The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-03-16
SAINT PAUL, FRIDAY, MARCH l6, 1860

academy bill so as to decide upon an amount
of appropriation. The one million three
hundred thousand dollars appropriation to
equip regiment of mounted Texas troops,
was taken up.
Mr.. Wigfall urged the necessity of imme-
diate action.
Mr.. Fessenden was opposed to any imme.
diate action, on the ground that they had
not yet heard from the President or Secre-
tary of War.
| After further discussion, message from
the President was read, enclosing Gen.
Houston's letter and lengthy communicas
tion from the Secretary of War, communi-
eating official reports on the difficulties on
the Rio Grande.
The question was then taken on the mo
tion to take up the bill which was carried
yeas 27, nays II.
| WAsHINGToN, March Z.
SENArE--Senator Grimes gave notice of
bill for the retrocession of the District of
Columbia to Maryland, and the removal of
the capital of the United States.
| The joint resolution for the enlargement
of the Louisville and Portland canal was
made the special order for Tuesday next
The homestead bill was made the special
order for Tuesday, at half past one.
Mr.. Browns resolution came up, and
Mr.. Collamer spoke.
Mr.. Fessenden said it was too late now,
but at some other day he should notice what
is called the legal argument of the Senator.
On motion of Mr.. Gwin, the West Point
| bill was taken up.
Mr.. Wigfall withdrew his former amend
ment, il relation to a mounted regiment of
volunteers for Texas, and substituted one
specifying the terms desired.
Mr.. Fessenden said he was glad the Sem
but he was not at all satisfied that the ap.
preparation should be made. There is no
Recommendation from the Secretary of War
for troops at all. This man Cortinas,
making difficulty on the border of Texas,
was after all Texan, who had been con-
victed of murder and then allowed to go at
large because of his political influence. He
| got into private quarrel and then went
into Mexico, and gathered band and COM
mitted outrages. The officer at that station
had got all the troops be asked for.
Mr.. Wigfall replied and censured General
Twiggs for the removal of the troops. He
claimed that the Secretary of War had
made no such recommendation.
Mr. Hemphill advocated the amendment
and said that the President was of the opin-
ion that the exigencies of the public service
required that it should be adopted. The
amendment was carried.
Mr.. Hale offered another amendment,
providing that when this regiment is raised,
the regular army be reduced equivalently,
and the President be required to disband
them. Lost.
The Senate then adjourned.
HoUsE--Mr. Burch introduced a bill,
which was referred to the committee on
military affairs, providing for the payment
of the expenses attending the suppression of
the Indian hOstilities in California.
Mr.. Branch offered resolution, which
was adopted, instructing the judiciary com.
mittee to inquire and report whether any
legislation is necessary and can be adopted
consistently with the constitution, to facili
tate the organization Of the House to pre-
serve its order and regulate its proceedings
previous to the election OF speaker.
Mr.. Kellogg, of Illinois, introduced bill
| granting lands to actual settlers in the ter
ritories, and providing that their inhabit-
ants elect all their territorial officers.
1t was referred to the committee on ter.
ritories.
Mr.. Sherman, from the committee on
ways and means, reported the army appro.
| priation bill.
| Mr.. Stanton argued that the bill should
be referred to the military committee, in
order that they might be enabled the more
thoroughly to examine it and report re.
forms.
Mr.. Curtis seconded Mr.. Stanton's views,
contending that the general appropriation
bill should be sent to the different commit
tees and not entrusted alone to the commit
tee of ways and means.
Messrs. Sherman, Phelps, and Wash
burne of Maine, opposed this, maintaining
that such an arrangement would cause
confusion and delay. There should be one
committee instructed with the general esti-
mates. BY pursuing the ordinary method
respecting the appropriation bills, the mill
tary and other committees would be enabled,
having previously examined their provisions,
to propose amendments.
The bill was referred to the committee OF
the whole on the state of the Union by two
majority. ts>s ~
The house took up the bill requiring the
executive documents to be printed previous
to the commencement of the session, so as
then to be laid before members, and fixing
the compensation for printing them.
The bill was debated at length, one side
| regarding it as interfering with the consti-
tutionai rights of the President, and the
other showing the Importance of having the
documents at the earlist possible period
before Congress those ordered this session
were not yet printed.
The bill was amended so as to authorize