Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-07-10
The Proposed Retrocession of Alex
andria.

In the United State Senate on Thursday,
on motion of Mr.. Wade, the bill repeating the
act retroccding the county of Alexandria to
the State of Virginia was taken up
Mr.. Wade took the floor and proceeded to
give history~of the ceSsion of the District
of Columbia to the General Government for
the purpose of establishing the national capi-
tai, and maintained that the cession was per-
manent; that the act of 1913 retrocedng Alex
andria county to the State of Virginia was null
and void, no constitutional power existing in
Congress to pass the said act. He had no
doubt from what he had heard that majors
ty of the people of Alexandria were now anx-
ious to come back, although when the subject
was first agitated they were opposed to it.
1t was necessary for the purposes ct the Gov
eminent that 1t should have the whole ten
miles square under its jurisdiction,
Mr.. Davis said he was a member of the
House when Alexandria retroceded, aud had
voted against it, not believing that it was
competent for Congress to pass the act. He
believed SO still, but was of the opinion that
the question was purely judiciary one and
was therefore not disposed to vote for the pend
ing bill. If he was a citizen of Alexandria,
why, in Gods name, he would never want to
be under the rule of Congress. He had voted
against the joint resolution providing for the
annexation Of Texas, as he was satisfied that
Congress, whose powers are of a legislative
nature only, had no authority to pass such a
resolution. Still, he would not vote for re-
peal of that joint resolution. He was convin-
ced that the State of West Virginia had no
legal or constitutional existence, but as he
thought the matter was one entirely for the
courts, he should not vote to repeal the act
admitting it as Il State
Mr.. Saulsburysuggested to the Senator from
Ohio Mr.. Wadel to postpone the further
consideration of the bill, as Senators had not
an opportunity to be informed OF the merits
of the case.
Mr.. Wade said he had no objection, and
would therefore move that it be postponed
until to morrow.
Mr.. Cowan said it was purely judicial ques-
ton, as had been stated. He thought the most
proper course to take would be to refer the
subject to the Committee on the judiciary.
Mr.. Howard had never heard ony opinion
5ut that the act Ofretrocessiou was null and
void. Congress had no power whatever to
give up any portion of the District it was
contrary to the wishes and feelings of the
United States.
Mr.. Salisbury asked if Congress should de-
termlne to remove the seat of government,
what then would become OF the District and Of
the public buildings here Gould Congress
retrocede this territory in that case to the State
of Maryland.
Mr. Howard said that had nothing to do
with the subject now under discussion, and as
it was not material to the subject he did not
think it necessary to answer the question.
Mr.. Cowan said if the act of retrocessior
was nullity, then it would be a nullity to re-
peal that act. What was the use of repeating
that which had never been done? The SUBJ
jcct should be referred to the Judiciary Com
mittee, and the Attorney General be requests
ed to give his opinion as to the constitutional
ty of the act.
The further consideration of the bill was
then postponed.