The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-02-03
THIRTY.FIFTH CONG RESS,
Second Session.
Tuesday, January rs, 1859.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Mr.. Pugh caused to be read an account OF
certain proceedings alleged.to have taken place
In late secret session of the Senate, as the
same were reported by q New York journal.
He characterized the narrative as partial and
discolored, and therefore substantially false
Similar testimony was borne by Messrs. Fitch,
Davis, Douglas, Green, and Mason, who united
in deprecating the breach of Senatorial privi-
lege involved in the disclosure Of the proceed
ings of the Senate wilhelm Executive session.
On motion of MIR. Davis the consideration of
the Pacific railroad bill was resumed, the ques-
ton being on the adoption of his substitute for
the bill presented by r1.,iority of the select
committee raised upon tn 4 subject.
Mr.. Wilson moved to samend Mr.. Davis's
substitute so as to make it conform to the pro-
visions of the modification he presented to the
Senate on preceding day.
Mr.. Simmons, in a few practical remarks,
alluded to the defects which, in his Judgment,
attached to all the pending propositions.
Mr.. johnson, of Tennessee, in a speech of
great length, opposed the adoption of any bill
having for its object to aid in the construction
of railroad to the Pacific. He denied the
constitutional power of Congress to cooperate
in such work, which he ithought should be
left to private enterprise.
Mr. Davis and Mr.. Broderick, in few re-
marks, took certain exceptions to the generality
points after which, Mr. Johnson briefly re-
joined.
Mr.. English reported hill authorizing the
Postmaster General to test the public unility
of Morse's patent marine safe and metallic mail
bag, and bill to abolish the franking privilege ;
and they were severally committed.
Mr.. English, of Indiana, also reported a bill
regulating the payment Of postage on news
papers and periodicals, and for other purposes,
and asked that it be put upon its passage.
This bill authorizes the regular printers of
newspapers and periodicals TO receive such
newspapers and periodicals As they may require,
and pay postage thereon at the same rate as
regular subscribers; maps and engravings to
be charged at the rate of one cent an ounce or
fraction of an ounce. 1t also imposes fine of
not exceeding 800, or Incarceration in prison
not exceeding one year, or both, for fraudulent
ly retaining money received for the payment of
postage, for retaining letters received to be
deposited in the mail, or for retaining letter
addressed to another person, and received by
mistake.
Mr.. Walbridge, Of Michigan, remarked that
the bill was very importa Mt one and moved
that it be referred to the Committee of the
| Whole on the state of the . uion which motion
prevailed-yeas g. nays sc,
The Consular appropriation Bill. = The
House went into Committee Of the Whole on
the state of the Union, and resumed the con-
sideration of the bill making appropriations for
consular and diplomatic expenses.
The following amendment was adopted
By Mr.. Hopkins, of Virginia For the salary
of the Minister Resident at Japan from the 10Th
day of January, 1859, to the 30th day of June
next, 1885, and for the salary of the Minister
Resident at Japan, S7,500--yeas 81, nays 81.
| The Returned africans Mr.. Dowdell, of
Alabama, moved that the sbllowing section be
stricken out
"To enable the Presid ,nt Of the United
States to carry into effect tn. act of Congress OF
third of March, 1919, and $ny subsequent acts
now in force for the Suppression of the slave
trade, $4,000: Prorided, That so much OF
said appropriation as may be required to pay
expenses already incurred may be used from
and after the passage of this act"
Mr.. Dowdell said the Government was not a
missionary society. f.
/ Mr.. Phelps, Of Missouri, opposed the amend
ment, and justified the courss the President had
pursued.
I Mr.. Clay, of Kentucky, sad he was opposed TO
I ali these laws in reference.to the SLAVE trade
and would not vote one dollar.
Mr.. Phelps. Then, reply, repeal them
Mr.. Singleton, of Mississippi, moved To add
a proviso. that no part a the appropriation
should be used for the support or education OF
any African heretofore returned, or hereafter
to be returned, to their nasive country, in ac
cordance with the provisions of the act of 1919
Mr.. Nichols, of OHIO, saiI, if there was one
section in the bill which the people of his dis
trict wholly approved, it -sas the paragraph
/ ba Tbar .,,rI,
| be, in the contract made with the Coloni
zation Society, some itemt' not provided fol
specifically by law but tn obligation to sup
press the slave trade justih' d the President, il
his opinion, in his action.
Mr.. Curry, of Alabama, Gid not propose tC
Object to anything the Psgjident had done il
appointing an agent to receive the negroes from
the vessel which Transported them, but there
the law stopped; the Execu i've had discharged
his duty. But he did objec.S that the Presiden
had provided for their suppt It for year after
their delivery in Africa, and for educating then
and inctructing them in the rts of civilized life
On motion of Mr.. Wassfbprne, of Illinois
without taking final action on the the bill, tbs
Committee rose, and the Hbae adjourned.
Wednesday, January &c, 1859.
SENATE
In the Senate, a resolutio introduced by Mr.
Seward, to the effect that tn gentlemen recent
ly elected by the Legislatu,4 of Indiana to the
Senate of the United Statessbe admitted to tn,
hoor of the chamber until Il cir right to a seat
in the body he decided, vas allied UP and brief
ly debated. At the conclgsiop of the discus
sion, the resolution was laid-On' the table--yea:
81, nays %. N
TIE consideration of tie Pacific railroad
bill was Their resumed the pending question
being on the adoption Of NJ. wilson's amend
ment to the substitute o, Mr. Davis. The
amendment was rejected-geas l3, nays 80
| The question then recurrin, on the adoption o
Mr.. Davis's substitute it vas decided in the
negative-yeas Ia, hSys 33,
Mr.. Pugh moved his amt ndment fixing the
western terminus of the road at some point OF
the eastern koagdery of the State of California
Reiected-yeas &c, nays 22.
Mr.. Polk moved to fix III western ,ermiHp;
of the road at some point on the western bound
Diary line of Iowa, Missou,s or Arkansas, be
tween the AID and 34th parallels of north lati
tude--yeas 49, nays 33. -
Tie amendment of Mr.. )oolittle, providing
for new surveys and essery lions by corps o.
civil engineers, before detei mining on the des
tined route of the road, was then put to a vote
| and rejected without divislo
Mr.. ae!l thereupon called tap his amendment
authorizing the Secletssy cfehe Interior to ad
yertise for proposals to construct three reutss
Northern, asSouthern, and Central, leaving
Congress al subsequent lay to choose be
tween them.
Rejected-yeas l6, nays 6.
Mr.. Hammond next NOV, to Law the bill on
the table. Lost-yeas 81, 1 .ys 26.
The substitute proposition. of Mr.. Rice was