Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-01-19
Cungrrss.
"WEDNESDAY, Jan. 10.


vor of sending one or more vessels to the
relief of DR.. Kane.
Mr. Sumner Of Massachusetts, presented
memorial in opposition to the appointment of
military men to civil positions.
The Judiciary Reform bill was then taken
up, the question being upon Mr.. Claytons a.
mendment TO dispense with the Circuit SER
vices of the Judges Of the Supreme Courts,
and the diminution Of the present number
to six, whenever the deaths of the present
ncumbents. by disease or otherwise, shall
create vacancies.
Mr. Foot Of Vermont presented G. memoir
al from Hon. George p. Marsh, resident
Minister at Constantnople, praying for re-
Enumeration. Referred.
/ Mr. Toombs of Georgia presented me-
mortal from the members OF the bar in the
District OF Colum bia, praying that the House
Judicial Reform bill pass the Senate. Re
ferred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Butler of South Carolina presented n
memorial in opposition to the passage Of the
Judiciary Reform bill
Mr. Weller of California presented me
mortal from officers of the army, praying
for remuneration for losses sustained by the
disaster to the steamship W infield Scott.
hi. I ihAA VI FlfHtuAth u nv
mortal from merchants, asking Congress 10
provide for difficulties arising from the obo
lition of corporal punishment of seamen.
Mr.. Clayton of Delaware presented pc
tition from Joel Ware, relative to the furth.
er protection of Amencan manufactures.
On motion of Mr. Cass Of Michigan, the
first Monday of February was assigned for
the consideration Of the resolution of Mr..
D If,I.rus.,I j.. roll fr.,sl..,,, IN,
foreign countries.
After some debate upon 1t, the Senate
went INTO executive sessio and adjourned.
Hour. The bill amendatory to the land
graduation act was announced as first in or
der, 10 which was pending the amendment,
of Mr.. Dawson of Pennsylvania, giving a
homestead of one hundred and sixty acres
at fourteen and half cents per acre, on
condition of actual settlement and cultya-
ton.
Mr. Campbell Of Ohio was opposed to tack
ing the principles OF the homestead bill on
to this bill.
Mr.. Dawson Of Pennsylvania argued that
free grants Of land was a new principle.
Mr.. Campbell moved that the bill and a
mendments be referred to the Conmittce OF
the " hole on the State Of the Union
Mr.. Campbelfs motion to refer was not
agreed TO- and the question reverted to Mr.
Dawson's amendment which confines the
benefits OF the bill to native born citizens
and foreigners now naturalized, or who may
have signliied their intention of becoming
citizens before the passage Of the bill.
Mr.. Cobb of Alabama opposed the amend
ments. lie wished the homestead bill 10
stand upon its own merits, and not embar
rass the bill now pending. The homestead
bill cnuld not pass the Senate. tie wished
the section Including foreigners who miy
come here uilcr the passage Of the bill 20 be
stricken out.
Mr. Etheridge Of Tennessee did not wish
ia extend the benefits of the homestead bill
to foreigners.
Mr.. jones Of Tennessee cnnlended that
naturaized foreigners should have all the
benefits guaranteed by the Constitution TO
citizens.
Mr.. Cobb of Alabama was opposed TO lie
gislatng for people of other countries.
Mr.. Dawson's amendme ut was rejected -
yeas -, nays @. The bill was then relec-
ted-yeas bS, nays %.
Mr.. Dawson of Pennsylvania then moved
to take up the business OF the Speaker's ia
Bile, with the view Of reaching the homestead
bill as amended by the Senate.
Pending the motion the House adjourned.
THuRspAY, Jan. 4.
SENATE. MIR. Fish's bill for the estab-
lishment Of a custom house and post office
at Plaiisburg, n. Y, was referred to tie
Committee GA Commerce.
IL was moved tia, the Pacific Railroad
bill be printed and referred to the Commit
tee on Commerce; lost.
II Wac n,.vad that tho D,.se.
bill be printed and referred to a Special
Committee Agreed to.
The Compensation bill was taken up.
Mr.. Gillette, Of Connecticut sald-if the
State Judges can get along with $1,000 to
$500 year why cannot the United States
Judges get along with 1000 TO $500. At
ter the demonstrations of the last Congress
upen the Nebraska Kansas bill. / think that
the members ought to be satisfied that they
already receive enough, If not too much.
Mr.. Badger am surprised al the re-
marks of the Senator from Connecticut.
hope those who think the present per diem
allowance is sufficient compensation for their
services, will. as honorable men. vote against
the bill ! ilunk my services are worth more.
and rae those Of other Senators as high as
my own. | don't see why the Senator should
braska bill or the Fugitive Slave law. | yo-
ted for the Kansas Nebraska bill, and my
reasons for doing 30 were given on the floor
OF this Senate. | am responsible for them
only To my constituents and my Maker. II
we Introduce these irritating and agilatng
subjects upon every occasion, whether rele
want or irrelevant. we shall have discussion
enough ! abandon profitable practice to
serve my country, and although not extrav-
agant, II takes $1,000 year, m addition TO
my compensation, TO deiray my expenses. |
do not regret that service, but the country
should make a fair remuneration.
Mr.. Clayton, OF Delaware, thought that
the compensation of the members Of Con-
gress inadequate. lie said their pay was a.
bout equal TO that of one of the pages Of the 1
Senate. and half that Of its messengers lie I
should not vote to increase that OF his own /
compensation, but should vote to increase
that OF his successor, and OF the senators
from other States.
Mr.. Toucey, Of Connecticut, Uttered from /
his colleague. lie Thought II bad policy 10 I
pay public servants loo small wages.
The further consideration OF the subject I
was post poned until tomorrow, at half past
IL O'clock.
The consideration of the Judicial Reform /
bill was then resumed Mr.. Chase's amend /
Inent to reduce the number Of Judges, and I
Mr.. Geyer's motion To strike out all the first I
section, were rejected. MIR. Douglass sub. |
stitule was then read by sections, for the
purpose Of periecting il, and then postponed
until Monday next for Tor final action.
The bll to extend the provisions of the
Bounty Land Bill was then taken up.
discussion arose ms TO whether the COM
pensatlon should be made by the bill to those
who we're IN the service Of the States, but
not OF the General Government.
Mr.. roonJs, Of Georgia maintained that
The Governors Of States had right to de-
eide whether the constitutional exipency
had arrived, which justified their placing
troops IN command OF the President Of the
United States.
Mr.. Cass, of Michigan, opposed this doc
trine.
Pending the discussion. the Senate wen,