United States Senate (1836) Senator John C. Calhoun of South Carolina attempted to create a Senate gag rule in 1836. The Senate rejected this proposal, which pro-slavery senators thought would have the rebound (reverse) effect of strengthening the abolition movement. They agreed on a method which, while technically not a gag that violated the right to petition, had the same effect. If an anti-slavery petition were presented, the Senate would vote not on whether to accept the petition, but on whether to consider the question of accepting the petition. The Senate never voted in favor of considering the acceptance of any petition.
united states senate (1836) senator john c calhoun of south carolina attempted to create a senate gag rule in 1836 the senate rejected this proposal which pro-slavery senators thought would have the rebound (reverse) effect of strengthening the abolition movement they agreed on a method which while technically not a gag that violated the right to petition had the same effect if an anti-slavery petition were presented the senate would vote not on whether to accept the petition but on whether to consider the question of accepting the petition the senate never voted in favor of considering the acceptance of any petition