The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-03-31
SPEECH
FIR. Evans, Of MARY land,

On nc Bill to proride Territorial Government
.tor California: Delivered IN the House Of Repre-
seninfips The United States, FEB 20, 1919.
The House being in Committee of the Whole
on ,he st ate of the Union, MIR. Vin'on, of Ohio,
in the Chair AND having under cons delatod the
hill TO provide a territorial government for the
rrcrritorv Of California
Mr.. EVANS rose a nd addressed the commit
tcn nearly as follows:
Mr. Cl,nirmnn I acknowledge That il is Will,
considerable ditfidence that rise 10 address the
committee upon this occasion have been pre-
coded nv zen, lenan (Mr. Root, OF Ohi,.) who
has brought to this d discussion an Information 50
extensive, an ability so marked, and an elo-
onence so pursnasivc, that whatever can say
must seem unnteresting in comparison. lie has
indeed, gathered for mean audience; that will
10 able to retain it, is more than dare promise
70 Il use who listen patiently and attentive.y
ia these opening remarks. And yet sir, pro-
,,,sc to myself no trif!ing theme. no little and
urmrnr,ant suhinrt. no pro Jet hettca'h the d q
o,y of the lpciSa, ion Ola mighty empire, Upnn
IN. contrary sir il is indeed very considerable
,urs,ior, and one rpnn which seem Mt present
ia he stakrd the peace. the welfare. aid the
n,csrc,;,y of the whole Rep"hhr, and that Gues-
ton tie prominent exist inT causes OF difference
between the nor'hcrn and southern portions Of
tl,is nation and th" means and prospect OF their
r,moval Foremost among a Il these causes are
these which spring ont of the bill now under
considers ,ion.-whciher we will provide the
rcars Of security and protection 10 the people
,rrniGinia:ard five will provide those means,
lew We will provih, them; 1t is. in hnrt, sir,
,hc crcstion ofthe government ofthosc vast
Tr,ritorics which have acquired nv treaty
crrrarr closing y war Of almost nrrlva!lrd mil
.,rv sr'rndor aud achievement and rcn0wn;
Terr,iorns acquired Too, sir, by the most lavish
,Ynrnd i,nrn oflifc aud boundess proinsion OF
trcasrro IN every way the subject comments
isc,i'to us nv its dignity and Importance. and it
heitnoycs us to approach it with . becoming sense
Gifts magnitude, and with proper fee ing OF
o,r own duty. What have to say. SIR, upon
,Lis ~, i..c, have reserved unto tins time, he"
c.us. have always felt an unaffected rrpug-
rrrrc 10 speak out al place. ard upon subjects
M, proper,v the objects Oft considcrati on OF
the House; and trust that may be permitted,
without improperly, TO make it the object otmy
own ho,csi self graduation, that never since
have cnioved the honor Of a seat upon this floor.
thonuh during that time ] have frequently adj
dressed this BODY have ever spoken except TO
tie business oftho House and to the particular
matter NJ the time under consideration and de-
hntc. Sir, I hope there is no inreiicacy in lav-
ing Thus alluded upon this OCCASION
And now sir let us examine hat are the
measures before us for the government of the
Territory of California. First, we have the bill
Of the Chairman of the Committee on ferrito-
rics, (Mr. Smith, bill in its genern! features
resembling those which hive, in former years,
hccn enacted for the regulation OF the various
Territories which have from time to time been
established by this Government for that bill
substitute has hcen offered by the gentleman
from Virginia, (Mr Preston,l to the latter shall
for few minutes, more particularly call the at
ten,ion oft"e committee. 1t is as follows:
SEC l. BE il enacted By the Senate and House Of
Representatives The United States Of .imetica in
Congress assembled, That the Congress doth con-
sent that new State may be erected out of and
including all that territory coded to the United
States bv tho treaty of peace, friendship. limits,
and settlement with the Republic of Mexico,
concluded Cd February, 1915, with ii republican
form orgovcrnment, to be adopted by the in
hahi,an,s Of said Territory, assembled by dele
gates in convention, as hereinafter provided for
that purpose, in order that the said State may be
admitted into this Union.
Sec. 2 .4nd be il further enacted, That the fore
going consent Of Congress is given upon the fol-
loving reservations an conditions: First. That
the United States hereby Internationally re-
serves 10 tho Federal Government all right of
property in the publ domain, and other proper
" ceded 10 tho United States by the treaty Of
peace al aresa d, free from Il taxes or assess
ments of any kind by the said State; and, also,
the power ofdsposing Of Ire same, including
the right o. adjusting all claim and title to land
derived from foreign governments in such man
ner as Congress shall prescribe. Second. That
the new State shall be formed and its govern
ments adopted prior TO the first day of October,
In the year Of our Lord lS49
SEC. 8. And be 1t further enacted, That, on
tho said first day ofOctober, 1919, the said new
State having been thus formed by the name and
style ofthe State of California, and with tho
consent of the people thereof, shall be received
and admitted into the Union new and entire
member of the United States of America.
SEC. d. And be it further enacted That tho
acting Governor ofCalifornia, so soon as he shall
be provided with copy Of this act. to tho end
that tho people may have an opportunity of es-
tablshlng for themselves constitution and re
publican form Of government for said State prior
to the first day of October next, shall immcdi
ately proceed to lay off the country embraced
within the limits of The proposed State into con
venient districts for the election of delega les to
aeonventon for the purpose of forming State