Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-02-18
Congress.

MONDAY, Feb. 8.
SENATE. The House bill to pay interest on
the public debt was passed. The West Point
Academy appropriation bill was amended and
passed. The three million bill was taken up at
one o'clock. Mr. Morehead spoke against the
bill as setting most dangerous precedent, Mr.
Morehoad concluded, when Mr. Calhoun obtain
ed the floor, for tomorrow. The bill vas passed
over informally. The Committee of conference
reported an agreement which they had come to
with the House Committee in relation to the ar
my bill Its principal feature is, that the Presi-
dent can appoint field officers while Congress is
in session.
Mr Huntington spoke in opposition to report
He thought it unconstitutional to empower the
President to appoint any officers in the recess of
Congress. After further debate the question
was taken on agreeing to the report of the COM
mlttee, so far as relates to appointments, and de-
clded in the negatve-yeas H. nays 3D. The
rest of the report agreed to. Mr. Benton
then gave notice that he would ask leave tomor-
row to bring in All entire new bill to raise the
len regiments and thus 60 over the whole ground
again.
House. A resolution was offered by Mr.
| Douglass, for expelling the reporters of the
Union newspaper, for false, scandaous and dis
respectful report Of the proceedings of the House
on Saturday, during the attempt of Mr. Went
an attack upon him IN the Union of Friday eve
ming. A warm debate ensued for an hour and
halt, which principally confined to Messrs
Douglass aud Kennedy. The resolution was
modified so as 10 appoint committee of five to
inquire who the reporter of the Union was, and
what member created the disturbance; when the
resolution, as modified was adopted, 1913 to GA.
Mr. Bayly offered resolution instructing the
same committee to inquire whether other report
| Iotta hnv NH
ports, and whether any member Of the House
had been guilty Of an improper appropriation of
envelopes. 1t was rejected. The Committee of
conference the ten regiment bill, reported that
the Senate recede from the amendment to the
first section, and the section stands passed by
the House with slight exception, and some
farther mutual concession. The report was a.
dopted.
The three million bill of the House was taken
up in Committee of the Whole. c. J. Ingersol
addressed the committee in explanation of the
bill. Mr. Wilmot offered his amendment,
and made a speech in opposition to the extension
of slavery to new territory. Mr. Strong of N. Y
followed. Mr. Chapman concluded the debate
for to day, when the committee rose and report
ed progress.
Sundry Executive communications were re-
ceived ;-among them the reply of the Secreta-
ry of the Treasury to a resolution of inquiry
relative to Custom House officers and secret a.
gents employed by the Secretary.
TUESDAY, Feb 9.
SENATE. The Revolutionary pension bill was
passed.
The Three Million bill was taken up.
Mr.. Calhoun spoke an hour IN explanation of
his views upon the war. He was in favor of a.
bandonng all offensive operations, and establish
ing line, commencing at the mouth of the Rio
Grande, thence up the river to Ell PaSSo thence
due west, striking the Gulf OF California near
Its head, and holding this line, acting altogether
on the defensive. In addition, he was for estab-
ilshing Custom Houses at ports now in possess-
ION, ard levylng moderate duties to meet the ex-
penses OF holding the line proposed, which mt st
be about two millions of dollars annd quarter
per annun One fort at the mouth of the river,
another at CamargJ, and third at Ell Passo,
would be all that would be necessary, and FIVE
regiments could maintain tins line. lie was not
IN favor OF holding this line permanently, but
subject to treaty OF peace. tie thought this
policy would incline Mexico to peace She
would then see that we were undertaking only
what we had strength to perform, and we're not
attempting to destroy her national existence
Our policy should be 10 preserve Mexico indie
pendent. There is mysterious connection be-
tween her fate and ours.
Mr. Calhoun then stated the objections and diff.
icutIes in the further prosecution of the war
towards the city of Mexico AS to Mr.. Cass's
amendment he should vote against it but he
would reserve hlfnself on Mr.. Berriens amend
ment until further development.
Gen. Cass then obtained the floor, and the bill.
was postponed until tomorrow.
Another Committee of Reference was order
ed on the Ten Regiment bill, and Messrs. Man
gum, Dickinson, and Niles were appointed.
HOUSE. A Message was received from the
President announcing that he had signed the bill
providing for any interest falling due on the pub
lie debt.
Mr.. Douglass offered resolution expelling
James Houston, the reporter of the Union, he
having last evening published card assuming
in toto the responsibility of the report in the I'm.
ion Of Saturday. After a spirited debate, the
resolution was rejected | to l3l.
The Three Million bill was then taken up -
the House Ssnt into Committee of the Whole,
ANA were addressed by Messrs Cobb and Broad
head, in opposition to Wimot's provso, and by
Messrs Dickson and Rathbun in favor of the
provlso The Committee rose and bills were re-
ported to admit Wisconsin into the Union and
to amend the act providing for the same; for the
organization of an Indian Department; granting
bounty lands to such soldiers of the old 4th req
ment, United States Infantry as served during
the last war with Great Britain; for ascertaining
of The claims Of American citizens for French
spoliations-al these bills were read twice.
The new Committee Of conference was ap-
pointed Oh the Ten Regiment bill. The House
then adjourned WEDNESDAY, Feb. 10.
SENATE. The French Spolaton Bill was re-
ported from the Select Committee, and made the
special order for every day this week.
The Judiciary Committee reported the Oregon
Territorial bill with sundry amendments.
Mr. iulee offered a resolution to exclude the
Editor OF the Union newspaper from the floor of
the Senate, for an attack upon the dignity of that
body, in an article in his paper of the OH inst,
upon the Army Bill and also, to exclude the
reporters OF that paper, for one sided report of
the proceedings on said bill.
Mr. Yulee asked the immediate consideration
OF the resolution. Objection being made, the
Vice President decided that the resolution must
lay over one day. Mr. Badger contended that
the resolution was one of privilege and appeal
ed from the decision of the Char After some
debate the whole subject was postponed until
ts,.,, Tho Ay.r l.