The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-03-30
From Warrington.

WDlcn passed the HOUSE, was relerroo III tne
Senate to the committee on public lands.
That committee recommended the striking
out Of the enacting clause, and inserting the
Senate bill drafted by Mr.. JOHNSON OF Ten
nessee. Mr.. JoHNsoN's bill excluded among
those who shall have the benefit of the public
lands, single men over Tor under?) twenty
one years of age. widowers without children,
and foreigners who may declare their inten>
lions after the passage Of the bill, and only
allows those who are recipients Of lands un-
der the bill to receive alternate sections.
The House bill includes the parties named
above. 1t is said the Republicans will ac~
cept JoHNsoN's bill, if they cannot get the
one which passed the House.
The following are the leading provisions
of the bill unanimously agreed upon by the
Senate Post Office Committee at the meet
ing yesterday, for the mail service between
the Atlantic and Pacific:
The first section provides that the POST
master General be authorized and directed
to provide for the transportation of the mail
twice weekly in coaches between st. Joseph,
Missouri and Placerville, California, pro-
vided the service can be obtained at cost
not exceeding four hundred and fifty thou
sand dollars, and the time not exceeding
twenty days.
Section second provides for the transport
tation of mails from St. Paul, Minnesota,
via st. Cloud, and from Superior, Wiscon-
sin, via Grow Wing, to Dalles, in Oregon,
twice weekly, provided the service can be
obtained at cost not exceeding two hund>
red thousand dollars, the time not to exceed
twenty days.
Section third provides for an inland SER
vice daily between San Francisco and
Portland, Oregon, provided the increased
cost shall not exceed the sum now paid for
the ocean service between San Francisco
and Pugets sound, which service will be
discontinued.
Section fourth provides that no compen-
sation shall be allowed for trips not per-
formed within the guaranteed time, except
when the Postmaster General may be of
opinion that the delay was caused by una
voidable accident. The contractors are to
convey on each trip, within the specified time
all mail matter delivered by agents of the
Department, written or printed, upon which
rates of letter postage are paid, and carry
twice monthly all public documents author
lied to pass free, employing not more than
thirty days in the trip.
Section fifth authorizes the Postmaster
General to agree with the contractors for
the service now in operation between Mem
phis and Fort Smith, to the route between
San Antonio and FL Paso, provided no addi-
tional cost is incurred, and by such change
the mails between New Orleans and San
Francisco can be transported within twenty
days.
Section seventh provides that the rate of
postage on all single letters passing upon
any of the routes authorized shall be in all
cases, without regard to distance, ten cents.
The Postmaster General is authorized, dur.
ing such time as he may deem advisable, to
order that newspapers, documents and other
printed matter passing between the Pacific
letter rate of postage is not paid, may be
transported out of the mails by ordinary
express carriers.
Section tenth provides that during the
continuance of the contracts authorized, no
contract shall be made for transportation of
California mails by ocean routes.
The House Select Pacific Railroad Com
mittee had meeting on the 18th inst, and
the following resolutions-the first offered
byIMr. SMITH, of Virginia, the second by
Mr.. RICE, of Massachusetts, and the third
by Mr.. Stout, of Oregon-were adopted
Resolved, That Pacific railroad connection
is necessary and expedient.
Resolved, That the construction of such road
or roads should be undertaken by corporations
of individuals, and not by the government Of
the United States.
Resolued, That it is expedient and necessary
that the government should aid the undertake
ing, both with money and lands, in its con-
struction.
The Herald correspondent says:
The two first resolutions were unanimous
ly adopted, and the last received but one
opposing vote, on the ground that he was
opposed to the donation of land, but did not
object to aid with money. A majority Of
the committee seem to be in favor of CEN
trail route, but will yield their wishes so far
as to embrace an additional southern road,
if such course will be deemed necessary to
procure favorable result. If the commit.
tee attempt to adopt central and southern
route, the Minnesota Oregon and other
members will insist upon third line, by
Governor Stevens survey, or that but one
central route be reported upon. There is
considerable feeling against Mr.. Wigfall's
bill, inasmuch as it appropriates such a
large amount of money and land. The com.
mittee meet again on Saturday, at two
o'clock, and intend to devote the closest at
tention to the subject until bill is pre-
pared. -.
Colonel Curtis, the chairman of the com.
mittee, is practical engineer, of military
education, and has devoted much study to
the subject of Pacific railroad, which makes
the duties of the committee easier than they
would otherwise be-. He is understood to
be decidedly in favor Of one central route,
believing that should Congress vote to con.
struct two roads, that but one would ever
be finished probably upon the theory that
the greatest enterprise would be applied to
the central route, as that would be most
important to the great commercial interests