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Editorial
December 17, 1839
Alexandria Gazette
Alexandria, Alexandria County, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
Editorial criticizes John Quincy Adams' performance as Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1839, highlighting his lack of decisiveness and erroneous rulings, such as allowing a motion that could stifle minority debate. Expresses relief at his impending departure.
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TUESDAY MORNING, DEC. 17, 1839.
We are heartily glad that Mr. Adams is about to vacate the Chair of the House of Representatives. About his honesty and rectitude, there is no doubt, but he lamentably fails in those qualifications which are necessary to make a good presiding officer of such a body as the House of Representatives. He is not prompt, decided, nor loud enough. He delays too much. The House grows impatient and restless whilst he is propounding questions, or announcing decisions. Some of his decisions, also, have been very erroneous. For instance. When Mr. Bernardo, of New York, made his motion to suspend the execution of the order of the House, for going into the election of a Speaker, he was interrupted by Mr. Turner, of Tennessee, on a point of order, and the Chair allowed Mr. T. to move to lay not only the point of order, but the resolution, on the table! Such a decision, it will at once be seen, will enable the majority, by simply raising a question of order, to stop any one of the minority from offering to debate a resolution he may propose. This is not the only erroneous decision Mr. A. made since he has been Chairman, and we repeat that we are glad some one else is about to preside over the House of Representatives.
We are heartily glad that Mr. Adams is about to vacate the Chair of the House of Representatives. About his honesty and rectitude, there is no doubt, but he lamentably fails in those qualifications which are necessary to make a good presiding officer of such a body as the House of Representatives. He is not prompt, decided, nor loud enough. He delays too much. The House grows impatient and restless whilst he is propounding questions, or announcing decisions. Some of his decisions, also, have been very erroneous. For instance. When Mr. Bernardo, of New York, made his motion to suspend the execution of the order of the House, for going into the election of a Speaker, he was interrupted by Mr. Turner, of Tennessee, on a point of order, and the Chair allowed Mr. T. to move to lay not only the point of order, but the resolution, on the table! Such a decision, it will at once be seen, will enable the majority, by simply raising a question of order, to stop any one of the minority from offering to debate a resolution he may propose. This is not the only erroneous decision Mr. A. made since he has been Chairman, and we repeat that we are glad some one else is about to preside over the House of Representatives.
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
House Speaker
Presiding Officer
Erroneous Decisions
Point Of Order
Speaker Election
Minority Rights
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Adams
Mr. Bernardo Of New York
Mr. Turner Of Tennessee
House Of Representatives
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Criticism Of Mr. Adams As Presiding Officer Of The House
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Adams' Performance And Decisions
Key Figures
Mr. Adams
Mr. Bernardo Of New York
Mr. Turner Of Tennessee
House Of Representatives
Key Arguments
Mr. Adams Lacks Promptness, Decisiveness, And Volume As Speaker
He Delays Too Much, Causing Impatience In The House
Some Decisions Are Erroneous, E.G., Allowing Motion To Table Point Of Order And Resolution
Such Rulings Enable Majority To Stifle Minority Debate
Glad He Is Vacating The Chair For Someone Else