Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-02-02

gan to the Onion was taken up and debated
Mr.. Mann moved the previous question, bu
before any decision thereon, the House ad-
journed.
IN SENATE.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 25.
Mr. Grundy, from the Committee on the
JudIclory,to whom was referred the message
of the President on The subject of the burning
Of the Treasnry,and the difficulty of bringing
offenders to Justice, reported a bill to repeal
the 3lst section of the Act for the punish
ment of offences, &c. which was read first
and second time, and made ;he special order
for Monday next.
The bill farther 10 prohibit the sales OF the
public lands, &c. was taken up and Mr.. Nor
rs addressed the Senate at some length af-
ter which the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
A resolution, reported from the committee
on Commerce, directing the Secretary OF the
Treasury to report to The House an estimate
Of the cost of Revenue Gutter to be en-
ployed as a steam, Tow Boat, was agreed to.
The resolutions relative to the mileage of
members was taken up, and Mr.. Underwood
addressed the House in favor OF its adoption.
Mr. Bell moved that the resolution and a
me ndments be laid on the table; which was
agreed to without a count.
Mr. Bell then rose to introduce his bill TO
secure the freedom of elections, and leave
being granted, the bill was read. The pre-
amble Is as follows:
"Whereas complaints are made that oth-
GERS Of the United States, or persons holding
Offices and employments under the authority
of the same other than the Heads OF the
Chief Executive Departments or such officers
as stand IN the relation OF constitutional ad-
visers OF the President, have been removed
from office or dismissed from their employ
ment, upon political grounds, or for opinions .
sake:
And whereas such practice is manitestly
violation Of the freedom of elections, an at
tack upon public liberty and high INSIDE
meanor:
And whereas complaints are also made that
officers ol the u. S. or persons holding oti-
ces or employments under the authority. of
the same, are in the habit Of intermedding in
elections, both state and federal, otherwise
than by giving their votes
And whereas such practice is a violation
Of the freedom of elections and gross abuse
which ought TO be dlscountenanced by the
appointing power and prohibited by law:
that, pending the late election of President
and Vice President OF the U. S., Offices and
employments were distributed and conferred,
In many instances, under circumstances af.
fording a strong presumption of corrupton,or
that they were conferred, as the inducements
to, or the reward Of influence employed, or to
be employed IN said elections:
And whereas, such practice IN the ad-
miniStration Of the patronage of tie govern
ment, will speedily destroy the purity and
freedom of the elective franchise, and under
mine the free system Of government, now
happily established IN these United States.
Mr.. Bell said he had no purpose Of party
TO serve in the introduction of this bill. He
wished solemnly to appeal 10 the House and
to the country for the correction of the evils
which the Preamble Of the bill set forth. He
was aware of the responsibility he had as
sumed in Offering bill implying charges Of
such grave character; and here he would state
that he pledged himself upon his honor to
prove and maintain before any jury in this
country all and each of the charges expressed
or implied in The Preamble; moreover he
challenged gentlemen to contradict any one
OF these charges.
lie was ready now to 90 Into the investl-
CATION. lie knew the responsibility which
must attach to any gentleman who undertook
to prove such charges; the little countenance
he would get from any quarter, and the in
trinsic difficulty Of obtaining positive proof
But, though impressed with al these convic-
tions, he reaffirmed and reasserted the truth
Of all his allegations.
He would bring forward the highest evi-
dence Of which the nature Of the case would
ndmt,to sustain charges of the corrupt inter-
ference on the part Of the officers of The Fe-
deral Government in the late elections, pend
ing the Presidential canvass.
The hour having elapsed, the House. on
motion OF Mr.. Vonderpool, proceeded to the
orders Of the day.
ADMISSION OF MICHIGAN.
The unfinished business was the Bill To
provide for the admission Of the State OF Mi.
chiga n into the Union and the pending qnes-
ton was OF the demand of Mr.. Abliah Mann.
submitted yesterday Tor the previous qucs-
ton.
And the main question, "shal the bill pass:"
was then taken, and decided in the affirma-
tIve-yeas 12, nays 43.
So the bill was passed. .
And, on motion of Mr.. Briggs. at eight
minutes before six o'clock, the House sd-
journed. i.
IN SENATE.
.t.. THURSDAY, Jan. 26.
The bill for tho admission Of the State Of
Michigan having received the signature of