Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-05-20
Congressional.
Washington. Monday. Nav 10,


SENATE.-The bill for the repeal Of the fishing
boanti S act Was taken up.
Mr.. Allen of Rhode Island moved an amend
ment that the bounties cease from the 3lst
Dec. 1859.
Mr.. Hamblm of Maine moved to amend by
substitution of Dec, 1865.
MIR. Crittenden of Ky. had from his entry
into public life regarded this as a part of the
policy of the government, and he had not found
occasion to change his opinion A bill had
passed the House to educate men as farmers.
and we may equally educate them as seamen
hence he would vote against the repeal.
Mr.. Collamer of Vermont had no doubt of
the continuance of sufficiency of cod tor the
supply Of the world, but the Senate must re-
member that Reciprocity Treaty admits, duty
free, fish caught by the British provincials, and
the effect of the repeal will be to raise seamen
for the British navy instead of the United
States.
Mr.. Benjamin replied that the Reciprocity
Treaty was acceded to by the South with the
sole view of benefit to their Northern brethren,
their being no reciprocal trade between Canada
and the Southern portion of the Union.
Mr.. Collamer, in reply, said that in his
opinion the South acceded so the reciprocity
treaty with the view of giving Canada all the
commercial advantages of aconnection with this
Union, without her coming into it to disturb
the balance of political power between the
North and South. Adjourned.
HoUsE.-The House proceeded to the business
on the Speakers table and agreed to the Sem
ato's amendment to the Military Academy bill
Adjourned.
Tuesday, May II,
SENATE.-The bill for the repeal of this FISH,
! ing Bountes Act was taken up, and Mr.. Hale
y of N. Ii. spoke against it, and in favor of
y the system of bounties. Adjourned.
8 HousE.-The Senate bill for the admission of
Minnesota was taken up.
Mr. Rcaud of Maryland spoke against the
alien suffrage clause in the constitution, that
none but citizens of the United States should be
allowed to vote.
: Mr.. Stephens of Georgia answered the va
rious objections which had been made against
the bill, arguing that Congress could only
look into the constitution of new State to see
d whether it is Republican in form, and legally
" and fairly expresses the will of the people. II
=. 1t conflicts with the constitution of the United
- States, that instrument points out a remedy.
y The House voted on the substitute pro-
posed by Mr.. Sherman of Ohio, requiring as a
fundamental condition precedent for the ad-
u mission of Minnesota the alteration of its Con-
# stitution by new Convention to make it con-
f form to the constitution and laws of the United
:, States-and it was reected-5l against l4l.
y The bill was then passed In the precise form
in which it came from the Senate, by l57
70 against l4l.
= Wednesday, May IL, 1858.
e SENATE.-A variety of unimportant business
was transacted, after which the Fishery Boun-
ties bill was taken up.
n Mr.. Wilson of Massachusetts, said that Mass
If achusets owns onehalf the fishing vessels of the
# country, and the business has for over 230 years
been source ofinterest to her people. In the be-
y ginning of the 18th century Massachusetts ex.
y ported the value of 100000 from her fisher
d les. The possession of the fisheries was an ele
ment in the revolution, and their encourage
ment. He quoted as authority Ames, Geary
vt Washington and Jefferson, in proof of this as
l. sertion, and also that they were regarded as
. nursery for seamen.
10 The fishery question was suspended, and thu
T. credentials of the Hon. Henry M. Rice presen
ted as Senator from Minnesota.
As soon as they were read, Mr.. Harlan Of 10
n wa presented charges from the people of Min
nesota, that Mr.. Rice had been guilty of cor
rupton in connection with the land sales il
n that territory.
D." Mr.. Brown of Mississippi objected to the Gre
dentials being received, not because Of the char
We ges made, but because Minnesota was. not
:, State when she elected Rice and Shields. Tn
10 whole thing, he said, was wrong.
o debate ensued.
III Mr.. Harlan bid not know what course t.
Mt pursue. but would object to the reception of tn
s. credentials One of the charges is that Ric
H. sold land at ST. so per acre, and gave receipt
for 81 Is.
~ Mr.. Seward of N. Y. thought Mr. Brow
II, more metaphysical than practical. The actor
of Minnesota was taken when she was passin,
from territorial existence into the maturity G
ne State. The election of these gentlemen wa
~ conditional that the result should be effecte
N from the period of its becoming State.
= Mr.. Stuart of Michigan condemned the cours
It, of Mr.. Harlan and spoke in the highest term
e. of the Senator elect.
D, Mr. Harlan said he did not personally kno'
the Senator elect, but felt it his duty to presen
the petitions of his constituents and the facts
the case
Mr. Benjamin Of Louisiana explained how tn
'n charge originated. In the report Of Mr.. Rice
OF made to the War Department, he stated ho'
this occurred. No advantage was taken, as il
timated, nor was there anything wrong in til
lal case.
Mr.. Bright of Indiana defended the ne
,st Senator from mputatons, and believed that MI
- Rice would explain to the country the matte
Vi satisfactorily.
Ike Mr.. Davis of Miss. sustained Mr.. Harlan
ley presenting the charges.
Of Mr.. Rice was sworn in, and Immediately &C
H. dressed the Senate. This, he said was his fir
"o appearance in this body, and he felt that h
pa was placed in an embarrassing position. II
uy had never received any intimaton of the
,ur charges. If the Senator from Iowa (IIarlar
had examined the papers on file in the W;
aS Department, he would have found that the
was not one word of truth in the charges I
(Rice) should demand an Investigation, and
oni one single word impugned his motives as go
tie eminent officer, he would resign his position
ons Senator.
18 Mr.. Crittenden presented the credentials
General Shields who was also sworn in as
Senator from Minnesota. Adjourned
and HoUsE.-The House proceeded to the consi
- Grafton of business relating to the Territorie
oS- inaccordance with the special order.
on Mr. Smith of Virginia reported a bill to
til, tablish the Territorial government of Nevad
Adjourned
cu' WASHINGTON GossIP.-The New York II