Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-02-27
ELECTION. OF OFFICERS OF THE SENATE.

- 8 r.
81 q In SrrArE, Feb 10, 1856.
Mr.. Biges Il ask The Senate now to proceed to-
the consideration of the resolutions which submit.
ted Yesterday in regard to the election of officers
of the Senate.
The motion was not agreed to.
Mr. Butler subsequently, said: A majority OF the
Senate this morning decided against taking up the
Biggs.1 At the instance of some Of my friends
with the view of having the question finally dispos-
ed Of move to reconsider the vote by which the
Senate refused to take up those resolutions.
The motion to reconsider was agreed to /; and the
question recurring on Mr. Biggs motion, 1t was
consider the following resolutions, submitted yester-
day by Mr.. Biggs:
Resozoed, That the Senate will, on Monday next,
at one O'clock elect Secretary of the Senate Ser
geant. Arms and Doorkeeper, and Assistant Door
keeper.
standing rules of the Senate, to wit:
80. The Secretary of the Senate, the Sergeant-at-
Arms and Doorkecpcr, and Assistant Doorkeeper,
shall be chosen the second Monday Of the first
session of every Congress.
Mr.. Mason. Mr. President, this proposition was
brought before the Senate at an early period OF the
session by the Senator from Mississippi, Mr.. Ad-
ams,1 and was then disposed of by decisive vote,
postponing it indefinitely. do not know that there
is any rule of the Senate forbidding the introduce
ton again of proposition once disposed of in this
way; hut there is a rule of parliamentary law
against it, which have examined, and will read to
the Senate:
"In Parliament, question once carried cannot
be questioned again, at the same session. but must
stand as the judgment of the House."
Not only has this subject been once disposed Of
at the present session. but it had been previously,
during last year, disposed of finally as l hoped,
unless some good reason could be shown for recon-
sidering the formal action of the Senate. The dis.
position of the Senate in regard to this subject as
those know who have been here for some time, has
been tested, almost from year to year, certainly from
Congress to Congress, by propositions to change
what has been the established practice of the Senate
to preserve permanency in its organization. In the
year 1854, a select committee was appointed among
the members of which were the honorable Senator
from Michigan, Mr.. Cass, one of the oldest MEM
bers of the Senate, and Of the best informed in
regard to its usagcs, the honorable Senator from
Delaware, MR. Clay j and others whom do not
now recolect. l was also member of that COM
mlttee. 10 us was referred the tenure of the Off
of the Senate well the character of its or
ganZation; and in the report of the committee
submitted last year, you will find the following Ian
guage:
"Thc Senate is a permanent body, liable to be
convoked separately from its coordinate branch, and
should be always in state of efficient organization
The only sound objection to such organization would
be on the score of expense, and under that recon-.
mended by the committee it will be found that this
is materially diminished.
In the opinion Of the committee, the correct
and safe transaction of the business of the Senate is
materially dependent on retaining in its service a
corps of experienced well-trained and diligent off,
and this only be done by security in their
respective positions so long they continue faithful
in the discharge of their duties"
The report concluded by recommending to the
Senate resolutions intended to effect that permanent
80 :ko
collection, motion made to modify one of those
resolutions, by prescribing that at each Congress,
this resolution proposes, the principal officers Of
the Scnatc-the Secretary, Sergeant alarms and
Dooorkeeper -should be elected and it was reject
ed by a vote taken by yeas and nays. At the pre-
session the 9th Of December, 1866, the fol-
lowing resolution was submitted by the Senator from
Mississippi, [Mr. Adams:
Resolred, That the Senate will, on Monday next,
at one o'clock, elect Secretary, Sergeant-at-Arms
and Doorkceper, and Assistant Doorkceper."
This resolution was considered on the 10th Of De-
cember, and was postponed indefinitely. Now |
submit to the honorable Senator who offers this
olution whether it is altogether consistent with par
lamentary law to raise questions Of this kind from
day to day, or from month to month, during the
session? think the policy Of the Senate is cstab-
lshed, and therefore move the nLeinitc postpone
ment of the resolutions of the honorable Senator
from North Carolina.
Mr.. Biggs Mr.. President, understand the Sem
ator from Virginia first to raise question of order
Mr.. Mason. No, sir.
Mr.. Biggs. Then there is no improperly in the
introduction Of this resolution far the rules of
the Senate are concerned. confess. sir that was
taken by surprise, being acquainted with another
parliamentary law existing in North Carolina lat the
time when the motion was first made here to indef-
niely postpone this matter, supposng that it a
disposition Of It for the whole session; but, under
standing from Senators who were more experienced
than was myself in regard to the action of this
body, that indefinite postponement did not pre-
clude the introduction of the same question again
in the Senate, ventured to bring forward the pro-
position now before the Senate.
Sir, it is with great Difference to the opinions of
Senators of more experience than myself that have
introduced these resolutions but with a decided
conviction on my mind that the practice ofthe Sem
ate-the rule, if it may be considered rule, which
has been adopted is rule that is not proper to ex.
list here; and availing myself of the privilege of
pressing my convictions and of placing myselfrght
the record thought it proper to introduce these
resolutions for the consideration of the Senate.
beg the Senator from Virginia, when he cites this
uniform rule and practice of the Senate of such
cient date, to be reminded Of the fact which have
ascertaine upon investigation, that this is but
cent rule of the Senate. For more than a quarter
of century different practice prevailed. l have
investigated the subject, and find that the first re-
port on this question made in the Senate in
1924; and then rule was adopted by the Senate of
the United States, which required these elections to
take place OH the second Monday of the first ses-
sion of every Congress That was standing rule
Of the Senate from that time until ls49, when, upon
the motion of late distinguished member of this
body (Col Benton that standing rule of the Senate
repealed. But has the rule, then understood to
be established by that repeal been observed all the
time? No. sir there has been an election since then
Of the officers of the Senate upon the motion of the
Senator from Mississippi, [Mr. Adams,] who made