The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-05-10
TWENTY-NINTH CONGRESS.
House OF Representative.
WAsHIsGroS, MAJ


House OF Representatives.
WAsHiseros, May 8, ls46
Mr. TBBarrs from the select committee the subject
by unanimous consent of the House reported bill for
benefit of the blind He asked that be read and put
itspassage.
and that il the bill about to give rise debate he
should object.
Mr. TIBBArTs anxious for the bill to be acted on
at this time If it should 60 to the Committee of the
Whole it would never be reached.
II proposes to set apart three townships of land he Sc
lection interfere with private claims presumption
ghts to be sold by the Secretary Of the Treasury and
the proceeds to be applied for procuring printed books
Mr. HUNTER inquired whether the bill ought not to 60
Tnion s '0mm''''' Oh the whole on the state Oh the
The SPEAKER was understood to reply afrmatively.
Mr. DASIEL moved to refer the bill to the Committee Of
the Whole on the State of the Union.
Mr. YAScEr, moved to refer it to the Committee on
Public Lands but being informed subsequently that it
had been reported by select committee withdrew the
motion.
Mr. TIpBArrs asked for the yeas and nays on the mo-
ton to refer TO the Committee of the Whole.
Mr. FARAS said that he had objection to the object
OF the bill but he desired to lands appropriated for
the benefit OF lunatcs and the deaf and dumb well
for the blind
Mr. VANCE appealed to the gentleman from Kentucky
Whole 70 let the Dill go to the Committee Of the
Mr. TrsBArrs would not press the passage Of the bill,
II the house would consent to make il special order.
motion made to lay the bill the table, but
did not preva-feas 49, nays 30.
mittee the Whole the State of the Union and
decided in the affirmativeYeas lO3, nays 81.
REIRocEssIoN ALEXANDRIA 7 VIRGINIA.
Mr. HUNTER moved that the rules be suspended, and
that the House resolve itself into Committee Of the
Whole on the State Of the Union and proceed to the
sideration Of the special order.
Mr. DANIEL said that if the motion should prevail he
would move to take up the private calendar
the committee to lay aside the special order
The SPEAKER replied it would not
Mr. HAMLIN moved that the special order be postponed
until Monday next.
Mr. HUNTER asked whether that motion was in order
The SPEAKER responded that the question would first be
taken on the motion OF the gentleman from Virginia (r
Hunter)
twas then decided to 60 into Committee of the Whole
Mr. DOUGLASS was called to preside.
Mr. HUNTER movedto take the bill to retrocede the
county OF Aexandria in the District Of Columbia to the
State Of Virginia
The bill having been read,
10 the State of Virginia with the assent Of Virginia the
assent OF the government and the Of the people of
Alexsndria The Legislature Of Virginia during their
last session. passed act accepting the county Of Alex
andra when Congress shall recede it; and he had
doubt that the assent of the people of Alexandria would
be most cheerully and gratefully given if this govern
ment shall assent to this bill 1t was a measure which
would be of some advantage to this government, and
especially to that portion Of the territory which would
be left for we had under our legislative only the
people who live this side to attend TO- we could do
more easily Beside, there two codes of laws in
the Districon the other side Of the Potomac the vir
gina and on this, the Maryland; and in legslating for
monte Legislation to the citizens The would
be OF infinite advantage and vital importance the peo
pie at Alexandria themselves. The object Of the Con-
sutuon IN having exclusive jurisdiction in the District
OF Columbia ten miles square, to enable Con-
gress to have place of meeting and the government to
exercise It's functions without dependence or inter
ference by the States the hospitality of the people.
He commended that should have territory
disranchise larger number of citizens, than
cessary for the purposes of government II Alexandra
county should be retroceded would still have left Of
the constitutonaty of the question was involved if
we might enlarge our jusisdction might diminish it.
There was nothing in the Constitution that forbade
mova oil the seat OF government and for wise
suppose IT should become sicky, and the lives Of
bers Perpeually endangered;-suppose, too, that we
would be in constant danger of invasion, and attack
from the enemy, would any contend that could
not remove even to the Mississippi He enforced these
he concluded the bill was read seriafm by sections for
the purpose Of amendment.
Mr. CULVER moved to strike out in the fourth section
the term white, that male citizens, without regard
10 complexion may in the county of Alexandria
the acceptance Of the territory proposed
The term white he said was a relative term There
were different shades OF complexion there in Wash
ington and color ought not be characteristic in leg
islaton He thought that the gentleman (Ir Hunter)
who reported the bill ought to have stated all the truth
and did not know why preamble was affixed to the
perfectly correct The sentiment OF the world was burn.
ing out slavery 1.-THE gentleman modified the bill in
cordance with what he had suggested much he
opposed to the bill, he might vote for ii.
The question was taken on the amendment Of Mr. Cul.
YER and it was rejected-three or four only voting in
Mr.. Jos.s of Tennessee, proposed an amendment,
striking out certain words and inserting, TO the ect
every white male citizen who shall have resided in the
county OF Alexandria six months prior to the time shall
be entitled to vote for retrocession
And it was agreed to.
AN Erisopn-rHr OLD DOMINION
Mr.. PAYNE offered an amendment, in substance, that
the assent of citizens of the entire District Of Columbia
shall be necessary He would disguise his true feel
ngs-he was opposed to the bill Congress had fully
executed the power with regard to fixing the Of 60
vernment and With this execution, the power ceased
Mr.. BoYp propounded question to the gentleman,
which
Mr.. PAYNE replied. If Providence interposes and
brings about state of things beyond the power of the
government answer Sufficient unto the day is the evil
thereof. If the Congress voluntarily involves itself
hope the gentleman will not call to extricate it,
Mr. Payne then went 10 speak Of contest going on
between the Eastern and Western sections Of the State
one opposed to the extension Of the right of suffrage and
me other in favor Of it, and understood TO say that
me Ierocesson Of Alexandra designed to counter
act me efforts the West for extension Of the right Of
derance in the State.
MrAMcDowELL arose IIe sbou,d liz. n know of thu
eneman' Whether the people Of Virginia not emit
tied to sefgovenmentl Whether there was any particu
lar srucle party creed that inhibited in And on what
particular doctrine that Congress has the power to
interfere with the politics Of Virginia. Further c should
like to know "
Mr.. PAWS insisted on his right to the aoor
The CHAfRMAs.-The gentleman from Alabama
Mr. PaYSE.-lf the gentleman would commit hi, enau;
ries to writing, he would endeavor TO answer him-6is
memory not sucienty strong bear them in mind
M BAYLy said he never heard since he had been here
speech At which he perfectly amazed as a. thst
o. the gentleman from Alsbams Who gave him com.