The Daily Nashville true Whig. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1851-1855, 1855-10-22
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
SATURDAY, Oct. %.

b, fore the reading Of the journal was completed,
! Mr.. Harris objected to the appearance the jour
| nal OF a number of motions which were made yes
terday afternoon 70 djourn to Monday 10 ar W
! the workman time to complete the rk upon the
| Hall, and subsequently, Withdrawn. He opposed
! 10 ub.ring and spreading ont the Journal
with the entry of such motions, as it would make
| tn printing OF the journal more expensive
hr d&lnncls 'wt1 opposed to these motions ap
petrng upon the ipurna, b, cause the House al
i,uiurd almost invariably within a few minutes OF
four O'clock aud these several motions having been
made and then Withdrawn, when it became evident
th1y would b. voted down, after that hour, which
seemed, bv common CONSENT the limit Tor the trans
action OF legisativc business amounted simply 70
little ptstime INDUCED in by the members instead
OF spending it upon the streets In other words,
ne seemed TO regard it afterpiece, which 'dd
not appear in the bills" snd of which no notice
should be taken
Mr.. Brown, of Madison, regarded the record upon
the journal of such motions as right aud proper. He
read from the constitution of the State show that
that instrument required the Legislature to keep a
journal OF all their proceedings, and, therefore, the
House had no discretion in the matter. He was
opposed to the omission constitutional grounds,
and supposed case to make his position more ex-
plcit:-lfa resolution should be submitted to the
House, involving an important principle, and after
discussing il for two or three DAYS. the mover should
become satisfied of the improperly of its adoption,
and withdraw it, should the Clerk of the House
or "strike out" all reference to the motions
which might have been made during the progress
of the dis usson, and leave entire blank the
journal for these two or three days? Or what sort
of an entry should he make to show what the House
had been doing during these two or three days.
when that body had accomplished absolutely moth
ing in that period? He admitted that this was an
extreme case but if the House had a right 20 omit
from its journal a record OF motions to ad ourn, but
which Withdrawn, the principle extended to
matters OF grave Importance, involving an expend
ture OF both time and money. Where would the
principle stop, if once recognised, that the House
had right to omit from its journal record OF any
motion or resolution that came legitimately before
it?
He was opposed to the striking cut" upon an
otGer ground. The people had sent them there to
transact their business, and whatever they did
should go upon the journals that it might be known
how true they were to their trust. No member
should make motion unless he believed it right;
and no member should vote for or against ques-
ton, as the case might be, unless he perfectly
willing that vote should be recorded upon the Jour
nal, that his constituents might see it. And when
they devoted the hours OF business to pastime they
had no right to seek to prevent record Of it pom
the journal He was, therefore, opposed to amend
ing Altering the Journal omit all reference
over to Monday.
Mr.. Harris renewed his opposition to reference
on the journal 20 these motions TO adjourn over and
particularly the names Of those voting aye and I
no did not appear.
The Speaker explained that the Clerk had des. /
troyed the roll when the motions severally
Withdrawn, the ayes aud noes were only partially (
recor led in each instance.
Mr. Burch thought such motions ought not to 60
al. .ft.a
had no control over them, aud read from the con-
stution and the rules of the House in support Of
his position.
Mr. CaVitt expected TO he member Of the next .
legislature" and be willing every vote he had .
CIV n and might yet give should 60 upon the jour
nal
Mr.. Cook occupied the same position as Mr.. /
Brown OF Madison, and argued at some length very
ioreibly in support of that position
Mr. Burc read from JeffersUn's Manual, showing
that the rule of entering upon the journal only
what had been agreed to- was founded in good sense
and prudence.
motion was made the reporter did not catch
the movers name that the journal stand as il is,
and he m ton prevailed
NJ. Harris moved that his name he entered upon
Ne urnl as having vo ed og inst every motion
~ on .. because 'it the mrmnrrs were in favo;
Of b n abisiHg here, h. wa Ia favor of B,.neoub
! iDs az one; aud the motion c. rrird
s.. Ii iris afterwards disclaimrd having made
suc moton--he only expressed desire that his
nam should appear as having Voted sgainst all mo-
lion to adoura. The Speaker explained that he
und rstood hin as making a motion, and that no
Mr.. sAd permitted him TO put the motion 20
the House.
Mr.. Wood, Of Cannon, moved TO correct the
journal by striking out all ference TO motions 20
adjourn which were not acted upon.
Mr. Holmes said that we had no precedent for
striking out" but that We had for drawing black
lines around portions OF legislative journals, and he
therefore, moved toamend the motion Of Mr. Wood,
10 draw black lines around" instead Of "strike
out !" but subsequently, withdrew his amendment
Mr. Galloway was IN favor OF eXcusing such gene
Ilemen as were 'tender footed" on this poiut, pro
viding they would promise TO not do so again
The ayes and noes were then demanded by Mr.
Wood, OF Cannon, and resulted ayes IL, noes IS
20 the House refused 10 correct the journal by strk
ng oui the record of the several motions made to
adjourn and subsequently, withdraw.
Mr. Galloway Sben bis name vas called asked
0 be excused from voting on account Of his tender