Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-02-03
Congressional.

Mr. cameron pre6enteda similar memorial land
took occasion to make some sarcastic remarks
on the zeal Of the President on the Kansas af-
fairs, and he hoped he would exercise the same
energy in romodeling the tariff, which course of
action would gain him tile confidence of his
State.
Mr. Biglcr replied to his colleague, that he,
too, would unite in carrying out the spirit of
the resolutions, because he believed they EN-
b1di4d the sentiments of the majority Of his
constituents, bat he thought the worst friends
of II prompt reldjustment of the tariff are those
who would give it the form of party question.
No man could misunderstood the purport OF his
colleagues remarks, which was to throw doubt
on the good faith Of the Executive. At prop
er time he (Bigler) would express his sentiments
at length on the subject of the tariff. Mean
time, he was prepared to treat it as "a business
question, affecting the Treasury, and the great
industrial interests of the country, without
making it, in any way, question of party
Mr. SlIdell of Louisiana, from the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, to whom was referred the
bill making appropriations to facilitate the ac-
QUESTION of Cuba by negotiation, reported that
is not considered necessary by the committee to
enlarge upon the vast importance Of the acqui-
stion of Cuba. Its ultimate acquisition may
be considered a fixed purpose of the United
States-a purpose resulting from political and
geographical necessities, which have been recog-
nized by all parties and administrations, and in
regard to which the popular voice has been ex-
pressed unanimously. The purchase and annex
to Florida and both point, with unerrng GER
tlinty to Cuba. What the possessions Of the
mouth of the Mississippi was to the West, Cuba
wnnlH hnantun n tho n,tin 0ur laa 1ipu al, taa-
men have endeavored with steadiness and pcrse-
verance to hasten the consummation.
Mr. Mason said it was, perhaps, understood
that all who concurred with the committee in
the presentation of this report, did not concur
in some Of the recommendations The report
had stated that it is the policy of this govern
mcnt to extend Its domnions by successive ac-
QUESTION of territory. He did not believe in
such policy.
Mr. Seward, as the representatives of the mi
norty of the committee, introduced bill call
ing on the President to transmit to Congress, at
the commencement of the next session, state
ment of the relations then existing between this
country and Spain. The bill also requires
statement of the condition of the Treasury, and
the effective condition of the Army and Navy at
that time, so as to enable Congress to Judge
"hNoiot ~ iiity ~ ipNOochi w nuopV uhJ CAu"
ordinary measures to maintain the rights and
interests of the United States in regard to
Spain.
Mr.. Seward proceeded to showsthe financial
hindrances TO the acquisition of Cuba. The
passage of this bill also conferred upon the
President powers which would compel the SEN
ate to ratify them, if exercised. This bill was
in derogation of senatorial powers. He had
Supp,cnd that r,,lit;ool xyn,11
Cuba to gravitate to the continent, as has been
stated by illustrious statesmen, hut the time nor
opportunity bad never presented themselves:
and he doubted if we had arrived at the point
now. For ten years we had made no overtures
to Spain for the purchase of Cuba, and she now
clings more tenaciously to the island than when
she was in less prosperous condition. She was
now in perfect repose. He read to the Senate a
report of debate in the Spanish Chamber of
Deputies, showing that the government intended
to demand a PREPARATION from the President of
the United States for the alleged insult contain
ed in his message regarding the purchase Mr.
Seward thought the proposition to buy Cuba
now unwise and ridiculous, and characterized
its purchase as much of necessity as that of.
ferdd by the auction woman in the play, who
thought it might come SO handy Adj.
IAousE'-NiIs DIduCu VI blbll SdIuliIlit, IIOill
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, reported back
the bill appropriating $30,000,000, to enable
the President to acquire Cuba. Adj
Tuesday, Jan. Is.
| SENATE.-The Senate then took up the Pacific
Railroad bill.
| With the exception of brief remarks from Mr..
Wilson, who offered an additional amendment,
and from Messrs. Simmons, Broderck and Da-
Wis, MIR johnson OF Tenn occupied the whole
day in explaining why he would vote against
the bill, which he considered neither a necessary
act under the war-making power of the const
tuition, nor as a test of the Democracy.
The discussion of Mr.. Slidell's Cuban report
was assigned for Monday next. Adjourned.
| HoUsE.-Mr. English also reported bill reg
ulating the payment of postage on newspapers
and periodicals.. 1t provides that periodical
dealers may receive their bundles on paying pos
tlge thereon the same as regular subscribers
Maps, engravings, photographs, &C., pay
postage of one cent per ounce, or fraction of an
ounce
The House went into Committee on the Civil
and Diplomatic Appropriation Bill.
Mr.. Dowdell of Ala. moved to strike out the
appropriation of $4,000 to enable the Presi-
dent to carry out the several acts for the sup
preston of the slave trade. Hedenied that the
President had any authority to send the Afrc-
ans on board the SLAYER Echo to Liberia The
act was an assumption of power.
Mr.. Phelps of Mo. defended the Presidents
course.
Further discussion ensued, when Mr.. Single
ton of Mo. moved provlso that no part of the
money shall be used for the support or educa-
ton of any Africans heretofore captured and re-
turned to Africa.
The motion was discussed at length by Messrs
Singleton and Curryin favor, and Mr.. Nichols
of Ohio against it.
The committee then rose, when the House
adopted resolution calling on the President for
the report of Mr.. Nugent, Special Agent to
| Vuncouver's Island. Adjourned
Thursday, JAN q.
SENArE.-The Pacific Railroad bill was then