Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-08-08
CONGRESS-.
WEDNESDAY,, July 80

befa on Abnpifras
Mr.. Yulee, from the Post Office Com
mittee, reported the bill authorizing the
Postmaster General 10 contract with MIR. Van
derbilt for carrying the mail between South
nmpton and New York, with the amendment
making it the duty Of the contractor to ex-
tend the trips to Bremen or Ilavre, or those
places alternately, whenever required by the
Postmaster General, without additional com
pensatiou for the round voyage; also provi'
ding that Antwerp nay at any time be sub
slitnted for either Of these places. Another
amendment directs the Secretary Of tie Ma
w to give notice, provided in the act Of June
1852 to terminate tho arrangements of the
additional allowance for the transportation
of the mail between New York and Liver.
pool in the Collins line Of steamships The
bill was made the special order for Monday.
The bill continuing the improvements 10
the harbor of Newark, N. j., gave rise to an
animated debate, involving the entire scope
Of such questions.
Without disposing Of the bill, the Senate
adjourned
House. The bill providing for the set
Element nf the claims Of officers Of the Rev
oluton, and the widows and orphans Of those
who died In service, was passed,
The Kansas election case was postponed
until Tomorrow Mr. Washburn Of Maine
giving notice that he should then, at o'clock,
move he previous question.
The bill expedtng the issuing Of patents
for confirmed land claims Of California, was
debated and tabled by three majority.
The Fertilization Appropriation bill was
then taken up and discussed, pending which
the House adjourned.
THURSDAY, July 81.
Al.
Of payment Of the California war bonds was
pissed
The following bills we're passed To con-
uuue the Improvement Of the Desmoines RI.
pids in the Mississippi river; to continue the
improvements Of the harhors Of Newark,
n. j., Conueaut, Huron, Farport Ashtnbula,
Sandusky Cleveland, aud Black river. Ohio;
TO continue the improvements Of the labors
of Buffalo, Dunkfk, Oak Orchard Creek,
Big Sodus and Little Sodus, n. Y also the
bill for the completion of the breakwater at
Burlington VI; also the bills providing for
the continuation Of the improvement of the
Missouri and Arkansas rivers also the bill
90 continue 10 construction Of the breAkwa-
ter on the east side Of Reedy Island also
the bill making an appropriation for a
streamdrench" on Lake Ontario Adj.
House. The Kansas contested election
case was taken up.
Mr. Washburn Of Maine conteuded that
the election Of Mr., Whitfield was without
authority Of law, and he comes here as the
choice oily OF the minority Of the resident
citizens Of Kansas therefore he Is not en-
ttled TO the seat. The election under which
Mr. Reeder claims was equally without su-
thorly Of law, but nssmuch as he is the
choice Of larger number Of residents than
g.. a.
tee recommend that he be admitted to a seat
To deny TO Kansas the rights to her true
choice Of its resident citizens, merely be
cause that choice was manifested out
side Of legal forms, and necessarily so, be-
Cause the law-uakng power was destroyed
by foreign violence, u 10 deny 10 Kansas the
right 10 be- heard on the floor Of the House.
Mr. Smith Of Tennessee called atten-
ton to the fact that the Committee on Flee
tuns, 10 other cases, reported resolution
that the contestant WAS entitled 10 the seat,
bot m this they recommend that Reeder be
admitted. Was might or right here to pre-
vail?
Mr.. Washburn repeated that neither Whit
field nor Reedef had been chosen by exist.
ing law. In the present case the Committee
had followed the precedent act concerning
Wisconsin and Minnesota Territories. Il
was competent to the House to admit Mr.
Reeder az a delegate.
Mr. Smith said that Mr. Reeder had no
legal right, but yet he would admit him.
Mr.. stephens of Ga, taking issue with
MI Washbum, remarked where there Is
legally organized Territorial government,
some persons must be under the law legally
entitled to vote. In the case referred to by
the gentleman from Maine, there was no or
nd Iltss ,r, .tt
sion Is made by law for the election OF de-
legate. Therefore the precedent did not ap-
ply. 10 the course Of his remarks he allud-
ed to the adoption of Mr.. Shermau's amend
ment to the Army bill, saying that majority
Of the House thus eyiuced their desire TO
strike down the main pillar of liberty, name
w., the right Of the people to bear arms as
secured by the Constitution. When he saw
such things he almost despalred of ANYTHING
being done IN behalf Of law and order, the
Constitution being regarded as no longer
binding.
Mr. Sherman Of Ohio replied to Mr. Div
er's minority report Of the Kansas lnyestiga-
ting Committee, and maintained the truth Of
fhe statements set forth by the majority con-
corning the invacion of Kansas by Mssou>
rams, and their violent control Of elections.
by tramphng on the rights Of resident voters.
lie argued that the remedy for the Free
State men by judicial process WAS utterly
futile. lie would vote for unseatng Mr.
Whitfield, because the latter represents the
forces who invaded Kansas. The laws of
that Territory, Illegally passed, ought to be
repealed the militia dlsarned. and the whole
federal treasure, # necessary, expended TO
keep the peace.
Mir. Savage Of Tennessee insisted that
. L.
assault upon the constitution and laws Of the
United States, and 10 It's process was an as
sault upon justice and truth.
Mr.. Oliver of Missouri commended that IN
der the resolution providing Tor the Kansas
investigating Committee, they had no author
ity to inquire into the validity Of the legis-
lative Assembly II was a violation Of overy
principle of law, and degrading in his col
leagues on the Committee thus 10 transcend
their powers. lie asked whether the House
was willing to trample on law by admitting
Mr.. Reeder Were men 40 lost to justice
and decency as to be guilty of such mon
strosity He should not believe II until II
was recorded, and then he should see it with
shame and modification.
Mr. Washbun Of Maine asked that the
statement of Mr., Reeder De read
Several objections were interposed, but
were finally Withdrawn.
The Clerk then commenced reading the
statement, which is TO the effect that great
mass of evidence renders it indisputsble that
tho Legislative Assembly of Kansas was a
fraudulent, usurpatng body, elected in
manner disgraceiul to the age. lie assum-
ed that the law under which Mr., Whitfield
was elected was absolutely void, aud calls
for stern condemnation of such stupend-
Gus fraud. His own election, so far as the
time and place were concerned, he says was
not in accordance with previous law. lie
claims, however, that he received large
majority Of the legal votes, and that his OPP
ponent, though sustained by bands Of voters,
and accessions from Missouri, falls short in