Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-04-15
CONGRESS-.

cr g tbc salary Of the District Judge of Yer
NJ Downs moved that the Senate take mp the
jbill amendatory Of the apporiionment acl so as 10
/ fv Tho onooriionincpt OF California, III conse-
auence of the imperfect returns oil lhe CENSUS Ia
ken
Mr. Downs bill was then taken up as follows
The majority OF the Committee on Judiciary re-
port bill, directing that the Secretary OF the M
terror proceed forthwith to apportion the Repre-
scniatives among the several States. according
TO the Census and Apportionment Act OF May
$50, according to the returns OF population
which have been completed and returned to the
Census Office, including in the population OF Cal
ifornia the estimated returns for the Counties OF
Santa Clare san Francisco and Contra Costa.--
This would give her population Of l1.3ls, and
would allow her one representative, with lfac-
ton of about 2l.0O0 South Carolina has now
fraction of about 45,47s. and if California be set
down at III, Is, South Carolina will have
member for this fraction. LOUISIANA has irac-
ton of 6196.
Mr. Downs addressed the Senate explaining
the whole matter He argued that the consuu
ton of the United States required that rcprcson-
mtlyea should be apporuoned according 10 actual
enumeration only. No estimates of population
should be relied on, except perhaps, in thc cases
of the FIRST admission of suites. According 20 ac-
tual returns from California, her fraction over one
Representative was $4,000 If she was to have
nuothcr member for this he would insist on Lon
siana's right to one for her fraction Of lory-siX
/ thousand.
Mr. Bradbury replied reading from several
tables. and much documentary evidence, 20 show
that the returns from California were incomplete,
and that the population returned were short by
from 30 to 80 per cent of the actual population
of the State. in June. 1850. lie and Mr Geyer.
who were the minority Of the committee, were of
opinion that under the difficulties. uncertainties
and enbarrassmcnts Of the natter the best way
/ was To sllow South Carolina the member, and
/ then to increase the whole number of representa-
/ tiyes to 13l and give a member to California.
Mr. Gever then moved TO amend the bin. so as
TO increase the whole number Of Representatives
/ from Obj to pa.
MIA had far greater population than li1.OO0.
I lie was in favor Of the amendment
Mr. Pratt said be could not vote for the amend
mant because the Constitution ofthe United
Siatos was imperative that representation should De
appononed according to an actual enumeration
of the inhabitants.
Mr. Hale said, if there were data enough "
enable the Senate TO correct the actual returns
bv making the fraction of California greater than
that Of South Carolnn. thus showing that Caiior-
MA und not South Carolina, was entitled 10 the
members, why was one to be given 10 South Car
oliua at an Either California or South Carcli-
ma was entitled TO the member and il was nos
just TO the other States to give them both one.
Nr Geyar said that appononmont depended
ON actual returns from ali the States. assuming
233 as d.yisor The returns from California
were not only not complete. but entirely wrong.
HE was satisfied that the population of that State
exceeded $4,000. and would cut South Carolina
out But owinr TO the uncertainty of The mat-
ter he thou1ht il would be best to give both Of
them member
1lr Badger arreed with Mr. Gevcr srd alvo-
Gated the amendment
Tie debate was continued bv Ncssrs. Brad
barry and Badger. when without coming 10 auy
vote the Senate adjourned.
Housr.-The Speaker announced he first
business ia order. 10 be the following resolution.
introduced two weeks ago. bv Mr. Jackson. of
/ Georgia, and TO which he had called the previous
question.
Realized That we roconnize the binlino el-
cacv of the COMPROMISE oftbe Constitution; ana
believe it TO be the intention of the people gtn-
erillv. as ve hereby declare it TO be oufs inai-
yidt3ly. to abide such Copipro4lise. and d, s,is-
/ tain tie laws necessary to carry them apt-tho
provision for the delivery up Of furitiye slaves.
and the Act ofthe last Congress for that pur-
pose included aud that we deprecate all hriher
aoit.+ion of The question rrowiur ont Of chat
.lo..s,. OF questions embraced in the Acls ofthc