Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-02-01
Congressional.
Thirty-f rst COngress---First
Session.
WASHINGTON. Jan. d.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 81.
In the House an Intellectual attempt
was made to reconsider the vote, post
poning the election of Door Keeper.
The Speaker decided, that it would be
in order to offer motion, appointing a
temporary Door Keeper and Postmaster;
but no election could be gone into until
the time expired, viz: March, 1851.
In the Senate, bill making appropri-
ations for repairing the Cumberland dam
in the Ohio river, came up and was dis
cussed.
Mr.. Clay spoke in favor of the bill.
The subject was passed over inform
ally.
The Senate then proceeded to the
consideration of the special order Of the
day, being Mr.. Foote's esolution decla-
ring it the duty of Congress to provide
territorial government forthe territories.
Mr.. Cass spoke at great length and
addressed the Senate on the question of
the Wilmo, Proviso. He commenced
by stating that there were two questions
involved in the contro versy respecting
the Wiimot Proviso. lst. As to its con-
stitutionality; I'd. AS to its expediency.
He would confne himself principally to
the question of its constitutionality, and
afterwards to its expedlency. He COM
menced by considering the general pow
er of Congress to legislate over distant
territories, quoting various authorities in
favor of it. This claim of unlimited
legislation, he considered had led to our
revolutionary struggle. He had listened
with amazement at the discussion of the
subject, as if the rights of sovereignty
were every thing and the rights of man
nothing. II is the revival of the dispute
between Great Britain and her colonies,
in which we have taken the place OF
Great Britain. He drew distinction
between the rights of unlimited legisla-
ton over distant territories, which have
no representation, and the right to organ
ize governments leaving the details t.
the people. In the district of Columbia,
Congress has exclusive jurisdiction, but
there were peculiar reasons for that, ari-
sing out of the situation of the District
and the nature of the original federal
compact.
There is no clause in the Constitution,
which gives Congress the express pow
er to pass any law respecting slavery in
the territories. That authority is deriv-
ed from various sources; every construc-
ton of the Constitution which would
give foreign legislation power over slave
ry, would equally give them power over
every other social and political question
in the territory. If it were intended to
give Congress unlimited power of legis-
la:ion over territories, it would have been
so expressed.
At 3 o'clock Mr.. Cass gave way for
an executive session, and the Senate adj
journed without his concluding.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22.
In the House., a lengthy discussion en-
sued relative to the temporary appoint
ment of new Door Keeper, or the con.
firmation of the old one.
The President sent in message in
answer to a resolution of inquiry, res
pecting California. &c.
The President, after explaining the
matter, says: 81 did not hesitate to ex-
press to the people of those territories
my desire that each should, if prepared,
and complying with the acquisitions of
the Constitution, apply for admission in
to the Union; but did not authorize the
establishment of any such government
without the consent of Congress, nor did
| authorize any government agent to in
fluence the election of delegates, or con-
troll any convention in making or modi-
flying their domestic Institutions"