Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-03-04
TIIIRTY.FIFTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. &c

WASHINGTON, Feb. &c.
SENATE.-Nlr Slidell made long person
al explanation, touching yesterdays pro-
cecdings on the Cuba bill, announcing at the
same time that he should make no further at
tempt to bring up that bill. Mr.. Slidcll
proceeded 10 give his reasons for this course,
the gist Of which i that he had become sat
isfed that the bill could not pass this session,
owing to the determination evinced by the
opposition to prevent its passage by a sci les
of dilatory manaeuyre.-a determination
which, under the very defective rules of, the
Senate, it was entirely in their power to car
ry out and that it, under these circumstan-
c.s, he should persist in pressing the bill to a
vote, it would only result in a sacrifice the
appropriation bills, and thus create the ne
cessity Of an extra session, lie gave notice,
however, that he should present the bill on
the first day of the next session, when it can
be introduced under the rules.
The Army Appropriation bill was then ia
ken up in Committee of the Whole, the va
ripus items of which make total of Sl5,-
100000.
After several hours debate, the main ap-
preparations were agreed to as above.
Mr. Davis moved, and carried by vote of
% ~ II. an additional clause appropriating
about million dollars for fortiticatons.-
This, with few minor amendments. sends
the bill back to the House.
lIousE.-Thc President transmitted a mess
age returning, with his objections, the bill
granting lands to the several States, provid-
ing for colleges for the benefit of Agriculture,
aud for the promotion of the mechanic arts.
lie says that according to the report of the
Interior Department, over 6 900 900 of acres
will be required, which, at the minimum
price Tor the same, will equal 81 ,575 ,000.-
This bill was passed at a period of great
financial embarrassment, and, should it be-
come law, the Treasury will become depriv-
ed of nearly all its income, which for the next
year, is estimated at $4,000 900, from that
source.
Should the thirty three States enter into
the market with their land scrip, the lands
would necessarily diminish, and, considering
! the many land warrants in the market, tho
Treasury would be deprived Of so much re-
venue Should the time ever arrive when
the State governments can look to the FEEDER
| al government to maintain their systems of
internal policy, the character of both will be-
come greatly deteriorated. Hence the two
should b, kept entirely distinct. Another
consideration was, that il so much land was
precipitated on the market, it would benefit
spectators, to the injury of actual cultiva-
tors. Ii was doubtful for the reasons stated.
whether the proposed grant would conduce to
the b'neft of agriculture.
The President argues that it was never in
tended by the trainers of the Constitution, in
authorizing Congress to make needful regu-
lations in relation to the public lands, that
tn, lands should be given away. lie avoids
any attempt to define what portion OF the
public lands may he granted, and for what
purpose, to improve the value and promote
the settlement and sale Of the remainder,
without violating the Constitution. In this
case he adopts the rule that Sufficient unto
the day is the evil thereof, y
Mr.. Morrill, (of W. said the President
has right to express his opinion as to
whether the bill was constitutional or not,
and members of Congress have the same
privilege. The bill was not introduced as a
| party measure, and had received the sane
tlon of men on all sides of the House.
| 1t was u measure near the heart of Wash