The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-02-21

sol their representatives ought TO be ejected
from their seats in the House Of Representa-
lives.
Mr.. Dillingham; Of Vermont, and Mr..
Woodwarlof South Carolina continued the
debate.
Thursday, Feb. c.
In the House the question of privilege, viz.
with reference TO the validity Of the claims to
seats of the General Ticket Members, again
up, and was considered during the day.
Alr. Beardsley occupied his hour with an
argument against the District law, aud in IA
VOC Of the claims Of these members. He &C
knowle lged that Congress had full power TO
alter the State regulations with reference
10 elections but contendcd that a constitution
al alteration must be such that the State sys-
tens thus modified would be perfect and pro-
vid- for the holding of. elections. This was
not The case here but the passage Of the Dis
trict law, il order 10 be complied with, rem
dersi necessary further legislation (and that
not voluntary by the STATES. lfit was left
to the States to act, they possessed entire
pa ycr over the subject, and Congress had no
,ish; to command or require legislation by
them. This law doing it, was null and void.
Hi. Caleb Smith of Ia. expressed his re-
g-er TINT question Of this magnitude should
be considered Oh party grounds and that the
Congress who passed the law should be abus
ci. The day was coming (if it was not the
case 10 the full extent now when their ardent
pliriot!sm and uufinchinE devotion to the in
rerests of the whole country would receive
at need ofpraise SO richly deserved. He
considered it quite extraordinary that this
INV so exactly in accordance with the letter
- well as The spirit of that instrument, should
- confidently be pronounced uncOnstitutiGn-
Il, and briefly bat clearly brought forward
sans of the arguments in support of the law;
dsprecating the revolutionary and dangerous
tsaiency of the example Of its entire diSre
gard and treatment with scorn which the dom
inant party seemed disposed 10 set before the
nation; incidentally mentioning and jusii(ying
the protest Ito which the reason that his name
was not appended was his detention from his
seat by indisposiion, sc. &c.
Mr.. Newton Of Va, eloquently and forci
bly advocated the cause Of law aud order,
replying TO Mr.. Beardsley and other gentle
men, and defending the Consttutionality as
well as the EXpediency and Justice Of the
District law. lie considered the questions
Involved and the decision to be pronounced Of
deep ana vital interest 10 the whole country
II was not his inclination 10 war upon the
dead; he rather recognized and felt the force
Of th1t principle of our nature Dc moriuis
nh" njS 507Hm; but he might be permitted
10 y that ii the present majority who had
be"h ready - applaud the President in this
as wei IS in other things, would give TO the
on ,-tloa the benefit of such doubts as had
tfo ibed the conscience of the President, their
decision would be quite different from what il
was likely to be, &c.
Mr. Cobb Of Ga. lone of the general tcke;
me nbers advocated the validity of their
claims and MIR. Order Of Kr. opposed them
The House adjourned.
In SENATE.
Mr.. Woodbury. concluded his speech in OPP
position to the present Tariff, in reply to some
OF MIR. Evans arguments, &c.
After brief Executive session the Senate
liournci.
IL TIRE iToUsK, the Report of the Commit
r. Gu Elections coming NJ, Mr.. Thompson
g. Niso., took the floor, and slil The question
before The House was one questioning his
night 10 i seat on the floor, 4 doubt 10 which
he never entertained; but as It was ques-
ton Of vast importance, and one which this
House has the Judicial power to decide. and
from whose judgment there IS no appeal, it
should be met in a spirit of fairness. He
coHtendcd that the Constitution gave him a
right there and that the precedent which de-
Cis:on in favor Of the law istricting the States
wgald make, would be dangerous one.
Mr.. Stephens believed the law districting
the States WAS constitutional, and that the
States were bound to obey that law. This
was his individual opinion: but the question
wis now before the tribunal to which the Con-
s'iIn;ion has submitted this subject, and by
whose Judgment he was willing TO abide.
Messrs. Brown, Payne Newton, and Hunt.
took part in the discussion.
CoSGEZssI"1AL. Monlay, Feb. -. In
The Senate, M. Fairfield presented resolu-
tons Of the Legislature OF Nc. calling on
Congress no longer to delay action il indem-
n'!ication for French spo:iations.
Mr. Huntington continued the debate on
the Tariff in reply TO Mr.. Woodbury. aud in
'nrtter Of fact and effective defence of the
present law. Without concluding he gave
Wv and TIL Senatc adjourned.
Ia tho House Gen. CIinch OF Ga. was
qualified and took his seat.
The question Of privilege again occupied
iho day.
Mr.. Vinton m1ie 4 lucid and forcihle
speech in defence Of tn INV and in copvinc-
~ reply AL refuta;ioa Of the arguments Of
the minority report.
The discussion was further continued by
II e..rs. DicAcn7on OF Ten. on the same side
ii Mss. French Of Nv. Black Of Ga.