The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-08

SENATE.

THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.


THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
Mr.. HALE presented two petitions Of inhab-
isants Of Pennsylvania, which he said were nu-
msrously signed, asking the repeal Of the fugitive
slave law.
Mr.. H. said he had intended to present some
rssaarks in regard to the practical operation OF the
law; bat ~ a resolution relating to tho whole sub
ject OF the compromise measures would be before
the Senate in few days, he would defer his re-
marks to that time
The petitions were ordered to lie on the liable
RESOLUTIONS or MAINE.
Mr.. BRADBURY presented resolutions passed
by the legislature Of Maine, recommending that
the assistance Of the government be extended to
the European and North American Railway
which were ordered to be printed.
PROTECTION or PROPERTY IN THE DISTRICT OF CO.
LUMBiA.
Mr.. DOWNS, from the Committee on the Ju-
dietary, TO whom was referred the memorial ofin-
habitsnts of the city and county of Washington,
presented in March last, reported bill to prevent
malicious mischief, and protect property in the
District of Columbia which was read and passed
to the second reading
FRAUDULENT ABSTRACTION OF PUBLIC PAPERS.
Mr.. DOWNS, from the same committee, to
whom was referred the message Of the President
concerning tho fraudulent abstraction Of papers
from public Offices, reported bill in addition to
the several acts for the punishment OF crimes
against 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 the benefits of the act to
establish uniform rule of naturalization, and to
repeal the acts heretofore passed on that subject,
to the wives and children of citizens which was
read twice and referred.
TEST OF GOALS.
Mr. PRATT submitted resolution requesting
the Secretary Of the Navy to communicate to 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.
Mr.. HUNTER, from the Committee on FL
nance. reported back the House bill to supply de-
fciences in the appropriations for the fiscal year
ending the goth June, 1852, with sundry amend
ments ; which were ordered to be printed
THE AppoRTIoNMENT BILL.
After some debate as to the order Of business,
The Senate resumed the consideration Of the
bill supplementary to an act providing tor the
taking of the seventh and subsequent censuses of
the United States and to fix the number Of men,
bers of the House Of Representatives, and pro-
vide for their future apportlonment among the
several States, approved 23d May, 1850.
Mr.. RdETT proposed, if in order, to offer the
following amendment to the bill
Provided, That the State Of California shall be
entitled to two Representatives, in accordance
with the act admitting said State into the Union,
until the next enumeration of the inhabitants OF
the United States.
The CHAIR said the amendment would not be
in order.
Mr.. RHETT said he would bring it forward at
the proper time in some shape. He proceeded to
state the grounds upon which he thought the SEN
ate should act He did not think the subject was
surrounded with as many embarrassments as
some Senators supposed. He contended that the
number to constitute the House of Representa-
tives was definitely fixed by the census act Of
1850. and he was not in favor OF passing any law
to chsnpe that number. But under that act the
State which he represented was entitled to afrac-
tonal representative, and it would be unjust to
deprive her of that representative In the law for
the admission of California into the Union it was
Also stipulated that she should have two represen
tatives in Congress until the next enumeration of
her inhabitants was held. IL was evident, he
argued, that there had been no enumeration
auch as this law contemplated. It was plain,
then. that California should be allowed two repre-
sentatives in Congress until actual enumeration
took place.
Mr.. DOWNS thought Louisiana would also
be entitled to fractional representative, end he
proposed to increase the whole number so to
give her one. He proceeded to argue the justice
Of this proposition.
A lengthy discussion ensued, in which Messrs.
DAVIS, GwIN, DAWSON, WALKER, RUsK, SHIELDS,
BELL, HALE, UNDERWOOD. BoRLAND, and others,
participated; pending which
On motion, the Senate ad journed.