Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-04-07
CONGRESSIONAL.
HOUSE-MoNDAY March FL

On motion of Mr. Forester,
Reso'oed, That the committee on revo-
lutionary claims inquire into the expedi-
ency of extending the benefit of the pen
sion law fifth June, 1882, to such revo-
lutionary soldiers as served three months
at one or more times during the war of
the revolution.
On motion Of Mr. James,
Reso'ued That the secretary of war be
directed to lay before this house the re-
port Of the United States engineer re alive
to the survey Of canal from Wells river
to Burlington, Vermont
SENATE-TUEsDAy, March %.
Mr. Benton, from the se,ect committee
appointed in reference to the dispute be-
tween Ohio and Michigan, and the north
ern boundary of Ohio, reported a bill for
the admission of Michigan into the States
Of the Union; which was read, and or
dered to a second reading.
HOUSE-FRIDAY, March rs.
INcENDIARY PUBLICATIONS.
Mr. Hall, of Vermont, from the COM
mittee on the Post Office and Post Roads,
asked leave to make report on behalf of
the minority of that committee, on that
part ofthe Presidents message relative to
lncendiary publications.
On rising, Mr. Hail said it was proper
he should precede the report he was about
to submit with a brief statement. About
the first or second week Of the session,
when the Presidents Message was dissect-
Ell by the resolutions of the gentleman
from New York, (Mr Beardsley) so much
Of it as related to the p st Office Depart
ment, including the sub ect Of incendiary
publications, was referred to the commit
tee on the Post Office and Post Roads
The committee took the So Jet into imme
date consideration, and in the course Of
some two or three weeks came to the cor
ciusion, by vote of 8 to in favor of the
constitutionaIity and expedien of legisla-
| ton, to restrain the mail circulation of
these pub ications. The committee then
proceeded to discuss various bills propos-
ed by different members ofthe committee,
and continued the discussion from week to
week, and time to time, until about three
weeks since, when a majority not being
able to agree on any mode of Legislation,
the whole sub ect was, by vote of the ma
jority, laid on the table Of the committee,
with the view as he (Mr Il. understood OF
waiting the action Of the Senate, and get
ting further light on the subject.
Mr. H. said he did not complain Of this
decision of the committee, and he was
ready to accord to the majority the same
upr. ght motives which be would claim for
himself They doubtless supposed there
was reasonable proba biIity oftheir event
ualiy coming to an agreement But, be.
lieving as he did that the more light gen
tlemen got, the more difficulty they would
find in agreeing on bill, he could no
he p considering the subject as disposed o.
for the session. Whether that were the
case or not the minority ofthe committee
having come TO the conclusion that Con
gre-s o s-sSed no constitutional power tt
pass any law on the subjte were through
with their inquiries, had completed thei
investigation, and were read to report
And the nature of their report could no
be effected by any future action, or wan
of action, ofthe ma ority. This report O
the minority was now, and must continu
10 be, that Congress had no power to &C
, on the subject
+ MIR H. sail the position of the minority
was very peculiar. The subject referee
: to the committee was one of much interes
| The President, in his message, had re
p commended Legislation to Congress; hi
=. argument, the argument of the FoStmaste
General, and that of distinguished Sena
tor, the chairman of committee of anothe
v body, all in favor of legislation, had bee
printed, laid on our tables, and read b
every member. In this hall not a wor,
l. not whisper had been heard in oppos
n ton to the principles thus Promulgated
! In the flce ofthis official array of niger
ious argument, the minority. acting undt
$, the oath they had takento support the Coz
J. sti,ution Of the United States, had felt it
= be lhair mperious duty to oppose in con
8 mittee every form of Legislation whic
/! had been proposed. Under these circun
IS stances, they felt that their position WI
Of one of much responsibility; that the
course of action. and perhaps their m
tiyes, were liable to mis1pprehensio
n misconception, possibly to unjust imput
of ton. 1t was for the purpose OF justifyir
m themselves to the House for the cour
. they had fel: it their duty to take that
y sent to the chair statement of their view
n and would ask permission of the Hou
be that it be laid on The table and printed,