Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-02-28
CONGRESS.
MONDAY. Feb. |


Senate.-An act was passed making uppropria.
tons for Naval Pensions in 1916. Also for the
support of the Military Academy.
The French Spoations bill prior to 1900 was
called up, and opposed by Mr.. McDufie, and the
Senate took up the Texas resolutions, which were
supported by Mr.. Woodbury..
House.-'rhe bill to restrict and grant Pensions
in certain was passed. Also the resolution
tor the distribution Of certain copies of the Nara
tive of the Exploring Expedition.
The House refused to take up the bill to COM
promise with the sureties of the late Collector
Swartwout.
The House then took up the bill to regulate the
Army pay. Mr.. Adams took occasion to aude to
the present posture of the Oregon question: and to
the possible consequences Of the bill on that sub
ject which has passed the House, should it ripen
into law. The direct effect of such law, he
SAID, would be to bring us into collision with Great
Britain, and to cause just apprehension of our be-
ing ultmately involved thereby in a war with that
Power.
Abiding to a rumor which had reached him of
the purpose of the Administration, in the event of
the passage of the Oregon BILL to propose to add
at once five regiments of infantry to the present
Military Establishment, Mr.. A. minated that how
ever necessary or proper such measure might be
in such contingency, it was nothing in compare
son wit! the extent Of Military preparation which
1t might become necessary to make in consequence
of the rash and nconsiderate action in regard to
the Oregon question which the House of Repre-
sentatiyes had on its part already countenanced.
TUESDAY, Feb. is.
.Senqe.-Aftcr some general business, of no pub.
lie moment the order of the day was called up
and Mr.. Choate addressed the Senate IN splendid
argument, of several hours duration, on the Texas
question. Mr.. C.'s position was, that the power TO
bring in foreign nations and make them part of
our own, was no tchere IN the Constitution. 1t was
u transcendent mower, resiluary with the people.
HouSe.-Mr Pratt of ~ Y. moved that the rules
be suspended, for the purpose of gong into Com
! mittee of the Whole. lie gave notice that, if the
motion carried, he would move to take up the bill
for furnishing and repairing the Presidents house.
The motion was adopted, and the b Il taken up.
The first section approprlaes $4,000 in addition
to the proceeds of the sale of old furniture for fur
nishng the Presidents mansion The second Sec
ton appropriates Sc, 5000, to be expended in fitting
! up the grounds, and for repairs.
MIR. Burt moved to amend the bill by striking out
S20,OC0, and inserting $4,000.
Mr.. Henley of Indiana supported the amendment,
and said that $1,000 was more than enough.
MIR. Il. w. jones opposed the appropriation in
J the bill. lie referred to the various sums that had
been, from time to time, expended for this object,
and contended that great extravaganza had been
| INDUCED in
Mr. Dillingham; of Vt. advocated liberal appro-
pration. THIS was the property of the nation
The Presidential mansion belonged to the country,
and should be kept in condition to make it COM
Portable to the nhabitant of it, and those who en-.
joyed the hospitality dispensed there. The people
themselves enjoyed the benefits Of the expenditure
Of this money as much as the President. They
visited there, and were entertained: and 1t was
much to promote their own convenience as that of
any body else that this money was to be expended.
IL was due to the nation, TO our character Il lib
era, enlightened and iourishing people, that the
Chief Magistrate should occupy a residence that
was respectable ana comfortable
Mr.. Holmes offered an amendment providing that
the Presidents house shall be used as one Of the
Departments and that private house shall be rent
ed for the use of the President, that we may re-
turn 10 republican simplicity. Not acted on.
Mr.. Douglass spoke in favor Of the appropriation.
He had SAID he would agree to spend $4,000 if
Mr. Clay had been elected and he felt little more
inclined to grant that sum- as his ayorite candidate
was to be the occupant Of the White House.
a great many amendments, besides the
ticed, were offered, most OF which were rejected.
The original sums in the bill were retained, and
provlso was adopted, by which their entire eXpen-
dlturc was made to depend on the fact OF those
amounts being necessary for improvements con-
tempated by the bill.
The bill, in its original form, provided for the
purchase of articles of American Manufacture, for
) the use of the Presidents House. 1t was amend
ed so as to provide that the American articles shall
not cost more than similar articles Of foreign
, ufacturc.
The committee then rose, and the bill as amend
ed was reported to the House. The amendments
were concured in.
Mr.. G. w Jones moved to lay the bill on the Ia
BILE.
Mr., Dromgoole moved call of the House, which
motion was rejected.