The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-03-14
CONGRESSIONAL,
Important Action ON the Minnesota
State Bill In the Senate. A

moved a reconsideration OF the vote by viii,
, the Senate passed a bill authorizing the pc
pie of Minnesota to form constitution ar
State government. Thompson of KY, W.
opposed to the bill because it would brir
into the Senate two additional Senator
against what he considered the best interes
of the country. 4 r
Mr.. Douglas hoped the motion would pr,
vail, in order that they might strike out tn
amendment for the restriction of suffrage
citizens of the United States, so that tn
bill might pass as it came from the House.
Mr.. Green remarked that all the discus
sion seemed to him like a tempest in tea
pot, as these questions were not necessaril
involved, and were onls argued in regard t
the ulterior results.
Mr.. Adams contended that the amendmen
referred to by Mr.. Douglas was founded IN
on sound principles.
Hayard and Butler concurred in the opin
ion. Great danger mi ght result to the rer
pctulty of our institutions if aliens were ad
mltted to the exercise of the right of votin,
in the formation Of the organic laws of new
States.
Mr.. Pugh argued that the amendmen
should be stricken cut.
The vote by which the bill passed was re
considered, IS against 81.
Hale moved to reconsider the vote b,
which the amendment was adop' ed restrict
ing suffrage to citizens of the United States
Biggs earnestly argued in favor of retain.
ing the amendment.
Brown said that the other day the Senate
by deliberate vote placed suffrage in the
hands of American citizens exclusively, and
now by vote of nearly two to one, on the
passage of the bill, it has been reconsidered
for the avowed object of reversing former
action. Why was this? This was not a
case of necessity like that of the Kansas
bill. Then the Senate yielded to convictions
IN order to insure the passage of the BILL
lie hoped the Senate would hesitate before
adopting such course as was now proposed
MIR. Toombs replied-Our fathers had al
ways allowed aliens to vote in cases of the
kind, and he could not see any evil had re-
suited from it.
Mr.. Critten len regarded this amendment
as involving gieat and important principles.
When the foundations of future State
were to be laid, American hands should per-
form the work
The Senate then adjourned. But we
learn, from private sources that the vote on
the amendment was reconsidere. on the 25tb.
and the bill passed precisely as it came from
the House. This, however, nee S confirma-
ton, although it would seem to be the fact
from the magnitude of the vote in favor of
reconsidering the bill.
The House proceedings on the 24th were
not important. We give below.
he Executive, Legislative and Judicia'
bill was passed. The House concurred by
two majority in the action of the Commit
tee of the Whole on the state of the Union.
striking out the appropriation of twenty
thousand dollars for the expenses of the
Kansas Legislature
Mr.. Sherman rising to personal explana-
ton, said he noticed in the official report of
the proce dngs yesterday, the words,
That's lie,' uttered in low toned voice."
and attributed to Wright, Of Tennessee, as
having been uttered in reply to something he
(Sherman) had said pending debate on the
amendment striking out appropriations for
Kansas Legislature.
Mr.. Sherman now wished Mr.. Wright to
say what he choose relative to that remark,
and whether his words were or were not
correctly reported.
Mr.. Wright replied that he meant no dis
repect to the House. He believed at the
time, and now believed that the statement
made by that gentleman was untrue.
Mr.. Sherman said the remark was made
in so low tone that it was not and could
not be heard in his part of the House.
Whether this was intentional or not is for
this House to decide. Before he was in
formed of what was said the member had left
the hall. From what he could learn, he be-
lieved it was the language of blackguardism,
induced by excitement and in.oxicaton.
The Speaker reminded the gentleman he
was not in order.
Sherman supposed it was only necessary
to call the attention of the member to the
fac, for his relations to him heretofore had
been kindly, though not intimate. The re-
mark had been read to call forth from him a
manly retraction but in this he found he
was totally mistaken.
Wright replied he could not, Of course, be
expected to handy epithets with the gentle
man from Ohio until he relieved himself from
already cast upon him. That
was all he had to say.
The House passed the bill to refund duties
on goods destroyed by fire in New York,
and the Senate joint resolution authorizing
the Secretary of the Treasury to cause in
quiry to be made into Barclays process for
abrasion counterfeiting and de-
terioration of United States coin.
Colifax, from the Committee on Elections,
to which was referred the petition of 2,2OO
citizens of California, asking the expulsion
from the House of Mr. Norbert for killing
the waiter Keating, reported that the petition
was accompanied by no proof and no au-
thority was given the Committee to compel
the attendance of witnesses, therefore it was
for the House to determine what further ac-
tion should be taken.
Mr. Herbert remars ed that he was credi-
bly, informed by Californians now here, that
the petition was got up in the Vigilance
Committee room in San Francisco. He did
not believe man of them ever voted for
him, and they were considered a band of out
laws. He looked on the petition as coming
from that quarter.
Mr.. Colfax said the petition was not re-
ferred to the Committee till the 10th inst,
hence it would be seen they had acted as
as the time allowed.
On motion of Mr.. Boyce the report was
laid on the table.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.
SENATE.-The Sub-Marine Telegraph Bill
being up, Toombs resumed his remarks
against the bill, calling it a violation of the
Constitution and of justice and scheme
which would subserve no interests excepting
Al 4