The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-03-03
XXXV CONGRESSIONAL SESSION
WAsHlN1roE, Feb. "a.


SESArE.-Ths Senate was engaged until
midnight in animated debate upon the poll.
teal issues growing oat Of the unextinguish.
able Kansas question. The point under
consideration was an amendment to the
general appropriation bill offered by Mr.
Hale, TO repeal the restriction clause Of the
Kansas admission act.
All the Democratic Senators whose polit-
zeal teDets are regarded a. lacking in ortho.
doxy, availed themselves Of the opportunity
10 define their position.
The amendment was rejected by vote Of
10 70 n, and the general appropriation bill
finally passed.
Mr.. Hunters motion that the Senate
meet daily at II o'clock, vas agreed to.
The Chair laid before the Senate q
communication from the Secretary Of the
Interior, enclosing report of wagon
roads constructed under the authority of the
United States.
Mr.. Bright announced that had be been
present last night be would have voted
against Mr.. Hale's amendment.
Mr.. Fitch, from the Committee on Print
ing, introduced resolution authorizing the
superintendent Of public printing to pur.
chase paper in open market till new con-
tracts can DO made, a. owing 10 the failure
OF the contractor to furnish q supply, the
printing threatens to be stopped
On motion Of Mr.. Yulee, the post routes
bill was taken up, yeas 81, nays l9.
Post route bill was being taken up when
Mr.. Yulee, Of Florida, announced the inten-
ton Of the committee to amend the bill, by
increasing the rates OF postage, and other
reforms, 10 as TO augment the revenue of the
department six and half million dollars.
HoUsE.-The Post Office appropriation
bill was taken up. The question was taken
on concurring in the amendment reported
from the Committee Of the Whole on the
state Of the Union, providing that the con-
tract with Butterfeld Il Co., for carrying
the overland mail shall be 30 construed as
shall allow them to carry il on any route
they may select, according to the act Of
Congress, under which said contract pur-
ports to be made, and it was negatived by
30 against l02. The proviso that the ad.
vertisement Of the mail route proposals shall
be published in two papers only, in each
State and Territory having the largest cir.
culation, was rejected by 81 against l04.
Mr.. Bocock, from the select committee oil
INQUIRY into the abuses Of naval contracts
presented majority report. The resolu.
tons appended say the testimony proves tho
existence Of glaring abuses in the Brooklyn
navy yard, which have been growing for a
long series Of years. That the coal agency
is in the hands Of incompetent persons and
needs reforming. That the Secretary Of
the Navy is not censursble in the matter oil
the live oak contracts and for the machinery
for the seven sleeps Of war.
On the other hand, Sherman and Richie
join in statement and resolutions setting
forth that the Secretary, with the sanction
Of the President, abused his discretionary
power in selecting coal agents and in the
purchase offuel. That the live oak contract
with Swift was made in violation Of law and
to the injury of the public service. Tha,
the distribution by the Secretary, Of gov.
eminent patronage at the Brooklyn navy
yard among the members Of Congress i
corrupting in its influence, and injurious to
the public service. That the President and
Secretary, by receiving and considering the
party relations Of bidders for contracts, and
the effect ofawarding contracts upon pend
ing elections, has set an example dangerous
to public safety, and deserving the reprooi
OF the House. That the appointment Of
Daniel b. Martin, Chief Engineer. to he q
Member of the Board OF Engineers to re.
port upon proposals for constructing ma.
chinery, the said Martin being at the time
pecuniarily interested in some. OF said propo
sails, is hereby censured by the House
Mr.. Sherman also reported bill to regu
late the navy yards and docks, and for 9th
er purposes
The whole subject was postponed ill
Monday. and the House went into Commit
tee on the Naval appropriation bill
Mr.. Wilson argued against protection
lie said there was no necessity for any al
teration OF the tariff and defended the ap-
preparations for the Navy.
! Mr., Howard contend.d that it was i'm.
possible to raise titty.six millions from tn,
present tariff He favored discriminating
tariff and protection.
/ Mr.. Currie insisted that we must equalizt
our revenue and expenditure There wert
retrenchment and economy on one side ant
enormous taxation IN the other, and no Am
crican statesman shosld hesitate TO accep
the former
Mr.. Nichols avowed himself in favor o
free trade and direct taxation. Our present
evils arise not from the tariff bills, bu, from
legislation here stimulating speculation.