Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1860-05-24
WHOLE NO. 1856.
From the South Bend Register.
Editorial Correspondence.

WASHINGTON City, May Ill, 1861.
Yesterday was an exciting day in both branches
of Congress. In the House. the bill came up an
nuIling all laws in New Mexico which recog-
nizc or establish either Peonage or African Sa-
Yery-the former being the we'll known system of
white servitude, and differing from the latter main
y in the fact that it does not extend to the scrs
posterisy after his death. The bill also repeals
section of New Mexican Territorial law which pro-
llbts the Courts from taking cognihnce of any
fiogging other correction administered by n
master to his servant white orblack BY the Couf-
promise measures of l $50, under which New Mex
leo was organized, the right expressly reserved
- Congress to annul any Territorial act whict,
they might disapprove.
OF course this bill caused general stir on ali
sides of the House; and at one time half the men,-
bers were on their feet at once. But it finally
passed by seven mJority-every Republican but
Mr.. Thayer of Massachusetts,, voting Aye; and all
the Democrats, Northern as well as Southern, vo-
ting No. And yet, after thus refusing to exercise
right specially reserved for Congress, and which
wipes out White Slavery as well as Black, tfese
Northern Democrats will doubtless insist that tifsy
are ust as much opposed to Slavery the Repcb-
cans.
The bill providing for funding and paying Che
Twenty Millions of dollars of Treasury Notes. and
increasing the Tariff, so as TO secure additional
revenue to pay of the National Debt (now 65 mill
Iions) as well as providing Ways and Means for
/
last evening, after three days struggle, by a vote
of l05 to CT. The Republicans generally voted
Aye and the Democrats No; but six or eight Of the
latter party voted in the Affirmative. One of tho
disputed points was on Flaxseed; which i, now ad-
mitted duty free 1t being product of the farmer.
the Ohio and Indiana delegation, of both parties,
with scarcely an exception, insisted on duty Of
l6 cents per bushel upon it; but it resisted by
the shipping interest of New England. The con-
test upon this item was prolonged one. Finally
n duty OF 10 cents per bushel was incorporated in
the bill and it passed in that shape. Although not
satisfactory to the Northwest it is better than none
There win be close vote on il in the Senate.
heSenate yesterday passed the bill the House
passed about a month ago. granting mail facilities
for Pixies Peak; and it will therefore become law
soon a. it receives the signature OF the Presi-
dent. The Postmaster General promised, as soon
the bill passed, 10 establish mail service thereto
Immediately, in advance of the regular contracts
advertised for. So trust the exacton of 25 cents
to dollar per letter for the miners by the Express
Companies, will soon cease; and that they will en-
Joy the benefits Of cheap Postage as well as their
other fellow citizens Of the Union.
The Senate have finally rejected by five majority
the Homestead bill of the House, Rice and Doug
las being the only Democrats who voted with the
entire Republican phalanx for adopting that liber-
al and comprehensive proposition. All the other
Democrats, even including Andrew Johnson Of
which is really but graduation bill requiring set
tiers not only to remain the land the prescribed
term, but also to pay % cents per for the land
and even excluding from the benefits of this pro-
vision, all persons not heads of families A mo-
tion to add all persons over Il years of age made
by Mr.. Grimes. of Iowa (Rep.) was voted down
by one majority. Mr.. Douglas was present in the
Senate but did not vote. There also incorpo-
rated in the bill provision that all lands unsold
for 80 years should be ceded to the States in which
they are situated. As there is none of this char
acter in the Northwest. and there is considerable
in the South, this provision secured many Southern
votes for the bill. Mr. Green of Missouri, Dem, }
denounced the Homestead proposition as Infamous
intended to benefit lazy scoundres; but said he
would vote for this BILL which he declared it would
be a libel to call a Homestead bill. The Republic
cans with but one exception. voted for it. stating
as they did go that they relied on the House to
amend it by substituting real Homestead bill
for it. sc.