Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1868-01-23

question is universally ACKNOWLEDGED TO
be the dsrnier resort In pariiame n tary
practice, for the sole purpose Of closing
protrscted debate. II 10 never resorted
to in the Senate Of the United States,
never has been by the Ssnate Of Ohio
during the service Of the oldest member
now In this body, and its use can only be
justified in large bodies, where there Is
no other way OF ending discussion. The
use Of 1t made on yesterday to prevent
debate entirely, they Believe to be with
out precedent. This action IL liable TO
still more serious objection from the fact
that the minority asked emily few hours
delay, which was refused.
4th. Finally, when they consider the
traDscsndent solemnity and Importance
Of those acts of the General Assembly
which relate to changes in the funds-
mental laws, and contrast them with or
dinary Legislation, whish Is always sub
jeot to amendment or repeal, they the
more earnestly deprecate the hssty ard
arbitrary disposition ofthis question, and
feel that they owe it to their dignity %
men and Senators, and to the constitu-
ents they represent, to record this their
earnest protest.
l.. ID. GRIswoLD, J. G.. HALL,
II. EVERETT, II. &. JONES,
A. NJ. CORY, L. B. CoNANT,
A. SIMMoSs, l.. ID. WooDwoRTH,
J. TwINa Brooks, T.. r. BIaGs,
Fl. KEssLER. j. WARREN KRIFER
j. F. PoTrs, JNo. +. ToRREHCE,
s. KRAMER, ID. A. DANGLEB,
J. b. BURRows, 5. n. YEoMAN.
GAG LAW IN THE LEGISLATURES.
From the Columbus journal, 18th inst.
The extraordinary ruling of the Speak
eY of the House upon the preamble, left
little room to doubt that the majority
were resolved TO force the resolution to
withdraw the assent Of Ohio to the Con-
stitutisnal Amendment, Through both
bodies under whip and gag. 1t must
have bsen case oi great urgency, that
could have forced the Speaker to risk his
reputation az parliamentaxian upon the
absurd decision that preamble with 30
much matter and so many sections was
not divisible. 1t il not to be supposed
for moment that person of such large
experience in parliamentary bodies
should have made such decision in ig-
norancs. The exigency OF partisan ser
vice could alone have led him to sacrifice
his pride of knowledge to such an abb
surdity.
We have heretofore refrained from
comment, in the faint hOpe that more
decency might be observed in the SEN
ate. But in that body, likewise, the
Joint Resolution was crowded through,
without any chance for discussion, and
the grave work of withdrawing the con-
sent of . State heretofore granted with
great unanimity to an Amendment OF
the National Consultation, Is supposed
/ to be coasummatsd, without discussion,
and with less time for reflection than
would ordinarily be given to the most
trivial matter.
1t cannet be said even that sufficient
previous preparation outside hsd prepar.
/ ed the minds of gentlemen for the rapid
! decision Of the question. The whole
matter WIS sprung upon the minority
without warming, and it has received no
adequate discussion anywher.. Ths
question of authority to withdraw the
assent once given, is one upon which
some gentlemen were willing 10 be in
structed. And there were many other
questions involved which were of toe
grave character to be so summarily dis
posed OF. The gag was applied, not to
close long and tedious discussion, bHt
to prevent sny discussion whatever
The application of the previous question
is almost Unprecedented in the Senate,
even in the extremity of fatigue from
long debate; its application where there
had been no debate, and to prevent de-
hate, is unprecedented. and unjust, and
tyrannical. The protest OF the Union
members OF the Senate presents the case
very strongly, and it needs no further
comment rs to that.
An accidental majority has attempted
to wrench from the National Govern
ment in the name of the ps0rle their
consent to the amendment, given and
ratified by such maioritiss as no previous
measure Of that character ever received.
1t was to be expected that their action in
the contamination OF the attempted
withdrawal should have been character
lied by the violence, and injustice, and
fraud, which suggested the attempt at
the outset.