Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-04-17
IN SENATE. April Ia.

IN SENA E...April IA.
On motion OF Mr.. Van Buren,, the bill
reported by the judiciary committee, in
addition to On act, relative to the election
of President and Vice President OF the
United States" was again taken up for
consideration, IN comInirlee OF The whole;
Mr. GaIliard in the chair. The amend
ment offered yesterday by Mr.. Eaton, and
those heretofore offered by Mr.. Van Blu
rem, were Withdrawn, in order 10 give way
Tor the introduction Of az amendment, by
Mr. Mills Mr. n s motion was, to insert
three new sections. The frs, OF these
sections provides that the electors shall
make Eve certificates OF The votes given
for President and Vice President; that one
OF these copies shall be sent by special
messenger; one by the post-ofice. as at
present; that two other copies shall be
transmitted, on successive days. by mail;
and the other copy be deposited, as at
present; in the Office oil the District Judge.
The second section provides, that five
lists OF the electors shall be prepared by
the Executive OF each state The third
section prescribes the penalties oil hne and
Imprisonment 10 be Incurred by the spe-
cial messenger, the postmaster, or any o.
ther person, who shall suppress, delay, or
hinder, the transmission Of these votes 70
the seat OF government
MIR. Mills explained the operation Of the
several amendments he had proposed
Mr.. Van Buren, expressed his concurrence
in them. The question was then taken
upon them, scveraIIy. The two FIRST were
adopted, without further discussion. The
third, respecting the penalties, gave rise
TO cursory discussion, the principal part
OF which turned upon ibe question Wbeth.
er the discretion, in respect 10 the susntuna
OF punishment 10 be inflicted, should be
lei to the court, or TO the jury Mr.. Bar:
bour, who had moved 10 strike out court
and insert jury in the bill, supported bis
amendment, by renarking al sumo length,
Oh the proprety OF giving this power 10
the jury Mr.. Kelly spoke in favor Of
vesting il 10 the court. He cited several
cases, in bis part OF the country, 10 which
heavy damages had been awarded, BY ju-
ries, for mere indiscretions. Messrs.
Holmes, Of Maine, and FIndlay, submit.
ted some remarks upon the proposed a.
mendment. ltwas then rejected Yeas
5, Nays 81. The section was then ..
dopted.
The first section oil the original bill, a.
reported by the committee, was then read.
Several amendments, in its details, were
proposed by Mr.. Mills, and were agreed
to by the Senate. The second section
was afterwards read, aud modified consi'
derabIy, on the motion OF Mr. Van Buren,.
Mr.. Taylor, Of Va. made some remarks
upon the power Of the Two Houses Of Com
gress TO reject the electoral votes.
The ame ndnents heretofore proposed
by Mr.. Van Buren,. were again taksa up
and agreed to.
MIR. Mills then proposed new section.
making il the duty Of the Secretary OF
State TO transmit copy Of this act 70 tho
Executive of each Stale, to be laid before
the Electors OF President and Vice Prssi.
dent, next to be chosen; and repeating oil
acts OF parts of acts. inconsistent With The
provisions Of this. The amendment was
agreed to.
The details Of the bill were further dis