Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-01-04

had expressly rejected in 1913, and had never
allowed by subsequent aots-with interest
from 1918, which Congress had never allow
ed and he ordered an additional sum of
S65 900 (sl33,O0O in ALL to be paid to the
administrator "or attorney in fact, of George
Fisher. One Gordon, who married the Wild
ow of Fisher, called for the money, but he
was informed that he must produce proof from
Florida that he was the Attorney Of the Ad-
ministrator. Time was thus gained, and it
was improved by guardian of the Treasury
in applying to the Judge Of Probate in Mo-
bile. lie replied that the Administrator had
never rendered any account for money already
received. and advised that not another dollar
be paid without further authority. A son of
Fisher joined in this request. Still the order
was to pay to "the Attorney in fact" and
Gordon might step in at any moment with
proof of such Attorneyship from the Admin
istrator What should be done That was
the question 1t did not take long to settle
it. at once informed the member, who re-
ported the case at the last session, Of the
facts--as honest man as there is in Congress
and on the next morning he brought in a
resolution to rescind the act Of the last ses-
sion. This stops payment until final action
T. Congress. tits an unlucky case, it strikes
me, for the Secretary of War just at this
juncturo. Certainly he was very liberal to
the Administrator of George Fisher, or to the
Administrators Attorney in iact'-or quite
too hasty in his examination of the acts Of
Congress in respect to the case. These things
have bad look, to say the least. Are the
high officials like gang of drunken sailors in
a sinking ship-breaking open the lockers ere
the ship goes down. Verify verify, that
seemcth to be their condition.
Compromises Rejected.
Some fault was found with Speaker PEN
nington for giving the Republicans a majority
on the House Committee on the State Of the
Union; but it will be noticed that the Vice
President has acted upon the same principle,
and given the Democrats majority on the
Senate Committee. Both were right: the
Committee should represent the bodies which
constitute them. The House Committee has
agreed upon no compromise yet and do
not expect that it will compromise single
principle in the Chicago platform. 1t has a
/ greed to recommend modification Of the fu-
/ gtive slave law, and to invite the Northern
/ States to revise their statutes 1t may posi-
| bly, agree to recommend the admission O
New Mexico and Kansas as States. In New
/ Mexico slavery has been established or rec
| ognized lin violation of the act of Congress
by territorial legislation; Kansas is free
| Neither of these would clash in form with
/ the Chicago Platform, though | must say that
the pro-savery legislation of New Mexico
ought to be treated as a nullity. might
give you something pretty strong to justify
the Republicans in taking New Mexico as sh,
is but wait. Time enough for that wher
they conclude to do so. | shall not be sur
prsed if the upshot of all the committees
and Of Congressional action is-no compro
mise and no action of any sort to change the
state of things existing. The Senate Com
mittee has rejected every branch of Senator
Crittenden's comprehensive Republicans
all voting in the negative. OF subsequent
action the Tribune gives the best account
have seen
The Committee Of thirteen three hours to-day,
Ii hac ha4u nj
charged by the South and repeated in Nh Nichol
sons speech to-day hat the growing power Of the Re
publican party threatened amendments Of the Consutu
ton by which their rights in the States would be impair
ed, il destroyed. 70 meet this difficulty the kepub
licans conferred together, and submitted the following
proposition through Mr. Seward though they were draw
by Messrs. Grimes and Collamer
First. No amendment shall be made to the Constitu
ton which will authorize or give 70 Consress any Pows
tutous thereof including that Of persons held to serc
or labor by the laws Of such State
This was carried by the following vote
YEAs-Messrs. Powell, Hunter, Cnuendeu Seward
Douglas, Collamer, Wade, Bgler, Rice, Doolitte an
Grimcs--ll.
NAYs-Messrs Davis aud Toombs--2.
Second The Fugitive Slave law Of 1850 SHAH be s.
amended secure to the alleged fugitive trial b
jury.
Mr. Douglas proposed to amend by inserting sin III
State from which the fugitive escaped This was c9T
Iied, and then the whole proposition yote down b
the Democrats, all the Republicans sustaining it.
Third--It shall be respectfully recommended TO tn
several State Legislatures to review all Of their law
affecting the rights Of persons recently resident
other States, and modify repeal ell snch sha
conrayene the provisions of the Constitution Of I'll
United states Of any Of the laws made IN pursuanc
thereof
This was lost as follows
YEAs--Mesns. Grimes. Seward, Wade Doot
Coamcr aud Crittenden-6
/ NAYs-Messrs. Powell Hunter, Toombs, Dougla
Davis, Biger aud liice-7.
The Southern voted adversely upon the groun
that though It not openly assigned this proposio
would affect their laws imprsoning coored seamen.
1t will be that the extremists would not susta
the propositions intended mott the very they ha
specifically charged against the North.
Mr.. Toombs's resolutions were then called up, AZ
four of them voted upon, MIR. Douglas refusing 20
upon the record They theu postponed III We
nesday Mr. Toombs aud the utrasts resisting any della
And for the transparent object Of using the action
the Committee TO operate upon the pending elections
the Southern Conventions MI Davis offered the follow
, ing resolution, which lies with the others
THAT il shall be declared by amendment Of the Co
stituiion that property in Slaves, recognized such
the local law Of any Of the States Of the Union, sha
stand on the footing in all Constitutional and Fe
eral relations any other species of property reeo
nzed and, like other property shall not be subject
be Invested or impaired by the local law Of any 9th
State, either in escape thereto, by the transit or
I iourn Of the owner therein. And in whates
shall such property be subject To be Invested impair
by any legislative act Of the United States, any
: the Territories thereof"
Dec. 81, EVENING.