Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-12-15
MATTERS AT wAsuINaToJ

Ahh LIND al w tlOI1lN0IONs
On Monday the House of Representatives
passed bill authoring the issue of $40 900, 900
treasury notes to meet the exigencies of the
general government; which bill was amended
in the Senate, Wednesday, limiting the amount
to S3,000,0O0
The present crisis in national affairs was dis
cussed in the Senate, Tuesday In the course
of the debate Mr. Douglas told the Senate that
South on account of the non-enforcement of
the fugitive slave law, "are unfoundcd !" and
that so far as his section of the country is con-
ccrned sin no case have personal liberty bills
been the cause Of depriving master of the re-
turn of his slave" In the House Intellectual at
tempts were made to excuse Mr. Hawkins of
Florida, Mr. Boyce of South Carolina, and Mr.
Morrill, Of this State, from serving on the Union
saving Committee. Mr. Morrilrs excuse was
that his time was already fully occupied and he
desired the appointment of one of his colleagues
in his place. Mr. Hawkins, after the defeat of
his motion, fatty refused to serve.
In the House, Wednesday the roll was called
by States for propositions relative to the present
state Of the country to be referred to the select
committee OF thirty-three. There were nearly
two dozen of these propositions, some looking
only for legislation and others to constitutional
amendments. All were concliatory.
Mr. Thayer of Mass, offered resolutions that
it is the duty Of the House to forget all parties
and devote its attention honestly to the cause
of the country; that the present unirendy
feeling has arisen from the usurpations of Con-
gress and the executive; that the rights of
American citizens are above Congress and the
President, and that territorial governments
should not be compelled to serve powers not Of
their own consent; and that there shall be no
legislation on the subject of slavery.
John Cochrane of y. v, proposed amend
ments to the constitution for the establishment
of line similar to the Missouri Compromise
line, to prohibit Congress passing laws intcrfer-
ing with the Interstate slave trade or the rights
OF Shareholders temporarily in non saveholding
States, and declaring all personal liberty laws
null and void
a similar proposition was made by L. Joy
Morris of Penn.
Mr. IIutchins of Ohio, offered resolutions for
an inquiry what legislation is necessary to Sc
cure to all people, whether residing in or tray.
elling through any State, the full benefit of that
part OF the constitution which sScures them
against unreasonable searches or seizures in the
absence of probable cause.
Mr. Sherman of Ohio offered resolutions for
an inquiry whether any State had failed to obey
or enforce the obligations imposed by the con
stitution, and the remedy therelor also, that
in order to avoid all future controversies in re-
gard to the territories the committee of thirty
three divide them all into States of convenient
size with view to their admission into the
Union.
Mr. Bingham of Ohio, offered resolutions that
the committee report legislation to put down
armed rebellion against the authority of the
United States.
an &piFf'GftlsioG dr the territory OF the umtea
States between the slave and free States
MIR Kigore Of Ind, gave resolution pro-
vlding for trial by jury in fugitive slave cases,
where the slave claims to be free.
Mr. Hindman of Ark, offered amendments
TO the constitution for the protection of slave
property, any State nullifying the fugitive slave
law not to be entitled to representation in Con-
gress until the multiplying laws are repealed.
Mr. NOEL Of Mo-, offered resolutions looking
to the abolition of the Office of President, and
establishing instead thereof an executive coun-
Gil of three.