Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-03-14
C o N G Il E S S.
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES,
TUESDAY, l cd. IS, 1904.

l., W lawson the III chalr-on the
Dill from the senate, for erecting Louisiana
INTO f70o territories, and providing j5,. me
temporary government thereof:
On reading the 4th section, as fol.
ows: ''''
Sec. 4. The Legislative powers shauLe
vested IN the governor, and in thirteen ,oe
the most fit and discreet person, of rho,
! territory, to he called the legislative c,lIa-
j CHI VINO shall he appointed annually by
me PRESIDENT OF the United States, from
among those holding real estate therein.
and who shall have resided one year, at
least, in the said territory, and hole no &C.
nee OF profit under the territory. ~, Tho
United States. The governor, by and
WIN the advice and consent of the said
'eEisiative council, or majority Of them.
! Shaii nave power to alter, modify, or re.
peal Tue laws which may BE- in force at ne
commencement OF this acl. Their lc sic.
'@'lFe powers shall also extend t., III Inc
uShttui powers oflegislalon; h,,. Nd iat
shall be valid, which is incon5i,le,g viii,
the consultation and laws Of tx, tini,.;
otates, or which sha! lay anv pe-son nm.
der restraint, burthen or disa,ii ~. 49,, A.
count OF his religious opirio.s Professions
o: wofship; In all which he Shall be rre,.
70 MAINTAIN his own, and not bugtheaed
Tor those OF another. The governor shall
puOiish' throughout The said lerrilcry. an
the laws which she,! be made. and shall
rom time 10 time, report the same 10
, the President of the United States, u
be laid before Congress; wlieb If dison-
proved ofby CONGRESS-, shall ,h,lc,rorth
be Of no icrce. The governor or }epi,la.
tive council, shall h<ve no poweroyer ih..
/ primary disposal Of the soil. nor - ta9 ,i,s.
lands Of he United States, nor 10 inter.
tere with the claims to land within the
SAID territory. The governor shall con-
! Tene and rforogne lie Legislative. cutfl.
CT, whenever h rz.ay d.or, = ea,,r.
/ dent II snail be ms du;y.to obtain -
the information in his power, IN relation
10 the Customs, habits, and disposition
/ OF the inhabitants Of the said territory.
/ and communicate the same, from dime
10 time, to the President of The Uni,ed
! States.
The discussion was opened by DIR. I,ei5.
who moved to strike out The words ,r;yino,
the governor the power of proroguine the
| legislative council.
Mr.. Gregg declared himself not only
IN favor of dires,!nr he Governor, ,,r ,,,.
power but likewise IN fiyor of I,mi,ipp
ne appointment of ,he legislative council
by the President to one year, after winch
they should be chosen by The people o.
Mr.. eib declared his coincidence in o.
pin'on with his colleague.
! MIR Narnum expressed his opinion that
! the lnhabltan'. II Louisiana we're entitled,
under the treaty. to the fights Of se,Fpo-
vernment; and with The view OF irving The.
sense OF the hous- on this principl- he
moved that the committee should rise. IN
which case ne said he would move the re.
terence of the bill, for amendment, to
select committee.
MIR. Elliot was Of opinion that The Hill.
with few amendments which cnuld h.
easily made, would comprise tn. hes, eve
tenn 'of the government of the people Of
Louisiana.
Mr.. Gregg thought it would be best to
take a Question ON the principle contained
~ the section before IN, making refer
cnce to a select committee.
Mr. Eusrs opposed the risi,o. Of the
! committee, and advocated the principle of
! he bill.
Mr. Lyon spoke in favor Of the risi-r
OF the committee, with view to extepd
j. The elective franchise TO the people OF Lou
lsana.
Mr.. Lucas supported the provision, of
the bill.
Mr.. M,con(s peaker) suggested ,he pro-
prleIy Of waving the motion for the COM
mniee rising, and substituting motion 10
strike out the 4,h section.
Mr.. Vauun having 20 modified his mo.
ton,
Mr.. Macon supported it, and urged
The propriciy OF cS,cnding tic second
grade OF territorial government 10 l.oai,i-
ana.
Messrs. Elmer, Leib and G.. w. Cs,oo.
bell supported; and Mr.. Fu-er oYgosod
this motion, whea the committee resc
, without any question being tdben. and Oh.
tanned leave to SIT asainj when The noos-
adjourned.
WEDSEsDaY, February %.
M. Tt.'-c,u on, .,.,l .i,.....