The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-24
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

MIR. BOYD asked the general consent of the
delegate of Deseret, and also the constitution of
that State Territory, and that they be referred
TO the Committee of Elections.
Mr.. STEPHENS, of Georgia, objected, and called
for the regular order of busness-reports from
committees.
Mr.. STRONG, from the Committee of Elections,
reported resolution that the parties to the
tested election in the first Congressional district Of
Iowa be authorized to take the testimony of wit
nesses, in conformity with the laws of that State.
A debate ensued, involving the propriety of de-
laying the case for this purpose, and of acting on
the evidence before the committee at this time 1t
stated that Mr.. Muller, the contestant, and
Mr.. THOMPSON, the sitting member, agreed as to
the subject matter of the resolution, and that the
design of was not to delay to enable the sitting
member to retain his seat, while the contestant
member already here, asking to be admitted
Mr.. SCHENCK moved to recommit the report To
the Committee Of Elections, with instructions TO
port all the facts in their possession.
Mr.. BAKER wished TO state one or two facts, at
the desire Of the contestant. Nearly eight weeks
of the session had expired and if the contestant is
TO get his seat at this session. the matter ought to
be shortly decided. The committee had deter
mined To receive the proof, which the poll book,
as evidence why he should be permitted to take his
seat.
Mr.. STANTON, of Tennessee, submitted that
this testimony was er parfe.
Mr. BAKER had yet to learn that the record
book was er payte testimony. II was taken and
made up on legal and proper notice. MIR. MILLER
willing that reasonable time should be al
lowed to Mr.. THOMPSON to procure the testimony
which he says he can bring TO bear.
Mr.. HARRIS, Of Tennessee, said that the Com
mittce Of Elections was not willing to act on ca
parte testimony, taken before the issue was made
up; they were not willing to act upon 1t without
giving the sitting member time TO procure his
proof. He expressed hope that the subject would
not be taken from the committee, and now placed
before the House.
Mr.. THOMPSON, of Kentucky, remarked that
the evidence already received is not conclusive.
The sitting member says, that some of those who
voted for Mr.. MILLER were aliens and minors.
The issue Is thus made upon the merits of the
The only proper mode IL, not to rccommit the reso
luton, but to authorize the parties TO take deposit
tons, allowing a reasonable time.
Mr.. STRONG said that, at the commencement
Of the debate, il stated that the two gentlemen
interested entered into the arrangement proposed
TO take dispositions, which were indispensable 10
proper adjudication Of the case. The committee
had met every other day, and taken means to IA
cilitate the investigation. He denied the charge
that there was am intention 10 delay, TO enable the
sitting member to retain his scat. The sitting
member does not desire delay, and there is au-
thority for making the assertion. He opposed the
motion 10 rccommit the resolution 10 the Commit
tee Of Elections.
Mr.. McLANE was authorized to say by both the
contestant and the sitting member, that, far as
the question of time concerned, ninety days
would be acceptable to them, within which period
10 take testimony.
Mr.. sCHENCk withdrew his motion, and moved
that the time for taking and receiving the tcstimo
ny be limited to one hundred days.
Mr. DISNEY replied 10 remarks made bv Mr.
scHHrcx at the conmcp cement Of the debate.
M RAyIy q. ,bc or.st;o,, h.d h..r a;s
,oovod ,ho rroso, .,,;h ~ ~ san, o
Ara ths .esnt,ot' .,,,srd.d 80 a. ;o..a,."a os
M scYrscr Mas = =, "a =, ~ "'' ''''"oe "
,r, r, ,
me nouse snen proceeded 70 me consideration OF
ine motion o. mr.. sEsAnLE, 70 refer 70 tne Commit
zee on ierr,ores tne iecent message OF tue fresi-
gent OF 'ne united STATES ana me accompanying
documents, on .nc SUBJECT OIL inc lerri.ories
was not disposed TO accept of II, and gave way to
Mr.. seldom, who proceeded to notice the mes
sage. The territory was, by treaty Of peace,
coded to the United States, and bound 10
pay very large sum of money for Il, The Con-
stitution was extended over II, and became the law
of that land The sovereignty over the whole Of il