New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-01-10
FROM WASHING TON.


WASHINGTON Jan. :, 1851.
Though the holidays are passed, Congress shows
no inveterate desire to work 1t adjOurns over the
eth of January for no reason in particular but
Ettle buDkuD.
The Tariff bills Of Campbell and Letcber have
been sent TO the Committee of the Whole for discus
sioD What will come of them, puzzles prophecy.
There is a strong disposition IN ali economical quar-
ters to cut down the receipts from customs, by way
Of eDptyiDg the treasury, and thus destroying the
trade of the bOrers. For this reason, the duty on
sugar, which brought into the treasury over six
millions Last year, and will bring good deal more
this, stand q chance of repeal. If the duty
was intended to promote the making of sugar
from the cane it IL failure, since the
product from that source has fallen of from
near half million to less than one hundred thou
sand hoesheads. And all know protection does not
box 10 the support of any interest which Is nerI
aoDg 10 be- able to bear its own weight If the
around is ~ be now taken that the original object
Of the duty has failed, but that it is nevertheless
good policy to continue 1t for the purpose of en-
couraRing the sugar manufacture from the new
Chinese plant the question is to be considered.
But will the Sorghum make sugar or will it only
make candy That appears to be the main point to
be settled Till this is done it seems TO be doubt
full whether the duty is Of much account except to
the consumers of sugar. But Congress is BY no
means disposed to be rash on the subject.
The contested seat of MIR. Harlan, Senator from
Iewa, is exciting prOtracted debate The case is
this: the Legislature of Iowa eight years ago enacted
. law that their United States Senators should be
chosen by Convention composed Of beth branches
of the Legislature duty assembled for that purpose
At the time Mr.. Harlan claims to have been elected
the Senate of Iowa was Democratic and the House
Anti Democratic. Both bodies, however agreed
10 10 into Joint Convention for the choice Of Sens
Tor. The Convention held several sessions and adj
journed from day to day without efectlDg choice.
At length majority of the Senate declined to meet
the Convention ut one of its regularly adjourned
meetings. large minority, however, were pres
emit. At this session the Convention proceeded iu
the ordinary and regular way, regardless of the alb
sence Of the delinquent Senators, and elected Mr..
Harlan who came to Washington and took his seat.
Subse quently protest fled by the withdraw
ing Senators against the validity of the election,
The ground that the Senate Of Iowa had DO knowl-
CNkc W. anu hoi paiktClpaN but dCItu VI
the Joint Convention.
The subject was referred several weeks ago to
the Judiciary Committee. Mcssrs. Butler, Gcyer
and Toucey, from that Committee, reported against
the legality Of Mr.. Harlsu's election. Mr.. ToOmbs
and Mr. Pagh, from the same Com .nittee, make an
sdvsrse report, and uphold Nj. Hsrau's right 10
bis seat
The majority Of the Committee plsce their deci-
sion On the ground that 8 msjonty Of the Iowa
Senate did not act 10 the election, and that such
majority is essential 10 render it valid, mixing tbs
view up with iode6bable objection intimsted,
but nowhere boldly asserted, that an election of
Senator cannot be lawfully m,ds without the con.
eurrence of both branches Of the Legislature acting
in their distinctive capacities.
The minority, on the other hand, claim that the
Legislature Of State 10 competent to declare that
the election of Senators shall be made by joint
convention Of both branches and that when such
convention is once fairly convened and regularly
organized, il is sole master Of its own proceeding
and may 60 on by the action of majority Of its
saorum to the accomplishment Of the business be-
fore it, Whatever the action of minority of the
body, whether Senators or Representative, may be-
In the discussion there has been a good deal of
refining upon the necessity of the action of a ma.
jsrify Of esch branch while acting in Convention,
and If Mr. Harlan loses his seat il will be on the
frivolous ground that this majority did not act in
his ease.
But the only real question in the ease lie, whether
State Legislature has the right, under the Con- |
stiiutOD, to elect Senators in any other way than
BY the separate action of each branch Of the Le-
in fact ary election Of Senator
~ sjOiut cOpveotion is not invalid. The eOnsh-