The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-06-11
Mr.. Webster on the Fugitive Slave
Question.

Much Indignation has been expressed, in
certain quarters, against Mr. WEBSTER, on
the assumed ground that he was about to
support Mosons Fugitive Slave bill. and was
opposed TO granting the fugitive a Jury trial.
unless after his return to Southern State.
Now it turns out that Mr. Webster has been
all tho while IN .fdror of trial by jury, and
had, so long ago as in February last. pres
pared bill on this subject as substitute
for Mason's, containing an express provision
for sach trial. Ibis bill was introduced in
the Senate, last week. Below is copy of
the bill, with Nj. WEnsrrn's remarks ON
Introducing it:
Mr. WEBSTER Mr. President. at An
early period OF the session turned INV ailen
ton TO tie subject Of preparing u bill re.
Srcc'lhg HE rcclaimlng Of fugitive slaves or
OF preparing certain amendments TO the CO.
( sung law on that subject. In pursuance of
this purpose, ! conferred with some of the
most eminent members Of the profession and
especially with HIGH ju1ca authority. WIN
has had more to do with questions of this
klnd presume. than any other iuduc in the
/ United States. Afe. these consultations
sud conferences as early Us in February /
prepared bill amenda;ory Of the act Of
1913, intending when proper time came to
/ lay IT before the Senate for It's consideration
| now wish 10 present the bill to the Senate.
nnal'ered, md precisely as it was when pre-
( pared i'll February last.
Mr.. DAYTON. | hope that the paper will
be printed.
The Lill was then laid on the table and
ordered to be printed, as follows:
n BILL amenda,ory Of AN Act respect-
INC fugiives from justice, and persons cs
Gaping from the service of their masters -
approved February II. 1898.
Be ii enacted by HE Senate and H,psc nj
RtprcScntdiiccS IF HE Lnued States nj Il
mtttcd IN C0Dgrcss assembled, That the pro.
visions Of the said act Shall extend to the
Territories of the United States; and tbat
the commissioners who now are. or who may
hereafter be appointed by the Circuit Couris
of the United States, or the District Courl,
where Circuit Courts are not established. or
10y the Territorial Courts of the United
States, all of which courts are authorized
ana required TO appoint one or more COM
mssioners in each county 10 take acknow-
= Judgments of bail, and allidavits, and also 10
take dispositions Of witnesses in civil causes,
and who shall each, or any judge of the L.
n'ed States, on complaint being made on
oath 70 hun thai fugitive from labor is be-
liered TO be within the State or Territory in
which he lives, issue his warrant to the mar
shall OF the United States, or to any other
person who shall be willing to serve it. au-
thorizng an arrest Of the fugitive, if within
a.
the State or Territory, 10 be brought before
INN or some oihc. commissioner or Judge Of
the United States Court within the State or
Territory, that the right OF the person claim.
ing the services of such fugitive NAV he ex-
ahmed And on the hearing, dispositions
dulN authenticated, and paro proof shall
TIE heard 10 establish the identity of the fu
.l;ive and the right of the claimant. and alsr
to show that slavery is established in ,he
State from which the fugitive abscondea
AMI IT on such hearing the commissioner O,
lnd.,e shall find the claim TO the services n
the fugitive rs asserted. sustained by the CIV
ldencc. he shall make out Il certificate of m,
material facts proved, and of his udnmen,
thereon, which he shall sign, and which shall
he conclusive Of the right of the claimant O,
his agent TO take the fugitive back TO III,
State from whence he fled i'rorided. thai
II The fugitive shall deny that he owes ser.
vice to The c aimant under the laws of the
State where he was held. and after beino du
y cautioned rs to the solemnities and con.
sequences OF an oath, shall swear TO the same
the commissioner or judge shall forthwith
summon jury Of twelve men. 10 iry the
right OF the claimant, who shall be sworn IL
try the cause according to evidence. and tho
commissioner or judge shall preside at the
proof
Stc. :. and be fariler enacted. That
tile commissioner shall receive ten dollars in
each oaSe tried by him, as aforesaid, the in.
rors iiiIy cents each, and the marshal or 9th.
rr person serving the process shall recei, @
I'VE dollars for serving the warrant on each
fugitive and for mileage and other services
the SINE as are allowed TO the MARSHAL lol
+ similar services TO be examined md allowod
ny tue commissioner or judge, and pail by