San Andreas independent., 1858-04-17

DAN FRANCISCO, April 18th, 10 A. NJ.
The steamer Golden Age arrived at San
Francisco at 10 o'clock P. NJ. yesterday She
brings ten days later news from the Atlantic
States and Europe.
Congressional.
The attention of Congress was still engross-
ed, to great extent by the everlasting Kan
sas question.
On Monday, March 18th, the friends of the
Lecompton Constitution determined to remain
in permanent session until the vote on the ad-
mission of Kansas should be taken, or until
the opponents of the bill should agree to take
the vote. Some time during the week, the
Opposition resisted, and the result WAS that
the Senate remained in session until Tuesday
morning, when the Opposition agreed that the
vote might be taken on the following Monday,
March 22nd. The session was stormy one !;
and the lie was passed during the debate, be-
tween Green, of No., and Cameron, of Pa
Each gentleman apologiscd to the Senate on
the following day, and the belligerant Senators
made up.
There seems to be no doubt of the passage
of the Lecompton Constitution through the
Senate, when it comes to vote On the Eth
of March, Mr.. Crittendcn made great speech
in opposition to the Lecomption Constitution.
Senator Toombs replied to it the next day, and
was followed by Bell, of Tenn, who took de-
cided grounds against the Bill.
The fate of the bill in the House. is some
what doubtful-the friends Of the measure
having recently been beaten CT several ques-
tons, which were considered test questions
The Opposition in the House have recently lost
some northern Democratic members, who had
been relied upon to oppose the measure. Tile
loss is believed to be more than made good by
the acquisition of strength from Americans
representing southern constituencies.
In the Senate, Mr.. Foster, Of Conn, spoke
against the Lecompton Constitution, and Mr.
Clay, Of Ala, against pure Democracy and
in favor Of disunion, in case the Republican
party should take the rcias Of government
His views were criticised by Mr.. Houston.
The House Of Representatives decided, by
the strong vote Of l43 to 43, against any in
crease of our Standing Army, and in favor of
allowing the President to accept the services Of
five regiments of Volunteers, in settling our
Bill, in this shape, passed the House by a vote
of ia 10 70.
From the 18th to the goth Of March, there
were many able speeches made On both sides
of the question, amongst which, that Of Sen
ator Crttenden, against the Lecompton Con-
stitution, is said to have been the most able.
On March 18th, quite fare-up occurred
between Senators Bgier and Brodericl1, about
some remarks made by the former gentleman,
in which the name Of Mir Douglas was intro
duced. The dispute was rather personal, and
seemed to involve a question Of yeracity. Tie
matter was finally dropped.
In the House, Mr.. Phelps, of No., tie Chair
man of the Committee On the Pacific Railroad.
introduced bill to the Senate Committee to
aid in the construction OF q Railroad from ST.
Louis to San Francisco. 1t proposes to pass
through Albuquerque, the Pimo Villages,
and the Tejon Pass. One half Of the road is
to be built By California and the other by
Missouri-thc U. S. to grant money and land
on building it. After so miles arc built, the
L. S. thirty years bonds to be issued to the
State building It, at the rate Of 81 500 per
mile, and so on us it is finished. Tie leo
miles further west from ST. Louis and east
from San Francisco. then two hundred miles
further bonds to be issued at the rate Of 81 o.
OOV per lilc, tEcll lOt IL 1Op UliicS AGSt
at the rate Of Sl2, 800 per mile, and for tho
remainder of the way, st the rate of $l5, ,00i
per mile, the road to be finished in ten years
While these things are going on at Wash
ington, Convention, ordered by the present
Territorial Legislature Of Kansas has beer
elected to form new Constitution. This
Convention is decidedly Free State.
Affairs in Kansas, are, at present, apparent
ly quiet; but reliable authority from the
| Territory. says that in case the Lecompton
Constitution is adopted by Congress, the peo-
pie will rebel against it, and resort to civil war
before submitting.
General Lane is organizing the Militia under
the authority of the Territorial Legislature,
and against the authority of Gov Denver.
The Mo. Republican learned that the clerks
of election of the Shawnee precinct, were pre-
pairing certificate under oath, stating that
they gave their testimony before the Investi-
eating Committee, under threats of death
A letter from Fort Scott states that that
place has been taken by a company of Lanes
men, who were robbng stores and stealing
horses. No lives lost
The Leader learns from a gentleman from
Kansas, that the Topekaites and the anti-To-
pekaits had quarreled concerning the policy to
be pursued and that two sets of candidates
Convention. The Democrats made no nomi-
nation to the Constitutional Convention 1t
is reported that Lane has issued proclamation
calling on the Free State Militia to attack
Weston, No. This report is not credited.
Salt Lake.
A Mr.. Wagate, who left that Lake on the
25th February, recently arrived at Council
Bluffs by a new route through the mountains,
only known to the Mormons, and passable
only in single file for q long distance. He re-
ports no snow in Salt Lake Valley and very
little on the mountains. The Mormons are
busily engaged in the manufacture Of arms
and powder A skirmish is said to have ta-
ken place between picket guard of the U. s.
troops and party of Mormons, in which four
of the troops and two Of the Mormons were
killed. 1t is said that Brigham is willing that
civil officers may enter Salt Lake and COM
mence the discharge of their duties, but he
will oppose the entrance of the troops
Mr.. Harnett, Secretary ofITtah, has arrived
at st. Louis, bringing news from Camp Scott
to January oath. He reports the troops com