Washington sentinel., 1854-01-04

Missouri appeared in their seats to-day.
SENATOR FROM vERMoNT-QUEsTIoN OF
PRIVILEGE.
Mr. SEWARD said that he desired TO call the
attention of the Senate to question of privilege.
Senators must have seen during the past week, a
gentleman from the State of Vermont occupying a
seat in the Senate. While il, he knew would
afford the greatest pleasure TO them all to have
that gentleman IN the Senate as represen-
tative from Vermont still there was connected
with II question of his right TO do so. The cir
cumstances were known to ALL and were some
what peculiar; and il was said they We're new
and singular The facts were understood to be as
follows: During the recess of the Legislature Of
Vermont, the Hon. $. S. Phelps was appointed by
the governor of that State, 10 fill the vacancy oc-
casioned by the death OF Mr.. Upham who be-
longed to that class of Senators whose terms ex-
pire on the 9TH OF March, 1856. Under this APP
pointment Mr.. Phelps appeared at the last session
OF the Senate, and al the special session, and was
sworn as a Senator from Vermont to fill the va
cancy. Since that time, il is understood that the
Legislature of Vermont have been in session, and
have adjourned stne die without filling the vacan-
cy. The question now is, whether Mr. Phelps,
under these circumstances, is entitled TO fill the
vacancy under the temporary appointment of the
governor.
As this question was one which would be raised
by some person, and as II was thought somewhat
delicate for some Senator'S on the other side Of the
chamber to originate II, and as he (Mr. 81 had
been somewhat strenuous upon the right of some
others claiming seats in the Senate, after consul
tation with some friends, and with gentlemen him
self he had come to the conclusion to call the at
| tention of the Senate to the subject
With view of testing the natter he offered a
preamble reciting the facts, and concluding with
resolution that the Hon. S. S. PHELPS is entitled
to hold seat as a Senator from the State of Ver-
mont: which resolution he moved be referred 10
the pending committee.
Mr.. BUTLER said that there was not quorum
OF that committee in the city, He thought these
questions ought to be decided by the Senate with
out reference 10 any committee. He knew that
such subjects had been referred to the Judiciary
Committee, but in the case of the Senator from
Kentucky (Mr. DIxoN) the Senate acted on it pr-
marily, and such he thought the better course
Mr.. BADGER suggested that the resolution be
laid over for one day,in order that it might be con-
sdered which was the proper course to be pur-
sued
And the resolution was accordingly laid over.
SHIP CANAL AROUND THE FALLS OF NIAGARA
Mr.. PETIT presented petitions praying the
construction of ship canal around the falls Of
Niagara
Mr.. SEWARD presenled similar petitions.
BOARD OF ACCOUNTS.
Mr. BRIGHT gave notice Of bill 10 establish
board OF accounts, for the examination of claims
against the government ofthe United States.
PRIVATE BILLS.
On motion by Mr.. PETIT, the bill for the re-
| lief of Victor Morass was taken up and passed
| On motion by Mr.. CHASE, the Senate proceed
ed 10 the consideration of The motion I'd reconsider
the vote by which the bill for the relief of The legal
| representatives OF MAJOR Caleb Swan, deceased
| was passed. The vote was reconsidered, and the
bill, being slightly amended, thcu read third
| time and passed
| On motion by Mr.. FITZPATRICK the Sen.
ate proceeded to the consideration Of the bill for
ha larnI tot,x T..
Kennedy, deceased; and it was read third time
| and passed
On motion by Mr.. BRoDHEAD, the bill direct
ing the Secretary Of the Navy to dismiss certain
suits pending against Joseph Souder and John
Duff, for "A failure Of their contract in. supplying
stone tor the dry dock at Brooklyn, New York,
was taken up, and passed .
JUDICIAL DISTRICTS IN ILLINOIS AND OHIO.
Mr.. SHIELDS introduced bill 10 divide the
State Of illinois into two judicial districts; which
was referred TO the Committee on the Judiciary
On motion by Mr.. CHASE, the Senate took up
the bill TO divide the State of Ohio into two Judi
cial districts.
Mr. BADGER referred TO the last section of the
bill, which required the two Judges Of the district
courts TO reside, respectively, in the place where
| his court was held. This he took to be founded
on wrong principle, and calculated to restrict the
selection Of persons TO fill those places to the i'm
mediate vicinity where the court was held. He
moved the reference of the bill TO the Judiciary
| Committee
Mr.. CHASE replied, and stated that the bill was
approved by the Senators and Representatives
| from Ohio.
Mr. PRATT supported the proprety of the pro-
vision, in the last section, complained of by the
Senator from North Carolina
| Mr.. BADGER rejoined, and then the motion 10
refer was agreed 10.
STEAMERS TO CHINA.
Mr.. WELLER introduced bill to provide for
| the transportation of the United States mail in
steamships between San Francisco via the Sand.
wich islands, 10 China. Referred to the Commit.
tee on Post Offices and Post Roads.
RAILROADS IN CALIFORNIA.
Mr.. GWIN introduced bill granting land to
the State of California to aid in the construction
of railroads in that State. connecting San Fran.
cisco with San Jose, Benicia, Marysville Sacra
mento Nevada City, Stockton, and other points
| Referred
| COUNTERFEIT COIN.
Mr.. BRODHEAD introduced bill to suppress
counterieiing OF the coin of the United States
and to punish the passing Of counterfeit coin
which was read twice, and referred TO the Com
mittee on the Judiciary.
DUTY ON COAL.
Mr.. SUMNER presented petition praying the
repeal Of all duty on coal, and that that article
may be made free of import duty.
| Mr.. BADGER introduced Joint resolution for
supplying new members ofthaSenate and House o
Representatives with such books ofa public char
acter as have heretofore been distributed among
senators and members Read three times, and
| passed.
] CAPITOL EXTENSION.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, submitted a resolu.
ton directing an inquiry, by the Committee on
Public Buildings, as to whether any change has
been made in the plan for the Capitol extension
since the adjournment of the last Congress, and
if so, by what authority and whether snch ate
/ ration will involve any additional expe nditure o
/ public money. Laid over.
SMALL NOTES IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
On motion by Mr.. ADAMS, the Senate pro-
ceeded TO the consideration of the bill to suppress
! the circulation of small notes as currency in the
| District Of Columbia.
| Mr.. ADAMS said, that with a view Of enabling
| the corporation of Georgetown TO call in the small
notes now in circulation issued by its authority
he moved that the bill be amended, by providing
that the act should go into force after the first OF
| July next.
Mr.. DAWSON moved TO extend the time 10 the
first of November next; he said that to force the
| corporation of Georgetown to redeem its notes
sooner than that, would greatly embarrass that
town. The latter amendment was agreed TO, and
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