Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-12-17
MISSOURI LEGISLATURE.

On monday me 2Sth ult., Mr.. HI DSON
of ST. Louis, from the select committee Of
thirteen, TO which was referred the matters
in relation to an expression Of opinion by
the Legislature Of Missouri, relative to the
"Mandamus Act" offered the following
preamble and resolutions, which were read
and ordered TO a second reading.
Preamble and Resolutions, respecting
can Act for the Apporiionment of Repre-
sentatives among the several States accor-
ding to the sixth census" passed during the
second session of the twenty-sevenh Con
gress, and approved June 25h, 1912.
Whereas, 1t is essential to the preserva-
ton Of tho reserved rights Of the States
and the freedom of the people, that the
General Government should be strictly con.
fined to the exercise Of those powers which
are clearly delegated to it by the COnstilu-
tlon Of the United States, and not permit
ted to assume control over The action of
the State Legislatures upon any subject
whatever; and whereas the safety Of. and
welfare uf our common country, and the
integrity Of the Union demand that both
the State and National Governments should
be kept within their proper orbits:
! Therefore, ReSolced by The General As
sembiy Of the State Of Missouri, That the
right assumed by the Federal Government
in the second section of the Apportionment
Act, approved June %, 1912, to order the
State Legislatures to divide their respective
States into single Congressional Districts,
as the sule condition upon which they shall
hereafter be entitled to representation in
Congress, il is the uSurpatOn of a power
not granted by the Constitution, which. if
acquiesced in, will reduce the several
States To the condition Of colonial depend
encies upon the General Government, and
, render their Legislatures the mere registers
of its edicts.
Be 1t further resolved, That it is the duty
. Of the Legislatures of the several States
to prescribe the terms, places and manner
of holding elections for Senators and Rep.
: resentatives in Congress-that the Fedora
: Government has no constitutional power Il
) act upon The subject except in those case
in which State shall refuse, neglect or b'
unable to perform the same duty; and tina
it IS hereby declared violation of tn
} spirit and express object Of the fourth sec
, ton of the third articles of The Fedora
, Constitution for the Genera Government
to dictate conditions upon which the State
: shall be entitled to representation in Con
l gresS.
Be II further resolved. That in those ca
| ses in winch it was intended by the fra
e mers Of the Federal Constitution. that Con
! greSs should act upon the subject of cleo
. tons. it was alsu made the duty of tina
= body to employ federal officers as it
: agent and not State Legislatures, and tina
4 the safety of the Union requires that TIT
t General Government should perform all it
| duties through its own constitutional agent
+ and not delegate its power to the officer
e of the States who are neither in debt To i
+ for the trust they hold, nor responsible L
it for the manner in which they execut
b. that trust.
. Be it further reS0lred. That the State Z
e Missouri hereby asserts the rigM as a sover
y eign State, to regulate her Orn eiectionS ,
IS her olCn rug, and that as long as she con
II times TO send representatives to the ma
4. .liuna council, she cannot acknowledge IN
+, right of any power, whatever, TO interfer
ID in the matter.
N Be IL further reSolred That if this Gen,
Of raj Assembly should either directly or ind
Is rectly, do any act that would have the r.
le motest tendency to admit this power Q
d. The part of Congress, it would be regarde
RI as tame submission to the command
n Congress. and depreciation to which tn
General Assembly is unwilling to submit
at b. Il turther reSolced. That a copy of II
ot foregoing preamble aud resolutions be sci
he 10 our Senators and Representatives.
al Congress- to the President of the Unite
IL States, and to the Govern Irs of the sever
s. States. with the request that the same sha
us be submitted To the Legislatures of the
s. respective States for their due conside
Tx aih'n.
y Mr.. EDWARDS submitted the following
~ the views of the minority Of the committt
$. To whom the subject was referred.
IN REPORT OF THE MINORITY OF THE sELEC
e. COMMITTEE Of THIRTEEN.
IL The undersigned. members of the Cor
as mittee of thirteen, instructed "tO report Il
III sense of this House IN relation to the la
C. act of Congress, directing the Legislator
OF the different States I" divide the Stat
into Congressional districts" respectful
X submit--That they have considered Il
ii sukiart 20 rrad IN coiI onDnD,;,,na with .