Washington sentinel., 1854-01-31

equesting the Senate 10 return TO the House the
oinf resolution adopted by the last inamed body on
he 18th instant, proposing the appointment Of
ONT committee on an amendment, submitted by
hat gentleman 10 the Constitution of the United
States relative to the mode of electing the Presi
dent and Vice President of the United States
He said his proposition was TO withdraw his
motion; as he had learned that the senator who
had made the motion in the other branch OF Con-
gress 10 lay the joint resolution upon the table
would not insist on the motion, and that il was
probable the Senate would appoint committeeto
act in conjunction with that of the House.
He wished to offer word of explanation, ASST
ring the House that il was not his purpose TO be-
come a common babbler on this floor, and said
that he intended TO speak only when bis duty
should so require. He found that the proposition
which he had ventured 10 offer was misunder-
sMod He desired an amendment of the Consti-
tuition in relation 10 the election Of President and
Vice President so as 10 allow the people 10 vote
directly for those officers, withoutthe intervention
Of electoral agents, on whom at present rests no
POLITICAL legal or moral obligations 10 the will Of
their constituents In lieu he proposed to divide
each State into as many districts as there are sena
tors and representatives; the majority of each dis
trict casting the vote for the whole people
Perhaps it might be sufficient 10 say that this
amendment proposes no new policy.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, raised question
that the question was not debatable; which point
The SPEAKER overruled.
Mr. EWING said he did not design to debate
the propriety Of amending the Constitution of the
United States; but, as he had been asked what
he contemplated, he merely desired TO make
brief explanation.
Mr.. HIBBARD inquired whether not the
effect ofthe amendment, il adopted, would not be
10 abolish the present mode OF choosing electors
by the votes of the States
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, again rose TO qucs
~ pf orb An Inn m IN he nsfif n
was not before this House, but merely PROPOSE
tion asking the Senate to return certain resolu-
ton; therefore amendment TO the Constitution
was dobatable.
Mr.. EWING repeated he did not design to de-
bate the amendment; and remarked that similar
proposition had been advocated by such men as
Benton, Van Buren, Mahlon Dickerson George
McDufie Robert S. Hayne, Nathaniel Macon,
Richard M. Johnson, of Kentucky and others, and
that il was opposed by Rufus King, the great fed
,eralist of New York. He merely wished tosecure
the proposition consideration. In word they
who seem to apprehend danger in opening up the
Constitution 10 amendment seem not to see the
hidden rock on which we may be wrecked. II
the time should ever come when three fourths OF
the States shall undertake to deny to the remain
ing fourth the rights now secured and repeal the
constitutional guarantees, any proposition such as
this offered TO prevent such result, would be
/" whistled down the wind" as utterly idle.
Mr.. HIBBARD wished 10 know whether the
system of choosing electors by States, annihiatng
the State lines.
Mr.. EWING could not undertake to argue with
the gentleman now, but would say the effect
would not be such as the gentleman described
He simply wished to confne himself 10 the direct
question Of the importance of an examination. lie
appealed 10 gentlemen 10 suspend u or views II
they have not yet examined the subject, and TO
await report in order that they may decide fairly
on the merits of the proposition without preJu-
Il. al Il
for the reason that he was happy TO learn the
ator who had made the motion 10 lay the joint reso-
ton upon the table in that body would withdraw
it, and that the resolution would be acted upon
favorably.
Mr.. HIBBARD inquired whether the motion
could be withdrawn.
The SPEAKER replied in the affirmative.
Mr.HIBBARD wished to make brief response
to Mr. EwING; but objection was made.
MILAGE. =
Mr. McMULLEN introduced bill changing
the mode of compensating senator's and represen-
tatives, and delegates from the Territories; which
was referred TO The Committee on Mllage
INDIAN TREATIES.
Mr.. ORR introduced bill defining the terms on
which treaties shall hereafter be made with GER
tain tribes Of Indians, and for other purposes
which was referred to the Committee on Indian
Affairs.
Mr. BOYCE offered resolution, requesting the
President TO communicate to the House, If moi
inconsistent with the public interest, any corre-
spondenee which may have taken place between
our government and that of Holland, with regard
to the refusal of the Dutch authorities in the East
Indies TO receive or recognise American consuls.
On motion of Mr.. BAYLY, the resolution was
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
INDEPENDENCE OF LIBERIA.
Mr.. CORWIN offered resolution, instructing
the Committee on Foreign Afiairs TO inquire into
the propriety OF recognising the independence of
Liberia and that they report by bill or otherwise.
Objection having been made, the resolution
went over
MOUNT VERNON.
. Mr. TAYLOR, Of Ohio, offered resolution in
structing the Committee on Military Affairs TO in
auile into the expediency Of changing the site Of
the military asylum, near the city of Washington.
from its present location TO the estate OF Mount
Vernon, If the same can be purchased at reason
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