Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-04-01
md, and stated that n vn "a O'Clock, and NJ,

hand and stated that 10 vas n O'Clock and inquired Of
the Speaker IL competent for the House 70 st and
transact business on Sunday. M ..
The SPEAKER replied tbA, Il was.
Thereupon, Mr.. BALL announced that he would with.
draw from the hall. 80
had conr buied to the obstruction OF the business and
thus protracted the session.
Mr.. BALL said the gentleman was mistaken, he had
been In the house during the whole Of the nights
son aud had not occupied one moment Of its time eI-
cent TO respond TO his name when called.
Mr. COLLIER said that the House could and would
| compel the attendance Of its members
| Mr. BALL replied that the House had rot the power
to compel him to violate the Sabbath and could do
it, and thereupon he left the hall
At o'clock Mr.. CHRISTIAN said the House could
tes iy that he had engaged in any factous
night and was unconscious Of intending do so and
he now in good faith, submitted to the good Of
members present whether they had done everything
their duty demands in the premises and now that
gard for the constituents they represent a. w,
spect for the law. OF God and public decency, require
| further proceedings be dispensed with until Monday;
he therefore moved adjournment. Why should MEM
bers be compelled to remain here against their
sciences when no real good could be accomplished.
Mr. COLLIER demanded call of the House. He
wanted every member of that body in the city not
present. be brought before the bar of the House by
| the Sergeant at Arms.
Tine demand was sustained, and the roll being again
celled, less than quorum was found present.
At this stage Of proceedings the truly inte
resting. Many members were asleep. Others we're ga
thered in groups in earnest conversation all seeming to
talk at once aud gcscuatng furiousy. The galleries
were full of spectators aud several members ap-
pea!ipg to the crowd for tobacco cigars etc. There
seemed to be some sort Of key passing amongst the
| members 10 loosen their tongue; and some malicious
individuals evidently especters of the House, sug
ges,ed that chis-key and none too good at that.
| W. are silent.
At the third call of the roll on the demand of a call
of the House the Sergcantat-Arms ordered to cloe
the doors prevent the ingess egess OF the MEN,
bers and then those present proceeded according to
form to give for absentees. Some Of these
cusrs were rather singular In the absentee
vas affected with extraordinary disposition to sleep
70 much that he could not keep bis eyes open In the
day time much less at night This member not
cused. Some had gone home-too far to be sent far
hers had conscientious scruples about working the
Sabbath dav they were piOus men. Some doubling in
divdul however here stat. that one of these pious
members had whin his hearing, declared that eioe lie
would violate the Sabbath he would see the House ID
| One memb r had gone home on account Of eTDected
! illness in his family. Some of these re-
ceved. Others Indignantly protested against
One member when the excuse of indispcson urged
for an absentee said Il all fudge; be had seen the
member in the House that night III the veiest OF hui
mors. As for him. he really unwell and ought TO
be in his bed lie bad thrown up his dinner and supper
| aud at that moment had dozen compound catharuc
| pills rolling round his system.
The roll again called, and quorum found to be
| present
Mr. PHELPS moved the galleries be cleared. The con-
fusion great members could not hear what was
| going on This was done in irony, as the galleries,
though crowded az they were all night, perfectly
quiet while confusion COMPOUNDED prevailed be-
| low
Mr. COwAN rose for information. He wanted to
know the House could afford entertainment to the pub
lie without license? Laughter.
Mr.. WILSON moved that the Sergeant be sent
to bring the abseutees. II was so ordered.
Mr.. C0WAN said he was not to be ntimidated by any
| such threat
He only meant TO indicate that be would use all pariia
mentary to prevent the proonging this state OF
things He did not mean to offend any member, and if
bis remark did So he withdrew it aud begged pardon
| Mr. KEMPER proposed, with the unanimous consent
OF the House. that should now be taken on the re-
solutions pedgng himself to the opposing party that
he would, on Monday move reconsideration OF the
vote to allow members to vote who wished to do
Here great confusion prevailed many of the majority
opposing the proposition It withdrawn
Mr. COWAN said he hoped the proposition would be
| acccded TO- He and those who agreed with him bad
struggled in vain, and had fully discharged their
daiy Il was evident that the majoaity intended to have
A vote tonight and he for willing it should be
| taken
Mr. FOREMAN said he wished it understood that the
| proposition did not meet with his sanction
| Nessrs. ANDERSON aud RIVES declared that nobody
should speak for them. They indicated their own senti-
ments when Il suited them.
Mr. KEEN offered resolution that the House now adj
journ q o'clock and that, the pending question,
vote be taken at lOl o'clock Monday morning with
| out debate.
OH c,ed TO, ard not considered
Several members having been brought in by the Ser
geant at Arms, the vote on Mr. KENPER's app al from
the decision of the Speaker TAKEN and the decision
was no. sustained.
The question then being the adoption OF Mr.. Col
LiKE's amcndment-,o strike QUIT decided in the
affirmative
The vote being then taken on the adoption of Mr..
YgEBys substitute for tn Senate resolution, it de-
| ieated-iycs %, noes IS.
The main resolutions were then adapted, amid much
| excitement an conusion-ayes IS. noes 80.