Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-02-02
esTH CoNGREss....FIRsT SESSION.
Monday, Jan 81,
SENATE.

ture Of Vermont in favor OF tne present tarilI'
Mr. Merrck, chairman OF the Post Office com.
r,itee presented bill on the subject Of postage,
ombodying his own views, which ut his request
in order TO facilitate deliberaon and action there
on-was ordered printed. 1t reduces The rates Of
postage to five and ten cents; aboshing the frank
ing privilege except to the president, vice presi-
dent ard heads of departments, and TO certnin
limited extent 10 members of Congress, and TO
certain other functonaries; reduces postage on
newspapers, &c.
The tariff bill of Mr.. McDufiie, with Mr. Ev-
ans report thereon, again came up. Mr.. Evans
replied at length and with ability and clearness TO
Mr.. McDufie's propositions, defending the prin-
Ciplcs Of the present tariff, citing acis 10 snow lis
beneficial effects, thus far, and the probability OF
its still more successful operation IN future. With
out concluding, he gave way.
The Senate, after an executive session, adjourn
ed,
HOUSE.
Hon. Osmyn Baker, representative elect from
Massachusetts, was qualified and took his seat.
MIR. Douglass, of ILL., from the committee on O.
1ectons made report on the validity OF claims
20 seats OF the general ticket members. 1t argues
at length the unconslitutionality of the general
ticket law, and closes with resolution declaring
the right of those members to their seats. Mr..
G.. Davis asked and was granted leave to bring in
minority report tomorrow. The report WINS re-
ferred to the committee of the whole OH the Union
and ordered printed 1t will be taken up for con-
sideration two weeks from Tomorrow according
to notice of Mr.. ELMER, Chairman of the Com
mittee on Elections
This Committee have decided on Mr.. Gilmer's
case--in favor OF his claim to his seat, by the
party majority, 10 3, (by which the above re-
port was also adopted,j and will probably report
Tomorrow.
Petitions were presented from the States in or.
der.
Mr.. Giddings presented one from New-York,
for the passage of law to punish officers Of the
United States for assisting in retaining fugitive
slaves. The Speaker decided this not included in
the 2lst rule, but admissible. Mr. Black appealed.
The appeal was laid on the table: Ayes ll3-
noes not counted. NJ. PAYNE OF Ala, raised the
question OF reception. Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON moved
Ia lay it on the table, (which, if carried would ex-
clude the pe,ition) Rejected: Yeas, IS, Nays
81. The question, shall this petition be re.
ceved p was then nsgatiusd: Yeas IS, Noes sc.
Also, one from New-York, usking, in case of
the annexation OF Texas, to give New-York to
Canada. The question of reception, raised by
Dir. Dromgoole, was laid on the table.
Various other petitions were presented; among
which, one by MIR. BeGrdSty met with some OBJ
iectohs, and pending the question on the reception
che House adorned.
SENATE.
TUESDAY, January 90.
The Tariff Bill Of Mr. McDufie, with Mr..
Evans report, again came up; and MIR. Evans
resumed and concluded his speech.
In The House, Mr.. G. J. lngersoll, from the
question referred TO them as TO the expedency of
requesting the President TO give notice TO Great
Britain for the termination OF the convention for
the joint occupation Of Oregon, resolution de
claring that it is inexpedent for Congress to act
at present, in airy manner, on the subject
Mr.. Owen, of Ia. moved to amend SO as to de-
clare il expedent, and launched out in the wide
field of Oregon discussion declaring the claim OF
the United States TO the whole territory perfect
beyond question, and hence repudia,ing the idea
ofconcesslon and compromise.
With the view Of bringing the matter regularly
up for debate, he moved 10 suspend the rules TO
20 into Committee of the Whole on the Union
Ghe report having been previously sent there
Rgected-Yeas III; Nays 3d. (not two thrds.)
Resolutions of Mr.. Mckay from the Commit
tee of Ways and Means directing inquiries by the
Military and Naval Committees as 10 the practical
bility Of certain rerenchmenls in tho Army and
Navy were adopted.
"WEDNESDAY, Jan. "a.
SENATE.
In the Senate, the morning hour was occupied
in the presentation of large number OF memori
ais, principally relating TO the Post Office reform. |
Alter this, the debate on the right of the Sen
ate to originate repeal of the Tariff was resumed,
and is still going on.
HOUSE.
The orders Of The day then called for, ard
Mr.. Winthrop resumed the floor, and concluded
the able and logical speech he commenced yes
terday: or rather he occupied the remainder of
his hour. He briefly summed up the ground Of
his opposition TO the 2lst rule. He contended
that under the same principles on which the rule
was sustained, the House have a right TO exclude |
petitions for National Bank-for the distribution
of the Public Lands-for the protection of Amer
lean lnGustry-or, for any thing else the House
might take it into its head was unconstitutional,
and could not be granted by the House. On the
same grounds, there was nothing, and no subject,
which might not, in turn be excluded 1t was in |
vain 0enfle thus StiHe and destroy the |
right of petition. He fully believed that the rule
would be rescinded. He believed that the golden
rule Of Hatsell would soon take the place of The
2lst rule, among the rules of the House; and that
every petition on whatsoever subject, would be
received, referred and considered. There was
that inherent sense Of resistance 10 wrong, i'm |
planted in every human breast, that would not
submit to such violation of inaenable rights and
he believed the rule would fall before that ress- |
lance. He reoiced that it was 30. He rejoiced,
if gentlemen so pleased, as Northern man, with
Northern principles. But he also rejoiced as an
American with American principles.
Attic expiration of Mr.. Winlhrops hour, the
floor was awarded 10 Mr.. Payne Of Alabama
His speech, however had little to do with the
questions before the House. 1t was, principally,
in defence of the right of the South to hold prop
erty in their slaves. II had no reference Whatever
TO the 2lst rule. |
In The course of his exlravagant expressions,
Mr. p CHANGED TO notice a broad grin on the face
Mr.. Giddings, OF Ohio, whereat he waxed ndig- |
nant and was INDUCING in personal attack upon
him, when the Speaker called him to ORDER
Well, said MIR. p, he had no business then 10 in
terrupt me with grin. hold he was out of order
TO do SO. ], may therefore, be set down as an Al
ALBANIA abstraction, that grin is out OF order.
MIR. Owen moved the suspension OF the rules, in
order to bring up before the House the consider
alion OF the resolution on the Oregon Territory.
Mr.. Owen spoke in favor of the immediate ex-
preston OF an opinion, in favor of the right Of this
country to the Oregon Territory.
Mr. Thonasson Of Kentucky, replied, and con-
tended that now was not the time to act on the
multer. II was well known that negotiations were
nbout 10 COMMENCEMENT he had lost all idea Of
what was due to common courtesy in such case,
il, while foreign minister was expected here, to