Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-05-14
Wastingtan gsntinsl,
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
House OF Representatives,
THURSDAY, May IL, 1854.
lin continuation

THURSDAY, May ii, 1854.
lin oontinuation.l
Mr.. INGERSOLL. ] would inquire of the
Chair what the question is
Mr. ORR rise TO question of order. Both
sides have been heard, and further discussion is
out of order.
Mr.. WASHBURN, of Maine. gave way for
a moment only, and
Mr. ORR. / insist upon my point of order.
The CHAIRMAN. Discussion is not in order,
and gentlemen will preserve order without which
we cannot progress with the business before us.
Mr.. ORR. Withdraw my objection.
Mr.. WASHBURN. / will say then, that if
gentlemen desire that there should be free and
full discussion Of this subject; fthey are wiling
that gentlemen may come here and make their
speeches for and against the bill, in regular order,
and in decent and proper hours, let them come
forward and make proposition that, alter The DIS
position Of the special order OF next week, TINS
question shall be taken up and acted upon-that
is, after the special order of next week, and the
other special orders, be disposed OF. Let them do
that. Two or three days is not time enough 10
discuss this measure.
MIR. CRAIGE. rise 10 a question Of order.
Mr.. WASHBURN. Sir, this is an important
bll-Inore so than any other that has been before
the House for years.
Mr.. CRAIGE. / call the gentleman 10 order.
] insist upon my point of order. / object TO the
gentleman from Maine proceeding
The SPEAKER. The Chair overrules the OBJ
lection of the gentleman from North Carolina.
He knows of no rule by which the gentleman
from Maine can be arrested in his remarks, he
having received the unanimous consent OF the
House 10 make speech.
Mr.. GRAIGE. He did not have the unani-
nous consent TO make speech upon the bill.
The SPEAKER. The Chair does not know al
what point the gentleman can be arrested.
Mr.. WASHBURN. Mr.. Speaker, will detain
the House but moment
Mr. CRAIGE. ! again rise to question Of
order.
The SPEAKER. The Chair appealed 10 the
House TO know whether there was objection tothe
gentlemans proceeding, and no objection was
made. The gentleman then commenced his re-
marks, and the Chair does not know AT what point
he can stop him. Unanimous consent sets aside
all rules.
Mr.. CRA1GE. A proposition was made that
the Pacific railroad bill should be postponed. The
gentleman from Maine made objection, and his
was the only objection coming at that time from
that quarter OF the hall. Under these circum-
stances the gentleman from Maine obtained the
fioor and asked the consent OF the House TO allow
him TO make an explanation, and no objection was
made 10 SO reasonable proposition. Unanimous
consent, however, was not given for him TO go on
and make speech upon the bill itself. certainly
never gave my assent 10 such proposition; and
II was upon this ground that rose TO question OF
order.
The SPEAKER. The Chair thinks the House
gave unanimous consent for the gentleman from
Maine 10 make suggestions in reference 10 The
order of business as connected with this bill alone
and he will rule that The gentleman must conhne
himself 10 such suggestions.
Mr.. WASHBURN. i win conform 10 the deci-
sion of the Chair, and so confine myself 1t was
not my intention to take up much of the time OF
The House / aware that when the House
gave their consent for me to make statement, il
was not their expectation that ! should go and
make an hours speech. and will not do so now.
wish merely to state some of the reasons why
think the proposition which has beenmade 10
postpone the consideration Of the Pacific railroad
bill cannot and ought not To be acceded 10 by The
opponents Of the Nebraska bill. And let say
there are other suggestions which, in my opinon,
il would be better for the House to adopt in refer
ence TO this matter. This sir, is bill which
should be fully and thoroughly discussed. Two
or three days no time for the discussion of
measure OF this importance; nor is a week, which
il Is now proposed to allow, suffic ent time.
say there should be ample time for the discussion
OF a great measure which is agnating the country
from bne end 10 the other.
lCres of Order = and confusion.l
The country demands that we should have am
pie time 10 consider il before il is acted upon.
Loud and repeated cries of " Order" /" Order u
The SPEAKER. The gentleman from Maine
will suspend, Gentlemen are repeatedly calling
the gentleman to order. The Chair does not know
for what reason; for, in the confusion prevailing
in the Hall, the gentleman could not be heard.
The Chair asks that the point Of order shall be
stated, if any gentleman has any 10 make.
Mr.. HUNT ! am friend 10 free discussion.
have SHOWN myself, from the beginning, friend
10 the maintenance ofthe privileges ofevery mem
Der upon this floor. | still feel some concern for
free discussion in reference to this bill 1t seems
TO me, however that the proposition made by the
gentleman from California is fair one. i do think
that those who desire free discussion, and the
friends of order, ought 10 accept it. Sir, while
there was a majority disposed TO stihe debate
raised my voice against the irregularity and OPP
preston which was resortedto. But when propo-
sition of an honorable character is made, which
will allow every member of the House to avail
himself of the privilege of expressing his sent-
ments upon this question, think it becomes
every friend of liberty to accept it,
Several MEMBERS That's right.
Mr. SAGE. | am not aware, Mr.. Speaker,
even if not objected to, that this debate is TO be
allowed TO go on. The House has voted down
motion TO lay the resolution for the close of the
debate upon the table.
Mr.. WENTWORTH, of Illinois. II has not
yet been passed.
Mr.. SAGE. / know that it has not but that
was test vote. Tojudge of future votes by those
which we have had, we may conclude that the
resolution will be passed. Now, am unwilling,
for one member of this body, TO consent that The
important businesses before the country shall be
thrust aside To take up a matter which everybody
will admit is not important business regards the
present There is necessity for IT, was sur
prised the other day when the Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union passed by very
large number Of important bills on the calendar,
bill. And, sir, SO long as retain my health, shall
resist every attempt ofths kind in every legitimate
way. think the country will sustain me in do
ing SO. ! am not 10 be deferred by any threats
here of whatever kind My rights are the same
as those of every other member; and intend 10
assert them now and al all times look on the
Pacific railroad question of far more importance
than this swndle which has been thrown before
the country without any previous notice TO the
people.
Mr. BAYLY, OF Virginia. Mr.. Speaker
The SPEAKER The gentleman from Maine
is upon the floor. The gentleman from Virginia
addresses the Chair. Does the gentleman from
Maine yield
Mr.. WASHBURN. | yield 10 the gentleman
from Virginia, if il be the consent OF the House
that should do so.
Mr.. BENTON. What is the question?
The SPEAKER. The Chair will state the
question.
Mr.. BENTON. Is the question posiponing
the bill for the Pacific road: is that The question
The SPEAKER There is no question of thai
sort now before the body. The Chair and the
IL II 49, NJ