Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1850-08-16
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

The Senate is composed of men, elected by
the Legislatures, not the People, of the several
States, In our SYSTEM it is an anomaIy-an ex-
ception to the true Democratic principles. 1t is
not popular body-not a representative of pop
ular rights. The mode by which its members
are chosen, and their long term of Office, exempt
them to great extent from responsibility to pub
lie opinion. The House of Representatives is
the Peoples House. 1t is composed of members
fresh from their ranks, chosen directly by them
to represent their views and interests, and ac-
| countabe every two years to them directly for
the manner in which they have discharged their
! duty. 1t is the popular branch of the National
( Legislature. The People expect it to be the
special guardian of their rights, the true repre-
sentative of their sovereignty the leader on all
important Legislation on questions of general in
terest.
Has the present House of Representatives any
just conception of its dignity and mission? What
is it about? What has it done 1t has been in
session two-thirds of year, aud all that time has
been hnmbly awaiting the action of the Senate.
1t has converted itselfinto miserable appendage
OF the Senate. 1t has no mind, no will of It's
own. The Senate has been taxing it's ingenuity.
under the lead of certain political leaders, 70 ma
nufacture great scheme for settling all Slave
ry Questions, and the House meellly awaits the
result of its efforts, as if no duty devolyed on it.
but to rahfy the decisions Of the conservative
branch. Many of its members receive their eight
dollars day, for merely crowding the Hobbies of
the Senate, to learn from its superior wisdom
what to say and do. 1t is a disgraceful specta-
ele-a spectacle never before exhibited in our
history. Legislation in the Peoples House, ar
rested, until the aristocratic branch of the Legs-
lature has announced its will Representatives
abstaining from action, until Senators have taken
the initiative Were they elected for this ? Does
the Constitution make the House of Representa-
tives the tail of the Senate? Has the House no
sef-respect no regard for its own rights, and its
influence with the county?
| 1t IS common remark, that more timid, I'M
certain, feeble, inefficient House has never as
scmbed in Washington. If it could not muster
courage enough to act upon the Slavery Cues
ton, other questions of Importance demanded its
attention. Why did it not take up the subject
of Cheap Postage-one on which the people gem
orally have made up their minds, on which they
have repeatedly required their Representatives to
act ? Why did it not consider the subject Of
Land Reform, another question of general inter-
est? Both these subjects were introduced last
week, for the first time, after session ofnearly
eight months-eight months absolutely wasted
And the Appropriation bills--why were they net
acted upon? All OF the Important ones are
| yet to be disposed of /! We recognise among
the members, many honorable, estmable, intel
ligent men, but we are speaking of the conduct
of the body of which they are members. We
would discriminate in our censure- All the
members are not blame worthy. There are
Wings, Democrats, and Free-Soilers, who would
! do honor to any Legislative Assembly. Who
| then are in fault?
| LIST. The Slavery Extensonists, who at an
early period resolved that no business of impor-
lance should be transacted until the Northern
men were brought to terms.
! IDLY. Their Northern auxiliaries, the dough-
faces, who have steadily united with them in
their movements.
3dly. A large class of irresolute, short-sighted,
timid Wings and Democrats, who, although in
favor of maintaining the interests of freedom,
always recoed when crisis came demanding
decided action, and became paralyzed at the pros
pect of sharp struggle.
| With this class rests the decision of the ques-
ton whether any thing shall be done this session
or not. If pursue its present cowardly policy,
Congress will adjourn without admitting Califor-
MIA or providing government tor the territories.
And this seems to be the game in certain quar-
ters. Mr.. Bayly has announced his purpose to
push the appropriation bills without regard to
any other question; and, in answer to an inquiry
what was to become of California, his reply was,
that was subject which was not under his care
The decision ofthe House the other day, in Com
mittee of.the Whole on the state of the Union, to
lay aside the California BILL the subject in ORDER
for the purpose of taking up the West Point
Academy appropriation bill, shows that Mr.. Bay
ly carries an effective majority with him.
Well-ifit be the policy of the Slavery men
and their auxiliaries to continue and increase
agitation, they are pursuing the right course.
/ If they are anxious to throw the great issue of
Free Soil into the next Presidential campaign,
they will do well to keep the question open till
the next session, or the next Congress. Cali
fornia and New Mexico may suffer detriment,
but Hunkerism and Slavery will receive their
death wound.-National Era.
CAPITAL OF MAIEE.-The House have voted