Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-23

very well recolec that the organization Of the Territorial
Committee was induced by the memorial Transmitted 10 Con-
gross from the delegates that conventions and by refer
ece that memorial il will appear that object in asking
for the formation of that committee had reference 10 the buE-
of territorial organization recoect also that ater
the organization Of the Territorial Committee the first ques-
ton that which the proper COMMITTEES to have
the charge Of bill for the admission OF State into the Unon
TO by yeas and and the Senate decided that
the judiciary Committee the proper committee Tor the
reference The which refer had respect TO the bill
for the admission of Iowa and Florida will be upon
reference the proceedings The question then for
maiy decided by yeas and nays, that the Judiciary the
proper committee for such reference and do not under
that that formal decision made there has been
any departure from this pacce-not the referred
by the Senator from Illinois, (Mr DoUeLAs) which was
explained by the chairman Of the Committee the Judiciary
Mr. DOUGLAS. do not say any thing OF the former
practice and decisions OF the Senate have merely stated that
the Secretary showed in the Senate Journal where the bill
fohe admission Of Wisconsin referred the Territorial
commis, reported back TO the Senate by tina. eor-
mitee and became law This - no conjecture OF nine,
but plain matter of record.
Mr. WESTCQTT (nterposing) said If my colleague
will allow me, will suggest that the bill of 1867 respect
ing the admissions Of Wisconsin State, referred pro-
pery 10 the judiciary Committee like this BILL on
as an original question, the organization and establishment Of
the federal judiciary of the State That bill conditional
to have effect 1.-THE people ratified the constitution formed by
their State Convention The people rejected it. adopted
constitution aid asked for admission under IT, In 1878
the only question involved principally Of limits and boun
daries therefore the bill properly referred to the Com
mttee on Territories This question expressly decided
by the Senat two years SINCE bill respecting Oregon
Territory, al, if am not Mistaken by yeas and nays
recollec dbate occurred motion by the Senator from
Illinois (Mr BREEsE to send the bill to the Judiciary Com
mtee, whih prevailed.
MIR DOGIAS The Senator from Florida is in error as
to these bills respecting Wisconsin. The bill OF 1878 pro-
vded he organization and establishment Of the State ee
raj udcy in Wisconsin and the propnety existed if
any existed for its reference the Judiciary Committee
with respect to the first
NJ hiatt he CHI of he
mee on Territories correct it but precedent against
ceent and amagne that the question not raised and
seriously by the Senate in reference to the Wisconsin
BILL built raised and discussed, and finally decided upon
the yeas and nays, by the Senate upon another bill II
admit the antagonistc precedent 1t is but precedent against
preceden And it does appear to more appropriate &C
cordng the view taken by the two honorable Senators who
are members of the Committee the Judiciary, that the bill
should 90 to that committee and shall certainly give my
vote for such reference
Mr. DOUGLAS. In order TO settle the question, ask
for the yeas and nays.
They were ordered.
Mr. KING. have myself conceived TO be matter
Of primary whether the bill BIO referred to the Com
mee on Territories the Committee the Judiciary
nor have examined the organization of the Committee
Territories ascertain whether the gentlemen composing
that committee are possessed of those legal requirements which
are necessary TO enable hem decide upon questions nvov
ing legal points, and particularly constitutional questions and
am inclined think that questions Of this character will be
raised by this BILL tink, therefore, would be eminently
proper that the bill should 60 the Judiciary Committee.
only state in regard to the practice OF the Senate that
during the twenty-five years that have been with
the proceedings Of this body have not known instance
and believe the Senate will bear out in saying that
there has been instance which bill for the adms
sion OF State into the Union has not been referred to the
COMMITTEES The Judiciary That has always been consid
cred the appropriate committee TO decide matters of this kind
surprised struggle in regard to this reference.
surpred gentlemen anxious 10 send the bill TO
committed which has not been usual TO send bills OF
this descrDtion if they were willing that the committee
which is lnown be especially qualified TO decide upon the
important matters contained the bill should be precluded
from akg cognzance Of them And ask why is, when
there has case except the isolated mentioned by
the Honorable Senator from Illinois, Of reference to any
other thar the Judiciary Committee that there should be
much anxiety manifested Will Senators tell why 1t is
Sir in thu case which the Senator has alluded, there
very extraordinary decision made by the committee, and
sanctone by Congress Of the United States There
decisionmade by which they formed additional State out
Of TERRITORY that was apart for five States And if this
were dons by decision Of the Committee Territories then,
and with he and Of the gentleman who is
chairman Of that committee now, would hesitate long be-
fore would send another bill Of similar character 10 the
same committee decidedly in favor Of adhering to the
uniform practice Of the Senate which has prevailed since
the formation Of the Government and of sending the bill 10
the judiciary Committee, that il may undergo the nvesga-
ton Of gentlemen Of profound legal atainments.
Mr.. DOUGLAS. 1 will simply remark 10 the Senator
from Alabama that il he had looked into the journals Of the
Senate would have found the Why in the Of
his twen-fve years experience, such bill had been
sent TO tie Committee Territories. The Is this,
there never was a committee Ierroriesin existence.
8 slroR. And would have been but for the case
alluded TO-
Mr. DOUGLAS. And would have been but for that
the why references have since been made the
COMMITTEE Territories that there has been such commit
since Now, have word to say in reference the
action he committee in relation the northwest territory
The Senor from Alabama says would be wrong send
the bin 10 the Committee Territories because he Gays that
committee have violated their duty by making than
States out Of that territory wish the honorable gentleman
had listened the remarks Of the Senator from Georgia. who
told that the from the Judiciary Committee,
and not from the Committee Territories
II was by the bill il from the Judiciary Committee
that the territory divided and the Committee Terrific
res the session. only acted in Difference the Judc
airy Committee and bowed TO its decision hope, therefore,
the honorable Senator will aim his shafts at the Judiciary
Committee and the Committee Territories, and tina,
he will speak underssndingly in regard to the facts.
Mr. BRIGHT While stand opposed to every thing tina,
calculated give governments those territories during
the present session OF Congress- shall nevertheless aim
give every that proposed its legitimate and proper
reference and that the Committee Terri
tories Is the proper committee TO have cognzance of this sub
ect must say that should consider il very bad taste
this expiring Administration undertake establish govern
the territories, That is matter which Is be-
qucathcd by the people the and incoming Adminsra
think the efforts made the last session Of Congress
by the party in power have been dsapproved Of by The
American people, and that the result of the late election Is
virtually saying that they desire this vexed question pass
into other hands, and far concerned shall aid in
giving that direction There is but question involved
it, and that is the geographical question which has been