Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-04-23
Thirty Fourth Con gress-Fir.i sessions.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, April Is.
On notinr of Mr. Seward. resolution was
adoptsd directing the committee on post Offices
toinouire into the expediency of establishing a
uniformity in postage all over The United States.
On motion of Mr.. Sumner. resolution was
aioptei instrueiing the committee on patents to
consider the expedency OF amending the laws so
far as 10 allow the inhabitants of the neighborng
British provinces To enjoy the benefits of these
laws on an equa footing in all respects with the
citizens of the United States
The Senate proceeded 10 the consideration Of
the bill to authorize aud facilitate the eonstruc-
ton Of railroad and magnetic ielee raph through
the territory of the United States to the Mis.>sip
pi river 10 the Pacific
Mr.. Weller maintained the constitutional pow
er to construct military and other roads through
The territory of the United States. Congress has
frequently made direct appropriations of lands
for such purposes Three hundred and forty
thousand dollars have been expended to procure
reports and surveys, which show that there are
three or four practicable routes for the proposed
railroad: and he had no doubt that the country
through which it would pass would be found more
productive than was generally supposed. lie did
not intend to express preference for any part lc
ular route He was uncommlited in relation to
it; and his only desire was To obtain the construc
ton of u road. The Miami trunk completed,
branches would be extended from it as the wants
md necessities of commerce require and demand
The committee have avoided the designation of
any route. They propose that the Secretary of
the Interior.the Postmaster General aud the Sec
rotary of War shall advertise for bids; and when
they shall be presented, these gentlemen under
the direction of the President, are to determine
which is the best bid 1t was impossible for the
committee to agree route.
The money. he proceeded tie show. invested in
the road would yield thirteen per centum per an
num- and cheapen the passenger fare from $3.50
to 500. and by this means of conveyance and
the saving of time in travel. for sixty thousand
passengers would amount to more than 81 900,
600 lie showed the great wealth of California.
and the Improvement now in progress IN that
State. and urged the passage of the bill on the
general ground of necessity, both as to trade and
national defence, well as to preserve the union
OF the States.
The further consideration of the subject was
postponed till the Doth inst.
SIXTEEN private bills were passed, and the Sem
ate adjourned till Monday.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTA- IVES.
Mr.. Haven submitted two letters addressed by
the Secretary of the Navy to Mr.. Benson chair
man Of the committee naval affairs, in which
Secretary Dohhn invited Congress to visit the
new steamer Merrinac at Annapolis. saying that
the President and himself expect to leave Wash
ington for that city this afternoon and will wait
the arrival of tom morrow mornings train before
going to the steamer.
On motion Of Mr.. Washburn. OF H. it was re-
solved that when the House adjourn it will stand
adjourned until Monday.
The House, in committee of the whole on the
state of the Uuion. disposed Of the Senate
amendments 10 the deficiency appropriation bill.
The action of the committee then reported
to tho liouse.and the further consideration of the
subject was postponed until Monday.
The House receded from it, amendments to the
military Academy bill, and adjourned until Mon
! day.