Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1870-12-21
Congress-.

IN the sCEuaACa -s1petdNg bAt AARocO Jill
modifying the duty on sugar was briefly dis
cusse1 bill was introduced locking 80 the
admission Of the TerritCrs of Colorado as
State. The question of Governments liabll1-
ty for the war claims Of Southern UnioniSt5
was discussed without decisive action In
the House, bills were introduced to punish
corrupt practices at elections for members ct
! Congress, to authorize the issue OF one cent
postal cards, to place tea and coffee on the
/ free list, and to increase the duty OF pig and
scrap iron. The House refused to second the
d previous question = on resolution look
/ ing to the repeal Of the Income tax. The
\ Pension Appropriation BIN rTas passed, the
/ Post-Ofice Appropriation bill was made the
special order for Tuesday, and the Legisla-
tive Appropriation bill was, considered with
out result.
/ In the Senate Tuesday, Senator M0rton's
motion to take up mis- resolution for the APP
pointment Of commissioners 70 report on the
condition of San Domingo was carried after
long discussion.
Senator Schurz supposed the intention was
10 appoint a scientific commission to g over
the island Of san Domingo, and investigate
everything there, water earth and air, and
the mental and moral condition of the pOpu-
lation He argued that if a serious matter
/ Of investigation it would take from three to
/ five years, while if intended a sham and
/ humbug it ought net tC be undertaken at all.
He favored reference to a committee as q
means of Indicating with precision the sub
jects entitled to investigation.
Senator Morton replied that it was not
proposed to make a geological survey; he
thought that the information indicated as de-
sirable, might be readily procured within On
+ days or less
/ Senator Morrill,. VI, opposed the rcsOlC-
/ ton, as tending 70 commit the Senate in adj
vance on the annexation project, which he
/ regarded as unwise aud full Of injury ID the
country.
+ Senator EImunds favored the resolution
as an opponent of annexation, believing that
an investigation would demonstrate the i'm
/ policy of Incorporating the island into our
I political system. The American people had
an absorbing interest in that great archipel-
ago, as a highway from the Atlantic to the
/ Pacific, and would az once repel any aggres-
sive movement IN that direction by any peo-
pie On the face of the globe. should any
such Interference occur il would be our right
and duty t. protect our neighb1rs in indie
+ pendeuce until the time did come when they
could be admitted into the Union.
Without disposing of the subject the Sen
ate adjourned.
In the House Mr.. Bingham of Ohio spoke
+ in support OF his amendment, excepting from
and 81, who participated IN the rebellion,
( and those who since tle fret of June last had
falsely taken the ir0n-clad oath. lie said the
whole number thus exc pied did not exceed
700, and as near as he could ascertain there
were about 200.uu) persons now under disa-
bilities, the majority of whom were men
about a. guilty of their cbuntrv's blood as
the members Of the House themselves.
Mr. Fitch of Nevada spoke in favor Of
universal amnesty. lie believed that policy
for Congress was wise one. lie believed
Mr. BreckInrid-e might he safely permitted
% defend the principle Of secession in the U
). Senate before empty galleries, rather than
a Senator without his principles, his culture,
Or his taste should insult the world with an
offer 70 exhumc the bones Of the loyal dead.
lie said il he could put life agaiu into the
brave eyes that were closed forever amid the
sulphurOus smoke OF battle, II the earth
could give back gallant hearts that thr0bbed
out their lives in rel lhatious Tor liberty, IL
we could marshal o0ee mere the nameless
dead who battleJ above the clouds on Lookout
Mountain, who yexed the current of the
Mississippi, who stood on the hills before the
gates OF burning Richmond. and who carried
our banner over every inch OF American soil,
they would say with one voice tlat an am
! nesty which could permit their dishonorable
assaulter To occupy q place In the American
=
assaianrs an opportunity % achieve few
county c,erkships.
Mr. Pr1sser Of Tennessee argued that a
large portion OF persons under disabilities in
the South were not willing 70 accept the sit
uatIon IN good faith, and not prepared 10
{ abide by the legislation Of the repu bIican
party or democratic party even now. They
were a lawless band, clnspirat0rs who did
not deserve and ought not 10 receive any
measure of magnanimity from Congress Ii
, was the iulI Intention of the democratic
party by violence and intimidation 60 carry
every southern state at the next presidential
election. and he there IRE dem3ndei some
measure Ot legislation that would stop law
less proceedings IN every southern state.
Mr. Butler OF Massachusetts,, az halt-past
three, moved the previous question on Mr.
Bingham amendment saving he " Ished 20
have the bill IL such position that he cJald
move a recoumiJtal. and thought that it was
time TO stop this diarrtea Of words.
Mr.. Bingham twice asked Butler To IN
clude the whole bill Is Wei as the amend
ment in the motion for the previous question.
adding he wished the gentleman from Massa-
chusctts 20 keep faith with the House. and
If not he would asa the House 10 compel him
10 90 -. that was ali He remarked in an
undert1ne that Butler c1urs. was a dcyiIish
outrage.
The previous question was seconded SO to
81, Mr. Co5urn : motion 10 lay the bill on
the table having been rejected, and Butler
being entitled % close the debate. yielded a
portion of bis time TO 5Messrs. Cable and
Hoag, and subsequently to a motion to. ad-
iOurn