The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-02-22
Saturday, February IL, 1855.
SENATE

and resolutions, reclting that the Constitution
of the United States confers on Congress the
power to establish a uniform rule of naturaliza-
ton, but is silent as to the exercise of any
power over the subject of immigration. The
Constitution, however, declares that all powers
not delegated to the United States by the Con-
stitution, nor prohibited to the States by it. are
reserved to the States, respectively, or to the
| people, and resolving that Congress has no
power to pass any law regulating or controlling
immigration into any of the States Territories
of the Union; but that the power to prescribe
| such rules and regulations touching this sub
| ject as may be deemed necessary to the safety
| ndhappiness ofthepeople, belongs to the States,
| respectively, to the people and that each
State may determine for itself the evils result
| ing from the influx of criminal and pauper i'm
migration tothis country and apply such remedy
| as their wisdom may suggest, or their safety
| demand.
The resolution lies over for future action.
Mr.. Cass gave notice that on Monday next he
should ask the indulgence of the Senate to
make an explanation which may, perhaps, be
considered personal. 1t will be recollected, that
during the last session he called the attention
of the Senate to a declaration made by the
British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,
in the House of Lords, that union had been
formed between France and England. Since
then, and recently, statement has appeared in
the public papers, purporting to be by the au-
thority of Lord Clarendon, denying that the
true construction was put upon his words, and
condemning pretty severely the course Mr.. Cass
had pursued.
The Senate considered the bill granting
credit Of three years to railroad companies, for
the payment of duties on imported iron.
1t was debated until the Senate adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The House resumed the consideration of the
bill making appropriations for the transporta-
ton of the United States mail, by ocean steamers
and otherwise, during the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1856.
The question was stated on concurring in the
following amendment, reported from the Com
mittee OF the Whole on the state of the Union:
"For the transportation of the mails from
New York to Liverpool and back, $685., 900;
and that the proviso contained in the first sec
ton of an act entitled AN act to supply de-
hciencies in the appropriations for the service
of the fiscal year ending the 30th Of June, 1882
approved the 2lst day of july 1852, be, and
the same is hereby, repealed Provided, That
Edward X. Collins and his associates shall
proceed with all due diligence to build another
steamship in accordance with the terms of the
contract and have the same ready for mail
service in two years from and after the passage
of this act; and if said steamship is not ready
within the time above mentioned, by reason of
any neglect or want of diligence on their part,
then the said Edward X. Collins and his as.
sociates shall convey the United States mail
between New York and Liverpool, from the ex-
piration of the said two years, every fortnight,
free of any charge to the Government, until the
new steamship shall have commenced the said
mail service"
oh
yeas 100, nays SO.
The House cOncurred in another amendment
making appropriations for the ocean mail ser.
vice for the present year, the bill for that pur-
pose having failed during the last session.
The bill was passed-yeas SO, nays 80.
The Speaker laid before the House a mes
sage from the President of the United States.
returning with his objections the bill making
satisfaction for French spoliations on American
commerce.
1t was read. The President first defines his
power under the Constitution. If he approve
bill passed by Congress, he must sign it, or if
he dlsapproye, return it, with his objections, to
the House in which it originated, for their fur
Their action, where it may be repassed not bv
numerical majority, but by a vote of two thirds
The President is responsible to the entire
people, as Senator is to his State, or Rep
resentative to his State or district They are
not required to pursue course of legislation
not in obedience to the requirements ofduty.
1t was asserted that the refusal of the United
States to satisfy these claims rests on the Justice
of the country. If this be so, then the imputa-
ton on the public honor is aggravated, and
there has been persistent wrong during this
entire period of time.
But no such imputation could be cast on the
men who participated in the action in which
the claims originated. Their justification con-
sists in the absence of and Indebtedness on the
part of the United States; that they cast stain
on our national character has not vet been
endorsed by the American people. But if so,
this bill would stamp on the past indelible
stigma. 1t proposes, not to pay the claims,
but to compound them. A law to this effect
would be perpetual bar to full Justice,
This is not the way to repair a wrong, if one
exists. Nothing from Jefferson, Madison, and
Monroe, has been brought to light, to strip this
subject embarrassment; nothing of this nature
has occurred They never recognised the claims.
The bill does not stand on basis of controlling
authority, but on a matter of history. The pay
ment OF these claims was never deemed, by any
President worthy of recommendation to Con
gress.
The President then proceeds to review the
history of the case, aludng TO the treaty be-
tween the United States and France in 1875,
urging that those claims were never assumed
by this country.
Mr. Bayly, little as he was impressed with
the reasoning of the veto message, thought it
due to the President on the subject that the
House should have an opportunity Of deliberately
studying that document. He was q friend of the |
Administration, but still greater friend of the |
veto power
He moved that the consideration of the mes |
sage be postponed until Wednesday next and |
that it be printed
Mr.. Jones, of Tennessee, while he would be |
willing to give gentlemen an opportunity to be |
heard, was influenced by reasons of public ne |
cessity There being but twelve legislative days
remaining Of the present SESSION. in moving |
the previous question, with view of acting on |
the message at this time.
Mr.. Jones was asked to withdraw his motion, |
but he refused saying he intended it as a test |
question. If gentlemen did not wish to sustain |
it, they could vote it down.
The question was taken on the motion Of Mr.. |
Jones, and decided in the negative-yeas 62,
nays 80. !
The question required On postponing the con-
sideration of the message until Wednesday next,
at halfpast twelve o'clock
Pending the consideration Of the motion, the
House at haf-past three o'clock adjourned.