I am unwilling to doubt that Congress may authorize their officers to
do that. I cannot doubt it. Assuming that we have the power, is not
this an occasion to exercise it? I do not wish to be carried into the
general debate. I had intended to say something about it; but it is
late.… I will not, therefore, go into the general question, except to
make one remark: I do think Congress ought to do something; we ought
not to adjourn as on ordinary occasions,--for this is not an ordinary
occasion, and there is the precise beginning of the difference between
myself and the Senator from Maine, and also between myself and the
Senator from Illinois.
The Senator from Illinois said, Why not, as on ordinary occasions,
now go home? Ay, Sir, that is the very question. Is this an ordinary
occasion? To my mind, it clearly is not. It is an extraordinary
occasion, big with the fate of this Republic.
The amendment of Mr. Sumner was rejected,--Yeas 15, Nays 26.
Mr. Howe then moved to insert “Friday, the 29th,” instead of
“Thursday, the 28th,” which was rejected. Mr. Drake then moved
an amendment, 28th March until 5th June, when, unless a quorum
of both Houses were present, the presiding officers should
adjourn until 4th September, when, unless a quorum of both
Houses were present, they should adjourn until the first Monday
of December. This also was rejected,--Yeas 14, Nays 27. The
substitute reported by Mr. Trumbull was then agreed to,--Yeas
21, Nays 17. The other House then adopted a substitute,
adjourning March 28th to the first Wednesday of June, and
to the first Wednesday of September, unless the presiding
officers, by joint proclamation ten days before either of
these times, should declare that there was no occasion for the
meeting of Congress at that time. In the Senate, March 28th,
Mr. Edmunds, of Vermont, moved a substitute, adjourning March
30th to the first Wednesday of July, and then, unless otherwise
ordered by both Houses, on the next day adjourning without day.