The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-08


vindication Of the good character Of the Demo-
| Gratis prescribed it asBV Isl ffys
After which, Mr.. GWIN called up the bill for
the settlement of California land titles.
And the Senate adjourned. baG
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
i TUESDAY, January 2, 1850.
, Mr.. POTTER presented the credentials OF Hon.
john BELL, elected to supply vacancy in the 9th
congressional district in Ohio. Mr.. BELL APP
peared, was qualified and took his seat.
Il Mr.. JULIAN rose to privileged question:
He moved to amend the journal Of yesterday
ferring to the petition submitted by him from the
yearly meeting OF the anti slavery friends, held at
4 Newport, Wayne county, Indiana, respecting the
subject Of slavery, and particularly for the repeal
ofthe Fugitive slave law Mr.. J. added that in
presenting the memorial he stated distinctly that
his reason for devating from the usual course,
| and moving a suspension of the rules, was that
| he might move to refer the matter TO a committee
with instructions to report bill granting the pray
er of the memorial. Gentlemen, said he, were
doubtless anxious that the journal should not
show for what object his motion was made, so
that they should not stand committed against the
repeal ofthe law. The record was false, because
not showing the whole of his motion.
Mr.. McLANE raised point Of order which
was, that il was not competent TO move an amend
n,ent Of the journal, by placing upon i any state
ment which went TO show the motive for the mo-
| ton.
| The SPEAKER replied that il was competent
for the gentleman from Indiana to submit mo-
tion to amend the journal, and it was for the
| House to determine whether leave should be
granted. rrsti
| Mr. McLANE appealed from this decision, and
after some conversation between himself and the
| SPEAKER, Y7r bt,,fl
The CHAIR stated that the gentleman from In
diana was not understood as moving to incorpor
ate his statement, but TO amend the journal by
amending the motion made by him. II in
order for the House correct the journal, and the
motion Of the gentleman from Indiana was to that
effect. tttL taeal.t N g "a
| Mr. McLANE withdrew his appeal.
| Mr. JULIAN proceeded to state the reasons of
his motion Of yesterday, when H
Mr. G. W. JONES submitted, whether the mo-
ton to amend the journal was debateable.
The SPEAKER replied that it was debateable
only to the extend of the correctness, with which
the journal was made up.
Messrs. BAYLY, CHAnpLER, GIpprNGs, DuER,
DUNHAM and MEADE expressed their views on
the question. ttGa4et Ft .e4
The SPEAKER stated finally that he did not un-
derstand the motion, made by the gentleman from
Indiana, including the reference with instruc-
tons. He entertained the motion to suspend the
rules for the reception of the petition. The CHAIR
would not now decide, whether or not a motion to
suspend the rules to reserve memorial with in
Mr.. McLANE asked decision at the present
time, but was informed by the CHAIR that it wonld
have no bearing upon'the subject before the House.
The question was then taken upon the motion
to amend the journal, and it was not agreed to.
Mr.. COBB Of Alabama, moved a reconsdera-
ton of the vote, by which the House on yester-
day refused to suspend the rules, to enable the
gentleman from Indiana to introduce the memoir
al before referred to. Mr. C. stated, his object
was to ascertain how many members were for
the repeal Of the Fugitive slave law. This mo-
ton lies over. l n4rr
Mr.. POTTER moved to go into Committee of
the Whole the special orders, (meanng the
| bill reducing the rates Of postage.)
I Mr.. STRONG called up the resolution, report
ed by the Committee on Elections, to which was
referred the memorial of JARED PERKINS, contest
ing the right OF G.. w. MoRRrsoN to his seat as
representative from the Cd distrc, in New Hamp-
shire. r
Mr.. BAYLY called for the regular orders.
The CHAIR stated that the call of Mr. SrRoSe
took precedence of other motions, it being one of
privilege sra
Mr.. q. w. JONES acknowledged the right OF
| the chairman Of the Committee on Elections to
| call up the report, but thought it could not be
taken up except by vote Of the House He APP
pealed from the decision, and the question being
put, the SPEAKER was sustained.
~ CONTESTED ELECTION.
The question before the House was stated to
be upon the resolution reported by the chairman
Of the Committee on Elections, allowing George
MdottjaQpe seat Al. representatYs from the
Mr.. STRONG defined the powers Of the House
and the rights Of States, under the Constitution,
relating to the choice o. representatives in Con-
gress The facts in the case were, that MIR. Will
son. elected under the first disrictng Of the State
resigned his seat Previous to his resignation n
second act was passed, changing the former dis
tricts An election to supply the vacancy
held and Mr.. MoRRIsoN, the sitting member, hav-
ing majority Of the votes, received certificate
| Of election Mr.. Perkins contests his seat on the
ground that he himself had a majority of the
votes in the towns composing the original district.
Mr.. STRONG spoke at length in support of
the right Of the,sittiug member, maintaining that,
under the Constitution, representatives elect
ed from States, and not from particular districts Of
stnte. New Hampshire had power to make,
and change districts at pleasure
Mr. J. B. THOMPSON followed in speech
asserting the principle that townships, other than
those composing the original district, could not
lawfully take part in supplying vacancy.
| Mr.. TUCK spoke in favor Of the right Of the
contestant, and proposed so TO amend the resou-
ton Of the Committee on Elections, rs to give the
seat to the memorialist.
Mr.. WOODWARD followed in speech de-
6ning the rights Of the States. under the consttu-
tonal provisions respecting representation.
Mr.. HIBBARD Obtained the floor, but yielded
to motion to adiourn, which was put and carried.
) The House then adjourned