Mr. Blount said, that he felt for his own dignity as a member of the House, and for the dignity of the House. To suffer the prisoner to go away from the bar till he had said guilty, or not guilty, when thirty or forty members are positively charged with such conduct, and we suffer the culprit to withdraw, without obliging him to explain, will excite public suspicion that guilt is here.
Randall was then ordered to withdraw, till the discussion should be over.
Mr. Rutherford was for making him say yes or no, directly, as to the guilt. If he wants to have time for pleading any thing in mitigation of his punishment, that is a quite different affair. But the honor of the House was concerned in making him give an immediate answer to the queries now put.
Mr. Hillhouse was for bringing Randall forward directly. He ought not to be allowed time to think of an answer.
Mr. Harper felt as much as any man for the dignity of the House, but this would not induce him to proceed in a hurry. Mr. H. enlarged on the danger of indulging passion on this subject. It would be wrong to force the prisoner to answer unprepared. What if he refuses to answer at all? Confession amounts, in this case, to conviction. He was for granting indulgence.
Mr. Venable felt as much as any man for the dignity of the House. At the same time, he felt himself above suspicion, and the House above it. He would not wish to trample on the rights of an individual. He saw no danger that could arise to the House from a short delay. He referred to what Mr. Harper had said about the hardship of making any man convict himself.
Mr. Claiborne was also against hurrying the prisoner. He recommended that coolness and moderation should distinguish the proceedings of the House.
The question was then put, whether the prisoner should be obliged to answer immediately. Ayes 42, noes 48.
It was then moved, by Mr. W. Smith, that he should be allowed till twelve o'clock, to-morrow.
Mr. Blount proposed the yeas and nays on the latter question. A member observed that they should rather have been put on the one immediately preceding. The motion was supported only by four or five members. A fifth part of the House are requisite for calling the yeas and nays.