The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-02-24
ed. The action OF the committee was fnall,
reported to the House. Concurr,d 10 an,
adjourned.

adjourned.
WAsaiSGroS. Feb. Il.
SESArE--Mr. Hunter. from the Finance
Committee, reported the Executive, Iegis.
lativc and Judicial Appropriation bill.
Mr.. Mason, from the Committee on For.
eign Relations, moved TO prin, the report OF
the United States Commissioner TO Van
couver Island. Agreed to,
Mr. Wilson's resolution, recently laid or,
calling for detailed information respecting
Mr. Bntterfelds Overland Mail contracts.
was taken up and agreed 10,
Numerous private memorials, etc, were
disposed OF,
Mr., Wade moved TO postpone all Irior
orders aud take up the Homestead bill.
Mr.. johnson also urged Il,
Messs. w ilson and Shields desired u vote.
and Messrs. Reid aud Hunter wished to
have II postponed; but the bill was taken
up--?6 to 2a--end read.
Mr.. Hunter again moved to take up the
Consular and Diplomatic Appropriation
bill.
Mr.. Stuart demonstrated against this
crowding Oh the Homestead bill by an ap-
preparation bill which was sure 10 Jass.
Some time was occupied in arranging
the precedence Of business.
Mr.. Seward urged vote on the Home.
stead bin a. u measdkc that would settle
definitely the policy with respect 10 the pub
Ito lands, and would rescue them from be-
INK held by spectators and capitalists 10
the deirimcnt Of the interests OF labor.
The vote on Mr. Hunters motion 10 post.
pone the Homestead, and take up the Con.
sular and Diplomatic Appropriation bin,
was Is 10 ~, when The Vice Prevalent
gave the casting vote In favor Of tho latter.
Mr.. Pugh moved IN amendment to the
Diplomatic and Consular bill, proposing to
abolish oil grades Of ministers excepting
ono. and fixing the salary Of thai grade Al
$4,000, with secretaries at $4,000. But
oil missions are to DO special, aud for rea-
sons explained TO the Senate at the ,imo Of
appointment consuls general TO bc abol.
ishcd consuls 10 have fees Of oiIicc to tho
limit Of salaries now provided by law,
Mr.. Mason said few words In favor Of
the general scope Of Pugh's amendment. but
thought more time would bc required In
preparing remedial measures. lie intimmtcsl
his rcadincrs 10 cooperate at = suitable time
with fugh In revising the consular and di.
plomatc service.
The bill was then laid aside for the Cuba
proposition, when Mr.. Chandler took the
iloor.
Mr.. Polk spoke In favor Of the acquisi
ton Of Cuba.
The Consular and Diplomatic Approprla-
ton bin was then taken up.
Mr.. Pugh offered another amendment 10
consolidate the similar missions Without
taking vote upon II the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE, sergeantat arms, pursuant
10 previous orders Of the House. produced
John Oasuin, Of Philadelphia. who had been
summoned, but failed 70 appear. before the
select committee 10 investigate the account
OF Mr.. Seaman, The late superintendent VI
public printing lie was now srraigncd at
the bar OF the House under attachment for
contempt.
On motion Of Mr. Geo. Taylor, chairman
OF the committee, the Speaker was directed
10 PROFOUND TO Mr.. Cassin the question,
what excuse be had to give. and whether be
was now ready t0appcar before the commit
tee and answer NIL proper questions.
Mr.. Cassin answered by n written state
incDt, under oath. that on being summoned
by the sergeant alarms on the 9th inst, be
immediately prepared 10 attend M required,
but allowed himself 10 be- delayed few
days owing 10 the Illness Of u near relative.
lie had now come and voluntarily surrcn-
dcred himself lie meant no disrcspct TO
the House and begged TO be excused for
any apparent 0r actual dcrelction. and was
ready 10 testify before the committee. Hay
Ing purged himself from the alIcded con.
tempt, on motion Of Mr.. Taylor he was dis.
charged from custody
Mr.. EngIsh called up the bill regulating
the postage Oh newspapers and periodicals.
lie said Il had been reported extensively
through the press that the bill proposed to
tax newspapers passing IN exchange. This
was not the fact. The design Was that peri.
odical dealers shall receive their mail matter
on the same terms IA regular subscribers.
Another section authorized maps and litho-
graphs 10 b. carried al one cent per ounce
or fraction Of an ounce. Heretofore such
The third section proposes 10 punish persons
taking letters gu, Of the Office by mistake,
but wilfully or faudulcntly DegIecting 10
return them, also persons who, in like man
ner, failed TO apply money handed them for
the payment oi postage. &c. There Is at
prey,nt no adequate law 10 punish such Of
fences. The bill proposes foe Of 500 or
one years Imprisonment, or both The bill
WAS passed.
Mr. English made an Intellectual effort 10
consider the bill " abolish the frsnkipg
privilege.
Mr.. Colfax hated that by the phrasrology
Of one section Of the bin every newspaper
publisher would he compelled to prepay
the postage on his entire circulation passing
through The mails, change asked for by 20
one.
The House went into Committee. John
Cochrspe chairman.
The Army Appropriation bill was taken
up.
Mr.. Davis, Of Mississippi, defended the
fs..r