THE COMMITTEE OF THIRTEEN.
Mr. CASON offered the following:
WHEREAS, There has been a mutual expression of a want of confidence in each other by both parties in this branch of the General Assembly, as well as an excited state of public feeling generally, in relation to the prosecution of the war, and other measures, and that such want of confidence has caused much ill feeling on the part of the members of this body, as well as useless criminations and re-criminations. Therefore, to restore confidence in the good intentions, honesty and patriotism of all the members of this House, and to quiet the public feeling; be it
Resolved, That a committee of thirteen be appointed, with instructions to use all possible efforts, consistent with their duties as legislators and patriots to come to some satisfactory understanding in relation to the action of this House upon the following subjects, and that we hereby pledge ourselves, at the sacrifice of mere party or personal feelings, to adopt the views and follow the advice of the committee, if the same should be their unanimous report. The committee are instructed to report their views and conclusions upon the following questions, as well as any others they may deem proper or desirable:
1st. All matters in relation to the powers and duties of the Governor;
2d. All questions in relation to the prosecuting of this war, and the status of Indiana connected therewith.
Mr. CASON proposed it as a peace measure.
Mr. LASSELLE would vote for the resolution, provided the clause binding this House by the decision of the committee were stricken out. He would surrender his conscience to no set of men, however sagacious and patriotic.
Mr. MILROY was opposed to the whole thing. It came from the wrong quarter. It reminded him of the fable of the rooster and the horses. The rooster said "Gentlemen, don't let us tread on each other's toes." If the minority don't want the majority to tread on their toes, let them get out on clear ground--let them get out of the way.
Mr. KENDRICK favored taking counsel on these disputed questions, and thought that the committee would save heated discussions in the House.
Mr. ROBERTS made an ineffectual motion to table the resolution--yeas 24, nays 65.
Mr. PRIEST would not be bound by the action of the committee.
Mr. PACKARD opposed the adoption of the resolution. It was a visionary scheme. We had a committee-- the Committee on Federal Relations--in all respects, except in point of number, equivalent to the one proposed. That committee had already canvassed the important subjects committed to them, and it was found utterly impossible for them to agree. How was it page: 134[View Page 134] possible, then, that thirteen men could agree, when seven could not ? Besides, he would not yield his conscience and his action to the dictum of any set of men. All of us who were honest in asserting their principles would stand by them. We must differ with one another, if we were honest and conscientious.
Mr. ROBERTS said that all such humbug resolutions were introduced by the minority to consume time and prevent necessary legislation--in order that the majority might bo held responsible before the people for all failures. And the people would hold, notwithstanding the machinations of the minority, the majority so responsible.
Mr. HOLCOMB was disposed to grant the minority all they asked in reason. He was disposed to treat them with more courtesy than they had treated us heretofore. He was willing to try the experiment for conciliation and harmony.
Mr. GRIFFITH offered an amendment striking out the pledge to abide by the report of the Committee, and inserting "will give the report a respectful consideration."
Mr. VAN BUSKIRK followed. He argued in favor of the resolution. The fact that it was presented by " the bitterest member on this floor in the minority," as had been charged, ought to commend it to the majority.
Mr. NIBLACK was inclined to favor the proposition, because an equal number of both parties would be brought face to face, and it looked like an honest effort toward conciliation toward doing something. Everything which is calculated to bring members of both parties together would tend to allay the excitement of the country. He had no fear of a discussion in committee of the principles and measures of the majority. He had every disposition to favor all steps toward pacification.
Mr. WOOLLEN offered an amendment directing the committee to report by 2 p. m. on Monday next.
Mr CASON spoke in support of his resolution. He had no objections to the amendments offered, but thought he contemplated all they purposed He had offered the resolution in good faith. He had offered it to remove party and personal questions from this House for the time being, in order that needful legislation be done--in order that agitation might be calmed down, and that we might go to work. The minority were just as responsible before the people as the majority.-- He was ready to meet every man extending the hand of conciliation; but if there was to be no concessions and compromise--if it was determined to strike down him and his, his motto was--
"Lay on Macduff,
And damned be he who first
cries, hold, enough!"
Mr. ANDERSON, referring to Mr. Cason, and replying to Mr.
Packard, said that--
"While the lamp hold out to burn,
The
vilest sinner may return."
There was more rejoicing in Heaven over the return of
one sinner than ninety-nine righteous. Mr. Cason had been
stigmatized as the chief of sinners. By his resolution he
had brought forth fruits meet for repentance. He, in the
opposition--in the minority-had proposed a measure looking
to compromise, to conciliation to peace, and his
proposition ought to be adopted.
Mr. HUMPHREYS said he would vote against the resolution, because it was very well understood by the majority what they would do, and the time when it would be done. This committee would tend to delay action. Me opposed the resolution. If it was adopted, he was sure we would adjourn without doing anything at all.
Mr. BURTON conceived that the introduction of the resolution was the height of tomfoolery. It was child's play for this Legislature to be discussing propositions like this. The resolution was for no other purpose than to consume the time and money of the people of Indiana. The views of both parties were well known. Gentlemen were wide as the poles apart. They never could agree on any of the important questions. He himself (and his constituents would kick him out of his county if he were not) was opposed to anything like compromise or conciliation with Abolitionists. Any proceeding under the resolution would amount to nothing. It was all humbug.
Mr. SHAFFER was willing to meet the minority half way. He should vote for the resolution and now demanded the previous question.
The demand was seconded by the House.
The two amendments were adopted.
The resolution as amended was also adopted, by yeas 65. nays 24.
The SPEAKER subsequently announced the committee, viz: Messrs. Cason, Niblack, Howk, Abbett, Roberts, Newman, Tarkington, Puett, Shaffer, Bird, O'Brien, of Hamilton, Hartley, and Van Buskirk.
