Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-01-26
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16, 1854.

SENATE.-A resolution was adopted, pro-
viding for the appointment of a joint special
committee to express suitable thanks to the
rescuers of the San Francisco passengers.
Mr.. Dixon gave notice of an amendment
to the Nebraska bill, repeating that part of
the act admitting Missouri which prohibited
slavery north of $780,
Mr.. Dixon's amendment to the Nebraska
bill was ordered to be printed 1t proposes
to add an additional section providing that so
much of the 9Th section of the act admitting
Missouri as prohibits slavery or involuntary
servitude, other than as punishment for crime
in the territory, obtained in the cession of
Louisiana, laying north of $500, shall be
deemed wholly inapplicable to the territory
of Nebraska, and all other territories of the
United States, the people of whom shall alone
have the right of deciding whether slavery
shall or shall not exist therein.
The Clayton and Bulwer treaty was then
taken up, and Mr.. Clayton proceeded with
his remarks until the adjournment.
Mr.. Pettit's report on Phelps case is IA
vorable to Mr.. Phelps right to his seat, and
is signed by Messrs Fe!ch, Geyer and VIII.
liams. The minority report is signed by
Messrs. Butler and Bayard.
HoUsE.-Mr. Orr introduced bill for the
relief of the survivors of the army saved
from the steamer San Francisco, which was
referred to the committee on military affairs.
A resolution similar to that offered by Mr..
Pearce in the Senate, for suitable express
sion of thanks to the rescuers of the San
Francisco, was adopted
Mr.. McDougal introduced bill cstab-
fishing line of military posts, opening
common road, and authorizing the construc-
ton of a telegraphic line and railroad from
the Mississippi to San Francisco aad moved
that it be referred to a special committee,
which motion was agreed to.
On Tuesday. in the Senate, Mr.. Douglas
gave notice that he would move to take up
the Nebraska bill on Monday next.
Mr. Sumner gave notice of an amendment
to the Nebraska bill, retaining the Missouri
compro mise.
WASHINGTON, Jan. IS, 1854.
SENATE.-Mr. Fish presented petitions
from New York in favor of line Of steam
ers between Brooklyn and Germany. Also,
petition from Inspectors of Customs in n
York for increased compensation.
Mr.. Cooper presented the proceedings of
public meeting in Philadelphia in favor of
cheap ocean postage,
The bill for the relief of Lewis B. Willis
was passed.
Mr.. Cooper introduced bill granting
land to the state of Pennsylvania, to aid in
the completion of the Sunbury and Erie
Railroad, and for the endowment of nor
NAL school for the education of female teach
ers. He pointed out the great Importance of
connecting Erie and Philadelphia by rail-
road, and the beneficial results of providing
for the gratuitous education of teachers.
The bill was referred.
Mr.. Petit, in consequence of the illness
and absence of Mr.. Phelps, moved that the
question of his right to represent Vermont
be postponed till Wednesday next. Agreed
to.
HoUsE.-Tho House adopted resolutions
providing for the appointment Of commit
tee of nine members, to join such committee
as may be appointed by the Senate, to whom
shall be referred the amendment proposed by
Mr.. Ewing for the amendment of the consti.
tuition as to the mode of electing President
and Vice-President, abolishing the interview
ton of electors, and destroying the general
ticket system, by dividing the state into the
the same number of districts as each state
has senator's and representatives, with instruo-
tions to- take the subject matter generally in
to consideration, and report in such manner
as to them shall seem most expedient.
The following compose the committee on
the joint resolution to inquire into and report
suitable measures for testifying the thanks of
Congress to those who rescued the passengers
from the steamer San Francisco:
Messrs. Chandler, McMullen, Cutting, Hunt,
Pratt, Vansant, Eddy, Seward and Croker.
Mr.. Walbridge gave notice that he should
hereafter move the following resolution -
That select committee for amending the
constitution should be instructed to inquire
into the expediency of making provision for
the election, by the people, of postmasters
and collectors of the revenue.
Mr.. Bssel, from the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs, reported bill to promote the
efficiency of the army by retiring disabled
officers. Referred to the Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union. Also,
bill for the relief of the United States troops,
who are sufferers by the recent disaster to
the steamer San Francisco. 1t provides that
there shall be paid under the direction of the
President of the United States, to each off,
Ger, non-commissioned officer, musician or pri-
vate who, on the 2lst of December, embark
cd at New York under orders for California,
on board the steamer San Francisco, and who
was on board the vessel in the recent disaster,
sum equal in amount to pay and allowances
for four months. If any such officer, nom
commissioned officer, musician or private,
shall have died before receiving this payment,
then his widow, if one survive him, and if
not, then his minor children, if any, shall be
paid sum equal to six months pay and al
lowances.
Mr.. Fuller, from the Committee on Com
meree, reported bill making Quincy, in H.
linols, port of delivery. A debate ensued.
Passed
The House took up the bill making appro-
priations for the support of the West Point
Academy. 1t being on its passage,
Mr.. Smith, IN. V said he believed in the
progress of the human race, and rejoiced in
the era of ever-growing civilization there
fore it was that his heart was always afaict-
ed when he saw any manifestation of the war
spirit for he believed the spirit of war to be
the spirit of barbarian; and Notwithstanding
the popular idea to the contrary, he believed
there was no such mighty hindrance to the
progress of civilization as war;
He regarded the spirit of this bill as the
dark, barbarous and hateful spirit of war,
and therefore IL was he WOuld Use all honor