The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1858-02-13
Congregational Debate ON Taking UP
the Minnesota Bill-A Connection " it'll
Kansas Iniquity FOreshadOwed.
WASHINGTON, Feb.

ton of 81 citizens of the United States,
praying that measures be taken for the pur
chase Of the island of Cuba and its anneXa-
ton to this country. .-.A
Mr.. Bigler introduced joint resolution
for the completion and preservation of the
digest of the statistics of the mines and man.
ufactures, taken at the last census, which
was referred.
Mr.. Colamer introduced bill to alter the
times of holding the Circuit and District
Courts of Vermont.
The consideration of the Army bill was
resumed.
Mr.. Houston opposed it. He said no me-
cessity existed for the large standing army
in time of peace.
At one o'clock the Pacific Railroad bill
was called up, it being the special order at
that hour.
Mr.. Davis expressed hope that the Army
bill would not be postponed, as it was of the
utmost Importance that speedy action should
be taken upon it.
Mr.. Wilson had an amendment to offer,
and wished to have an opportunity to have
it printed.
Mr. Stewart argued question of order,
maintaining that the Army bill being I'M
finished business had propriety over all spe-
cial orders.
Mr.. Stewart trusted that by unanimous
consent the gentleman from Texas would be
allowed to proceed, as it was very unpleasant
to be cut OIL IN the midst of ones remarks.
This was agreed to.
Mr. Houston resumed, and advocated the
raising of volunteers to meet all necessary
emergencies, saying that they were no more
expensive than regular troops, and decidedly
more peaceable.
Mr. Wilson gave notice of an amendment
of the army bill in the form of a substitute, to
the effect the President, for the purpose of
enforcing the laws Of the United States,
maintaining peace with the Indian tribes, and
projecting citizens in the routes of emigration
to Utah, to be employed only in said Terri
tory, be authorized to call for and accept the
services of volunteers, not exceeding 5000 il
all-Officers and men to serve twelve month
unless previously discharged-and approrri-
ating blank dollars for the purpose of carry
ing its provisions into effect. The further
consideration of the bill was postponed till
tomorrow.
Mr. Douglas moved that the Senate take
up the bill providing for the admission of
Minnesota into the Union, saying that ne was
in favor of the Pacific Railroad bill but
thought the question of allowing Senator's
from new States ought to take precedence of
other business The Pacific Railroad was a
measure in which those gentlemen were deep
ly interested.
Mr.. Gwinn was anxious to consider the "a
cifc bill The Senators from Minnesota he
was inclined to believe, could not get their
seats before the passage of that measure.
Mr.. Green said there were several consid-
erations which should necessarily be brought
to bear when the Minnesota bill was taken
up. The question of representation would
depend upon questions of fact not yet deci-
ded. All the returns of the census were not
yet received. The bill would, therefore, be
prejudced by prematurely considering it.
Mr.. Chittenden thought that respect for
Minnesota and the two agents who had been
selected to represent her on this floor made
it primary duty of the Senate to consider
the subject. They had to take seats and be
heard on the Pacific Railroad bill.
Mr.. Seward was in favor Of the Pacific
Railroad bill, but should be obliged to vote
against taking it up this time. He believed,
with Mr.. Chittenden, that the Minnesota
case presented question of privilege and
that those two Senators ought to be allowed
to take their seats at the earliest day posi-
BILE that would give an increased vote for the
Pacific Railroad bill, and he was afraid there
would not be strength enough to carry it
without them.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick member of the Commit
tee on Territories, objected to taking up the
Minnesota bill, not having an opportunity to
read the report on account ofsickness.
Mr.. Green did not want q collision between
assigned by Mr.. Fitzpatrick sufficient for
postponing the Minnesota bill.
Mr.. Mason said there might be circumstan-
ces when it would be found necessary for the
Southern States, in order to determine where
they stand in this Union, to take up the
Minnesota and Kansas question together.
Mr.. Wilson spoke of the injustice of such
course, and gave notice that he and his
friends would avail themselves Of all legisla-
tive means to resist the admission of Kansas
into the Union under the Lecompton Con-
stitution.
Mr.. Hale said there had never been a
proposition that so seriously threatened the
disruption Of the Union, as that Of the Sena
tors from Va. It is contrary to the genius
of our institutions.
Mr. Chittcnden opposed the connection of
the two subjects, and made an eloquent
Union speech, eliciting applause from the
gallery, and without taking the question the
Senate adjourned.
HorsE-Mr. Stanton offered resolution
that the Speaker issue his warrant for the
arrest of J. B. Watson, Of New York city,
who has been duly summoned and refuses to
appear before the Lawrence, Stone Il Co. In.
vestigating Committee, and that he be
brought before the bar of the House for con-
tempt. Resolution adopted.
The House is engaged in discussion up
| on the bill to supply accidental omission il
the army bill of last session, to make an up
preparation for the support Of the national
| armies.
The bill passed appropriates S36O,OOO fol
that purpose.
Mr.. Boyca offered the resolution which
was passed providing for the appointment o
q select committee of seven to inquire into
aud report on the following subjects, viz -
/ i reduction of the expenses of government
he navigation laws of the United States thu
existing duties on imports, and the expedien
cy of gradual repeal of all duties on i'm
ports, and resort exclusively to internal tax
alton.
The House then resumed its consideration
of the Printing Deficiency bill. During tn,
discussion it was stated that the printing fo
the Thirty-third Congress was a million NOR
than that for the Thirty-fourth, and that sucl
extravagant expenditures resulted from tn
ordering the printing Of works to the exten
of which nothing was known. Several gen
tlemen emphatically condemned such vast
of money, but they contended that the $3.50
600 proposed to be appropriated was necessa
ry to meet existing contracts, pay these an
let Congress guard in future against sucl
abuses. Others said that if this system {
: public plumber for the benefit of party ed
tors was to be continued, they should hav
an opportunity to place their names on recor
against it, and to wash their hands of all sue
corruption. The committee then rose with