The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-23
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BRANCH MINT.
Mr.. PHOENIX, from the Committee on Com
merce, reported bill to establish branch of the
United States mint in the city of New York.
He moved that it be made the order of the day for
the first Tuesday in July; but the motion did not
prevail.
And the bill was referred to the Committee of the
Whole the state of the Union, and ordered to be
printed
LIGHT HOUSES.
+ Mr.. GRlNNELL, from the Committee on Com
merce, reported bill making appropriations for
light houses, ightboats, and buoys, and providing
for the erection and establishment Of the same, and
for other purposes which was referred to the Com
mittee of the Whole the state Of the Union, and
ordered to be printed.
CHEAP POSTAGE.
Mr.. POTTER, from the Committee on the Post
Office and Post Roads, reported resolution
thorizing that committee to employ clerk.
MIR. JONES was member OF one OF the two
committees which are allowed clerks and he had
found that the clerk was useless. He therefore
moved that the resolution be laid upon the table.
Mr.. CONGER said he had understood that the
committee had prepared bill for the reduction of
postage, and were ready TO report to the House
He should like to be corrected if he was wrong.
He thought it very strange that the committee had
not ere this reported the bill, for, if he recoected
Alright, two weeks ago he was informed the commit
tee were ready to report it. Ii the bill has been
matured there is that much of labor off the hands
of the committee, and he could necessity for
clerk. II the services of one required to COM
plete such BILL he would not object, for he thought
that the country willing to give the force, in
order that bill may be reported somewhat in
cordance with the petitions which have been sent
to Congress in such large numbers for the reduc-
ton of postage
Mr.. POTTER stated the reason for asking for
authority TO employ clerk, and, in reply to Mr..
CoNGER, said that the main features Of reduced
postage bill have been agreed on by the committee
but some Of the details have not been matured; and
the committee were DESTROYS of making report
which will be acceptable TO the House.
The resolution was laid upon the table.
oAs-LIGHT AND INSURANCE COMPANIES
Mr.. BROWN, of Mississippi, from the Committee
for the District of Columbia, reported
bill to incorporate the Union light Com
pany of the District of Columbia; and
bill to incorporate the Mutual Insurance Com
pany OF the District of Columbia;
Which severally referred to q Committee
of the Whole House, and ordered to be printed
TRANsPoRTATIoN OF MAILS.
Mr.. CONRAD moved to reconsider the vote Of
yesterday, by which the bill reported from the
Committee on Commerce, authorizing the Post
master General to contract for carrying the mail
in steam vessels from New Orleans 10 Vera Cruz
and intermediate ports, was referred TO the Com
mittee the Post Office and Post Roads. He stated
the reasons which influenced him in making the
motion.
Mr.. POTTER replied; and, without disposng of
the subject,
The House resolved itself into Committee of the
Whole ON the state Of the Union, (Mr. McLANK in
the chair and proceeded 10 decentralization Of the
special order, being the reports of the Committee Of
Elections in relation 10 the admission delegates
Of Messrs. H. N. SMITH and A. w. BABBITT, from
NEW MEXICO AND UTAH.
The reports of the majority and minority of the
committee in the case of New Mexico were first
read. The former concluded with a resolution, de-
clarinO IL Dedienl IN admit Mr. IN eaaf
on the foor Of the House as a delegate.
Mr.. McGAUGHEY, from the committee, moved
10 amend the resolution appended TO the report Of
the minority, 10 the effect that the admission of
said Hugh N. Smith as a delegate shall not be
deemed as an expression of opinion in relation TO
the claim Of Texas 10 the territory lying on the
cast side Of the Rio Grande; but, on the contrary
that the boundary shall be left open to future ad
Mr.. STRONG said that he did not propose TO de.
tain the committee very long in the exposition Of
his views He was always OF the opinion that the
application OF the meInoralist not properly be-
fore the Committee Of Elections. II seemed 70 him
that before they were called ON to act with regard
TO the admission of Mr.. Smith, the Committee on
Territories should have reported some BILL making
provision for a government for the country from
which the memorialist comes and claims 10 repre-
sent. At the time the credentials Of Mr.. Smith
we're presented, the proposition for n territorial
government was referred 10 the Committee on the
Territories. II appeared from the report, that the
country which Mr.. Smith claims TO represent was
formerly constituent part Of the Republic Of
Mexico. IL was not, under the constitution OF 1924
State Of Mexico, but territory, and not entitled
10 representation in the Mexican Congress. In the
subsequent convulsions Of the republic, when the
constitutions OF 1886 and lS43 were adopted, this
territory, or this portion Of land, recognised as
State, and was permitted 10 have a departmental
legislature; was divided into counties, and had all
the organization common 10 other Mexican States.
II so remained until the war with Mexico and the
treaty OF Guadalupe Hidalgo, when, with other
territory, II was cedcd 70 the United States not
political organization, but az tract Of country
in connection with other country. And by con-
quest and treaty all political organization which
existed under the former counexion was entirely
ehunguished. Subsequent 70 The treaty, the terri
tory was portion Of the soil Of the United States
having local laws, but none OF the machinery ap.
pertaining 10 n territorial legislature II may be
remarked that the portion Of territory, which was
embraced in the limits Of what was known as New
Mexico, comprised two hundred and ten thousand
square miles. Two thirds, or one hundred and
forty-seven were on the eastern side Of the river
the remaining one-third on the western. or the
population OF one hundred thousand less than one.
third are on the western side
After the treaty Of cession, and after the extinc.
ton OF the political organization which existed
there, the inhabitants Of tho country we're in a con-
dition very much to be deplorcd; but the question
was not whether we will extend the protection Of
law, and establish judicial tribunals TO enforce and
secure the rights Of the resident population, but
whether, as things are, with nothing but
military government there, the people ought 10 be
permitted 10 send here 70 take part
IN the business of the country.
II appears that in August there was meeting Of
citizens at Santa re, and they recommended TO the
military commander the issuing Of a proclamation
inviting delegates TO be sent to a convention The
convention met; they established no constitution;
they made no form OF government; but asked that
Congress would make one for them on the basis
which they laid down. And the convention elected
Mr. Smith delegate to represent them In Con.
gress. The question IL, not whether any form of
government shall be given 10 them, but the ques.
ton is whether, under these circumstances, the
gentleman shall be allowed admission on the hoor
the same as delegate from organized Territory
There was nothing in the Constitution which pro.
hibits the election OF delegates but the committee
contend that, in all the past history Of the Govern
ment, no delegate has been admitted without
an antecedeut being made by law. II, therefore,
Mr. Smith he adj al hs .ytII tx,