Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-01-23
CONGRESS-.

appeared and was qualified.
Mr.. Seward presented a petition from the
Geographical Society of the city of New York :,
protesting against the coinage of three dollar
and three cent pieces, and praying that none
bu decimal coins may be issued from the
mint,
The submarine telegraph bill was then ia
ken up.
Mr.. Hunter thought the bill required some
amendment, as it left the whole matter at the
discretion of the president He was in favor
of inserting some limitation in the bill, as he
feared the United States might 90 beyond
what was originally designed unless this pre-
caution was taken.
Mr.. Collamer replied there was this limita.
ton that this government should afford the
Company no more aid than was afforded by
the British government.
Mr.. Hunter contended that such project
should be carried out by private company
If the government desired to send messages
over the line, it should pay for them, just as
a private citizen would and no more.
Mr.. Collamer stated that the company de-
sired to have some kind of security, before
they hazarded such an immense outlay. All
that was now proposed was, that this govern
ment should put itself upon the same terms
as the British government.
Mr.. benjamin suggested that this bill did
not limit the government to the same aid that
the British government had already afforded,
but to what they might afford in future,
which was very indefinite,
M. Seward moved to amend the bill to OBJ
viate objections, with the proviso that the
contract to be made by the British govern
ment shall not be different from that already
proposed by that government to the New York
and Newfoundland Telegraph Company.
Mr.. Seward stated that the wire for this
telegraph was already made, and the whole
enterprise had heretofore been conducted add
managed with American capital. On the 4th
of July next, if the bill pass, there will be a
girdle around the world. 1t is proposed to
lend vessels of the United States navy, as the
British government will find her vessels, to
lay down the wire, because there are not in
the commercial marine vessels suitable for that
work.
If we do not make this controct, the British
government will have priority Of messages,
and we shall have to pay for the use OF the
line, in accordance with the contract which
they may make but FIVE do make this con-
tract, we shall stand upon terms of equality
with that government
Mr.. Seward amendment was adopted
Mr.. Hunter remarked that both termini of
the line were within British dominions, and
he hoped, if they proceeded reasonably, there
would never be an interruption to the amaa-
bic relations between the two COUNTLESS
When this question first came up, this idea
presented itself to his mind and he suggested
to the Telegraph Company, that it ought to be
the subject OF treaty between the United
States and Great Britain. He sent to the
President and Secretary of State for the pur-
Mt w haitian no
could not be settled by treaty to secure that
object, but it was found that it W ould protract-
negotiations until after the 4th of July, and,
on this account, the papers were returned
without action being taken thereon. If we
shall ever go to war with Great Britain
which he hoped might never happen-we
should need to have both termin in our pos
session in order to avail ourselves of the tele-
graph. But his notion was, that, when the
Geographic wire was once laid, thare would
be no more war between England and the
United States.
Mr.. Hunter said he should be glad to think
that the millennium was so near at hand as the
senator from New York supposes. For his
part he should like to see some substantial
guarantee in the bill, by which the United
States shall have the same advantages, in time
of war, as the British government
Mr.. Hale was sorry to hear the chance of
war referred to in connection with matters of
this kind. The same argument would apply
against making appropriations for commercial
purposes. If the British chose to cut off their
end of the suspension bridge, our end of it
would not be worth much. daughter He
did not b9lieve that the Creator put man on
earth to be always in state of war.
Mr.. Toombs Tin his seat = War is the nat
ural state of man.
Mi. Hale-We are coming to a spiritual
state Now. Laughter. We have lived forty
years without having war with Great Brit
ain, and believe war is not likely to occur
in forty years to come. l advocate this propo-
sition as peace, not war measure.
Further debate took place, and without
hnal action, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE. Mr.. Orr, from the Corruption In
vestigating Committee, made report that Mr.
Simonton had refused to answer certain cues
tons as to members of the House approaching
him with corrupt propositions, which were
deemed material to the inquiry of the com
mittee. The report concludes with resolu-
ton directing the Sergeant at Arms to take
Mr.. Simonton into custody, and bring him
before the bar of the House forthwith, to an
swer for contempt of its authority
The resolution was adopted only sixteen
voting in the negative.
Mr.. Orr also reported bill, the more effect
ually to enforce the attendance and answers
of witnesses, making them liable to imprson.
ment and fines.
During spirited discussion, to which this
gave rise, the assistant Sergeant at Arms
brought Mr.. Simonton before the bar of the
House, and, in reply TO question from the
Speaker, as to what he had to say why furth-
er action should not be taken against him,
Mr.. Simonton said he was prepared to make
aspeeeh, and spoke for more than halfan hour
in justification of his refusal to answer what
two members Of the House had approached
him with corrupt propositions. He denied the
power of the House to proceed against him in
this particular case, and concluded by asking
to be heard by counsel.
Various propositions were made respecting
him.
One by Mr.. Orr, was adopted, for the Ser
geant al Arms to keep him in close confine-
ment until he purge himself of contempt.
The proceedings were extended over Ave
hours. Adjourned.
MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE.
THURSDAY, Jan. %.
SENATE Petitions Presented and Referred.
Of the First Universaist Church in Fitch
burg, for leave to tax pews; OF A. L. Ran