The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-08-01
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THE 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 anomaly-an exception to
the true Democratic principle. 1t is not pOpu-
lar body-not a representative of popular rights
The mode by which its members are chosen and
their long term of Office, exempt them to great
extent from responsibility to public 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 accountable every two
years to them directly for the manner in which
.L.- h4-~ >Iia~bA-D.Ad thAi- 5ntv u - 'hA nnrO'-
lnr Urancn OF enc National Legislature. rhe
their rights, the true representative of their
sovereignty the leader in all important legis-
lation on questions of general interest.
Has the present House of Representatives any
just conception of its dignity and mission What
is it about? What has it dOne2 It has been in
session two thirds Of year, and all that time
has been humbly awaiting the action of the SEN
ate. 1t has converted itself into miserable APP
pendage Of the Senate. II has no mind no will
Of its own. The Senate has been taxing its inge-
nuity, under the lead of certain political leaders,
to manufacture a great scheme for settling all
Slavery Questions and the House meekly awaits
the result of its efforts as if duty devolved on
IT, but TO ratify the decisions Of the conservative
branch Many of its members receive their eight
dollars a day, for merely crowding the Hobbies of
the Senate, TO learn from its superior wisdom
what to say and do. 1t is a disgraceful spec
tacle-a spectacle never before exhibited in our
sE'SvTy, iSHitfhs Peoples H5zse ar
rested, until the arstocratic branch of the Legis-
lature has announced its will Representatives
abstaiaing from action, until Senators have taken
the initiative2 Were they elected for this /?
Does the Constitution make the House of Rep
resentatives the tail of the Senate2 Has the
House no self-respect, no regard for its own
rights, and its influence with the country
1t is common remark, that more timd, un-
certain, feeble, inefficient House has never assem-
bled in Washington. If it could not muster cour-
age enough to act upon the Slavery Question,
tention. Why did it not take up the subject of
Cheap Postage-one on which the People gener-
ally 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 of
Of nearly eight months-eight months absolutely
wasted And the Appropriation bills-why
were they not acted upon? All of the important
ones are yet TO be disposed of! We recognise
among the members, many honorable, estimable,
intelligent men, but We are speaking of the con-
duct Of the body Of which they are members
We would discriminate in our censure. All the
members are not blameworthy There are
Wings, Democrats, and Free-Soilers, who would
do honor to any Legislative Assembly. Who
then are in fault
lst The Sarsry- ErtensiOaias, who at an early
period resolved that no business of Importance
were brought to terms.
2dly Their Northern auxilisries, 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 recoiled when crisis came demanding
decided action, and became paralyzed at the pros
pect of u sharp struggle.
With this class rests the decision of the
question whether anything shall be done this
session or not. If it pursue its present COW.
ardly policy, Congress will adjourn without
admitting California or providing government
for the Territories. And this seems to be
the game in certain quarters. Mr.. Bayly has
announced his purpose to push the Appropri-
alton 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 of
the House the other day, in Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union, to lay aside the
California bill, the subject in order, for the pur-
pose of taking up he West Point Academy ap-
preparation bill, shows that Mr.. Bayly carries an
effective majority with him.
Wcll--if it 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
do well to keep the question open till the next
session, or the next Congress California and
New Mexico may suffer detrimcnt, but Hunker-
ism and Slavery will receive their death-wound