Year: 1860

again. I have no apprehension that ei ther side of this House, when 1t finds { majority of the opposite side called away under circumstances of this character, cir cumstances of interest, the propriety O which Is recognized in some degree, would take advantage of the absence of the other to dispose of and get clear of matters o high and serious public considerations Then, If that be so, what is the use of oul adjourning? We can go on with that class ot business, which Is properly perhaps termed business, of course, and get clear o1 a large mass of 1t.

 But what look at, in addition to that is the result of establishing this precedent An adjournment is proposed now only fol four or five days; but it will be extended on every successive occasion. It will not only extend hereafter to eight or ten days, but it will be found, when two or three conventions, national in their character, ot two or three different parties, occur in the same month, after while, that the ad- lournment will take place for a whole month. It IS notorious that every abuse of this character gradually grows, and continues to gain ground, and finally 1t must become serious interruption of the public business; but it will be sanctioned by the fact that . precedent is now estab- lished, and that the public have not com plained. The public will not complain of delay of four or five days; but they will complain, and we ourselves must feel it | hereafter, when 1t comes to an adjournment for two or three weeks, at a period when there are many who are so far from their homes that they cannot return to them. but must rest here on their oars, absolutei y do- ing not ing.

 The condition under which this resolu- tion can receive support from large num- Der of Senators is that if we adjourn over for q week, they can jump on the railroad cars and go home. There is large body, at least quite a number here, who are de- nied that privilege entirely. They must stay here, with nothing to do but await the return of the others; and each successive time that such resolution as this shall be acted upon, in accordance with the prece- dent which is now set, the period will be extended, and it will go on from days to weeks, and from weeks to month or more. l believe 1t is bad precedent It bears hardly upon the distant members. It is exceedingly accommodating, at least-that is not the word-it is, no doubt exceed ingiy pleasant and acceptable to gentlemen who can leave here and go home in twen- tyfour or 8 forty-eight hours run. Itan- swers excelentlv for them. They can go | I 1.:. l . those who live thousand or two thousand miles away, and a greater distance, there is nothing left but to remain here The reason and sense of every member. and his experience here, must tell him at once that if we commence this business, it will not stop at where we begin with it. cannot, amt never will, vote for a resolution of this sort, whilst l know that there is courtesy and fairness to be found in the United States Senate in action on public business; and l trust and hope we shall not be sub lected to this resolution.

 Mr. CHANDLER. I am opposed lo adougning at all; but desire to move an amendment to the resolution, for which amendment l shall vote and afterwards vote against the resolution, as amended. move that 1t be amended so as to read '' from Thursday, the 10th day of April, to Tuesday, the 22l day of May" so that we may adjourn over, if at all, both con yentions. As l sail before, l am opposed to the adjournment in toto. l shoultslike to build up wall around this town that would prevent any politician here from going to either convention but they vii go, and while the politicians are attending l these conventions, l want to go home and dC 8 little useful gardening myself. If VIC adjourn ten days for the Charleston con vention, and then ten days for the Chicago convention it will leave but an interim O ten days between them, and it is well known nothing will be accomplished in those ter days. It is just as well, in my estimation if we adjourn at all, to adjourn for the whole term. l therefore offer the amend ment.

 Mr. GWIN. l shall oppose this reso- lution in the original form, or if 1t should beamended as proposed. 1 oppose it from different reasons to those assigned by the Senator from Arkansas l oppose il because think we ought to stay here an( legislate on all questions coming before the Senate, important as well as unimportant The very courtesy that he speaks of tha would prevent one party from calling up during the period referred to, important questions which would divide the Senat. can be extended by pairing off those mem bcrS of the Senate on this side who arc necessarily called away during the pelioC for which this recess is asked. l want the Senate to remain here to legislatc on i'm portant questions now pending before tho body, in which the whole country is inter ested. l am utteily opposed to postponine the legislation of the country for any objec whatever. l think we ought to stay here and go through with questions of vital con sequence to the whole country, certain! y t' my own State.

 Mr. MASON. Allow me one moment am afraid the resolution in the form

 have offered it may be the subject of mis conception. The suggestion made by tn Senator from Arkansas leads me to suppos that he thinks it may be advantageous t one portion of the Senate and not to anoth CT, and therefore withdraw the resolution if have the assent of the Senate to do 1t T" Agreed"

 The VICE PRESIDENT. The rcsolu tion and amendments are withdrawn. Tn Senator from Minnesotais entitled to tn floor.

 Democratic Cony enti0n of White County