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

7 MELoY's STATION, March 3.-The over.
land mail coach, with regular San Francis
co dates to February 10th, and telegraph
dispatches to the 18th, arrived here at four
O'Clock, P. M.
The Pacific railroad convention has been
in session at Sacramento since the 9th. 1t
is composed Of about seventy members, rep
resenting California, Oregon, and Washing.
ton territories. Its object is to concentrate
public sentiment, memorabilia Congress, and
recommend legislative action on the part of
California and Oregon.
A resolution has been unanimously adopt
ed urging the California legislature to offer
bonus OF 100000 to any company that
shall first complete an overland telegraph to
the Atlantic States, and $4,000 to the
company completing a second line by a
different route provided both lines are fin
ished within l8 months.
Several days have been spent discussing
the propriety of recommending the legisla-
ture to pass law, subject to the ratification
of the people of California, all the next gen.
eral election creating State debt of $780,
100000 for the purpose of building rail-
road to the eastern boundary of California.
Members of the legislature have been
invited into the convention to express their
views on this subject. The proposition will
probably be rejected as premature, and an
appropriation be recommended sufficient to
thoroughly explore all the mountain passes
through which the Pacific road may be
built.
Petitions in favor of Sunday law con-
tinues to be sent into the legislature so nu>
merously signed, that it is evident legal
DAY of rest is demanded. An act has passed
to protect California land emigrants, by
establishing State agency in New York,
to detect bogus ticket swindlers. A v;gor-
GUS effort has been made in the legislature
to pass resolutions asking Congress to dis
solve the injunction, which has resulted in
closing the New Almeden quicksilver mine,
and throwing six hun ired laborers out of
employment, thus rendering unavailable one
OF the richest mineral resources of the State
The question is still under consideration.
The argument advanced in favor of the
resolution is, that the government has been
deceived by spectators into the commence
ment OF an expensive suit, which can result
limo public good, that it is as cheme to make
the United States pay the expenses of liti-
cation when only private parties can derive
any benefit. 1t is also argued that if gov
eminent closes quicksilver mines, to deter
mine title, it may with equal propriety close
gold mines.
The Democracy are preparing for an ex-
citing contest at the primary elections, to
be held throughout the State this and next
vuooly fOr bo of olootinre Iolonotoo
to the State c0nvention-which is to choose
delegates to the Charleston convention.
The contest is between the Douglas and
Administration Democrats, all acting with
the regular party organization. Different
tests as to qualification of voters have been
agreed upon in almost every county, but
generally such as will allow the anti-Le>
comptonite to vote at the primary election.
MELoY's STATION, March Go P. M
The Overland mail stage, with San Fran.
cisco dates to the 18th, and telegraph adj
vices to the eve of the l4th of February,
passed the Station about noon today.
The Republicans have held a primary
election in San Francisco for the election of
Delegates to the State Convention, of which
majority are in favor of Seward.
A bill passed by the Legislature yestero
day transferring duelling cases from the
Court of Sessions to the District Court.
This act has special reference to Judge
Terry's case, whose trial was about to take
place in the San Francisco Court of Sess-
ions fer killing Senator Broderick. This is
great point gained towards acquittal.
The Columbia river is still closed by ice.