Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1858-05-20
Congressional.
w AsHINGToN, Nav IL.

SENArE.--The fishing bounty bill was
taken up
Mr.. Wilson, of Mass, said that Massa.
chusetts owned half of the fishing
vessels of the country and the business
has Tor over $50 years been source o
interest to her people. In the beginning
OF the 18th century Massachusetts ex
ported to the value Of four millions O
dollars from her fisheries.
The possession of the fisheries was an
element ia the revolution, and their en-.
couragement has ever been settled poll
cy of the Government. Mr.. w. quoted
as authority, Monroe, Washington and
Jefferson in proof of this assertion, and
also that they were regarded as nursery
for scamen,
Messrs. Doolittle and Foster opposed
tie repeal of the bounles.
Mr. Allen offered resolution as an
additional section 10 the bill, repeating all
the duties on salt
A lengthy debate ensued on this, when
Mr.. Trumbull moved to include sugar.
Mr. Slidell gave notice that if the
amendment was adopted, he should move
to include textures and fbres, and the
adjustment OF csstem houses.
Mr.. Seward was opposed to altering
the tariff act of the last Congress- He
would go for the adjustment of the du-
ties on sugar, and if the Senator from
Tenn. would go with him he would favor
tho abolition of the duties on iron.
The subject was laid over till to-mor-
row.
The fishery question was suspended,
and the credentials of the Hon. Henry
M. Rice presented as Senator from Min
nesota. As soon as they were read, Mr.
Harlan of Iowa presented charges from
the people of Minnesota that Mr.. Rice
had been guilty of corruption in connec-
ton with land sales in the territory.
He, Harlan, did not know what was
the objection to the reception of the ere
dentials. One of the charges is that Mr.
Rice sold land at one dollar and hal
per acre, and gave receipts for one dollar
and quarter per acre.
Mr.. Brown, of Miss. objected to the
credentials being received, not because OF
the charges made, but because Minneso-
ia was no State when she elected Messrs.
Rice and Shields. The whole thing, he
said, is wrong, and debate ensued
Mr.. Seward thought Mr.. Brown more
metaphorical than practical. The action
of Minnesota was taken when she was
passing from a territorial existence into
the maturity of a State. The election of
these gentlemen was conditional that the
present should be effective from the Pc
Rod of its becoming State.
Mr.. Stuart condemned the course OF
Mr.. Harlan, and spoke in the highest
terms of the Senator'S elect.
Mr.. Harlan said he did not personally
know the Senators elect, but felt it his
duty to present the petitions of his con-
sttuents.
Mr.. Bright defended the new Senator
from imputations cast upon him by Mr.
Harlan in presenting the charges.
Mr.. Rice was then sworn in and imme
diately addressed the Senate. This be
said was his first appearance in this body
auo ne Iclt ne HiS placeu III an emoar-
RAISING position lie had not received
any intimation of these charges.
Mr.. Harlan offered resolution for
Committee to investigate, with authority
to send for persons and papers. Laid
over
Mr.. Crittenden presented the creden-
tials of Gen. Shields, who was also sworn
in as Senator from Minnesota. Adj.
MAY 13.-ln the House, the creden-
tials of Messrs. Gavanaugh and Phillips,
members from Minnesota, were present
ed A good deal Of discussion ensued,
and the credentials were finally referred
TO the committee on elections.