Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-03-14
DAILY FREE PRESS-MARCH Z, 1851
CongresSClo>ihs Scenes.

We give below, from telegraph C dispatches
in the Boston papers, Of Yesterday Ito the eX-
clusion of other matter,) the closing scenes OF
the memorable Thirty>tirst Congrcss-mcmo-
rlblc for the adoption of Peace measures whel
there was no known danger of Bar, and oal-
promises that neither section of the country is
likely to agree to!
The session Just closed must certainly have
portant business, with smaller admiXturc than
usual ofsound and fury. though much important
business that ought to have been done was left
undone. Among the principal bills passed arc
the Cheap Postage Bill, the Post Office Appro-
prirtion Bill the Civil and Diplomatic, Army
and Navy Appropriation Bills : the bill for set
tlinr private land claims in California; the res
oution rendering a public ship to Gen. kus-
suth, to convey him to the United States; bills
making appropriations for Lighthouses !; pre-
vent nr Senators fro n receiving constructive
mileage; 70 Asylum for inlirin and disabled
soldiers regulating the uppralscnent of mcr
chanlisc, and appointing appraisers at large;
to refund $4,000 to the American Colonial
ton Society: to pay the State of Maine inter
est ON money advanced for the use Of the gov
crnmcnt; the revolutionary Pension bill -
The River and lIarbor Bill was killed in The
Senate by parliamentary tactics, as was alsc
the French Spoliation Bill in the House, ii
like manner.
WAsHINGToN, March 1.
SENATE Mr. Dawson addressed the Scnat,
some time, giving way to IL message from the
| House, announcing the passage of bills, anC
among other things, that the House had adop
tod resolution, informing the Senate that II
had concluded all public business, and that the
| House was ready to adjourn.
1t was now IL o'clock Mr.. Jefferson Davi:
raised privileged question, that the Senate
closed at twelve o'clock. His term had expired
If the session Terminate to night, and to test the
question, he moved that the Senate do now ad
ourn.
Gen. Cass said his opinion always had beer
that the session terminated on the night of the
81. Il; twelve; he had 81 acted always, and he
would do no business after this hour.
Mr. Badger objected TO taking up the reso
utIon, and to anv debate on it, as the Rive
and Iarbor Bill was before the Senate. I he
Chair said the motion could not be ENTERTAINED
without disposinr of the bill
Mr.. Dawson resumed his remarks. Mr. Da
Wis raised question Of privilege lie oiferc,
a resolution declaring that the second session
of this ongrcsS has expired by the arrival o
the hour of ~ o'clock, therefore the House b,
notified that the Senate Is prepared to adjourn
The Chair said the resolution presented NJ
question of privilege.
Mr.. Davis said. if the resolution prcscntct
no question of privilege, he would raise one
and he then advance to the table and demand
ed to be sworn under his new commission
The Chair decided that this wls not Il session
of IL new Congress, and the Senator could no
be sworn.
Mr. Hale then objected to the Scn1tor from
Mississippi performing the duties of Senator
That would raise question.
Mr.. Davis SAID that if he was not Senate
then there was no Senate, and the Senator hat
no rlght to object. Great confusion prevailed
Tn, chair read to the Senate "A communica
ton he had received from the President re-
qucsting hun to attend tomorrow IN the Scnrt'
/ Chlmhpr, to consider the executive business .-
The President had also to inform the Scnator
that he would give each of them similar no
tce.
Mr. Dickinson / hope the President vii
send a commission to those Of them who la,
none - tLnughtcr,)
Mr. Hale moved that the Senate adjourn sine
die
The yeas and nays were called When NJ
Brght's name was called, Mr. Davis obJcctc'
TO his right to vote Mr. .itchlusan also denic'
MIR DAVIS right to question Mr. Brights right tt
vote.
When Gen. Cass was called, he said he die
not consider this Congress any longer IN exist
cnce When Mr. Mason was called, he said III
had received notice from the President t
meet today at new session. He conSidcre'
himself no longer a member of this Congress
and could not vote
The result on Mr. llale's motion was announ
ccd, ayes :; nays36
Mr. Dawson resumed his speech, and movc'
that the bill be laid on the table
Mr. Douglass offered resolution declarln
/ that us this session would not terminate till tn
: ith of March, at - NJ, therefore Mr. Maso
s was not entitled to be sworn at this time Al