Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1856-07-11
Affairs at Washington.

Several noticeable events occurred at
Washington during the last week, which in
dicate a slight falling of of the rampant con-
fdrncc of the :" border rufFan" and admins
tiation forces. Mr. Herbert, the member
who shot the waiter kcating-so trilling an
affair that his pro-slavcry upholdcrs in the
House did not think it worth nquiring into
has been indicted by the grand jury for mur
der, and put in prison to await his trial. We
suspect that that is owing in great measure
10 the free talk which has been abroad Of the
necessity for removing the seat Of govern
ment to the banks of the Ohio-wherc u free
atmosphere can be brcathcd, The Attorney
Of the United States is proceeding against
Brooks for his assault on Senator Sumner.
4 move was made by the Attorney to have
the proceeding appear under the sanction of
Mr.. sumner, which was promptly check
mated by the Hon. Senator, who reminded
the Attorney that he CIR, Sumner) had ap.
peared witness, only at the communal Of
the lar, and that he had taken care to state
that before the jury. 1t was no purpose or
concern of his to prosecute Mr., Brooks, The
United States officer must attend to his own
business.
The Kansas outrages on the one hand, and
the enthusiasm breaking out on every side
for Fremont and Dayton have evidently
alarmed the pro.slaycry leaders of the Senate.
Something must be done to encourage the
rank and file to make them stand by their
cJlors. As for being consistent, that is Of no
consequence in Douglass view. lie is will
Ing to change his ground every day, if there
by he can carry out his purposes. y month
ago, he proposed to give the people OF Kansas
leave to form state constitution after the
population had reached 930OO-the bogus
legislature remaining in authority the mean
while. That scheme was finally abandoned
and he brought forward new bill rs the
y. Y, Herald says lit is simple and to the
purpose. Under the auspices Of Mr. Pierce the
" border ruiilns,' by fire, sword and ter
rori-m have expelled the bulk of the abolition
and free soil squattcrs from the Territory.
They are scattered all over the North and
even if invited back 1T would take them some
weeks or months to complete their prepara %
tions and return. The pro-slayery party are
| thus left in majority in Kansas and Il law
Of Congress providing State Convention ON
the day of the Presidential election-a d
/ providing, further, that none shall be voters
IN clecting the members Of that Convention
I but such persons as shall have been residents
in Kansas during all the months of August,
/ September and October, will fix the business,
/ This is the new bill Of Mr.. Douglas, and its
meaning is simply this to take advantage
Of the expulsion of the free solers, and
secure the admission OF Kansas AS slave
State before they can return,
\ Commission of tive is TO he appointed by
the President and the Senate to see to the CEN
sus and decide who are to vote, which is like
wolves. making guardians for the sheep
/ This bill somewhat modified, was pushed
through the Senate at the end of 20 hours
session. On short notice, Senator Cpllamer
prepared forcible report against it. That
bll is now before the House.
In the House by the aid nr the Fillmore
Americans, the bill Tor admitting Kansas as a
free State with the Topeka Constitution was
first defeated june 3Oth. by mii,ri'y al
one. The next day - motion was 1de t.
reconsider IL. The report OF the X insas
commission was read, and the motion to re
consider was carried On the Sd of July, aud
the bill passed by a majority of three. q