The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-03-16

WEDNESDAY, March s

WEDNESDAY, March 5.
HousE.-Mr. Barksdale asked leave to
otter resolution, proposing, the Senate con.
curing, to adjourn on the 4th of June.
Mr.. Grow suggested an amendment that
Congress adjourn when all its business was
transacted.
The House refused to suspend the rules
sc to SO, not two thirds.
Mr.. CovOde asked leave to offer a resolu-
ton for the appointment of select COM
mittee of five, for the purpose of investigat-
ing whether the President, or other officers
of Government, has, with money or other
means, sought to influence Congress, or any
committee thereof; or to any act referring
to the rights of the States or Territories
whittier any officers, by combination or
otherwise, have sought to defeat the execu-
ton of any laws, and whether the President
has refused to compel the execution of the
same. Said committee to inquire into the
abuses in the Chicago and other post offices,
and Philadelphia and other navy yards, and
public works; touching the Presidents
letter of November, 1858, on the occasion
of the Centennial at Pittsburgh; what
amount of money was used in Pennsylvania
for electioneeriDg purposes; on what Dis
tricts the same was expended and from
what source it was derived. Said committee
to have power to send fer persons and pa.
pers, and report at any time.
Mr.. Florence objected to the introduction
of the resolution. The charges should be
specified.
Mr.. Underwood-Let the gentleman state
what dishonest acts have been committed
MIR. Brigham objected to the debate as
out of order.
Mr.. Grow objected to the debate
The Chair Mr.. COlfax temporarily presi-
ding) overruled MIR. Florence's point.
Mr.. Covode said something about the
Philadelphia Navy Yard, to which Mr.
Florence replied he was as much iu favor of
ferreting out dishonesty as any one.
Mr.. Morris, of Pennsylvania, said he did
not mean to debate the resolution, but these
charges were made-the remainder of the
sentence was lost. Cries of "Order," from
the Democratic side.
Mr.. Covode moved a suspension of the
rules.
Mr.. Burnett desired to say, if the charges
were made specific he would vote for them.
Republicans calling to order.
Mr.. Florence said it would be just as
easy to make the charges specific as
Mr.. Ashmore commenced speaking, but
was called to to order by Mr.. Grow.
Mr.. Ashmore said he thought Mr.. Grow
had better hold his tongue.
Cries of Order from the Republican
side.
Mr.. Ashmore continued. He would not
vote for any investigation on insinuatons
lying and untruthful, when the gentleman
will not personally take the responsibility
of what he asserts.
This is believed to be the substance of
Mr.. Ashmores remarks, but the continued
cries of Order " from the Republican side
prevented bis being heard distinctly. He
would vote for the resolution if the charges
were made specific.
Mr.. Cobb said if any party is guilty of
corruption, let it be ferreted out
Messrs Winslow, Craig, of N. c., and
Smith, OF Virginia, and Others, amid cries
of order" stated why they would vote
against such resolution.
The rules were suspended by III against
Is.
Under suspension of the previous question,
Mr.. Reagan offered joint resolution, that
$5,O0O,O00 be placed at the disposal of the
President to defray expenses of military, to
be called into military service for the sup.
preston of hostilities in the Rio Grande
territory.
Referred to the Military Committee.
Adjourned.
SENATE.-The Senate met at 10 o'clock
Mr.. Haun presented the credentials of
Milton s. Latham, Senator from Califor-
MIA, who appeared, was sworn, and took his
seat.
The bill to authorize the sale of arms to
the State was taken up.
Mr.. Fessenden offered an amendment that
no State or Territory be allowed to pur-
chase greater number of arms than her
just proportion, to be determined upon the
basis of its population.
The bill to amend the act establishing
the Court of Claims was taken up.
After discussion the amendment was lost.
Adjourned.
WASHINGTON, March 6.
HoUsE.-Mr. Schwartz asked, but failed
to obtain leave, to introduce a resolution
instructiDg the Committee on Mileage to
inquire into the expediency of restoring the
compensation of congressman to what it
was formerly, and into the expediency of
regulating or reducing the mileage.
The House resumed the consideration of
the bill reported last week, of which
synopsis has been given, for the protection
of female passengers on board emigrant
ships.
Mr.. John Cochrane offered two amend
ments which was agreed to, providing that
process be issued against the offenders in
the English, French, or German languages,
and that suit can be brought within one
year from the time of the arrival of any
vessel in port.
The bill was passed.
Mr.. John Cochrane, from the Committee
on Commerce, reported bill for the simpi-
fcation of the revenue laws. He said plain
and radical changes had been made from the
bill for similar purpose reported at the last
Congress.
All innovations were abandoned, and it
was deemed best to cOnfne the provisions OF
the bill to the existing laws on the subject,
mi A.,