The southern press., 1852-04-08
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
WEDNESDAY, April 2, 1852.
THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.


THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
Mr.. HALE presented two petitions OF inhab-
iants Of Pennsylvania, which ne sara were nu-
merously signed, asking the repeal OF inc fugitive
slave law.
Mr.. III. said he had intended to present some
remarks in regard to the practical operation OF the
law: but as resolution relating TO the whoie SUP
;ect Of the compromise measures would DE before
The Senate in few days, he would defer MS re-
marks to that time. .L.
RESOLUTIONS OF MAINE
Mr.. BRADBURY presented resolutions passed
bv he LEGISLATURE Of Maine, recommending that
the assistance Of the government be extended 70
the European and North American Railway !;
which were ordered to be printed.
pRorEcrioN OF PROPERTY IN THE DISTRICT OF CO.
LUMBIA.
Mr.. DOWNS, from the Committee on the Ju-
d;c;arv 10 whom was referred the memorial OF IN
habitants of the city and county OF washington,
presented in March last, reported Dill 10 prevent
malicious mischief, and protect properly 10 sns
District of Columbia winch was feasi a"u P"''e1
to the second reading.
n.rnu,ppr ABSTRACTION OF PUBLIC PAPERS.
Mr. DOWNS, from the same committee, to
whom was referred the message of the President
.on.arn;np the fraudulent abstraction OF papers
frono npblic Offices, reported bill in addition TO
the several acts for the punishment or crimes
apa;nst the United States, in accordance with the
Recommendation of the President which was
read and passed TO a second reading
EXTENSION OF THE NATURALIZATION LAWS.
Mr.. BRADBURY, by unanimous consent, In
troduced bill to extend thetenehts OF the act TO
Establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and to
rsnea the acts heretofore passed on that subject,
10 the wives and children Of citizens; which was
rad twice and referred.
TEST OF GOALS.
M. PRATT submitted resolution requesting
the Secretary Of the Navy to communicate 10 the
Senate a copy of the report OF Engineer Ellis, OF
his test of Goals, made at the Navy Yard IN Wash
ington, in May and June, 1851.
The resolution was agreed to-
THE DEFICIENCY BILL.
M. uIrNTER, from the Committee on Fl
r.rce reported back the House bill to supply de-
6ciencies in the appropriations for the hscal year
and;ng the Goth June, 1852, with sundry amend
nsn,s. which were ordered to be printed
THE AppoRrIoNMENr BILL.
Ao.r sone debate as to the order Of business,
The Senate resumed the consideration OF the
In sunnlementary to an act providing Tor the
sar;no az the seventh and subsequent censuses OF
.Ia Ifn;,sd States and to fix the number or mem
hers of the House Of Representatives, ana pro-
vide for their future apportonment among the
several States, approved 2ju May, iOoo' :. =,
Mr.. RHETT proposed, II IN order' 10 oner the
following amendment TO the bill
prov;5ed. That the State of California shall be
.,,;,Ied N two Representatives, IN accordance
with the act admitting said State into me Union,
until the next enumeration OF the lnhaoitants OF
the United States.
The CHAIR said the amendment would not be
in order.
,hs ,roner time in some shape. he proceeded TO
s,.,t az Grounds upon which he thought the Sen
80 shorid crf4s did not think the subject
surrounded with ais many endorsements as
some Senators supposed. He contended that the
number 10 constitute the House OF Representa-
tiyes was definitely fixed by the census act of
1850. and he was not in favor OF passing any law
10 chsnge that number. But under that act the
State which he represented was enuted to a fras-
tional representative, and II would De unjust 70
deprive herof that representative. IN the law for
~ ad,n;ss,on of California into the Union il was
,Iso stipulated that she should have two represen-
tativ,s In Congress until the next enumeration Of
her inhabitants was held. IL was EVIDENT he
argued. that there had been no enumeration
sueh as this law contemplated. IL was plain,
then. that California should be allowed two repre-
sentatives in Congress until an actual enumeration
took place.
Mr.. DOWNS thought Louisiana would also
be entitled TO a fractional representative, end he
proposed TO increase the whole number 80 as to
give her one. He proceeded to argue the justice
OF this proposition.
A lengthy discussion ensued, in which Messrs.
DAVIS, Gwix, DAwsox, WALKER, RusK, SHIELDs,
Bell, Hale, UEDERwooD. BoRLAED, and others,
participated; pending which
On motion, the Senate adjourned.