The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-17
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
DELEGATE FROM NEW MEXICO.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
DELEGATE FROM NEW MEXICO
MIR. STRONG offered resolution that all debate
on the resolution reported by the Committee on
Elections, declaring 'that IT is inexpedient TO adj
NIT HUoH n, SMITH, esq, to seat in this House,
delegate from New Mexico shall cease in
two hours after the House shall again go into Com
mittee on the subject.
Mr.. BAYLY said that this involved one of the
most important questions of the session, and he
had learned that several gentlemen wished to be
heard upon 1t, he moved to amend the resolution,
so that the debate shall terminate tomorrow at
three o'clock
The question being taken, the motion was dis
agreed to-ayes 81, noes II.
Mr. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, moved to amend
by inicrtng Thursday next. great many men,
bers, nc said, wished to speak upon the subject
MIR. BURT moved to postpone the further con-
sidcration of the resolution until Monday next.
The question was taken and decided in the mega
tve-ycas 90, nays Ia.
Mr.. STRONG modified his resolution, by substi-
tuting two O'Clock tomorrow for the termination
of the debate; and
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, withdrew his
amendment.
Mr.. RUMSEY moved to amend by saying two
hours after the House shall again go into commit
tee.
Under the operation of the previous question, the
amendment was rejected-yeas 90, nays 95; and
the resolution of Mr.. STRONG was agreed TO.
rRocIEDIsGs ATTENDING THE DEATH AND FUNERAL
OF PRESIDENT TAYLOR.
Mr.. McWILLIE, from the Committee on Print
ing, reported in favor of authorizing the Secretary
of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Rep
rcsentauvcs TO cause 10 be printed, under the di
recton of the Committee of Arrangements, ten
thousand copies for the use Of the Senate, and
twenty thousand copies for the use of the House,
Of pamphlet containing the proceedings and re-
marks in both Houses of Congress on the lamented
death of Zachary Taylor late President of the Uni
ted states, together with the funeral arrangements
and the discourse Of the Rev. DR.. Pyne on that sol
cmn and impressive occasion.
Mr. McWILLlE, in response TO a question asked
by MIR. JoHSsoS, Of Arkansas said that the cost of
each copy would be ten cents lie made brief
statement 10 the condition Of the public printing
and informed the House when certain documents
will be delivered.
Debate ensued, at the termination of which,
Mr.. JOHNSON moved the previous CUES ton,
which was seconded.
MIR. CABLE moved to lay the resolution on the
table; but the motion disagreed 10.
The resolution amended, providing that the
printing Of the pamphlet shall be done in confor-
nifty with the existing law and contract; and then
passed
MIR. JONES said that there was no law authoriz.
ing the printing OF the speeches Of members, and
his opinion was that 1t required the signature Of the
President
DrLEsATr FROM NEW MEXICO.
On motion Of Mr.. STRONG, the House resolved
itself into Committee Of the Whole the state Of
the Union, (MIr. McLASr, Of Maryland in the
Chair,) ana prOcccdcd 10 the consideration OF the
special order being the report Of the Committee Of
Elections, 10 which were referred the credentials
and the memorial Of Hugh n. Smith, praying TO
be admitted TO seat in the House as a delegate
from New Mexico.
The report concluded with the following resolu.
ton, viz:
Rs,oived, That it il ineSpedicnt to admit Hugh
N Smith, esq, 10 scat in this House a delegate
from New Mexico.
Mr.. AsHE adverted to the early history Of New
Mexico 20 show that the rights Of Texas would be
affected by the admission of the delegate az a re-
cOgniton would thus be made Of the claim Of
the former 10 territory in dispute. Besides, Mr..
Smith has been sent here as the delegate of con-
vention which is not now acting, and clothed with
civil power lie cannot represent the people Of the
country, because they did not send him here; he
cannot represent the convention, because IL no
longer crists; he cannot represent the government,
because il never had vitality. II appeared 10 be a
strange doctrine that Mr.. Smith should be received
that be might receive compensation for tho labor
he has undergone. The gentleman from Indiana,
(Mr. McGAUGHgy) yesterday maintained that
there was one precedent. Now allowing this full
force, IL exception 10 the general rule, and
cannot be cited az authority.
Mr. sIBLEY, Of Minnesota, (Mr. AsHr giving
way,) said that when Wisconsin was carved out Of
the territory OF that name, and admitted into the
Union State, thore remained large residuum
Of country, containing a considerable number Of
people who for yosrs enjoyed the benefits OF terrific
rial government The act OF Congress admitting
Wisconsin made susion TO the resduum; and
the question arose whether the citizens of the Uni.
ted States residing out of that State could not pro-
perly claim the benefit Of the organic law estsb-
fishing the territorial government. Legal author
ity consulted, and the result that the peo-
pie had right TO all the benefits. The Secretary
Of State, the acting governor az otfeio, issued
proclamation for an election. The individual
selected the delegate presented himself to the
House. His credentials were referred to the Com
mittee Of Elections, and majority reported in his
favor bssing their act on the ground that the ter
ritoral government still existed in that portion
cluded by the admission Of Wisconsin as State.
The House, at subsequent period, however, re-
pudisted the report Of the committee, and justified
the admission Of the delegate, as admitted by gen
temen in debate, for the that the people Of
the territory had the right to be represented.
MIR. ASHE resumed, and spoke further in oppo.
sition TO the admission Of the delegate.
Mr.. KAUFMAN regarded this as question Of
vital importance TO the peace and vitality Of this
country and II il was TO be decided favoraby to
New Mexico, the consequences would be truly mo
mentous. lie regretted that the debate was 10 be
closed 90 soon. The representatives Of Texas and
Of other southern States fear discussion and fur
Their time should have been allowed for discussion.
New Mexico is not an organized territory and
he contendcd that a territory, when organized,
Is represented in every member on this hoor, be
cause the Territories belong 10 the Union. Why
10 Deseret kept in the background Flo had no
doubt, II the precedent now claimed should DO estsb
hshed, twenty individuals would come here, claim