MONDAY, June 25.
_Alien Enemies._
On motion of Mr. S. SMITH, the House went into a Committee of the Whole
on the bill respecting alien enemies. The Chairman stated, that when
this bill was formerly under consideration, a motion was made to strike
out the first section, which was negatived. He proceeded to read the
second.
Mr. OTIS hoped the committee would rise. He made this motion with a view
of moving, in the House, a postponement of the consideration of this
bill until the next session of Congress. He did not know that there was
any immediate necessity for it, the PRESIDENT having sufficient power
over aliens by the bill already passed.
Mr. GALLATIN said, he did not expect a motion of this kind. If any bill
respecting aliens was necessary, it was certainly a bill of this kind
against alien enemies; but a bill having been passed against aliens
generally, the gentleman from Massachusetts appears now to be willing to
pass by the bill against alien enemies. This gives a new coloring to the
business, and it seems as if gentlemen were more desirous of guarding
against alien friends than alien enemies. It is true, if this bill is
not passed, the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES will have the power of
removing from the country all those aliens whom he may think it
necessary and proper to be removed, whether they are alien enemies or
alien friends. But, if alien enemies are really dangerous, it cannot be
supposed that the PRESIDENT can remove them all. This bill, therefore,
provides in what manner they may be laid under certain restraints by way
of security.
Mr. OTIS interrupted Mr. G. to say he would withdraw his motion. He made
it, because he expected the bill would have been objected to by the
gentleman from Pennsylvania and his friends. Since they were agreeable
to pass it, he had no objection to it.
The committee rose and reported the bill, and it was ordered to be read
a third time to-morrow.
THURSDAY, July 5.
_Punishment of Crime._