Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1857-02-27
XXNFN CONGRESS-.
WAsnfNarox. Feb. u.

SENATE Mr. Wilson gave notice Of
bill granting to the cities Of Washing-
ton and Georgetown. five thousand
acres of land for the support of their
public schools.
The Senate proceeded to the consider
alton of the House bill to authorize the
people of Minnesota to form constitu-
ton and State government preparatory to
their admission into the union.
Mr.. Briggs moved an amendment that
none bat citizens of the United States
be entitled to vote in reference to the
formation of a constitution and State
government He did not know but
what the offering Of such propositions
might subject him to the suspicion Of
being tainted with Know Nothingism,
but whether this was one of the prin-
ciples of the American party or not he
was decidedly in favor Of combining the
United States, native or naturalized, in
the formation of all organic laws.
Mr.. Broadhcad dem alluded to the
action Of the Senate on the Nebraska
bill.
They adopted an amendment similar
to this which the House struck out
When the bill came back to the House,
he again moved to insert that provision
in the bill. being the only northern
member who sanctioned that amend
ment from beginning to end. He did
not feel at liberty in defending the
rights of voters to so farther than the
constitution of his own State has gone
and that is. confined the right CT suf-
frage to citizens of the United States.
Mr. Brown expressed his hearty con.
currence in the views expressed by the
Senator from Pennsylvania.
Mr.. Douglas replied 20 the remarks OF
Mr. Briggs, maintaining that the amend
ment was improper.
Mr.. Bell of Tennessee favored thu
amendment and advocated such modif
cation of the existing naturalization laws
as would provide additional securities
against the gross abuses which have
been practiced under them.
Messrs., Mason, Briggs and Critten
den advocated the bill, and Toucey ant
Wilson opposed it.
Mr.. Clay entered protest asains
Mr.. Edwards doctrine that the right o
suffrage was coordinate with the oblisa
ton to submit to, and support any de
fined government that would allow in
fants the importance Of having som
limit attached to the right of forming OF
ganic laws. He was the first man il
the Senate to denounce Know Nothing
ism but would vote for this amendmen.
He confessed he erred in voting for tn
Nebraska bill, after Mr.. Clayton
amendment was stricken out.
Mr.. Butler said he too, voted for MI
CLAYTON amendment, but yielded fror
the necessity of the case to save tn
bill.
Mr.. Briggs amendment was the
adopted by yeas 81 nays "a. The bil
was then passed.
The bill establishing judicial dis
trict in the Gadsden purchase-creatin
the Office ofSurveyor General, grantin
donations to actual settlers &C., wa
also passed.
The bill Authorized the people Of Ore
gon to establish state government. wa
then taken up.
HousE-The House passed the Pc:
Office Appropriation Bill.
The resolution providing for the in
pesehment of Judge Watrous, of Texa:
for high crimes and misdemeanors wa
then taken up.
Mr.. Caskie advocated the postpone
enent Of the subject until the first Nor
day of December, showing that it wa
utterly impossible to obtain proper az
ton during the present Congress.
Mr.. Humphrey Marshall did not kno'
now the House could better repair tn
injustice done Judge Watrous. than b
ordering his impeachment. The Hous
might as we'll do it now. If he we,
Judge Watrous he would demand it.
The subject was postponed until Sal
urday next.
The House took up their resolutio
reported from the Committee on Elet
tons, declaring that Mr.. Whitfield wa
not entitled to a seat as Delegate fror
Kansas.
On motion of Mr.. Carvthers, tn
resolution was tabled bya vote Of 9
against So.
The House proceeded to consideratio
Of the Deficiency Bill.
Mr.. Etheridge made speech defend
ing himself from the charge OF his bein
Black Republican because he ha
introduced a resolution denunciatory {
the re-opening of the slave trade.
Without concluding action on tn
bill the House then adjourned.
LEGISLATIVE.
THURSDAY. Feb. 10.