Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-01-13
Congressional.
SENATE.


Senate proceeded TO consider the i'll 10
change the mode of compromising mem.
bers Of Congress.
The bill provides two Thousand dol
lars a year salary for each member and
delegates; one Thousand to be paid at thu
commencement of each session and ont
! thousand at the close; the milage same
as al present, but 10 be measured By a
s,raightline. Ten dollars per day 10 be
deducted for every day absent, unless
from sickness of self, wife or child; must
testify on oath the number of days alb.
sent, and if he refuses, no pay ment IL
be made.
After Mr.. Underwood explained the
object he had in view in introducing the
bill
Mr.. Badger replied, and moved its in.
defh mite oostponement.
After few remarks from Mr.. AID.
ans
The question was taken by yeas and
nays, and decided. in the affirmative, as
follows:
YEAS - Messrs. A,cllison, Badger,
Borland. Charlton. Clarke, Clemens,
Dodge of Wisconsin, Dodge of Iowa.
Geyer, Gwin, Hunter, Jones Of rennes.
see, Mangum, Miller, Rusk, Shields,
Soale. Spruance, Stockton, Uphsm and
Welter-2l.
NAys--Messrs. Adams, Brooke, Bay
ard. Butler. Chase, DeSaussure. Dixon.
Fish, Hale. Hamiin, Mason, Norris.
Pratt, Seward, Sumner. Toucey. Under
wood, Wade and Walker-l9.
And the Senate adjourned.
RAILROAD TO THE PACIFIC.
By Mr.. Gwin: A bill authorizing the
construction OF railroad and branches;
for establishing certain postal commu.
nication between the shores OF The Pa
ciic and Atlantic, within the United
States; for the prolecuon aud facinles Of
travel and commences; aud for the neces-
sary deiences OF the country.
Mr.. Gwin asked that the bill might
have its second reading then. Il was
ah important measure. and should be act
ed upon with as liue delay as posslble.
His object was to make il the special or
der for the 2Oth Of January next.
Mr.. Hunter suggested that, ifthe Sen.
ator from Califurnha persisted III h,s mo.
ton, later day should be named
There were bills, he thought, of more
importance tina, should have the prece-
dence, and If that bill was made The
special order for that day, il would in
terfere very materially with the more
pressing business Of the Senate.
Mr.. Gwin insisted that there was no
more imporian, bill on the calendar, aud
sustained his motion TO make il The spe-
ciai order for the day named.
Mr.. Chase insisted that the bill ought
10 receive the SANCTION of committee,
and that the ordinary rules of legisla-
iion should never be departed from with.
out some very cogent reason.
Mr.. Rusk expressed the hope that the
motion of Mr. Gwin nigh. prevail. He
urged the vital importance, in a national
point Of view, OF having an overland
communication with the Pacific.
Mr.. Mangum concurred with Mr..
Rusk. Ii was indeed a great national
object, and It was not necessary to send
it 10 committee to arrange the details.
Mr.. Bright said il was very impor-
iant measure, and for that very reason
should be submitted TO the committee.
OF what use was The COMMITTEE on
Roads and Canals, if it were not 10 iii
vestgaie such subjects as were connect
ed with The bill? Besides, on This mat
ter there was a very great conflict of
opinion as to where The road should
comInence and where terminate; and
while he was in favor of the general
proposition, he still thought the subject
ought TO be referred.
Mr.. Gwin insisted that no subject
was better undersiood; that elaborate re-
ports had been made from two commit
iees--on Territories and Post Offices
aud Post Roads-,horoughly examining
the whole matter. He thought il was
time for action. Ii the bill was 10 go to
committee, j. would be reported, placed
or the calender, and there be buried
Il was measure important to the whole
country. aud more particularly SO to his
constituents, and he should be recreant
to his duty if he did not urge it. Let il
be made the special order for the time
specified. II not agreeable ia its provis.
ions, il could be amended, nay, il might
be stricken out. all after the enaciing
clause, il they wished 4; but he desired
to have II The basis OF early action on the
matter.
Mr.. Hamlin commended tha, il would be
treating the committee with diseourtesy
no. TO send it; and he was OF opinion tina.
tie object Of The mover would be more
efec.uaiiy promoted by allowing the
committee 10 Investigate il.
Mr.. Chase said il was his sole object
to have the bill take the ordinary course.
He pointed to the bills Oh the calender
in which very deep in,eres. was felt,
to wit: the Homestead bill. Mr.. Rennett's
land bill, and others of far more pressing
importance than the one under consider
aliOn.
After some other remarks from Messrs.
Stockton, Weller, Upham, Batter, and
others