The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-19
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
ARMY AND NAVY orrIcEas.

which adopted, requesting the President of the
United States TO communicate TO the House such
ruloe and regulations should be established
with regard 10 the graduation Of rank and precc-
dence OF officers Of the army and the navy.
Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Arkansas, remarked, that no
business on the Speakers table has been disposed
a time when the House had more leisure than now
TO take IL up There were on the table many bills
Of importance, which ought TO be referred TO the
appropriate committees. He asked the unanimous
consent of the Housc TO proceed TO dispose of such
business would not give rise TO debate.
Mr.. WILMOT objected
Mr.. JOHNSON. You object Well, ] expected
IL.
DELICATE FROM NEW MEXICO.
On motion Of Mr.. STRONG, the House resolved
itselfinto Committee Of the WHOLE on the state OF
the Union, (Mr. McLhsn, OF Maryland, in the
cbair,) and proceeded 20 the consideration of the
special order, being the report Of tho Committee OF
Elections, TO which were referred the credentials
and the memorial Of Hugh N. Smith, praying TO
be admitted to a scat in the House as a.delegate
from New Mexico.
The report concluded with the following resolu.
ton, viz:
Resolved, That II il inerpcdicnt 10 admit Hugh
" Smith, esq, to a seat in this House delegate
from New Mexico.
To this an amendment pending, a. follows
Rssoived, That the said Hu gh N. Smith, esq, be
admitted TO scat in the House Of Representative,
delegate from New MEXICO, for the thirty first
Congross; Provided That by such admission this
House is not to be understood as expressing any
opinion relative 10 the conflicting boundary be
tween New MEXICO and TeIss.
Mr.. GREEN moved 10 strike out tho words 'as
a delegate" His design was thus TO reach the
substance OF the matter involved. In order to be
delegate there must be people 10 be represented.
In this there were no people to be represented.
True, there were people in New Mexico, but they
had no claim which would entitle them TO the ap.
pellation Of political community The House
could give a seat TO delegate by courtesy, and he
q honorable member nv
act Of admission he would be entitled TO the pay and
mileage Of n member. BY simple vote Of the
House he becomes member OF the Housc; and by
n resolution money would be voted 10 him out OF the
treasury, while no money can be drawn thorcirom
unless in consequence Of an appropriation made
by law.
Mr.. CARTER replied to the gentleman who pro-
ccded him, and cOntcndcd that New Mexico has a
right to send a delegate TO the House, and has a
higher claim than Oregon and Minnesota, from the
fact that her population and interests are greater.
Mr.. DUER said that the gentleman from Mis-
sour (Mr. GhrES) and others seemed TO suppose
that, because no territorial government had been
organized in New Mexico, and no law Of Congress
had been passed authorizing the elcotng a dele
gate, there was no power to admit one. They
seemed 10 suppose that the title Of "dclcgat6 was
derived from the Constitution. Now, no gentleman
can produce any authority from that instrument,
except for the admission TO the House of Represcn.
tatives Of representatives from the Stntcs. The
House was composed Of members elected by peo-
pie residing in the States and Congress have power
70 apporton the members. Delegates hold their
seats by virtue Of the power to make nccdful rules
and regulations respecting the territory belonging
10 the United States. There IL no other power.
The House may admit delegate from New York
or Philadelphia, or from foreign country, TO APP
pear here and represent certain interests; and can
admit sny one.
Mr.. BURT replied to the gentleman, whose pur-
pose nc understood TO be, to exclude the supposion
that a deIepate from the territory of the United
States is provided for by law, but takes his scat
simply by the votion of the House. He happened
TO hold in bis hand the act Of Congress of 1871 pro.
vidinR for the admission of delegates. This act
provides for delegates who claim seats under the
ordinance Of 1887, or who shall appear from Ter
ritory ss,obiish,d by net Of Congress He would
leave the House to judge Of the propriety Of the
present movement.