed
that there is but solitary precedent. II there be no
objection, The senator's names will be recorded.
Mr.. DAWSON. ! merely wish 10 make one obserya
lion as 10 the consequences growing out of the adoption
OF sue! course. II we establish precedent, the rule
will be violated whenever are constrained TO force
measure through this body by sitting late night Gen.
llemen all know that such occasions ii will be much
more pleasant to be al their lodgings than here, they
will have right 10 record their votes by motion on the
next day, or some subsequent day. Ii we adopt such
practice we shall find ourselves without that attendance
,p.fa krrht q, haVa xrha
sits late at night and very often shall be eii without
a quorum. That was one Of the difficulties TO prevent
which the rule adopted Il is not in my nature, nor
in my disposition, TO oppose the wishes OF any gentle
man, and VIII not do so now, as | shall find myself
alone in it. But ii were 10 adhere 10 principle, aud
discharge my duly TO the country and 10 tue body,
should oppose II As these friends OF mine were sick,
and could not be here, perhaps II is better 10 suffer TO
be done now but the occasion will have to be very ex-
traordiaary when shall consent to il again.
Mr. CLAY ION II will moi atecl The result.
MIR. ADAMS. There are other senator's who were
not present Saturday morning when the vote was
taken, and are not present now, who know would be
very glad 10 have their names recorded the other side
Il record OF course IL would be expected that the
right would be allowed TO them. Blu, submit TO
the consideration Of The Presiding Officer that the Ian
gnage of the rule which he has read is unlike that OF all
other rules where consen, will authorize de-
parue from them Bills must be read upon three seve
raj days, unless by unanimous consent II il dispensed
with But the rule just read by the Chair declares, that
under no circumstances whatever shall person be per-
mitted vote after the result has been announced Do
not The words by unanimous consent under the
meaning OF the word "whatever~ Ii does seem 10 me
that unanimous consent cannot confer the power here
II certainly intended by the language that Under no
circumstances whatever either By unanimous consent or
by majority should departure from the rule be
horized not disposed to throw difficulties in the
way Still, 1t has occurred that proper constfuc-
lion OF the rule would exclude the unanimous
thorizng IT,
The PRESIDENT Is there any objection
Mr. DODGE, OF Iowa | object for The reasons stated
by The senator from Georgia, [Mt DAwsoS and because
there will be no end 10 the hing There The senator
from Indiana, MIR BRIoHT,l the senator from Georgia,
Mr.. TooMBs j and Others. who will come day alter Jay
and ask leave TO record their votes Tor and agans the
measure Suppose il bad passed by majority, &C.
codlng 10 this process the whole thing would he reversed
the next day. The senator from California Mr.. WEI.
LER rem Hds the that he lost vote Thursday night,
which would have changed the resu--one OF much i'm.
poriance. This shows the necessity OF adherng to The
rule IL with great respect TO the two senators that OBJ
ect and il ia far unpleasant for to do than to
yield in matter OF courtesy.
Mr.. EVERETT Withdrew the request.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRECEDENT UNITED STATES.
A message was received from the President of the
United States by Mr.. Webster, hs secretary transmit.
ting the annual report of the board OF inspectors of the
penenary Of the United States for the District OF CO.
umba, for The year ending December 81, 1858; which
was referred to the Committee the District OF Colum
bia and ordered 10 be printed for The OF the Senate
MEMORIALS, PETITIONS, ETC.
Mr.. SEWARD presented the petition OF citizens OF
iona wanda. New York, praying Congress no, TO pass
the Nebraska bill in its present form, nor IN any way
impair the Missouri Compromise; which was ordered to
lie on the table.
Mr. s. also presented the peiion of II NJ Holt and his
family demonstrating against the repeal OF The Missouri