The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-04-22
THiRTY-FlFTH CONGRESS-,
FIRST SESSION.
Wednesday, april IA, 1853.


The Senate took up and adopted, by vote
of 80 to IL, the resolution from the House ap.
pointing Monday, the 7th of June, as the day
for closing the present session.
Mr.. Hunter moved to take up the bin ma
king appropriations for the consular aud diplo.
matte expenses of the Government. Mr.. Gwin
opposed the molten, as the Pacific railroad bill
had precedence by order of the Senate. The
motion was lost-yeas %, nays 20.
The Pacific railroad bill being then taken up,
it was briefly debated by Messrs. Green, Doug.
las, Jones, Iverson, Seward, and Polk. az.
Mr.. Green desired to render the bill more
specific by providing that the eastern terminus
of the road should be the mouth of Kansas
river, instead of lying anywhere between that
point and the mouth of the Big Sioux, 90 is
authorized by the bill of the committee. The
indehniteness of this latter proposition seemed
to him Objectionable, as its effect could hardly
be otherwise than to disappoint some among
the supporters of the bill in its present shape.
The eastern terminus should either be definitely
ascertained, or the whole question of location
should be left open between the Gulf of Mexico
and the northernmost boundary of the country.
Messrs Douglas and Jones argued briefly
against the adoption of Mr.. Green's amend.
ment.
his views respecting this great enterprise. he
favored the general principles of the commit
tees bill; but it must be materially modified
before he could give it his support. That bill,
he thought, would result in the formation of q
northern road, destined to be built and control
led by Northern stock jobbers. He thought the
advantages of more southern route were in
contestabe, and therefore advocated that pro-
posals should be made for the construction of
two roads, the one north and the other south of
the thirty sixth degree of latitude, each equally
to share in the promised aid of the Government
Mr.. Seward thought that the time had passed
when the necessity or feasibility Of tits meas
ure needed to be demonstrated. The only ques.
tons were, When shall it be undertaken, sosere
shall it begin, and hop shall it be executed.
Upon these points it was difficult to harmonic
divided opinions and conflicting preferences.
Believing that the bill of the committee prom
ised to recsncile the widest Diversity Of senti.
ment, he hoped its friends would adhere to the
same until the contrary should be demonstrated.
After few additional remarks By Mr.. Green,
2 vote was taken upon his amendment, which
was lost. Y
Mr.. Polk having announced that he had an
amendment to offer, and seme views to preeent,
Mr.. Mason moved thst, in consideration of the
lateness Of the hour, the subject be postponed
till tomorrow. The motion being carried, the
Senate then proceeded to hold an Executive
session.
2td a - HOUSE ~ tesft
The Kansas BiH.-Mr. Montgomery, of Penn
sylyania, at one O'Clock, asked consent of the
House to take up the Kansas bill. q
No objection being made, the resolution Of
the Senate was read, insis ing upon its Disagree
ment to the House amendment, and asking for
conferences. -
Mr.. Montgomery. I now move that the
House insist upon its its ADHERENCE, and upon
that motion call for the previous question,
Mr.. English, Of Indiana. ! rise 10 propose
question to the Chair, which believe to be
pertinens i desire TO know whether, if com
mittee of conference should be ordered BY the
House, parliamentary law and practice would