The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-04-08
WASHINGTON, March 81.

w MUICu
sESArE'-Mr. Douglas presented the
constitution Of Oregon. Also petition
nom tho citizens Of Dacotah, asking for tho
organization Of that Territory.
IN motion, tho consideration Of tho mo
mor'ai 10 suspend the laws Of Utah. WINS
trahs'errei from the judiciary committee to
the committee on territories.
lho Minnesota bill was taken up, when
Mr.. Folk, Of Mo-, moved in lieu of Mr.. vii.
sons amendment, adopted ON Monday, that
Minnesota be allowed tnrce Representatives
unqaaliiiedIy. Lost, nays "a, yeas Ia.
Mr.. lverson, Of Ga, moved tina, the State
OF Minnesota have only one, namely tho
Representatives Of tho three already elected
who had received the most votes, and that n
census be forthwith taken and the other two
allowed, II the census shall show that she in
entitled TO them.
Mr.. Fitch, Of Ind, moved TO amend Mr..
VERSIONS amendment by proposing that the
three Representatives DO allowed this ss.
sion, and thereafter such number m tho cen.
sas shall show.
Mr.. Doolittlc, Of Wh, moved TO amend
Mr. Fitch's amendment by substituting 2
instead OF 3 representatives,
The yeas and nays were ordered, but pre-
vioas TO their being taken. Mr.. Houston
spoke against the extraordinary stretch of
power involved in the matter OF allowing
representatives
Mc~rs. King, Of New York, and Hale,
ID New Hampshire, were also opposed TO
making the number of Representatives u
matter OF favor claiming that Congress had
no right TO stretch the Constitution of the
United States.
Mr.. Bright, Of Indiana, argued that II
was no iniraction OF tho Constitution 10 a..
sumo that population Of two hundred aud
my thousand Is entitled TO three Rcprocn-
tativcs. California was admitted with two
Representatives without census.
Mr.. Mason said that the Senate could not
consiitutonally decide who were elected
II would bo infringing the pcrogativc Of the
House. which possibly will decide the whole
election to be void. He wanted his vote NJ
corded that the enlightened mind of tho
country may sce that this government, al
though not seventy years Of age, Is in state
nj decay, and TINT questions Of constitution
al law arc made ~ bend 10 questions Of po-
nticni cNpsienCy.
Mr.. Gren, Of Mo-, said that the number
~ Representatives was 20 be determined by
Congress and the persons who ars 20 be
those representatives 10 bo decided by the
House alone. lie read list Of States ~
presented by fractions : Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, and others. and demanded
that Minnesota, having larger fraction
than many Of them, should have q represent
atiye. Therefore, by thu strict letter Of the
law, she was entitled 10 two.
Mr. pugh, Of Ohio, incidentally referring
TO Mr., Mnson's remarks. demonstrated that
Minnesota IL now State, md not Terri
tory, and hence has the right 10 elect officers
Ia represent her IN Congress.
Mr.. Doolittle's amendment Of Mr.. Fiteh's
amendment, WINS put and lost. Ayes 20,
nays 30.
Mr.. fitch'a original amendment WINS then
put and Lost. Ayes IL, nays 3G.
Mr.. Fitch moved another amendment
which wns subjected 10 various verbal alter
atoms from different Senators, and finally
assumed the shape that Minnesota shall have
two representatives until census show she
IL entitled to third. iost---ayS -, nays
20.
Mr.. Ivcrson moved that she BIZ entitled 10
two until the next appointment Of reprcscn-
tatyes among the various States. Lost
ayes %, nays 20.
The question recurring upon Mr.. Douglas
motion oi Monday Inst 10 strike out the
whole section. The ayes AMI nays being
asked thereon, Mr.. -. withdrew IL.
Mr.. Benjamin, Of La, moved To reconsider
the vote Inst taken, which motion being car.
ried by 3 majority the question REQUIRED
on Mr.. Iy1sons amendment, which was
adopted Ayes -, nays n.
Mr.. Yulcc, Of Florida, said he had some
amendments 10 offer, and moved 10 postpone
the subject till tomorrow. Several Hena-
tors seemed DESTROYS 10 take vote to-day,
but the Senate finally went into executive
session and Afterwards adjourned
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