Washington sentinel., 1854-05-23
PROCEEDINGS
House OF Representatives.,
THURSDAY, May IL, 1854.
I'm Continuation.l


Several VoIcEs. What is the propositions
The SPEAKER The proposition Isl that the
names OF the absentees be called, so that excuses
may be offered for each gentleman as his name is
called. The Chair stated, in reply TO the sugges-
tlon from IN egentleman from North Carolina, Mr..
PURYEAR.l If no objection was made, that the
course proposed by him would be pursued; but
objection was made by the gentleman from Ken
lucky, Mr.. BREcKNRiDGE.l The gentleman from
Indiana Mr.. CHAABERLAIal then submitted mo-
ton that that course be pursued.
Mr. BhECKlNRIDGE. Iwould inquire Of the
Char what becomes of my resolution by this pro-
cess II the motion OF the gentleman from lndi-
ana dr. CHAMBERLAIN is in order then my mo-
ton goes by the board.
Ihe SPEAKER. The resolution of the gentle
man from kentucky will be superseded by the
| proposition of the gentleman from Indiana, as
having immediate connexion with the motion now
before the House; it will take precedence of any
| other motion.
Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE. | rise TO question of
| order | would call the attention of the Chair to
the elect that the object, in offering a resolution
TO send for the absentees in body is to avoid the
delay consequent on making point upon each
individual member.
The SPEAKER. Debate is not in order. The
| Chair has decided that the proposition made by
the gentleman from Indiana Mr.. CHAMBERLAMl is
| in order
| Mr. PURYEAR. / desire TO make this sugges-
ton That all the absentees shall be excused, and
that the doors shall be opened. My object is 10
bring this matter to a close.
| The SPEAKER. The House have just refused
TO dispense with all further proceedings under the
| call.
The yeas and nays were then ordered upon Mr..
| CHAMBERLAINs motion.
The SPEAKER. There is question of priv
| lege, as the Chair understands, which must be
first disposed of before the question is taken upon
| the motion Of the gentleman from Indiana The
| Chair understands that there are several gentle-
men IN the custody of the Sergeant at Arms, and
that thai officer is now ready to make his report.
| Cries Of !" Bring them il, ~ Bring them in."l
| The Sergeant-at-Arms then reported that, ac-
cordng 10 the order of the House, he had in Gus
tody Mr.. WILLIAM s. AsHE, and that he was now
present.
The SPEAKER. Mr.. AsHE: Ii seems that you
| have absented yourself from the House without
| IFS leave and contrary TO its order. You are now
at liberty TO make such explanation or excuse for
such absence as you may think proper.
/ Mr.. ASHE. have no excuse to offer except
that was Very much exhausted, and that had
| paired of with the gentleman from Massachusetts,
| Mr.. De WITH | was obliged TO go home on
account Of indispostion in my family.
| Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE. move that the gen.
tleman from North Carolina Mr.. AsHE] be ex-
cused.
| Mr.. WHEELER. Upon that motion demand
| the yeas and nays.
Mr.. McDOUGALL. think that the gentleman
from North Carolina should be excused. | am
! opposed 10 excusing any member without sufii-
cIent cause. Now, if the gentleman from North
Carolina had sufficient cause for excuse
The SPEAKER. The gentleman from California
| is not in order
/ The yeas and nays were ordered upon Mr..
! WHEELER's motion.
| MIR. HAVEN. Is it in order to say word in
| reference 10 this matter?
The SPEAKER. The Chair hardly thinks that
| il is in order.
| Mr.. HAVEN. I do not wish TO say anything
out Of order.
The SPEAKER. The Chair is inclined 10 think
that according to the practice of the House. II is
hardly in order for the gentleman to make any re-
marks, although he does not know of any express
rule which would restrain him from doing so.
! Mr.. HAVEN. | only desire to say this that
| the excuse offered by the gentleman from North
| Carolina is a most rational and reasonable one,
and am ready 10 voteto excuse him, unless there
is TO be made here a question of physical endur-
ance and then it would not be fair to impose upon
one what you would not impose upon another.
MIR. ASHE. / withdraw my application for ex-
cuse. do not wish anything from the charity of
the House.
| that no man in this House has more kind feelings
| towards the gentleman from North Carolina Mr..
AsHEl than have but he has offered no satisfac-
tory excuse, and If il is to be taken, we had bet
| ter dispense with this call at once.
| Mr.. ASI1E. do not desire to be excused
| Mr. BRECKINRIDGE, made the motion to
excuse him, and do not withdraw it.
The question was then taken; and there were
| yeas 95, nays "a.
| So the House agreed to excuse Mr.. AsHE.
| The SPEAKER. The question now recursu upon
| the motion of the gentleman from Indiana, Mr.
CHAMBERLAIN, that the roll be called for the pur-
1 pose of hearing the excuses of the remaining abb
| sentees; upon which the yeas and nays have been
| demanded and ordered.
A MEMBER. / would ask if there was any OBJ
lection 10 the course indicated by the gentleman
| from Indiana? Was not universal consent given
| TO the mode of procedure upon which the yeas
| and nays have been called?
The SPEAKER. The gentleman had right
| to ask the yeas and nays.
/ Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN. | did not understand
| the facts TO be as they are now represented. Be-
fore | rose TO make the motion did, | understood
that there were decided objections to suggestion
ofthe same character made by the gentleman from
| North Carolina, Mr.. PuRYEAR. Upon that very
| ground it was | made the motion 10 obtain vote
| of the House.
The SPEAKER. Debate is not in order
| Mr.. .CHAMBERLAIN. rise simply for the
purpose of explanation. Since the motion was
made, and vote ordered upon that motion, il has
come to my that there is no objection TO the
mode of proceeding suggested by me. | would
| withdraw my motion, but l suppose it has gone
| beyond my control.
| The SPEAKER. BY unanimous consent the
demand for the yeas and nays can be withdrawn.
The question was then taken; and decided in
| the negative--yeas 43, nays SO.
| So the motion for call of the roll to allow alb
| sent members TO be excused was not agreed to.
| Pending the announcement of the result,
| Mr.. ZOLLICOFFER asked to be permitted TO
vote.
The SPEAKER pro temporr. Was the gentle
man from Tennessee within the bar when his
name was called, or before the next name on the
roll was called? M
Mr.. .ZOLLICOFFER. / was not in when my
name was called; but my name is the last on
| the list, and there was none other called. I
submit therefore, that have right to vote.
Laughter
The SPEAKER pro tenapore. Then, no other
gentleman addressed the Chair before the gentle
man from Tennessee came within the bar, he
will be entitled TO vote.
Mr. ZOLLICOFFER. No other gentleman had
| addressed the Chair before cameFn.
The SPEAKER pro temporc. Then the Chair
| thinks that, under the circumstances, the gentle
| man has right to vote.
! mhe vote was accordingly registered.
| The Clerk proceeded to call the names OF the
/ absentees for excuses
DAVID RlTcmE, RUFUS w. PEcKuAM
| Mr. JONES, of New York. rise to what
think may term privileged question. | ask TO
make an excuse for two members who are absent
rom inns House by my advice as physician.