The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-10

most tOtemn OpISdtiONh Oh EOOO Ialtl on the part
of the United States.
Mr.. GWIN, utter the submission, in reply, of
few general remarks in defence Of his bill, de-
clared his Willingness to submit the question of
its legality and constitutionality to the decision Of
the Judiciary Committee, and moved its reference
accordingly. And the bill, and the substitute pro,
posed, were referred to the Committee on the Ju-
dietary.
And the Senate went into executive session.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
THURSDAY, January ., 1851.
Mr. THOS. l.. HARRIS asked unanimous
consent to introduce BILL @
Mr.. ANDREW JOHNSON, asking if it was
in order to move postponement for two hours
of the consideration of the case of contested cleo
ton from New Hampshire, was answered by the
Speaker that it might be postponed until to-mor-
row by vote of the House, or one hour by unani-
nous consent. In either case, reports Of commit
tees would be in order. Mr. J not Directing,
Mr.. T. L. HARRIS introduced bill entitled
!" An act in addition to an act, approved March
3d. l649 providing for the correction of errors in
entering lands at the several land Offices. Referred
to the Committee on Public Lands.
Mr.. ANDREW JOHNSON stating his desire
to introduce important bill, AZ well as to hear
reports from the several committees, asked unani-
nous consent for the postponement of one hour
the case Of contested election from New Hamp-
Mr.. CHANDLER asked leave to introduce tile
following preamble and resolution:
Whereas, in consequence Of the large supplies
of gold from California and other parts Of the
world, the proportion between that metal and sill
yer is rapidly changing, thereby affecting their
relative values, and rendering the latter an article
of merchandise rather than Of currency, and caus-
ing its circulation to cease at its nominal value:
And whereas, under these circumstances, the
silver coins Of the country are being largely ex-
ported, and, in consequence of the premiums Of
fered for them by dealers in bullion, they are
being rapidly Withdrawn from circulation, there
by subjecting the banks and business community
to great and growing Inconvenience from the
scarcity of these coins for the purpose Of making
change; therefore
Resoived, That the Committee on Commerce
be instructed to inquire into the expediency ofre-
ducing the value OF silver coins Of the United
States, by diminishing their weights, or by in
crensing the proportion Of alloy in the same, or
by both, so to prevent their expectation, and
that they have leave to report by bill or other
wise. e ts .tfrs,
Mr.. SWEETZER objected to the reception of
the resolution, and called for the regular order.
Mr.. w. r. w. COBB, with view las he sadly
to get reports from committees, moved postpone
ment of one hour Of the Of contested election
from New Hampshire. Negatved.
CONTESTED ELECTION FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The SPEAKER stated that the question was
upon the motion ofMr. TucK, to amend the reso-
luton of the Committee on Elections, as to give
the seat of the sitting member g. w. MoRnson)
TO JARED PERKINS, the contestant. fa.,if-
(The facts in this case are as follows: General
James Wilson, the representative from the third
compression nal district in New Hampshire for the
thirtv-second Congress- resigned his seat. Pre-
vious to his resignation, the Legislature of New
Hampshire re-districted the State and thereby ad-
d.d four townships to Wilson 3 district Il 10 not
hat Al. 4 he ,her h.s
ity in the district at present constituted, but
Jared Perkins, the contestant, having a majority
in the townships Of the original district, claims the
seat upon the ground that the election was to
supply a vacancy in that district. VI III
Mr.. DISNEY, being entitled to the floor, pro-
eeeded at length TO maintain the right Of States to
change congressional districts at pleasure. (But
few Of his remarks could be heard by the reporter
Mr.. HIBBARD followed in legal argument
unop the same side. In reference to the charge
OF perrymandering, he snid that the first district
ing act was passed in 1886, the year when the
Wings and AboiIonists had temporary asceDden-
cv in the State. Without complaining of that act
he would simply say that they were consitu-
I'D ma to throw three thousand votes Of Demo-
cratic majority into the second district, and two
thousand into the fourth, while the first aud third
districts, represented by members Of opposite po-
Iitics, were elected by small majorties. His own
district extended two hundred miles, almost from
The north to the south line Of the State. Mr.. II
considered the question as legal one and depre-
ca ed decision upon party grounds.
Mr.. VAN DYKE took the ground that the sit
ting member came from new district, and not
from General Wilson's old district. He admitted
the right fthe legislature TO redstrct the State,
but argued that right had been vested in the ORR
rinal district which they could not destroy. He
regarded the matter in the light Of contract,
which could not be affected by ex post facto laws.
Mr. STRONG gave notice that he should call
for vote upon the question tomorrow morning.
Mr.. McLANE believing that the State OF New
Hampshire had power under the Constitution, to-
re -dis,rict the State, the only question was,
whether the law Of 1876 was repealed by that Of
,a5O He was satisfied that the last law 40 oper-
o,ed. This fact established, his judgment was de-
termined. New Hampshire was entitled to four
representatives To send home the sitting men,
her was TO infringe her right. M
Mr.. DUER desired the question to be settled,
without reference to party considerations. He
went on to combat the position assumed by the
gentleman from South Carolina, whom he under.
stood 10 attribute the doctrine that Congress had
not the power to provide for the election of repre-
sentatives in Congress. .l
Mr.. WOODWARD was understood to explain
that the only power Of Congress, under the Cor
stitution wns 10 regulate the number or represen-
tatives TO which each State was entitled, and that
CONGRESS had not power to command the states
TO district.
Mr.. DUER, resuming, argued that Congress
had power to do whatever was necessary to its
own existence. The provision OF the Consttn-
ton relating to the time and manner of eecting
REPRESENTATIVES, enlarged the general power of
Congress over the subject. rather than dimin-
ished Il. =.
M. D. was understood a. grounding his belief