The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-04-22

half past four o'clock, when the House sd-
journed.
During the day, the Speaker appointed Mr..
English of Indiana, Mr.. Stephens of Georgia,
and Mr.. Howard of Michigan, the committee
of conference, on the part of the House, on the
Kansas bill.
Friday, April l6, 1858.
SENATE
After the usual morning business, the private
calendar was taken up, and, as it was the first
day during the present session that the Senate
has found it convenient to appropriate to the
pressing claims of individuals we are pleased to
say that it made considerable progress in dispo-
sing of the cases which had accumulated on the
docket. In further earnest of its disposition to
work industriously, in view of the contemplated
adjournment of Congress on the 7th of June,
the Senate determined to sit to-day, instead of
adjourning to Monday next.
HOUSE.
The day was also devoted to private bills, sew.
sral of which were disposed of. The House re-
fused BY decided vote 70 adjourn over until
Monday.
Saturday, 1pra II, 1858.
SENATE.
The Deficiency BiU.-Mr. Hunter moved that
the Senate now proceed to the consideration of
the bill from the House of Representatives to
supply Deficiencies in the appropriations for the
service of the fiscal year ending the Both of
June, 1853.
Mr.. Gwin hoped that motion would not be
agreed to, "a be desired to have the Pacific rail.
road bill disposed of before the appropriation
bill was taken up.
Mr.. Fessenden said he was averse to taking
up the deficiency bill now, for the reason that
certain information which he called for by a
resolution day or two since had not yet been
received. he might desire to propose certain
amendments to the bill; but, until that informa-
ton should be sent in, he did not know how to
frame them.
Mr.. Hunter replied that the bill had better be
taken up, and that information, would nrohahlu
rrumpurr SAD that the bill had only been
printed and laid upon the tables of Senator.
this morning, and he had not vet had time to
read it. He did not know what pressing neces
uiy there was for action upon it, but he hoped
some time would be afforded to examine the
matter little.
DIR. Hunter reminded the Senate that dav
had been fixed for the adjournment of the SEES.
sion, ana 1t would be impossible to get through
with the public business without using dispatch.
de thought tn. appropriation bills should have
priority over all other business.
After some further debate
Mr.. BENZ smin remarked that il must he man.
ifest that much time was being wasted. and
suggested that the bill should be POSTPONED nm
I'll halt past twelve o'clock on Monday next.
winch would afford some time to look at the
items, and probably facilitate it's consideration.
Mr.. Hunter said he would agree to the adop.
ton OF that course, if by general understand
ing the bill could be taken up then.
Inc question being taken, the bill was made
special order for half past twelve o'clock next
Monday.
Mr.. Hale gave notice that he had an amend.
ment which he intended to propose to the bill.
and asked leave to state the nature of il. II
was to add the following as a new section to
the bill:
"SEc. - And be it further enacted Tba. M
contract shall hereafter be made bv anv Officer
or agent Of the Government, EXCEPT under a
law authorizing the same, or under an appro-
prlation adequate to its fulflment."
The reason for Offering this amendment Was.
that by the sixth section of the act of Nav /
1870, all contracts entered into on behalf of the
Government must be made under law author.
izing the same, or an appropriation adeouate
70 their fulhiment, except contacts for the
Quartermaster's department; and he simnlv
proposed to repeal that exception.
Pacific Rditrodd.-On motion nv Mr. Gv;r
the Senate proceeded to the consideration of
the bill to authorize the President of the Uni.
ted States to contract for the transportation of
'he mails, troops, seamen, munitions of war.
army ana navy supplies, and all other Govern.
ment service, by railroad, from the M;ssonr;
river to San Francisco, in the State of CsI;tor.
MIA.
Mr.. Benjamin alluded to the present exhaust.
ed condition of the Treasury, the small recent.
OF revenue, and the expenses incident to the
war WIN Otah, as 80 many reasons why the hill
couaa not be passed during the present session
Oh congress, and he therefore moved To nost.
pone Its further consideration until the 6rst
Monday in December next.
Mr.. twin said be should regard a vote re
that sort as evidence that Congress did not in.
tehd TO authorize any railroad to California.
Mr.. Johnson, of Arkansas, thought that.
whhin the few weeks remaining of the session
there would not be time to mature this bil1
and ne was therefore in favor of its POSTPONE.
ment. de was also of opinion that the route
seiec'eo for the road would not be such q one
as 70 an I'D any advantage to the South.
Mr' houston said that he was in favor of
mississippi opposite Memphis.
MIR. lVerson announced his intention In vot.
ior The postponement, believing that there wonld
0e 90 concession on the part of members from
ne worm, IN either House of Congress, to have
ucn IA scneme as would be fair, Just, and equal.
10 al AZ sections OF the COnfederacy.
MT ureen objected to the bill, because. while !,
nAeu 'he western terminus at San Franc;sco Il
lett the eastern terminus indefinite. intend;n9
70 seceiVe some OF those who supported the hill
de was opposed to Pacific railroad w wh ~
Ienshn should lnure wholly to the North or to
me ooutn out ne was in favor of a road upon
central route, for the benefit of the vboI a
country. "no'e
MIR. Wilson was in favor of the bin. In,
should vote for the postponement, on the
ground that the revenue of the country is at
the present time inadequate to meet the current
expenditures, and, instead of embarking in q
vast undertaking like this, the true policy of the
Government should be to husband its resources.
MIR. Douglas said he had listened with deep
regret to the indications that this measure was
to be defeated. He went ON to show the i'm.
portance of the work, and said that to postpone
It now woald be in effect to postpone il until