True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-02-25
GelegraqBtt
Congressional Proceedings.

WASHINGTON, Feb. .-Sendte,-
The Senate proceeded to the considera
ZION Of the House BILL authorizing the
people. of Minnesota to form constitu-
tion and State government preparatory
10 admission into the Union.
Mr. Biggs moved an amendment, that
none but citizens of the United States be
entitled to vote with reference 10 the for
nation OF the constitution and State CO..
yernment. He did not know but what
the offering Of such a proposition might
subject him to suspicion of being tainted
with Know Nothngism. but whether this
was one of the principles Of the American
party or not, he was decidedly in favor
Of confning the privilege of voting to ci-
tizens of the United States, native or ma
turalized in the formation Of all organic
laws.
Mr.. Brodhead alluded 10 the action of
the Senate on the Nebraska bill. They
adopted an amendment similar to this,
which the House struck out, when the
bill came back to the Senate. lie again
moved 10 insert that provision in the bill,
being the only northern member who
would sanction that amendment from the
beginning 10 the end, the others who vo.
ted for it al first having yielded their con-
victions in order to allow the bill to pass,
hence he was in favor of the present pro.
position because he believed the right of
suffrage was co-extensive with the right
of citizenship. He did not feel at liberty
in defining the rights of voters to 60 fur
ther than the constitution of his own
State has gone, and that has confined the
right of suffrage to the citizens of the
| United States.
Mr. Brown expressed his hearty con-
currence in the views expressed by the
Senator from Pennsylvania.
Mr.. Douglass replied to Mr. Biggs'
remarks, maintaining that the amendment
was improper and showing in several in
stances that persons had been constituted
citizens of some of the states who were
not citizens of the United States.
Mr.. Seward considered the question
involved as settled long ago and forever,
If Congress can permit all the people Of
/. California and Texas to como into the
Union as organized States ii can say q
class Of persons within the United States,
who are not citizens, shall exercise the
right of suffrage on this which is simi
lar occasion. lie was in favor Of admit
ting aliens to vote for the reason tina
: these new states are 10 be settled chiefly
by aliens and foreigners, or in a lalge de
gree by them, and believing this class o
: emgrants who come to this country are
: as a general fact, as intelligent and capa
BILE of exercising the functions of f-go
vernment as our own educated citizens.
Mr.. Bell of Tenn, favored the amend
menls, and advocated such modification
, of the existing naturalization laws a
. would provide additional securities agains
; the gross abuses which have been practi
: ced under them.
t Mr.. Douglass appealed to the Scnat
t not TO enter into a long discussion, els
. they might lose important territorial bills
r Messrs. Mason, Biggs and Crittcnde
9 advocated it.
: MesSrs. Toucey and Wilson oppose
i it.
y Mr., Clay entered protest again:
d Stewards doctrine that The right of suh
t rage was coordinate with the obIigalo
Il to submit to and support any defined &c
v yernment that would allow infants, VIC
men and even colored persons to have
e right 10 vote. This should teach TIL
9 importance of having some limit attache
/ to the right of forming organic laws. H
is was the first in the Senate to denounc
II Know Nolhingism, but would vote fc
n this amendment. lie confessed that
re erred in voting for the Nebraska bill, al
1t ter Clayton's amendment was stricke
st out.
\, Buder,he too voted for Clayton's amen,
ID ment' but yielded from the necessity
e. The case, to save the bill.
Of Briggs amendment was adopted;
al against "a, The bill passed.
III The bill also passed establishing j
lie dicial district in the Gadsden purchas
r. creating the office Of Surveyor Gener;
granting donations TO actual settlers, &
The bill authorizing the people Of Or
In gon 70 establish State Government VI
'le taken up.
of Mr.. Green offered an amendment e
he tending similar authority to the people
la Kansas. pending which the Senate a
n journed.
nf HouSe.-The House took up and pa
u y sed the Post Office appropriation bill.
~ The House then proceeded to the &C
oil sideraton of the resolution, that jud
len Watsons of Texas, be impeached Of hi
w, crimes and misdeneanors.
in Mr.. Oakeman mentioned The fact Il
ite Judge Peck was presented in the i
ted week of the session Of Congressin l8(
ro- "The House declared he was liable to
!. peachment; the subject went over
al s the ensuing session, when Mr.. Peck v
, ~, VI impeached and dismissed from office
IVY He hoped the resolution pending wor
re- be postponed till Saturday next.
Mr.. Barber concurred i'll this sugg
ton.
en' Humphrey Marshall did not know h
W ,ve' the House could repair the injustice d,
ury to Judge Watsons, better than by ord
ieo ing the impeachment, and they might
rye we'll do it now. If he were Judge "
'ifk' sons. he would demand ii.
,leS Mr.. Ready said although he had
leu right to speak by authority, he had un(
IIa!e stood that Judge Watsons desires the
Illi- yesligalion. and thinks he will be perft