Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-01-12
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, January 3.

AsHlNGToN, january D.
SENATE.-Senator Seward rose to question Of
privilege, and stated the circumstances of MIR.
Phelps appearance in the Senate as Il Senator
from Vermont, and the reasons for claiming hs
seat.
Mr. Seward concluded by moving resolution
of inquiry as to the right of Mr.. Phelps to his
seat. Lies over.
HousE.-After the usual opening business was
disposed of, the resolution of thanks, and tho
presentation of IL sword to Gen. Wool was taken
up. Mr.. Giddings opposed the passage of the
resolution and Bissell defended it.
"a Wednesday, January 4.
SENArE-AIr. Douglass, from the Committee
on Territories, reported back the bill providing
a territorial government for Nebraska, with
substitute for the bill.
Mr.. Douglass bill defines the boundaries .
provides that when admitted as a State or States,
the said Territory shall be received into the I'm
ion with or without slavery, as their Constt'-
ton may provide at the time of admission ex-
tends the fugitive slave act to be within full
force within the limits of the said territory, Sc.
1t was referred to a select committee. ,s,<s,
Mr.. Stewards resolution relating to the ques-
ton, whether Mr.. Phelps is entitled to as4at in
the Senate was taken up.
MI. TOUt Stlu tN0 uCllCttCy liiu
of the position of his colleague was sensibly
felt by him. Though apparently it was one Of
obtrusion in demanding seat here, still no one
could doubt but that his colleague was actuated
by "a high sense of duty to his State, which Q
had 80 long and ably represented in the Senate.
1t was the prevailing opinion in the State Ct
less had its weight in producing the result of no
| al 10 tt,n hat, tbn I
ture adjourned without filling the vacancy, the
continue He thought this subject ought not
to be disposed of in running discussion, but
should be decided after careful examination
and report by the Judiciary Committee. lie
urged its reference to that Committee.
Mr.. Badger hoped the Senator from Vermont
would himself favor the Senate with his views
on the point.
Mr.. PHELPS said he was not now prepared to
make an argument but before the subject was
disposed Of finally would ask an opportunity of
explaining the grounds on which he believed he
was entitled to his seat as u Senator. He wish
ed it to be understood that he asserted this right
from no personal interest, but in the discharge
of duty he owed to his State. lie then quo
the constitution provision, that a Governor may
fill vacancies occurring in recess of the Legisa-
ture till the next meeting thereof, and said he
understood the limitation of it till the next
meeting of the Legislature az applying to the
period wherein the Governor might exercise the
power of appointment, and not as applying to
the term of the person appointed. The Senate
by large majority had decided in Mr.. Smiths
case that the term of Senator appointed dur
ing recess by the Governor to ill a vacancy
did not cease and determine upon the meeting
and organization of the Legislature of the State
He further maintained his construction of tho
Constitution. The subject was referred to the
Judiciary Committee.
Thursday, January 5.
| SENATE.-A resolution was adopted mquiring
into tho cost of erecting building for the State
Department.
On motion of Senator Cass, the correspond
cnce relative to the Clayton Bulwer treaty was
referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations,
and made the special order for Tuesday next.
Considerable routine business was transacted,
and the Senate then adjourned till Monday next
HoUsE.-After the reading of the Journal
and transaction Of other business, the Commit
tee ON Foreign Affairs reported back the resolu-
ton of thanks to Capt lngraham, together with
the presentation of medal for his services in
the koszta affair. A debate arose which lasted
some time.
Friday, January 6. ,
HousE.-The House took up the communcass
ton received from the War Department, trans
hitting memorandum Of the expenditures and
the estimates for piers and harbors. AsA
debate arose az to which Committee was
most favorable to the subject, and to which one
it should be referred. 1t was finally referred to
the Committee on Commerce 4
On motion, the House went into COMMITTEES
of the Whole, and took up for consideration
the private calendar. 4