Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1859-01-15

certain portion Of the bill, was then rejected.
A long debate then took place on the appro-
priation for removing the Indians in Oregon,
to the reservations, and subsisting them until
they shall be able to maintain themselves, but
without coming to any conclusion with regard
to it, the committee rose, and the House ad-
jOurned.
Mr.. Seward presented the Constitution
adopted by the late Constitutional C0nven-
ton held at Leavenworth, Kansas, which was
referred to the Committee on Territories.
On motion of Mr.. Crittenden, the French
Spoliation bill was taken up, by vote of "a
to 1S. bills a--sr.a = LEaE.s 3d.. - a.r
After some discussion, the Pacific Railroad
bill was taken up. .-.. ...... ...... ....-
Mr.. Harlan spoke forcibly on the propriety
of Congress locating the route.
The capital required is 100000, nearly
One-third of the surplus capital Of the coun-
try. Few native individuals or companies
can control so much, hence it is sure to be a
monopoly, perhaps foreign one. What Sc
curity, too, is there that the contractors, hav-
ing secured the eight millions cash and ten
millions of the best lands, for constructing the
Road through a fertile district, will advance
one step across the precipitous mountains and
sterile plains of the interior? Topographic
cally there is little difference between the
three central routes surveyed either can be
built in ten or twelve years without deranging
the financial condition of the country There
fore he was in favor of the central route, as
the centre of population. f.s..s ..t a .ua
Mr.. Harlan was severe on those members of
Congress, who, after having spent half mill
ion in explorations, published in immense
quarto volumes, illustrated with pictures for
those who cannot read, wanted to shift on the
mail contractors the responsibility of locating
the Road, lest they should offend their con-
stituents in not securing it for their particular
locality. @....
Mr.. Ward spoke in favor of the parallel of
80, comparing its advantages of leads and
distance over the central and northern routes,
maintaining that the southern route can be
built with the smallest amount of money and
in the shortest time. ~
Mr.. Iverson made strong sectional speech,
and moved that the bill be re-committed, with
instruction to report bill for the construction
of two Roads, northern Road and south
srn Road. Adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Z.
SENArE.-Mr. Shields spoke in favor of a
Northern Route to Puget's Sound, setting
forth the its advantages over all others.
- Mr.. DOolittle moved an amendment in SUBJ
stance, that board of three engineers be ap-
pionted to survey each route, the northern,
central and southern, and report the capabili
ties and an estimate of the expense Of each for
the next meeting of Congress.
A new feature in the amendment is, that
alternate sections of land along the route shall
be opened under the Homestead law to actual
settlers.
Mr.. Trumbull, speaking nominally on the
Pacific Railroad question, replied to Mr.. Iver-
sons speech of yesterday. He took notice
of his, Iverson's allusion to the Illinois elec-
ton, and denied the claim modern democrats
to that honored title. He, Trumbull, consid-
cred them mere survivors of Whiggery.
He went into a history of the use and pro-
gress of the Republican party, and agreed
with Mr.. Iverson that they would go on pro-
crossing until they obtained power, aud ad-
mlnistrate in accordance with the true princi-
Piles of the constitution.
The Senate without taking any action then
adjourned on motiou of Mr.. Slidell, over until
Mondry, tomorrow being the anniversary Of
the Battle of New Orleans.
HoUsE.-Mr. Blair. of NO., introduced a
bill to establish an Assay Office in st. Louis.
Mr.. Stephens, of Ga, announced in res
ponse to numerous inquiries that the Oregon
bill was in his desk, and that he was ready to
report it the first time the Committee on Ter
ritories shall be called off. He will then re-
quest immediate action on the bill, and he
,,,o,,lI bo roo oI,oJ nv, T,,ocJo1,
Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois, wished to know
whether Mr. Stephens requested the passage
of the bill without discussion.
Mr.. Stephens replied that he was willing
the debate should continue as long as the
House desired
Various bills of a private character were
reported-among them one by Mr.. Hopkins
from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, fol
the relief of the owners and crew of the brig
Gen. Armstrong.
SENATE.-This being private Calendar day
much routine business was transacted, among
which is communication from the Secretary
of war covering the report of the Engineers
bureau relative to ground for federal purposes
iu New York. Mr.. Seward presented peti
tons from New York in favor of the Home
stead and old soldiers bill, also resolution
which was adopted calling on the President
for all the correspondence between the British
government, and the American Minister al
London, touching the abuses of the American
flag.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8.
Senate not in session.
HoUsE.-The speaker laid before the House
a message from the President enclosing re-
ports from the Secretary of the Treasury and
Postmaster General, relative to the claim O
Cormack & Ramsay, for alleged abrogation O
their contract for carrying the mail via Vers
Cruz and Acapulco to San Francisco.
Mr.. Nichols, of Ohio, said the executive off
GERS of the Government have refused to carry
out the law, authorizing the first Comptrollel
to adjust the damages, as he thought the rea
son assigned for the refusal utterly indefensi
BILE. 1t was high usurpation Of power which
it became the dignity of Congress to resent ir
the most effective manner.
1t was important to know whether the Blu
reau or Cabinet officers have the right to make
law for themselves. He wanted the Judiciary
Committee to examine and report whether
any further legislation was necessary.
Mr. Houston, of Ala, said the former At
torney General gave an opinion adverse to th'
claim, but Mr.. Whittlesy declined to yiele
obedience to it, taking the ground that the Law
authorized him, as first Comptroller to adjus
the claim.
The present Controller, Mr.. Medell, wa
governed by similar opinion of Judge Black
| that there had been no violation of contract
and therefore there could be no damages.