Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-09-13
mer discharged from the further consideration Of ,h

mite" was discharged from the further consideration of the
su sct.
Nj Boyd stated that the representatives from The State
California, MessS. Noud.-or,h and Gilbert present.
and desrous 10 be sworn in.
Mr. Venabc raised the question OF constitutional righ,
those representatives. - take seashaying he said bsSu
elected before California recognized as State and D.
fore she admitted into the Union.
Mr. Boyd 10 the table and had read their credentials
They certify the fact by the Governor the SateCal.
iornia that ;hc Representatives. elected in NovaabS
Si under the sixth section of the appended 10 the con-
stn,ion OF California which sixth section ,eng ready d.
rected the constitution be submitted the people for
i.caon and authorized 'ecrnn b. held the same
day Tor representatives In Congress
SIR Vsnabe said il would be- by the facts disclosed
thar there legislature in existence determine in
accordance with hr constitution of The United States the
time and place and % election In California; but
thai they had been he time the constitution of that
State riict and before Legislature IN existence
Mr. Ioo5s suggested he gentleman that these repre-
sen'aves came here with prima :aca evidence OF right and
t'' the proper would e 10 let them qualify las
Usual and refer their credentials the committee elections
when The question of right could be raised
Mr. Ntnaoie sad il vas his Intention such refer
ence lie had raised the constitutional question with
the view of calling attention 10 the matter
Mr. Ihad Stevens inquired Of the gentleman from North
Carolina whether hcs. members had been elected before the
Legislature OF California met and if not whether they had
been elected subsequently aud under the law authorizing III"
| required by the federal law
Mr. Nenahe said that they elected before any Iec.
hthre WAS IN existence t. authorize the dcsrctng u
into Congressional districts He concluded his remarks and
moved fa, the credentials be referred TO the committee on
elections.
Mr. Thompson raised as point OF order tha, was tho
duty oi the Speaker the rna acie evidence be.oe him.
under the great seal of The Sateo in these repre-.
scntaliyes. There doubt he >aid about the anthem
city %, the credentials.
The Speaker said that i. question which belonged
o the House decide; that The chair could not determine
who entitled - Ii he could quality these repre-
seGta,ises, he could qualify according his opinion the
auhcn icy of III" crcoutils, of rlcmbe.s VIII,
might present themselves for admission seats.
Mr.. Thompson did no maintnn the power Of the Chair
to admit permanently 10 seals but that Judicial officer
he was bound To e9ard The pi face evidence before him.
and 10 swear The members in and leave the question Of
enicy OF credentials 10 BE- settled by the House. ns well
~" right Of member Ia his The action the Spca
kcr did not could il preclude The right Of the House
20 tchnd The credentials He took appeal the de-
cision Of the Chair.
Th, Char decided that he had no right TO qualify the
members unless directed by the House He had that
ton the constitution read which declared that each house
shall be the Judge n the qualification ol lis members
Mr. Stanton ri ky, cirei case did Mr.. Robinson Of
Ia, several in the admission Of new States, where the
prescntayes wer. admitted although they elected II
The tmr or at short time subsequent 10 the ratification of
the constitution al tos" S'atesthe constitution prescrib
ng mode ot said election.
hcss.s Toomhs and Morse took ground aganst the ad
mission of The representatives. The FIRST named gentleman
did not believe that they entitled be swornin He
lid think that the cited exactly in point; al
though il it was fact MAT such and the cons
ut!una point not raised they could not lie taken
precedent upon which 10 determine this
NJ. Stanton OF Tenn, ,'ok the gonnd that the conven
' when huti.oItd tle tIc.tin Was "ISatlvr DcGy ~
tie highest order IN! ia therefore the constitutional
lui>i1ns f,ly satisfied
Mr. Ioanbs denied that convention uf the people was
in Il constitutional sense legislative body. The Legisla
con:pehcnded in te constitution part Of the
tu.iona organic on -. STATE; and The couyenIon such
in this creature of the Democracy-Ihe
"i the peopif5e'0re there any organized government
therefore before there any Legislature.
NJ Robinson Of Indiana moved 10 amend the motion nf
Mr. Ycnabe that The members qualify and that their
tntia's BE- referred 10 the committee elections. He moved
the previous question.
3r. Houston appealed 10 him 10 Withdraw the previous
question. The friends he said Of the admission of Caifor
MIA the friends of the admission OF their rcprescn
tatives.
Pending the question, the House adjourned.