HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 1863.The SPEAKER decided as to the power of the House. It was a doubtful question when the House adjourns on a call which shows no quorum as to the status of the House at the next session. But, after deliberation and consultation, he believed the presumption would be that there was a quorum at the next session. The House, therefore, would proceed to receive reports from the Committee on Claims, to enable the Committee on Ways and Means to perfect their business, messages from the Senate, from the Governor, and transact all other business not requiring a call of the yeas and nays.
Mr. HANNA inquired if this ruling would not conflict with the action of the House with regard to the Governor's message?
The SPEAKER decided that it would not.
BORROWERS FROM THE SINKING FUND.
A report from a committee recommending that the bill H.R.136, (see page 115) be laid on the table, was concurred in.
page: 200[View Page 200]MOBBING PAINTING OFFICES.
Mr. HANNA, from a select committee, reported a resolution, which was adopted, directing incorporation in the specific appropriation bill of $2.500 to Grafton F. Cookerly, of Terre Haute, and $500 to Calvin Jones, of Rockport, for printing offices destroyed by mobs.
THE BOLTING MEMBERS.
Mr. KILGORE asked leave of absence for Messrs. Griffith and Cass until tomorrow noon, that they might visit Madison to see if terms could not be made with the bolting members, who were understood to be in that city.
Mr. HANNA opposed the request. He was for making no terms with those gentle-tlemen. They knew their duty. Let them return and conduct themselves as honorable gentlemen should. The majority would make no compromise with them. For the Republican gentlemen who had remained on this floor, obedient to their oaths, he had the highest respect, but as for the Secessionists, the majority defied them--THEY DEFIED THEM.
Mr. PUETT was opposed to adopting a resolution which would authorize any members to go with terms of compromise to men who were standing out in violation of their oaths. Let us remain here, do our duty, and upon the factious minority would rest the responsibility.
Mr. MASON followed in a like argument. Were it not for the revolutionary state of affairs, the sentiment was to bring these men back by force. He entered his protest most emphatically against granting any leave of absence for the purpose of attempting to compromise with them. The majority should stand upon their rights as representatives of a free people.
Mr. PACKARD said there was a powerful outside pressure brought to bear upon these seceders. Prominent Republicans Governor Williams among the number had told them that these gentlemen would come back. He (Mr. Packard.) wanted to see them come back, but not through any compromise on the part of the majority. He indorsed the sentiment of Mr. Hanna: if they would come back and do their duty they would be treated as honorable gentlemen.
Mr. CASS said the minority would never come back so long as the militia bill was pending. They never would.
Mr. HANNA. Let them stay away then.
Mr. BROWN. Are you not pledged to bolt on the bill with regard to arbitrary arrests ?
Mr. CASS. No, sir.
Mr. BROWN. You know you are.
The SPEAKER. Order, gentlemen, order.
Mr. KILGORE. It might just as well be understood, once for all, that so long as the military bill was before the House, the minority would never come back. If it was determined to persist in that measure, a large sum of money could be saved to the people of Indiana by adjourning at once. While that bill was pending, no appropriation or any other bills should be passed.
Mr. PUETT wanted to know, if three men, of high legal attainments, who were not Democrats, men so high in public esteem that all parties respected them, were chosen, to whom the military bill should be submitted, and they pronounced it constitutional and a proper matter of legislation, would the minority then come back?
Mr. KILGORE. No, sir! we will never come back to vote on that bill. And he would bolt, not only on I hat bill, but upon any other bill that his party said he should bolt upon.
Mr. HOLCOMB. It is of no use, then, to trifle with such men.
Mr. PUETT named Messrs. Blythe, Evansville, McDonald, of Indianapolis and Griswold, of Terre Haute, as gentlemen to whom the bill might be submitted
Mr. KILGORE. They are all very clever gentlemen, sir, but it makes no difference.
Messrs. PRIEST, NIBLACK and others followed, declaring that no compromise would be made with the minority. A large portion of the minority intended no vote upon other measures than the militia bill. He was in favor of letting these gentlemen come back, of course, but he wanted them to sneak back just as they had sneaked away. If unconditional submission was good upon one side, it was good on the other. We, the majority would remain here, ready to do our do our We were peace men when a proper spirit was shown by secessionists for peace. He moved to table the motion asking leave absence for the purpose indicated.
The motion was agreed to.
A call of the House showed 59 members present.
