The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-03-17


II is very difficult to'accurately ascertain
what measures Of local interest TO the PEG.
pie Of this State, have passed Congress, rs it
generally takes several days after the AL
journmcnt to discover the precise condition
OF the compal atively unmportant bills pend.
ing, during tho closing days Of the session.
Senator RIcK sends us the following copy
of the amendment proposed by him TO tho
Post Office Appropriation bill, and which
passed. the Senate by vote OF 80 ayes TO
nay. Az we have heretofore stated, the
whole bin was afterwards lost, owing 10 the
want of time 10 consider it, before the hour
fixed Tor adjournment.
aKcrros |. That the Postmaster General he
authorised and directed 10 contract for carrying
the entire letter mail from ~. Paul. In the state
Of Minnesota, and the head Of Lake superior,
In Wisconsin, 10 Seattle, on Pugets Sound, Ia
the Territory OF Washington, for sir years, at
u cost not exceeding two hSndred thousand
dollars per snnum for weekly service.
Sac. .. Aud be II further enacted, That the
contractors shall have the right Of pre- empton
10 one hundred and sixty acres Of land not the a
disposed Of, or reserved, a. each point ueces.
Hary for station, not 10 be less then ten miles
distant from each other. and provided that no
mineral land shall be thus pre- empted.
SEC. ,. And be II further enacted, That tho
said service shall be performed within twenty
days for each trip and that, before entering
shall be satisfied OF the ability and disposition
Of the parties, bona Hde and In good faith. to
perform the said contract, and shall require
good and sufficient security for the performance
Of the same the service 10 commence within
three months after signing tho contract.
SEc. And he II further enacted. That the
cost Of said service be paid out Of any money
the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
II was intended by the author Of this bin
that the nail should be carried on horse.
back. This would have rendered the Mp.
preparation ample and have afforded nm cr.
celept opportunity OF demonstrating the
feasibility and speed with which communi
cation could he openei and carried on be-
tween 81. Paul and Puget Sound.
A bill passed both Houses Of Congress.
appropriating 100000, Tor the conntrue-
ton Of u wagon road from Fort Benton on
the Missouri TO Fort WalIa Walla, in Ore
goD, ut the forks Of the Columbia river
This road follows STgvgss route, and It's
construction IL regarded M highly favorable
10 the future prospects Of u northern con
nection between the Missi.sippi and the
Pacific.
A bill passed the Senate extending tho
benefits Of the swamp lanJ act 10 Minnesota.
We are not informed whether or not IL
Jasscd the Hons
A bill passed both Houses, fixing the
tim- and places Tor holding the United
States District Court 10 Minnesota. We
believe -. Paul, ~ Cloud and ChatGeld
are the points named in The bill, for the ses
sions Ct the Courts.
A bill establishing nm additional land
district in the south- western part Of the
State, 10 BE- called the Blue Earth district,
passed the Senate We are not aware Of
ia fate in the iiouse.
The sum Of five thousand dollars was ap-
proprio,ed to pay the expenses d running
the western boundary line Of Minnesota.
An appropriation opay Capt STARKsr's
cavalry company $4,000 Tor their services
10 the Cambridge Indian War" 10 1857.
pssy,1 the Senate, but II IL dubious whether
!, go, through the House.
An act was slso psssed, authorizing set
tiers upon 10th and goth sections, (school
lApds who sttled before the surveys Of
public lands, 10 pre-cmp, their settlements.