The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-01-27
XXXy CONGRESS-SECOND SESSION
WARRINGTON. Jan. 20.


SxxArE.-The House bill for the relief oil
the Mobile and Ohio Railroad was taken up.
Considerable debate ensued on the question
whether to pas it or refer it to the Com
mittee on Public Lands. II was finally
laid over.
The invalid pension bill was taken up
and passed.
The Pacific Railroad bill, a. amended
came up.
Mr.. Davis, Of Mississippi, moved ON ap-
plicati0n 81 ten millions OF dollars, and forty
sections OF land per mile to construct the
road. The ten millions to be refunded 10
the form Of nett proceeds in the treasury.
The road is TO run from the Atlantic 10 the
Pacific States. Mr.. Davis believed the
road could be built over certain route on
these terms, and made q lengthy speech 10
support Of his views.
Before taking up the Pacific Railroad
bill, Mr.. Benjamin reported the substitute
Of Mr.. Masons bill which authorizes We
President TO use the public forces Of the
United States. Mr. Benjamin's substitute,
which was ordered to be printed, is in sub
stance az follows: The FIRST section gives
power to the President whenever he has
reason to apprehend that any Of the transit
routes will be Obstructcd or closed by law
less rebels, or that when an attack ia threat.
ened against the persons or property Of our
citizens, TO use the land and naval forces TO
prevent the threatened injury on condition
that the forces used are withdrawn as soon
US the object is accomplished The second
section gives power to the President In case
Of actual violence 10 the persons or property
OF our citizens 10 aaJ o'tse Centras Amer
can States, or Mexico, to use the land and
naval forces in cXactisg Instant redress, the
forces to be withdrawn as soon as the re.
dress is granted. The third section requires
an immediate report to Congress Of what
the President may do under the provisions.
Mr.. Davis spoke for three hours strongly
advocating Southern road, and gave large
details Of the topography OF the route, 10
show that it Is the shortest and cheapest
aud that the road from Texas to California
can be completed for the sum he had named.
II may here be mentioned that Mr..
Pugh's amendment to terminate the road at
the eastern boundary of California was not
lost as was enormously stated 10 some pa
pers, but it is still pending. although it was
temporarily withdrawn, TO enable Mr.. Da-
Wis to offer his substitute.
Mr.. Gwin, in reply to Mr.. Davis, depre
Gated the tenor Of the Senator's speech,
which he considered tended to exalt the adj
vantages of the Southern at the expense Of
the other routes. As to the Senator's pro
posal, his route would commence nowhere
and end at a similar place. There could be
no assurance that road would be built 10
connect with the Eastern terminus more
than with the Western. Who would vote
Sl0,000,000 for any such doubtful link
lie, however, did not consider that the road
would now be built. When we arrive at
the point when all rarties will conccde a
portion of their prejudices under the coer.
Give power OF public sentiment so as TO
unite all sections, then, aud not till then,
will Pacific Railroad be built.
Mr.. Doolitte spoke in favor OF taking
three estimates for contracts. ]. For a road
north of the parallel Of Al. q For road
between the 37th and 43d. 3. For a road
south Of 81 the President TO send all such
estimates to Congress for their action.
Mr.. lverson said he stood TO every word
he uttered in favor Of two roads, on section
al and political grounds and 10 addition,
had his views fortified 10y other evidence,
lie read letter from citizen Of Canada.
who had passed many whit rs in the interior
OF this continent, and who pronounced the
northern and southern routes favorable, but
central route imprac.icable, from the
drifting SHOWS. lie also handed TO the
Secretary a note which was read and order
ed TO be printed. together with lengthy
scientific paper. TO the same rurport, by
Lieut. Maury, of the Observatory.
Mr. Brown again spoke as to The consti
nationality Of the question
( Mr. Mason here moved TO adjourn
Mr.. Gsln demonstrated, and called for
, the yeas and nays, when the motion prevail!
I I'd. and the Senate adjourned.
| HoUSg-1he Speaker announced Mcssrs
| Sherman, BocOck, Richie, Grocsbeck aud
| Ready. as the select committee on The
charges of alleged corruption in the Navy
/ Department.
! The morning s'ssion OF the House was o.
cupicd in hurcomh- speeches
! The bill 10 amend the presumption laws
( reported yesterday. came up.
Mr. Blair offered homestead bill as al
| amendment, but i, was ruled ont of order
/ Mr.. Grow offered an amendment that
I iiom ard after the passage OF this act NJ
/ public lands shall be exposed 10 sac 10y pro
1 clamaiion OF the President, unless returns O
/ the surveys thereof shall have been duly 6.eI
I in the land office ten years or more, which
was adopted by Is majority.
The House, by four majority, rejected th'
( bill by refusing TO order II to b. engroSseC
Tor third reading
/ Much time was consumed by calling th'
/ yeas and nays on the collateral question.
The House then wen, into Committee o
the Whole on the Presidents message. and
| Immediately took recess till : O'Clock.
Daring the evening session Mr. Puryi
anee aud Nj Thompson presented ,heil
view. upon the Tariff question and platforms