The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-04-22
THlRTf-FlFTH CONGRESS,
FIRST SESSION..
Tuesday, april IL, 1853.
SENATE

order Of the day, and, after being briefly con
siaered, was postponed, with the view OF allow
ing several Senators an opportunity to mature
the proposed amendments to the pending
measure.
Mr.. Green then called MP the message re-
ceivod from the House of Representatives, an
noHnciDg its adherence to the bill for the ad-
mission of Kansas into the Union according to
the terms aud conditions popularity known as
the " Crittenden amendment" Mr.. G.. moved
that the Senate insist on its original bill, and
ask for a committee Of conference.
Mr. Simmons desired to know whether these
two motions were not Invisible, as it might
happen that Senator who was In favor OF the
one might be opposed to the other.
NJ. Pugh doubted whether it was parliament
ary or proper for the Senate to issist after the
House had adhered.
Mr.. Green thought the procedure was legiti-
mate and could be sustained By undoubted
precedents.
Mr. Hunter did not consider the two motions
divisible, and deemed them both appropriate
under the circumstances. The House, not
withs.anding its recent vote, might yet decide
20 recede from its adherence.
Mr. Mason defended the propriety of Mr..
Green's motion. BE admitted its effect would
be to leave the fate of the bill entirely in the
hands Of the House. That BODY, by its vote,
had certainly given significant, if not ominous,
indication Of its determination in the premises
but he was willing to approach the EXTREMIST
verge of concs ssion, with the view of allowing it
an opportunity to reconsider its decision, or TO
take the responsibility of defeating the Senate
bill. whatever might be its consequences.
Mr.. Stuart thought the double motion of Mr..
Green was divisble, if single Senator desired
Its division. The proposition to insist in the
face Of an adherence on the part of the House,
seemed to him hardly respectful to the latter,
as il was to be presumed that its dissemination
had been deliberately taken.
Mr.. Bsyard thought the motion of Mr.. Green
was right and proper. 1t offered to the House
OF Representatives an opportunity to confer
with the Senate, and, in case it should he re-
jected; would only serve to place the House
still more in the wrong than il had already
placed itself by its precipitate decision to adj
here
Mr.. Brown thought the motion in no vice
disrespectful to the House. In poist of strict
punctilio, it was perhaps hardly respectful to
Its own dignity fer the Senate to make this
oHer; but a concession which he would be un-
willing to make personally, he felt called to
make IN his public and official capacity, with
the view of reaching such a solution of the
Kansas question az promised peace to the
country.
Mr.. Douglas thought that the pending prop.
ositon was too narrow q one to Justify pro.
traeted debate, and hoped vote might now be
taken on the motion of Mr.. Green.
The propriety of this view seeming to be
generally scquiesced in, the question was then
put, and decided in the sfirmative-yeas 80,
nays "a. So the Senate resolved to insist, and
ask the House of Representatives for a com
IF nOnfo 6
the disagreeing votes of the two bodies. The
President pro tenn Mr.. Fitzpatrick appointed
as the committee on the part of the Senate,
Messrs. Green, Hunter, and Seward.
Mr.. Wilson next offered substitute for the
bill authorizing the construction of a magnetic
telegraph from Fort Lesvenworth to Utah Ter
rltory, with the view of expediting communica.
ton between the Government and the army
nov under the ommsnd of Brigadier General
Johnston. The bill proposed to appropriate
five hundred thousand dollars for this purpose.
under certain restrictions and guarantees.
The proposition was defended by Messrs.
Wilson, Broderick, Doolittle, Douglas, Pugh,
and Cameron, and was opposed by Messrs.
Biggs, Iverson, Hunter, Fsesenden, johnson
OF Arkansas, and Male, when, on motion of Mr.
lverson, with the view Of raising a test. ques
ton on the passage of the bill, the further
vi VIC ouoJCSt was PcbISOD6u Uil
the first Of December next-yess %, NAYS II.
Ths Senate than ...s-.->.s>l- I.is----. .L--.e
HOUSE.
Mr.. Caruthers of Missouri, who has been
detained by illness since the beginning of the
session, appeared and was qualified. The bill
to establish an auxiliary guard in this city
was debated at great length in Committee of
the Whole, and several amendments we're pro-
pose, but no action was taken thereon. The
" aWaun = f
q request for a committee of conference on the
disagreement between the two branches, and
notice was given that the bill will be taken up
to be disposed of at one o'clock today. A
message from the President, transmitting the
petition of citizens of Carson Valley to be set
on from Utah as separate Territory, was re-
ferred to the Committee on Territories. The
House adjourned shortly after four o'clock.
For The Congressional proceedings of Wedpes.
day, April IA, see fsst page.
Thursday. April Is, 1858.
SENATE
After the usual morning business. the ana.
clai order OF The day was taken up and discuss.
ed, being she Pacific railroad bill.
MIR. Polk, in an instructive ard el.bo,.,.
speech, presented the Typographical. barouat.
rical, and statistical details which he tbongb,
commended tie central route, running near the
tnirty -hith degree of north latitude, as comb.
Dlhg Sovautsges over any other that could he
ionhd. lie wss heartily in favor of this orea,
enterprise, and the people of the West. as well
as OF california, might almost be said IN demand
Its inception and completion.
Mr. mason thought the proposition was one
which might well create miegivinss in the breazt
OF the most speculative and incons;derata II
involved the Initiation of new economical mol.
ICY On The part of the Government. and was.
Deslses, based on considerations which were
rainier iiiusoTy than substantial. Railroads run.
mig 'nI0ugh the most populous regions we're
generally Improbable to stockboldeIa- what
T Tou'p oe the uPshot OF this great undertaking?
The attempt to effect it according N the t.rms =.
the Pending bill would speedily result in The
bankruptcy OF the contra ctors and then Il vonId
De urged that Congress, having begun the vork.
was morally committed to see it completed. and
congress, after having completed il. vonld NOV,
De ne'o bound TO detray the expense of workingit
Under SUCH system, We should have a Goverr.
ment not only Of overshadowing public patron.
age, but also one Of public plrnder and pecn.
lstlon. de could aid by his vote in the ipaugu.
ration OF no policy 30 ruinous and demoral;z;nr
bElst colioquy here ensued between Mr
GwIn AID Mr.. Mason, the former of whom de-.
sired to ask the latter if be was in favor of ann
fscinc raiiroao, or was he prepared to see Cal.
ifornis sundered from the Union. in case sc 80
with any great maritime Power? Or vonld he
drive California, even now, to consider The ad
ysntages of separation from the Atlant;c
States? Mr.. Mason, in reply, stated that he
was in favor only of such Pacific railroad as
might be built and worked by private capital
BE had too much confidence in the ability Of
California to defend herself to fear her conoues,
by any maritime Power; but, if called to choose
between Ler voluntary withdrawal from the