The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-02-17
XXXy. CONGRESS-. SECOND SESSION
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.

was transacted during the morning hour. A
resolution was otierd directing an inquiry
into the working Of the Reciprocity Treaty.
and the expedlency Of its abrcgStlon. vas
adopted.
On motion of Mr., Bayard, the vote by
which the Penn. Ave. Railroad was defeat
vi yesterday, was reconsidered.
The Senate resumed the consideration Of
Mr.. Bigler's resolution, that large public
debt in time OF peace is inconsistent with the
true policy Of this country, and that Con-
gress should without delay proceed to adjust
the revenue and expenditures.
Mr.. Toombs proceeded 70 reply 20 Mr..
Biglers speech Of yesterday, and went over
it section by section. After showing that
the first paragraph Of the resolution express
sed truism, that It is inexpedient in time
Of peace to incur large public debt, the
truism, however, depending on whether the
debt be Of casual or permanent deficiency,
and that the section assumed this deficiency
To be inevitable and fxed ~ the laws OF the
Modes and Persians.
Mr.. Toombs proceeded TO demonstrate
that it is not only avoidable, but that il
ought TO be avoided, that there is not only
no necessity TO keep the expenditures ut their
present standard, but that the present tariff
is ample TO meet the just and proper expen.
SIS OF this government. The Secretary OF
the Treasury estimates for the five years
prior to 1857. show revenue exceeding
the expenditures. Finding that there was
q revenue Of $50 1000 900, with M expendi.
ture Of $4,000, 900, the tariff was reduced
without party discussion, South Carolina
and Massachusetts, the extremes Of section.
alism, uniting to do it.
He did not propose by his vote on the
tariff Of 1887, TO cripple any branch Of the
public service, and he did not propose il,
now. The country Is able to bear any
amount of legitimate business, but he did
propose to require that the Government
shall confine itself to its legitimate service,
not for the mere reason Of cuttailing the ex-
pense, but for the better object Of avoiding
corruption, and Of making the country great
and for future action either in peace or war
We have no extraordinary occasion. No
wars except with the Indians which We al.
ways have hence there in no occasion for
increased expenditures 10 exist The tariff
was put on with the deliberate consideration
Of the government and people and it has
done what II Was expected II would do, not
withstanding the temporary falling of of
the receipts during the time Of mercantile
depression. 1t is not the tariff but the esti
mates that was fallaciOus, The post Office
has absorbed nearly 10000, 600 Of the def
cheney over the estimates further, the esti-
mates assume that every dollar OF the ap-
preparation not 0nlytbe present bnt the past
year will be required for the fiscal years Of
1859 and 1860
lie showed that the estimates were FRAN
ed to exhibit deficiency, for il Is impossi-
bic that all these appropriations can be laid
ont within the year. Yet further to iorcr a
deficiency, the surveyed public lands were
not offered, az il was the duty Of the gov.
eminent to offer them for sale Had the
proceeds Of the seventy or eighty million
acres OF surveyed lands been brought into
| the treasury there would not have been one
dollar of deficiency Were the expenditures
reduced within proper limits, there would bs
no deficiency. But instead of these re
trenchments the expenses are swelled into
extravaganza, to increase deficiency in the
estimates Of 1860, which is said 20 be newt.
able
! Mr. Toombs spoke further in the same
strain, after which the subject was postpon.
ed.
Mr.. Hunter attempted to bring up the
consular and diplomatic bill, and Mr.. SlideII
was equally anxious TO have up the Cuban
question. A heightened discussion ensuei,
IN which the leading Republican senators
expressed Themselves against taking up the
latter, though ready at any time when re.
gurcd 10 discuss all il bearings
The Cuban bill was finally taken up n
against Is, when Mr.. Slidell, by consent,
made correction OF the clause OF the bill
providing for five per cent. bonds, payable
semiapnually.
Mr. DoOlitts made some remarks, and Of
fered substitute appropriatiDg $50, 900,
600 10 enable the President 70 purchase Yu
catsn, Central or South America, for a ter.
ri,ory on which free negro nation can b.
located, under the guarantee oi the United
States. Adjourned.
HoUK-I'be Speaker laid before the
House a reply from the Secretary Of the
construction Of the Baltimore Custom fIonse
bad been delayed. lie says he has post.
poned the construction Of oil authorized
public buildings which had not been com
meoced previous % the late resolution,
owing TO the iDsnfIiciency Of money in the
treasury, and that he will continue 10 az; on
this rule until Congress shall provide money
10 meet the liabilities, or shall o,herwlse d.
rect.
Mr., Harris, Of Maryland, called attention
to the fact that Congress. several years ago
appropriated 100000 Tor the Baltimore
Custom House in unmistakable terms. The
reason asigped by the Secretary Ia un,en. !
able especially, as it il reoollectsd tina;
when the last Congress adjourned there wa
s23 900. 900 surplus revenue. g. 900 600 Of /
which was, 10 bis opinion, unnecessarily ap. /
piled 10 the redemption Of government -
curities at g. per cent. premium.
Mr.. Phelps, Of Missouri, justified the
yessous assigned by the Serretsrv snvinv