, 1842-12-03
1VOL. II.-NO. 8.

so soon after the solemnly espresso
opinions of the immediate representa-.
tives of the people and the election OF
the new directory.
1t is hoped. however, that the Bank
has abandoned this injurious policy to
return TO i, no more. But it is due to
the public who are so largely interest
ed in that institution that the Leglsla-
ture should not leave to the discretion
of any directory, 50 vital a question,
the decision of which is so liable to
be controlled by surrounding circum-
stances and cotemporary expediency.
The dealing in any and all deprecia-
ted paper ought TO be prohibited by
law.
If my anticipations in relation to
the future action Of the Bank shall be
realized; if the lawless policy OF the
cities, county courts and town corpo-
r~atioDs shall be suppressed; if the in
surance companies stall be dIsarmed
of the power to do harm, and confin-
ed TO the legitimate purpose OF their
creation. aud all these objects are
within the competency OF the Legs
!aiure; and if the farmers OF the coun-
try shall insist upon the specie stand
ard Of value, the only standard that
should ever be recognized, in the sale
of the products of their farms; then,
and then onlv, will the currency re.
cieve its publication, and the country
lie rid of the greatest OF all evils, a tiuc-
,uatlng and deprecated circulating
medium.
In compliance with the provisions OF
the e6th section of ..The act TO regu-
IaIe eIeclions,' approved March 90,
1885. tie Secretary OF State, IN my
presence. proceeded to cast up the
votes given at the last August election
for Representatives TO the twenty
eighth Congress-; and finding that John
jameson, James b, BowIin. James
VI. Hughes. james II. Reile and Gus
tavus NJ. Bower had the highest num-
Ter Of votes, rave to those gentlemen,
respectively, a certificate OF election,
rs directed 10y .aid act. But as SHE
act to provide tor %elect'ng additional
| members Ia Congress from this State,"
approved February 1G, lS4l, conteHi-
plated only The election in 1912. 1t
will be necessary TO make provision
for iu ure elections. In doing this 1t
may dc material to inquire whether
the act Of Congress OF The last session,
apportioning the representation OF
The several SttreS, is in restraint OF
your constitutional powers. or takes
from YOU The right to regulate "the
manner oiholdmg' the elections as
your own Judgment may dictate.
For more thin fifty yearS-lndeed,
from the foundation of the Govern
ment-has this power been exercised
by tie State, unresirained by FEEDER
al legislation, and its exercise not on
~ unquestioned. but enjolned by the
Constitution. Whether they shall
continue 10 exercise il, with the same
freedom, is the question now to be
solved and. upon its proper solution,
may depend the right of our members
elect TO seats in Congress.
The Constitution OF the U. States
provides. that
The times, places and name OF
holding elections for Senators and
Representatives, shall be prescribed,
in each State, by the Legislature
thereof; but the Congress may, at any
time, by law make or alter such regu-
lalion, except as to the place OF choos.
Ing Senator'S"
The imperative language Of this
provision demonstrates that the fra
mers OF the Constitution believed
that it was safest and best to conhde
The execution Of this power, in the
first instance, to the Legislatures of
the respective States. and the hi sto-
nv of that day proves that the r!jower
reserved to Congress ito mab or al.
ter" the regulations OF the S..a,es,
was designed TO be exercise Il in the
event only that the States ia lied to ex-
ercise the power granted them, or
exrcised in such mannet as to defeat
the objects and PURPOSES Of the Con-
stituiion. That tie States have new
er so exercised tie power, or failed 10
exercise 1t, Is 2vinced by the fact that
Congress has never attempted any
control ocer the subject, from the
Time of the formation of the Federal
Constitution to lis late session, not
outstanding the present mode Of
| %eIecling representatives mas prevail.
ed, to some extent, during the whole
4 of that period.
! Let il be conceded, however, tina,
the powerof Congress over the sub
/ Jet ia coextensive with that OF the