New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-04
PUBLIC FEELING AROUSED.

littSt ltliiNo4itS'
PUBLIC FEELING AROUSED.
The establishment and anger of the North at
the action Of this session were indescribabe. An
arti-slayery agitation had been long in progress
in the North led by handful Of brilliant ag-
gressive and determ ned men, and it had gained
such ground that the Northern States were
eracting laws TO restrain their officials from aid
ing in the enforcement Of the Fugitive Slave law
CrdOubtedly the attack slavery in the North
led TO the spirit OF angry defiance which pre-
vailed at the South and dictated the repeal of
the Missouri Compromise. But that repeal was
regarded at the North as an odiOus breach OF
faith. and it gave the anti-slavery agitators an
argument which they employed with telling
effect.
Public feeling was increased by flibustering
attempts originating in the South to seize Cuba
and further. by the famous "Ostend manifesto" "
issued by the American Ministers to England
France and Spain DANES Buchanan. John Y
Mason and Pierre Soule. all Democrats) recon-
mending that if Spain should refuse to sell Cuba
TO the United States this country should take
that island by force. The South desired to annex
Cuba fearing that the island would establish a
free republic. and that that would eEdanger slav-
cry in the South
During 1854. in the North. the Wings received
large accessions to their ranks In the elections
of 1854 Of the States which had given President
Pierce majorities in 1892. six now defeated the
Democratic candidates for Governor: and a Whig
and Free Soil majority was elected to the lower
house Of the XXXIVth Congress-
SOME NON-coNTENTIoUs MEASURES
Somewhat sobered by this verdict OF the people
the second session of the XXXIIId Congress met
on December 4. 1854. adjournng sine die on
March 3, 1850 Its party composition
Senate-Whigs Is: Democrats. SO: Free Soil
ers. .. vacancy. |. Total G2.
HOuSe-Linn Boyd Dem. Ky). Speaker;
Wings, 80 Democrats, 49,; Free Sellers, 3; va
cancy. ! Total. 254
The Presidents Message was purely of a rou-
tine character. and contained but slight refer
ences to controverted topics. He favored re-
stricting grants of lands to railroads. The re-
port Of Secretary Guthrie showed surplus of
$lSO000p0 in the Treasury Only four laws were
passed at this session Of any other than ad-
ministrative character They were:
Frst-Authorizing private citizens to build a
telegraph line to the Pacific Ocean. There was
no contest over the bill.
Second-Reducing postage to cents per half
ounce. 5000 miles. and 10 cents over 5000 miles.
Each additional half-ounce to pay an additional
single postage. 1t passed without contest.
Thrd-Regulating immigration to pre-
vent overcrowdng of vessels There con-
test.
Fourth-Granting bounty Of 100 acres of land
to each of the surviving soldiers Of 1872 and the
widows or children of those deceased Bounties
of forty and eighty acres "a total Of 100000
acres) had been given by acts of February II,
lS47. March 22. 1850 and September %. 1850 to
1200 900 persons. who had served a considerable
period. The present act gave 100 acres to every
one no matter how long or short his service
This was a Wing measure. The Democrats pro-
tested that the grant would require 100 900 900
acres of land, perhaps more. but they did not
dare to defeat the bill. The Wings, who had
failed to secure free homesteads for the people.
were resolved to attain their object in part in
this way. and they also hoped that the law would
help settle Kansas and Nebraska with Free
State men. The bill passed the Senate on Febru-
airy g. 1850, by 80 yeas al Wings, Free Soiler.
Is Democrats). to l. nays q Whig Free Soiler.
Ii Denocrats). II passed the House on Febru-
airy % by l35 yeas (57 Wings, l Free Soer. n
Democrats). to 80 nays (3 Wings. l Free Soiler.
and 50 Democrats. The Wings had quietly
scored point for freedom in the Territories.
A BAD RECORD.
An effort was made by the Democrats OF the
House to reduce the protective tariff 70 per cent
and to place wool railroad iron and other articles
on the free list. rider was placed on the civil
and Diplomatic Appropriation bill by Democratic
votes. TO that effect The Senate. on motion OF
Mr.. Clayton (Whig. DELI. aided by Stephen A.
Douglas Dem. ILL, struck the tariff features
out OF the bill by II yeas 03 Wings. IL Demo-
Gratis TO II nays q Wings. = Free Sellers. II
Democrats, and the House accepted the amend
ment.
The DaMsun EnrrostDaA In -as hrnncht IL