Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-27
Congressional.
MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1929.
I'M GIN ATE,

I'm SENATE.
The Chair communicated the credentials OF
MIR. Branch, elected a Senator from the State of
North Carolina, for six years from the fourth OF
March next.
MIR. Johnson, from the Committee on the Post
Office and Post Roads, to whom had been referred
and opening OF the mails on the Sabbath day,
made report concluding, with resolution, 'that
the Committee be discharged from the further
consideration OF the subject
Mr. J. moved that the reading of the report be
dispensed with, and that it be printed. He re.
quested that more than one copy for each Senator
should be provided, that he might send copies to
his constituents. He believed that Legislation
upon the subject was improper, and that nine hun
dred and ninety nine iii q thousand were opposed
to any legislative interference, inasmuch as it
would have tendency to unite religious institu-
tons with the Government.
Mr. Chambers moved that one thousand copies
be printed, and Mr.. Hayne, that three thousand
copies be printed for the use OF the Senate.
MIR. Chandler said he had no objection to the
printing OF any number Of copies, except to the
principle: it lid not appear TO him that it was
right TO order large number OF copies TO be prin-
ed until the Senate knew what il was, and that
hey should moi be ordered until the report had
been read, az 1t might seem TO imply that they
approved of the report.
Mr.. johnson said he had moved to dispense
with the reading Of the report, because he did not
wish 10 trouble the Senate with the reading, oil
any Of his reports. lie believed that these petit
tons and memorials III relation to Sunday mails,
were but the entering wedge OF scheme TO make
this Government a religious instead of a sociI
and political institution; they were widely circu-
lated, and people were induced 10 sign them with
out rejecting upon the subject the conse-
quences which would result from the adoption OF
the measure proposed. There was nothing more
improper than the interference of Congre SIS in this
matter.
Mr.. Chambers disagreed with the gentleman
| from Maine, that ordering large number would
imply any assent to the principles adopted in the
report. Neither did he agree with the gentleman
from Kentucky, that the adoption of the measure
prayed for, would have a bad tendency, and that
Legislation upon the subject would be improper.
Some had asserted that the asure did tend to
unite religious with political Institutions and
others had asserted that such would not be the
result. The petitioners took entirely different
ground. They said that the observance of the
Sabbath was connected with the civil interests of
| the Government. He did not mean 10 be under
stood, however, as having formed any opinion upon
the subject.
Mr.. Johnson said he would state, in Justice TO
himself, that he believed the petitioners were
governed by the purest motives but if the gen.
man from Maryland would look at the proceedings
OF meeting at Salem, in Massachusetts, he would
ma, II did not mater what was the purity of mo-
live; that the petitioners did not consider the
ground they had taken, as being purely that the
Sabbath was day Of rest; they assumed that il
was such by law OF God Now, some denomina-
lions considered one day the most sacred, and some
looked to another, and these petitions did, in fact
call upon Congress to settle what were the laws
OF God. The Committee had framed their report
upon principles of policy and expedieDcy Ii was
but the first step taken, that they were TO legi late
upon religious grounds, and ii made no sort of diff
ference which was the day asked TO be set apart
which day was to be considered sacred, whether
1t was the first day the seventh, the principle
upJ
Committee went in making their report.
Mr.. Rowan called for the reading of the report;
which read.
The resolution that the Committee be discharg-
ed was then adopted; and three thousand comics OF
the report were ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Ruggles presented the memorial of sundry
citizens OF Ohio, against the transportation and O.
Pening OF the mail on Sundays; which was read
and laid ON the table.
Mr. Wiley presented the memorial of sundry
citizens OF Coventry, in Connecticut, on the same
subject; which was read, and laid on the table.
Mr. Noble presented joint resolution of the
same General Assembly, on the subject of mai
| road through the seats of Government OF Indiana
Illinois, and Missouri, aud instructing their Sen
ators and requesting their representatives. to use
their exertions to procure the passage of law fol
that purpose; which was referred to the Committed
on Roads and Canals.
MIR. Prince submitted the following resolutions
! which lies OH The table till Tomorrow:
Resoired, That the President of the Unite,
States be requested to lay before the Senate an,
iniornauoh' II IN his opinion proper TO be commu
nicated, that may have been received, since tn,
last session OF Congress, from the Mexican Gov
eminent, respecting the recovery OF debts in tina
country, due 10 American citizens
The following resolution, submitted by Mr. Nc
kinley, on Thursday last, was taken up for consid
Grafton:
Resotped, That so much of the Presidents Mes
sage as relates to the appointment of the King o
the Netherlands as umpire for the decision of In,
controversy with Great Britain, relating to tn,
northwestern boundary Of the United States, b.
| referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
and that said Committee inquire, whether, by IN,
Treaty OF Client and according to the Constitution
OF the U. States the President alone has power I,
make said appointment.
Mr.. Mckinley said, that il appeared by III,
treaty Oh Ghent, that several questions remained
undecided; but that their decision was provide,
/ for by reference 10 some friendly Power On,
OF those questions had been decided by the Esnpe
ror OF Russia. He wished to be understood, thai
In Offering this resolution, he did not intend il
operate IN any manner as party question. Tn,
predecessor oil The present President Of the Unite,
States having established precedent in the an
pontment he had referred TO, the great question
In his mind was, whether the President of the u
nited States had the power to make such an ap
pontment. Tue Treaty Of Client provided IN,
boundary between the United States and Grea
britain should be left 10 the Commissioners TO b,
appointed by the two Governments, and in cas-,
they could not agree, as another expedient il wa
| to be lett to the umpirage Of some friendly Pow
( er, whose decision should be final and conclusive
it seemed TO him that this award might be consid
ered the conventional law of the United States
until the umpire had decided, and his decision
would be the supreme law of the land. II ther
came 10 the question whether the President bat
power to make treaty. The Government of thu
United States was bound 10 abide by the aware