The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-11

place, and mode, but from the one providing that
the House shall be composed Of members chosen
every second year by the people Of the several
ates, and that the electors in the several States
shall have the qualifications for electors Of the
most numerous branch of the State Legislature.
From this he argued that Representatives must be
chosen with view to equality, which could only
be accomplished by dividing into districts. lie
denied the right Of State To give small portion
the power TO elect two or more members. Dou-
BILE representation would be violation OF the Con-
stitution. In such Congress could Interfere.
He commended that the townships separated from
PeasIees district and annexed to Wilson's, had
voted twice. and the Constitution had been thereby
violated. At the close of Mr.. 8. = remarks,
Mr.. DANIELS moved the previous question,
which was sustained by the House.
Mr. STRONG, chairman Of the Committee on
Elections, exercising his right under the rule to
close the debate, spoke at length, combating the
arguments urged against the report and resou-
ton. He could not comprehend such thing az
q vested right ia Congressional district-a right
vested in representative by the Constitution, but
not by a districting act. There was no vested
right in the people of district, except the right
Of franchise. Suppose il were SO, the right 10
vote to fill the vacancy in Wilson's district must
be confined to those who voted at his election.
The whole right Of the people of the district arose
under the distrcting act. That repealed, previous
rights fell with it, Past acts were good; but acts,
WHICH poWeT nuu DtcU WitnucIu, WcIc uOs au-
missibe. The second dstricting act repealed the
first, because providing that the law should go
into effect from its passage. Mr.. s. commended
that the vacancy was from State, and not dis-
trict. The Constitution speaks Of vacancies as
from States. He read from report of Mr.. Web
ster in 1922, which affirms the general pow er Of
States in relation to representatives, as advocated
by the friends OF the sitting member.
Mr.. VINTON asking if that report was not
made previous to the law Of l842, was answered
in the negative.
Mr.. DUER said there was nothing in the report
inconsistent with the views he had expressed.
MIR Webster had never been understood as doubt
ing the constitutonaIity of the act Of l942.
Mr.. STRONG, resuming, said, Mr.. Webster,
throughout the report, contemplated State as a
unit with reference to the election Of representa-
tives in Congress-. Mr. s. proceeded further in
calculation Of this point, and closed with an ear
nest appeal TO the House to recognize the entire
authority Of States relating the election Of rep
q MIR. SWEETZER moved call of the House.
but was informed by the Speaker that it was not |
in order pending the previous question. He then !
moved an adjournment, and called the yeas and |
nays, with view, as he said to enable absent |
members to come into the House. The House
refused to adjourn
The motion was then put upon the amendment
Of Mr.. Tuck giving the seat to the contestant. and
it was defeated. Ayes "a, nays 1903.
The resolution giving the seat to G. w.
MORRIsoN, was then agreed to- Ayes SO, nays 80. |
The House then adjourned