The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-28
TnE powERs on rLIE PREsIpENT on raE sENArr

THE POWERS OF TILE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
In very interesting debate 10 the Senate few dar
ago on proposition to anend the rules Of that body oD
Of the questions discussed related to the right Of lie Pr
ding Officer to call senators to order for Improper lam
guage in debate Il has doubt been observed that The
failure Of Mr. Bright the President OF the Senate to arr
the debate out Of which resulted the late assault on Mr.
SUMNER has been made the subject OF criticism and CON-
plant in various papers We glad hear Mr. Bright
during the discussion alluded To- address the Senate on
this subject His remarks show that his reason for not in
erlerng entirely conclusive The remarks Of Mr. Bright
follows
Mr.. BRIGHT have searched in vain for a preeed.,,
anterior 70 the time referred by the from Della
ware and there is not be found case where the yio
President Presiding Officer Of the Senate exercised The
authority claimed for him The question was raised
the occasion referred by the honorable senator from
Delaware-in the Of Mr.. Randolph Mr.. Calhoun
then Vice President held full argument the point
that he had such power at least that IL not hi
duty 70 exercise the power of calling TO order for The
use OF improper supplementary language but that
this duty belonged TO senator's The precedent established
under the decision of this able and distinguished states
man, Mr. Calhoun has remained in force and has been OBJ
served by every Presiding Officer from that time 10 the
present Ii is that of the late Vice Presidents
the United States Mr. Fillmore anticipating that the oc
cason might arise when IL would become important 10
know the extent Of authority conferred upon him under
the 9th ruleof the Senate and with view Of obtaining AN
expression of opinion from the body which he was
presiding, prepared and read to the Senate paper I'M
bodyng his conclusions TO his power and duty I'M
der the rule have referred TO- therefore think there are
senators present now whoreco!ec the argument and IA
II was directed to be spread upon the journals doubtless
Of the senators have read IL think the honorable
senator from South Carolina Mr. BURIAL has the book
now before him. II missate any OF the points contained
| in IT, hope he will correct me.
Notwithstanding Mr.. Fillmore will be seen BY refer.
ence TO his argument differed with Mr. Calhoun as 10
the extent Of power conferred upon the Presiding Officer
under the rules of the Senate he does take the ground
that il is his duty to do So but ntimates that if senators
should not nterpose to the of language clearly
out Of order that he would Up to this time there has
been vote has the Senate taken any action grow.
ing out of the suggestion of that able Presiding Officer
With all these facts and precedens before me could but
regard my right the Presiding Officer Of this BODY TO
call senator to order for improper words spoken in de-
bate, as OF very doubtful import; and hence have re-
Trained on one or two occasions from exercising what
most could be called under rules an nerentia au-
thority.
on this floor some time since has led to very unjust
criticisms and created the impression abroad that did less
than my duty on that occasion do not refer to this
with the least feeling but merely say that those who
have INDUCED In these animadversons upon what occur
red in that debate have evidently confounded the rules Of
the Senate and those Of the House the plain and
mistakabe the other to say the least of it. ambiguous
i The rule OF the House reads MS follows:
eff any member in speaking or otherwise transgress the
rules of the House, the Speaker shall call ORDER or am
member may DC. " I" =
The rule of the Senate provides:
"When member shall be called to order by the Pres.
dent senator, he shall sit down. shall not proceed
without leave of the Senate"
That implied right may not be fairly inferred from
the phraseoogy of this rule, will dispuei but when
the power had been exercised by Vice Pres-
dent among whom have been the ablest parlamenarans
Of the country did not feel that it would be becoming
in claim and exercise right SO important as than
which restraints the freedom of debate If it should be
the pleasure of the Senate to change this rule
form to the Recommendation Of the committee there
be for doubt and it viii be my constant sim
execute it in letter and spirit long shall has
the honor of presiding your deliberations Only make
your rules plain; leave room for doubt to what Is
cuied.
| The rules were SO amended as TO make II the duy Of
the presiding officer to arrest improper debate