Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-03-12
From the Alexandria Fhenix;
EpTToR's CoRREsPoNpEScE.
IU1eb;,,,..o,, ry<,.L

j
Dear Sir,-The Report offered to the House of
Representatives by Mr. Powers, relative to the af-
fairs Of the District of Columbia has been ordered TO
be printed. 1t contains matter of much interest to
the people Of the District.
Mr.. Loyal ana MI Newton are still battling it
about which is the legitimate. Mr. Newton in The
course of his remarks yesterday turned to Mr. Low
all and said, with much feeling and emphasis That
gentleman Will not go to the Clerks table and Law
his hand upon the Holy Evangelsts and swear that
he beeves majority of the legal votes in the Nor
folk district arr in his favor! No, sir he will not
even say upon his honor that he believes such the
TACT" Mr.. Loyalls looks betrayed no strong emo
ton. Mr. Newton did not spare the Committee on
Elections who he thinks, acted precipitatey Judged
partially and have omitted to report fully in his case
tie takes exception to the Mayor of Norfolks hold
ing over the election beyond the first day, DENYING
an toto, his authority do so; and also DENYING that
the circumstances existed which authorized him to
do so, if he had the power. No precedent it seems
can be found for the exercise of the power and proof
was produced that the present Mayor had refused to
exercise it when asked and required thereto On q
former recent and urgent occasion. Mr.. N. also
objects TO the mode of taking testimony before Com
mssioners specially appointed for the purpose saying
there Is no authority in law practice for such
Board for such-n purpose, and that deponents could
not be punished for corrupt perjury they commit ed
It, Tins IS a serious question, and ought to be well
weighed MIR. Newton has succeeded in convincing
some that both his objections well founded. Mr..
Loyal IS ready and pleasant speaker, and not lack
ing IN ingenuity and plausibty. He is understood
to be what IS termed strict constructonist in con-
stitntional questions; but one would suppose him to
DC high toned iatitudnarian, to hear him contend
for the implied powers and authorities which pre
necessary to cover the ground in his own case and
sustain the positions upon which ne reles.-IIow
the business will eventually be settled is as vet I'M
certain.
The House has ordered ten thousand comics of
Col. JoHNsoN's report on Sunday Mails against the
prohibition prayed for, to be printed Another, and
counter report from the minority of the committee on
lost ,,,l D.
morning, read and ordered to be printed with the
other Notwithstanding my opinions on the subject
am pleased at this. Let us have light: there are
at least, two sides to every question.
Hou Will, think, be little surprised to learn that
our Independent Senators have stonloocd their vote
OF WILLIAMS nomination, and placed that gentleman
again on the list of "hopes deferred" In former
letter to you praised them for the patriotic mega
I'VE ana youtoiiowed SUIT | will not take it back
let 1T stand as memorial
1t was q great error in the VICE PRESIDENT tn
give to Senators an unlimited range of debate unon
any and every position they might think proper to in
troduce He must be fully sensible of it now but
he will not retract: perhaps it is too late to do
such latitude lii the other House, without the aid
OF the previous question. would efFectually nut
stop to all business. AS it is, it is almost imDossbe
to get along There have been but six or EIGHT laws
passed yet; although there is u determined few in
the i1ouse-a minority, it is true-who are continu
ally striving, and pulling, and pushing, to advance
the business of legislation Mr. Foots cameleon
eUi'ion' you see mas changed into the question as
to the pooer Of the President in RBMov Al and Son
atoFs are Furnishing up their arms for fierce en-
counter upon the subject. l hope however. that
the question will not be thus bnked, and vote he
avoided. No, no--they must 'stoe the mari" thew
must place their names upon record-spon the ~
chiyes-which shall go down to the latest poster;
ty-aftrming or denying the power. No loop holes
must be lett for the present sticklers of Presidential
authority to crawl out at, by and by, when other
men bear sway, and they shall find it convent cnt to
get rid OF their construction.