Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-12-31
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
MONDAY, Dec. 81, 1856.

After the journal was read, the Clerk announced
the reception of message from the President.
A motion was made by Mr.. CLINGMAN, that
it be read.
Mr.. CAMPBELL, Of Ohio, opposed its reading
on the ground that the reading of the message
would be the transaction of business, and that the
House was not organised for the transaction of
to have the message read, unless we could do
something with it after it was read. He raised
point of order on this subject.
Mr.. STEPHENS said, in reply, that the message
might contain something, which, if known, would
induce the House to organize. We therefore should
hear what the President has to communicates.
Mr.. WASHRURN, of Maine, contended that, as
the House could not act upon any recommends
tons Of the President it was unnecessary to re-
ceive it,
Mr.. FULLER asked Mr. W. If certain informa-
ton, of Importance to the commercial interests of
Maine, was in possession Of the President, ought it
not to be communicated Ito the House, which has
now been four weeks in session.
Mr.. WASHBURN replied that such informa-
ton might be communicated TO the Senate, which
was organized.
Mr.. CAMPBELL inferred that the Message
was either business, or i was not business If the
former we could not Consider IL; IL the latter, it
was immaterial
In reply to Mr.. GIDDINGss request he remarked
that the message was now being read in the Ser.
ate, and IL il was of Importance IL would soon be
known. He therefore wished the question on his
point of order to be decided.
Mr.. GIDDINGS spoke with great animation
against the reception Of the message, as revolu-
tonary procedure, totally unprecedented in the
history Of the country.
Mr.. JONES, Of Tennessee, argued in favor Of the
reception Of the message.
NJ CTINGMAN a0raod With Mr. GlHpprII
that the House could not act upon any recon-
mendations of the President but he thought II due
to the Presidents position that his message should
be read. 1890
Mr. GIDDINGS was opposed to the reception Of
the message, and wished Mr.. CAMPBELL to with
draw his motion, for the purpose Of taking the d.
rect question on the reception Of the message.
Mr.. STEPHENS read from the Manual TO show
that in the British Parliament cases of failure had
occurred TO elect a Speaker, yet messages have
passed between the King and the House of Com
mons-in one instance for IA days. and argued
from this that the House might receive the mes.
sage.
Mr. BOCOCK was of the same opinion.
Mr. II. MARSHALL. thought the House ought
to receive it. and lay IL on the table Until the House
was Organized, He moved that Il be received aud
laid on the table. :
Mr.. MILIsSON commended that the Clerk had no
right TO make any decisions on any doestiUn al
though his suggestions were entitled 70 considcra-
ton He was therefore opposed to the Clerks de-
Gliding any point Of order, as he had been called
upon by members TO do. He also thought the
message should be received.
Mr.. SIMMONS illustrated his position Of oppo-
sition to the reading of the message, by alluson
TO the condition of any corporation or any corpo-
rate body, before lie members were sworn In.
Who, for instance, would think of fling papers
with Judge Of the Court Of Claims before he had
taken the oath Of officef He regarded the House
in It's present state as an aggregation OF raw ma
terial and unfit for the transaction OF any ofhcia
business beyond the election of Speaker.
What becomes Of the rights Of the States, II this
message IL to be read? He should have thought
the whole Virginia delegation would have risen
en- masse TO protest against the proposed invasion
of individual sovercignties.
Mr.. CARLILE was in favor Of the message be-
ing read, and therefore moved the previous ques
ton but afterwards Withdrew II, at the request o.
Mr.. ORR.
Mr.. ORR then spoke in favor of the reading o
the message, and said that
Mr.. SIMMONS himself had voted for several res
olutions since the commencement of the session. ir
spite of his recent declaration that we had no righ
10 transact any business.
Mr.. SIMMONS explained that the objectof thos'
resolutions was TO expedite the election Of Speaker
| Mr. ORR suggested that the reading OF tne mes
sage might also produce the same result.
Mr. MEACHAM inquired why the messsg
should be received and read, If II could not b
acted upon He was IN favor Of laying Il on th'
! table as matter Of courtesy. but nothing more.
| If there was anything threatening in the aspect
OF our foreign affairs, why had the President wait
ed four weeks before be announced tr
II LII STRANGERS
a VISITING the city should see Huntsr's CAtaloeu