New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-01
UOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

UOl 81 OF kEPkESEN IAllN ES.
Immediately after the reading Of the Journal Mr..
Sidney Webster Private Secretary of the President,
appeared, announcing from the latter Message in
writing.
Great excitement was produced by this, amid which
Mr. CLINGMAN moved that it be read in order to
hear what II was.
Mr.. MORGAN called for the yeas and nays on the
motion that the Message be read. He wanted no
reading till the House was organized.
Mr.. GIDDINGS and Others anxiously struggled for
the hoor
Mr. CLINGMAN did not know what the Message
contained but said the President had the right, in the
assembling Of Congress when in his judgment he
deemed it necessary, to communicate in writing The
Constitution gives Lin this authority.
Mr.. CAMPBELL Ohio contended that the reading
of the Message business. and held that bust
ness could be transacted until the House had organ
lied. The sending of the Message in advance ofthe
organization was an innovation.
Mr. CLINGMAN was perfectly willing that gentle
men should decide on the question of order.
Mr.. ORR-The Constitution expressly recognizes
this body as the House-saying the House of Repre-
sentatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers.
He thought the gentleman from Ohio tMr. Camp
bell had raised his point too soon. The Message
Mr.. CAMPBELL Ohio replied that it was utterly
useless to have the Message read unless they could
do something with II after il was read
Mr.. STEPHENS insisted that the Message should
be read 1t might contain matter important for Con-
gress to know
MIR. WASHBURN Me- contended that this was
not Congress, and the President cannot communicate
until an organization has been effected.
Mr. GIDDINGS-This il too great question to
be decided on technicality. He wished to meet it
frankly and boldly on its merits. II was an attempted
innovation Of the practice of this Government Ii 1t
was so important for the President to communicate the
Message, why has he delayed sending it here for four
weeks? He for one would not submit to such pro-
ceeding.
During the debate concerning the Constitutional
power in the premises Mr. ORR said the sending of the
Message at this time was an Innovation but the extra
ordinary scene here presented justified the President in
taking the responsibility. The question was Shall the
Message be received?
Mr. HUMPHREY MARSHALL thought II should
be received and laid on the table until the House is or
ganized.
Mr.. DUNN said the sending of the Message was
great public indecency, and should be rebuked.
Mr.. LETCHER thought the House had heard
enough to serve for two hours digestion. He had no
fear of the rights of the House being usurped.
Dr. DUNN offered a resolution that the package de-
livered to the Clerk this morning, purportng to be
communication from the President to the House, be
returned by the Clerk to the person presenting the
same as the House had not organized and was there
fore incompetent to receive communication.
Throughout the proceedings there was great con-
fusion members rising, half dozen at a time, all
irving 10 sneak al the same time.
Questions of order were earnestly discussed.
Mr.. DAVIS Md moved to lay the motion to re-
ceiye the Message on the table. When the House or
ganized any gentleman move to take it up.
Mr. JONES Tenn and Mr.. ORR insisted they had
a right to the reading of the Message in order that
they may know what they voting for.
The CLERK read from the manual to the effect that
when the reading of paper is called for and objection
is made the question must be put to the House.
Objections made amid confusion and disorder.
Mr. GROW said the paper halle at the door, and
the simple question is, shall it be received Until
received no Member can call for the reading.
After fierce debate and much squabbling about
parliamentary rules il decided, by vote of 81
against la6. that the Message should not BE- read.
The House then agreed by four majority to lay the
whole subject on the table.
Adjourned TO Wednesday.