Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-01
uou.e Of Repres.ntatives.

After The Journal had been read Sidney Web
ster esq, the private secretary OF the PRESIDENT
appeared al the entrance oil the main aisle OF Inc
House and announced that he had been instruct
ed by the President of the United States 10 de-
liver 10 the House message IN writing
Mr. CLISGMAN moved that the message be
read in order that the House might hear what II
Mr. MORGAN said they wanted no message
until after the House was organized and ne de-
manded the yeas and nays on the question.
Mr. CLINGMAN remarked that he did not
know the contents of the message but that the
President has the right, on the assembling OF Con-
aress when, in his judgment, II may be proper, 10
communicate his views on public subjects, and OF
Interest. from time 10 time.
Mr. CAMPBELL, OF Ohio, said that the reading
Of the message would he business, and held that
the House could do no business until after an or
ganization.
Mr.. CLINGMAN did not agree with The gen
tleman. He was willing that gentlemen should
vote on the question OF order
Mr. ORR held that the Constitution expressly
recognizes this body as House Of Representa-
tives saying, in express language, the House OF
Representatives shall choose their own Speaker
and other officers As 10 what disposition shall
he made Of the message, a point on which
The question OF MIR. CAMPBELL might be Welt
But he thought that the gentleman raised hts point
too soon. II respectful 10 the President that
il should he read.
utterly useless 10 have the message read, unless
they could do something with II after u shall have
been read.
Mr. STEPHENS advocated the reading Of the
message Ii might contain facts important for the
members and the country 10 know, and u was the
duty of the President 10 make the communion
ton.
Mr.. WASHBURN of Maine contended that
the President cannot communicate a message
until after the House shall be organized.
Mr.. GIDDlNGS said that this too great q
question to be decided technicality. lie wished
10 meet il frankly boldly, on III merits. He would
resist this attempted nnov the practice
of the Government.
Mr. JONES. OF Pennsylvania, said that the
President OF the United States had taken the
responsibility in treating this body rs - House
Let every gentleman take III" responsibility o
saving whether il shall be regarded or not.
Debate epsued in reference to The subject be
fore toe House, involving the question Of constr
tutonal power
Mr.. LETCHER said that they had heard enough
10 serve for two hours digestion. lie had nc
fear that the rights Of the House would be
usurped.
Alter further proceedings, Mr.. DUNN offered Q
| resolution proposing that the Clerk return Inc
message TO the person delivering i TO b m, as Tho
| House is not organized, aud therefore cannot re
ce,veik
| Mr.4AVIS. of Maryland, submitted a motion
that the motion 10 receive the message be laid OF
/ the table. When the House shall have been orga
nized, any gentleman can raove 10 take il from th
| table.
cded that the message should not be read--yea
81, nays l26
The question to lay the whole subject on III
table was decided in the Acknowledgment To-
nays l0I
The House adjourned tall Wednesday