The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-06-04
BY THE SOUTHERN MAIL.
Washington.
Correspondence Of the Herald.l
AsIiiNuIoN, IHufouoJ' -
Proceedings In Congress and other Matters

THOcce0lnSS IN Congress ana Otner Motters'
AJoint resolution was reported in the Senate this
morning, ccding the interest Of the United States In
inc chesapeake and Ohio Canal to the State OF
Maryland and the cities Of. Washington, George
town. and Alexandria, on certain conditions. The
cos' OF ms stock to the Government was two mil
lions and a half. There was subscription originally
Of one ENTHUSIASTICALLY the government paid
a million for the city Of Washington, and quarter
OF million tor each Of the cities of Georgetown
and Alexandria, and took ,hat amount of stock.
Now these cities and Maryland ask Congress TO re-
nquish the proprietary interest of the Government
in their behalf. The subject was before Congress
at previous session, but the resolution did moi
pass The stock is of very little value now, how
ever, and yields nothing to the Government. Under
these circumstances, and with the probability that
if the grant is made, the canal will be completed
and eventually become valuable perhaps Congress
may grant the application.
The other bill for the relief of Barclay & Living
ston, was passed The remainder of the morning
business was Of no public interest. The apportion
ment bill was taken up, and Mr.. Crttenden is in the
midst Of speech in favor of the distrcting PROPOSE
ton 1t had been determined to sit the bill out yeser
day, but this provision involves principles and
quences so important that the discussion is necessar-
yprotracted That the letter ofthe constitution con-
fers upon Congress the power of regulating the mode
of choosing members, seems to be generally admit
ted, but that power has been exercised, and it
may well be questioned whether, at this late day, it
is expedient for the national legislature to assume it.
Why attempt to control the State legislatures in the
matter' No evil has everyet been experienced from
entrustng to the Sates and it hardly be wise to
change a system that has always worked we'll Gen.
Washington once vetoed an apportionment bill, be-
cause it contained an Objectionable provision,
and may not President Tyler feel constrained
to adopt the same course? The movement ia
prompted by wing politicians, in the expectation
gress. Possibly such result might cnsue but is it
worth while to deprive the States of the control Of
their own internal affairs in the hope OF electlng
two wing representatives in the city OF New York,
one in Cincinnati, and possibly half dozen others
in different parts of the country, at the risk OF aena
ting the feelings of the people from the representa-
tive body of the nation?
1t is impossible to shut our eyes to the fact, that
the adoption of this provision might be followed by
very serious consequences Suppose State should
refuse or omit to comply with the requlsitlon OF the
law-New York, for instance-and the House
should prohibit her members from taking their seats.
Would the State suffer their exclusion in silence
Every legislative body has the inherent right to Judge
OF the qualifications Gifts members, and this powers
expressly given to Congress by the constitution but
under such state of things the question would
arise whether such omission refusal vltiated the
election. Looking at the matter in this point OF
vlew it can hardly be doubted that the possible evils
growing out OF the assumption OF this power OF Con-
gress must greatly overbalance all advantages con-
tempated by its exercise. Not one sound or states
manke argument has yet been adduced in support
Of the proposition. The shallow sophlstry with
whichit was attempted to be sustained, was all ex-
posed and dispersed by the luminous speech OF Mr..
Wright. The ground taken by him was impreg-
"A hard a n
swer his objections. The vote will be a very close
one. The Democrats will go against It to a man;
but the Wings have endeavored to make it a party
question, and probably will succeed.
The House is engaged to-day upon the business
Of the District of Columbia. Mr. Underwood, the
of the Committee Of the District, a most
amiable and estmable man, has devoted himself
with great assduity to the matters with which the
has been charged, and every thing goes
On smoothly and we'll. The inhabitants of the Dis
rict go upon the principle of asking for every thing
md IN this way they get more privileges and favors
nodesty. Frequently their requests are deemed un-
and receive no countenance, but Con-
gress is generally sufficiently liberal.
In the morning, MT. w: 3. Campbell OF Iennes-
lourn on the 18th of July, but Mr.. Underwood said
he must object to every thing that would interfere
with the District business.
About half score OF witnesses have arrived to
testify in the case of the furniture for the New York
Custom House. The Committee is an excellent one,
and the investigation, while it is rigid and thorough,
will be perfectly impartial No honest man has any
thing to apprehend. Rogues only tremble at severe
scrutiny. No allegations are understood to have
been made against Mr. Curtis IN this matter, but
great wrong is charged to have been practsed by
and there must have been vast deal OF
caution exercised It the roguery Is not disclosed,
and the perpetrators held up public condemnation.
The election of Mr.. Mangum as President PRO
tenn. of the Senate, is strange affair." when all the
are taken into consideration. Mr..
Mangum has no aptitude for the duties OF the office
mo experimenting qualifications except selfpos-
session and certain promptness OF manner-why
then was he selected? Simply because he was
known to be more bitterly hostile to the President
administration, than any other man in Congress-
And yet all those Senators who have been protese-
ing friendship to the President voted for him,
cept Mr.. Merck, who lacking in resolution to vote
This is topic fruitful of remark-for the present,
however, it is enough to repeat what was said by
Col Sewer, in his place the other day, that the Pre-
sdent has not one political friend or supporter on
the wing side OF the Senate.
WASHINGTON, Thursday evening.
Congressional Procecdings-Mr. Adams.
The Senate have adjourned without taking the
vote the disricting proposition in the Apportion-
ment Bill. The wings seem to misunderstood. or
wilfully misrepresent the obvious intention of the
powers of the constitution, in comforting upon Con-
gress the authority of regulating the mode of elect
ing its members. 1t is dormant power, designed
to be used in extreme only, as, for instance,
where State should omit or refuse to provide for
an election. Its assumption now may be fraught
with the most perncious consequences, and it is be
hoped that the provision inserted by the House may
be stricken out.
There was small flare-up in the House while a
bill to emend the charter of the city OF Alexandra
was under discussion. Mr.. Adams moved to strike
out the word schite, thus giving to free blacks the
right TO VOTE Mr.. Adams accompanied the motion
with characteristic speech, calculated to irritate
every man from slave State Mr.. Cost Johnson
suitable reply, but he was promptly
are always ready to encourage Mr.. Adams in his vi
tuperaton Of the south, but when any offers to
reply, he is interrupted at once. The great age OF
MIR. Adams, his eminent services and extraordinary
and experience, have hitherto furnish
ed a sort of immunity from animadyerslon and GEN.