Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-06-12


under the direction of the President of the United
States, in paying such expenses as may have been in.
cured since the final ratification of the treaty of Qua
uaupe Hldago or as may be incurred hereafter by the
people OF the SAID district in administering justice and
preserving order therein and otherwise at the discretion
OF the President tor the benefit and protection Of the
people OF the said district"
Sec provides that the President shall, as as
practicable after the acceptance by Texas of the terms
proposed lay off said districts into convenient election
districts to choose representatives to convention for
the purpose offorming constitution and form of State
government :" shall fix the time and places of no ding
the election apporon the representatives mot less than
thirty more than sixty and prescribe regulations for
| conducting the elections.
Sec. declares that all white male citizens twenty
years old, and all Mexlcans such became citizens
under the treaty, may vote for representatives. resi-
dence of thirty days the election district being requr
ed.
Sec fixes Santa Fe as the place for the meeting Of
the convention, the President to fix the time.
Sec. provides That majority of the said con.
venton shall constitute quorum for the transaction of
business and that the said convention when met shall
first determine whether it be or be not expedent that
time to form constitution and State government for
the people within the said district; and if it be deter
mined to be expedent the said convention shall be- and
hereby is authorized to form constitution and State
government
Sec s. That upon the final adoption of a constitu-
upon and thereby and without further action of Con-
gess become State of the Union by the name of the
State OF New Mexico, upon the same footing 10Th the
original States in all respects auhateuer Provided
That the said constitution shall be republican in its
fom and provided ALSO and upon the express condition
that the said convention shall, by affirmative act as
sent to and ratify the following articles namely:
FIRST That the people of the said State, through their
legislature or otherwise, shall interfere with the
primary disposal of the public lands within its limits,
and shall pass law, and do act whereby the title of
the United States to the right to dispose of the same
shall be impaired or questioned
Second. That the said State shall never lay any tax
or assessment OF any description whatsoever upon the
public domain of the United States and shall in no case
tax non resident propretors who citizens of the u
| States higher than residents
Third. That all the navigabe waters within the said
State shall be common highways and forever free, as
well to the inhabitants of said State to the citizens of
the United States, without any tax, duty mpost
Sec. g. That when it shall be shown to the Presi-
dent OF the United States, that the people OF the said
district have, by convention, convened herein be-
fore prescribed adopted constitution Tor their govern
ment and that such constitution upon inspection thereof
appears to be republican in form and in other respects
accordance with the provisions OF this act it shall be
his duty to declare such facts by public proclamation
SEC. 10. " That until the general be taken
next after its admission the said State shall be entitled
to representative in the House OF Representatives of
the United States"
SEC. ii. That in case the convention convened to
form constitution and State government for the said
district of New Mexico shall determine that it is not
then expedient to do shall fail to do for any
other reason, or In the constitution formed by such
convention shall not be republican in its form and other
wise in accordance withthe provisions of this act then
the President OF the United States is hereby authorized
and it shall be his duty, whenever it shall appear proba
BILE to him that majority of the people of the said dis
trlc are DESTROYS to be admitted into the Union
State, to proceed to convene another convention for
that purpose in the herein before prescribed and
the proceedings shall take place thereupon in all
respects as herenbeiore provided and so in of
cond and other subsequent failure until the said district
a he in
ance with the provisions of this act"
Sec. II sets apart the District of Utah. bounded
by California, Oregon and the rim Of the Great Basin.
Sec. 10 approprates dollars to be expended
yearly under the direction of the President for expenses
incurred by the people in administering justice and pre-
serving order, " or otherwise at his discretion"
Sec. IA, That whenever it shall appear probable to
the President OF the United States that the inhabitants
OF the said district of Utah sufficient in number to
enttle them to one representative in the House of Re-
representatives. OF the United States, according the
then existing apportlonmen and that is the desire of
majority OF the said inhabitants to be admitted as
State into the Union, it shall be his duty order
sus or enumeration to be taken Of said inhabitants.
Sec. Is gives the President power to direct the ia
king OF this census and approprates 10000 for the
penses.
Sec. l6 provides that if the census show population
sufficient for representative, the President shall pre-
scribe election districts, and fix the time and places of
electng delegates to Convention to form State
Constitution and all the provisions of sections A. s. T.
and g. relating 10 New Mexico are made to apply 10
Utah.
Sec II directs that the time and place of holding the
Convention shall be fixed by the President.
Sec Is provides that the State of Utah shall have as
many representatives DIS her population will entte her
to, according to the present apportionment.
Sec 10 provides that if the population of Utah be
found insufficient for one representative or in case the
Convention decline to form State constitution or pre-
sent one notrepubcan the President hereby autho-
rIzed, and 1t shall be his duty, whenever thereafter
shall appear probable to him that the inhabitants of
SAID district are sufficient in number entte them to
one representative in the House of Representatives of
the United States, and that it is the desire Of ma
Jory OF the said inhabitants to be admitted as State
into the Union to order second census or enumera
ton to be taken Of said inhabitants as hereinbefore
prescribed, and the proceedings shall take place
thereupon, in all respects hereinbeore provided and
so in OF second aud other subsequent failure un-
til the said district shall be admitted State into the
Union, in accordance with the provisions of this act"
We have copied the precise language of those
sections of Mr.. Duer's bill which make provision
for the maintenance of civil authority in Utah and
New Mexico before they become States, and for
their becoming Statesas soon as their people wish
it, upon the simple proclamation of the President,
and without any act of admission on the part of
Congress 1t is impossible to doubt that Mr..
Duer speaks advsedly when he atfirms that this
bill embodies the plan of the President. We
must remark, however. that the very enactment of
such measure would Of itself be departure
from the Presidents recommendation, that Con-
gress leave the Territories to take care of them
selves. The bill, in short, proposes to give &C
tive force to the policy of non-action But, ac-
cepting it proof that the views of the President
have been, to this extent modified by the progress
of events, let us observe somewhat closely the
elements of his present ''pian" They resolve