Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-05-22
Congregational.

WASHINGTON, May IL.
SENATE The fishing bounty bill was
ia ken up.
Mr.. Wilson of Mass, said that Massachu-
setts owned one half of the fishing vessels OF
the country and the business has for over
23O years been source of interest to her
people. In the beginning of the 18th centu
ry Massachusetts exported to the value Of
four million dollars from her fisheries.
The possession of the fisheries was an ele-
ment i'm the revolution, and their encourage
ment has ever been a settled policy of the
Government. Mr.. w. quoted as authority,
Monroe, Washington and Jefferson in proof
of this assertion, and also that they were re-
CARED as nursery 70: seamen.
Messrs: DoOlitte and Foster opposed the
repeal of the bounties
tional section to the bill repeating all the du-
ties on salt.
A lengthy debate ensued on this, when
MIR. Trumbull moved to include sugar.
Mr.. Slidell gave notice that If the amend
ment was adopted, he should move to include
textures aud fibres, and the abolishment O!
custom houses.
Mr. Seward was opposed to altering the
60 for the abolishment of the duties on su-
gar, and if the Senator fl ON Tenn. would 60
with him he would favor the abolition of the
duties on iron.
The subject was laid over till tomorrow.
The fishery question was suspended, and
the credentials of the Hon. Henry NJ. Rice,
presented as Senator from Minnesota. AS
soon as they were read, Mr. Harlan, OF Iowa,
presented charges from the people of Mime
sofa, that Mr.. Rice had been guilty of cor
ruption in connection with land sales in the
Territory.
He, Harlan, did not know what was the
objection to the reception of the credentials.
One Of the charges is that Mr. Rice sold land
at one dollar and a half per acre, and gave
receipts for one dollar and quarter per
acre.
Mr.. Brown, of Miss, objected to the Gre
dentials being received, not because of the
! charges made, but because Minnesota was no
State, when she elected Messrs. Rice and
Shields. The whole thing, be said, is wrong,
and debate ensued.
Mr. Seward tn ought Mr. Brown more me-
taphorirical than practical The action of
Minnesota was taken when she was passing
from territorial existence into the maturity
of State. The election Of these gentlemen
vas conditional that the present should be
effective from the period of its becoming a
State.
MIR. Stuart condemned the course of the
Harlan and spoke in the highest terms of Mr..
Senators elect.
Mr.. Harlan said he did not personally know
the Senators elect, but felt it his duty to
present the petitions of his constituents
Mr. Bright defended the new Senator from
imputations cast upon him by Mr.. Harlan in
presenting the chaages.
Mr.. Rice was then sworn in and immedi-
ately addressed the Senate. This he said
was his first appearance in an embarrassing
position He had not received an in,imatiun
of these charges.
II the Senator from Iowa (Mr. HarIan)
had examined the Department he would have
found that there was not one word of truth
in the charges made. He (Mr. Rlce) should
demand an investigation, and if one single
word impugned his motives as government
officer he would resign his position as q SEN
ator.
Mr.. Harlan offered resolution for Com
mittee to investigate with authority to send
for persons and papers. Laid over.
Mr.. Crittenden presented the credentials
of Gen. Shields, who W IS also sworn in as
Senator from Minnesota. Adjourned.
WASHINGTON, May Is.
SENATE.-From the meeti Of the Sen
ate t 10 A. NJ, until p. NJ, the discussion
was upon what to take up.
Mr. Clay urged the fishery bill.
Mr.. Polk wanted the homestead bill, and
Mr.. Hunter insisted on the general appropri-
%.l.
vote of % against 10.
The bill, containing thirty-seven pages,
was then read.
Notwithstanding that the Senate has been
in session for seven hours nothing practical
has been DONE The appropriation bill was
read by sections Some formal amendments
were adopted, and the bill passed, whercupon
Mr. Doottle Of Wisconsin, moved to re-
consider, which was carried, % against 16 -
The bill being under discussion again, an an
imated debate continued over three hours.
HoUsE.-Mr. Phillips, Of Pa, said that
Messrs Cavanaugh and Phelps, members
from Minnesota, were present, and moved that
they be sworn in. The certificates Of cleo
ton were found to be signed by Saml. Me-
dary, Governor of Minnesota and dated in
December last.
Mr.. Sherman objected to the administra-
ton of the oath. 1t was known that the
Constitution Of Minnesota provided for the
election Of three members of Congress by
general ticket, and he desired to be informed
where the credentials of tn: third members
were.
Mr. Phillips replied, saying those were
the only credentials he had seen.
Mr.. Sherman said that by other provisions
of the Constitution of Minnesota the term
of Governor does not commence until alter
the State is admitted into the Union, and
was the only mode by which the House could
Judge who is the Executive officer of this
State. Medary is not Governor of Mime
sofa, the Postmaster of Columbus, Ohio.
Mr.. Letcher said that in Virginia the sher-
| iF gives certificates of election. The Gov
ernor has nothing to do with the subject.
Mr.. Sherman remarked that these certifi-
Gates were signed by federal office holder
in Ohio He did not know by what power
or authority or latter-day scheme, two men,
bers were selected out OF the three sent here.
Who is the third person?
Mr. Phillips pointed to the fact tina. the
members from California were elected by
ballot and yet presented separate certificates.
Mr. Sherman replied that a similar difficult
tv did not occur in the California case, be-
cause there were only two members. Min
ncsota had elected three, when only two are
entitled to seats.
Mr. Phelps referred to the fact that when
he was first elected, his certificate said he was
duly elected by qualified vote.
The Speaker SAID he should follow the
precedent in the California case, when the
Chair referred to the House for their decis-
ior whether the members be sworn.
Mr.. Millson, of Virginia, offered a rcsclu-
ton that the certificates and credentials of
those claiming election as members from Min
nesota, be referred to the Committee on Elec-
tions, with instructions to inquire into and
report as to their light to be sworn as men,