Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1860-05-25
8g Uelegraph.
Reported for the Daily 1ntelligenoer
CONGREssIONAL.
WASHINGTON, May 2

HoUsE.-The House proceeded to act ON
the amendment reported yesterday, from
the Committee of the Whole on the State
of the Union, to the civil appropriation
bill.
Among those concurred in was Que sP-
propriating $40, 900 for seeds and cuttings
to be distributed by the Patent Office
printions is s., OOO.O for taking the Gem
Sus
Mr. Colfnx called up the Senate Pacific
Telegraph bill. He was originally in fl-
vor of giving out the contract to the low
est bidder, Lnt he had became convinced
that it was not the best plan.
Mr.. Burnett moved to srikc out the name
of the corporators, MeSsrs. Burnum, Ledg-
wick, and others, and insert that the con-
tract shall be given to the lowest guaran-
teed bidder, after proposals had been invi-
ted 60 days from the passage of the bill.
The amendment was agreed to, 80 to 81,
aud the ball was adopted, lol to 70. The
bill empowers the Secretary of the Treas
ury to advertise for proposals to build the
line.
The House took up the Pacific Railroad
Bill.
Mr.. Curtis explained the features of the
bill reported by the select committee
which proposed the central route, with
two branches; from a slave and one from
free State.
The bill was made the special order for
Monday. Adjourned.
SET4TE.-Mr. BENJAMIN called attention
to the necessity of doing something at
once with the bill from the Judiciary
Committee, to provide for the negroes
now at Key West. 1t authorizes the Presi-
dent to enter Into contract with any per-
fINo
S. authorities the Africans seized on the
vessel engaged in the slave trade, and sup
port them for six months from the date of
their landing on the coast of Africa, pro-
videl the cost of the same shalt not ex-
coed 500 for each person. The President
is also authorized to use the vessels of war
to transport them to Africa. Two hundred
thousand dollars is appropriated for the
purposes of the bill.
Mr.. Pugh offered an amendment to ex-
tend the period during which the negroes
are to be supported to not less than one
year, instead of six months. Adopted:
yeas 20. nays II.
Mr.. Davis opposed the policy of making
the obligations of the government to pro-
vide for their support in Africa for SO long
period.
MIR. Fcssenden responded, contending
that it was inhuman TO turn them adriit
without providing for their support
Mir. Davis replied, sustaining his pre-
vious position. He offered as an amend
ment to strike out all of the hill except so
much as related simply to sending the ne
groes back.
Mr.. Benjamin advocated the bill, and
contendcd that by our treaty stipulatiOus
/. its passage was demanded.
Mr. Davis caused the treaty 10 be read to
show that no such obligation existed.
Mr.. Brown contcndcd that the negrOes
were slaves at home, and that if il WAS
inhuman to return them home, it was not
inLIumun to bring them away.
The bill from the Judiciary committee,
providing for the deportation of the cap
turcd Africans Mt Key West, passed in the
shape reported, Al to Il.
Mr.. Davis resolution coming up. Mr.
Bingham read long speech in opposition.
and Mr. Biglcr defined his position on the
other side.
Mr.. Ivcrson said that he had intended to
offer amendments to the resolutions OF Nj.
Davis, but now declined doing so. He,
however. read a series of resolutions
which he had intended to offer as an cx-
preston of his individual views. They
claim extreme Southern ground, claiming
izing the Territories to provide for the pro-
lection of slave property. He should,
however, vote for the resolutions as the
best that could be got.
A discussion here ensued between
Messrs. PUgh, Powell and Clay, in regard
to the votes i'll Charleston and the States.
Mr.. Doulittle appealed for a vote; he
thought the funeral ceremonies had lasted
long enough.
Mr.. Hale said he wanted vote, but if
the thing was to go ON for Democratic
| members from the South to vindicate their
States and as New England had no repre-
sentative here, he should feel called upon
to speak for New Hampshire. Laugh
ter.
Mr.. Davis said that as the Senator from
Wisconsin (Mr. Doolittlel had left tn"
Democratic party; he could not be reckon
ed among them.
Mr. Doolittle said he had followed the
Democratic flag for 20 years and till CAL
hounism had taken the place of the prin-
ciplcs of the party.
Mr.. Mallory defended the action of the
| delegates from Florida.
Mr.. Fesscuden said he should vote
against all the resolutions, because he
thought the Senate was not the place to
make party platforms or discuss abstract
principles.
After further colloquy vote was taken
on the first resolution, which was carried
by the following vote-ayOs sc, nays Is.
Mr.. Trumbull did not vote.
The question was then taken on the
amendment of the Senator from Iowa,
iMr. Harlan,) that free discussion on
morality, slavery or free speech, or free
dom of the press. never he interfered
with, and it was decided "a follows: ayes
Sc, nays 20. The vote was the same as on
the resolution with the addition of MIR.
Trumhulrs name to nays.
The question was then taken on the
second resolution; ayes SO, nays &c. The