The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-04-06

Congress, not satisfied with laying down
platform for the Charleston Convention,
are now engaged in an attempt to dictate q
nominee. A. dispatch dated the 30th,
states that caucus of a considerable num-
Der Of Democrats, embracing representatives
from nearly every Southern State, was held
here in Washington the 29th inst. Men,.
bers of Congress and delegates to Charles
ton participated. An attempt was made to
effect some union Of action upon Mr.. Hun
TER, for the nomination at Charleston. The
friends of Mr.. GUTHRIE declined acceding
and the caucus broke up without accomplish
ing any result.
The House bill authorizing publishers to
print on the papers the date when subscrip>
lions expired; and reducing postage on
town and city letters to one cent, has
finally passed both Houses of Congress.
The special committee on the Pacific
railroad has substantially decided that they
would fix the route by rejecting the resolu>
ton offered by MILES TAYLOR, which pro-
posed to leave that question open to be de-
termined by capital and enterprise. Mr..
CURTIS, of Iowa, chairman of the committee,
advocates road on the 4lst parallel, start
ing from two points opposite the western
boundary of Missouri, and commencing with
two converging lines, bearing westward and
uniting within 200 miles of the Missouri
river, and then proceeding by single track
line to the bay of San Francisco, or the
navigable waters of the Sacramento. Mr..
PHELPS, of Missouri, favors road on the
35th parallel. Of course there is no pros
pect for northern road, if Congress deter
mines to build but one road. 1t will, of
course, be a central one.
The President has appointed Maj. ELISHA
G.. ENGLISH, long time q member of the
Indiana Legislature and an active Demo-
cratic politician, Marshal of that State, in
place of Mr.. ROBINSON, deceased.
Dispatches dated March 30 state -
The Committee on Territories met this
afternoon to consider the Arizona and JEFF
ferson Territory bills. Mr.. Mowry proved,
by conclusive evidence, the population of
Arizona to be about 10000, exclusive of
Indians. Mr.. Otero, delegate from New
Mexico, concurred in Mr.. Mowry's state.
ments, and testified that the organization of
Arizona is regarded as necessity by the
people of New Mexico. Mr.. Williams, of
Jefferson, gave statement showing the
necessity for a Territorial government. He
estimates the voting population at 5000.
The Harper's Ferry investigating COM
mittee had another meeting yesterday. The
Sergeant at Arms, who has been in search
of John Brown, Jr., has returned, and in
formed the committee that he is in Ohio, but
refuses to be taken. He defes the committee
and Congress, and says his friends will not
permit him to leave the state. The commit
tee meets again on Friday, when the matter
will probably be reported to the Senate.
Certain parties here are making move.
ment to have the Democratic National Con.
vention transferred from Charleston to New
Orleans.
The committee agreed to postpone until
next Thursday the consideration of the bills
for the organization of Nevada and Dakota,
and the admission of Kansas.
The Post Office Committee of the House
had Mr.. OWNS Pacific telegraph bill up
this morning, and referred it to the sub.
committee, consisting of Messrs. Colfax.
Craige of North Carolina, and Allen.
While there was general agreement in ia
vor of some such enterprise, and of extend>
ing government aid towards its construction.
it was thought proper to examine the de.
tails of this particular project more care.
fully.
The majority Of the Harper's Ferry
Committee have now decided to exame Gov.
Wise, and it is probable the question will
be submitted to the Senate.
Petitions are pouring in from New York
praying that the reciprocity treaty with
Canada may be amended or rescinded.
Hostilities to it are growing more bitter
daily, so ruinous is it to the interest of west
ern New York. Mr.. Hatch's report will
not only be strongly condemnatory to the
treaty, but will urge that it be abrogated
at the earliest possible day. The President
will lay the report Immediately before Con,
gress.
Correspondence Cincinnati Enquirer.
WAsHINToN, March 29.-The most cheer
ing intelligence continues to be received of
the prospects of Judge Douglas before the
Charleston convention. From every quar-
ter of the South letters are received con-
tanning glowing accounts of the change of
opinion in his favor. In North Carolina
majority Of the delegates have decided to
vote for him on the second ballot. This is
equivalent to saying that they are for him,
only, as it is well known, that many votes
will be cast on the first ballot merely as a
compliment to the different prominent gen
tlemen whose names may be submitted to the
convention. Beyond all doubt Douglas will
get the nomination, because he has the PEG.
pie in his favor. The politicians will not
be able to control the Charleston conyen-
ton; the day for such management has
passed away.
The New Jersey convention have at last
relieved the anxiety of the Administration
continuation Eirht IF tho fourteoy, 1oJo.s