The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-04-04
WASHINCTnN NEWC

THE Pacific RAILRoAD-THE CHARGES AGAINST
THE ADMINIsTRATIoN-THE MESSAGE.
The select committee on the Pacific Railroad
met on Monday morning. Messrs. Smith, Taylor,
Hamilton and Stout were absent. Mr. Phelps of
Missouri offered the following resolution as a sub.
stltute to other resolutions which have been dis
cussed: Resolved, That the eastern terminus of
the road shall be on the western boundary of one
of the States being west of the Mississippi river
and shalt be the latitude of the city of San
Francisco. MIR. Davis, of Maryland, submitted the
following resolution, in the form of suggestion
not subject to action: Resolved, That the COM
mttee recommend that the railway shall be con-
structed on line beginning on the western shore
of the Missouri river, opposite st. Joseph, in Mis-
souri,, and running thence through the South Pass,
Bridger's Pass, to San Francisco, by such route
as shall be found by instrumental survey to be the
cheapest and best on which to construct and main
tain the road. The committee agreed that at its
next session all pending propositions shall be voted
upon without discussion, and adjourned to meet
again tomorrow evening, the Sd inst, at seven
O'Clock. Mr.. Hindman, of Arkansas offered bill
for branch road from Fort Smith, in Arkansas
to tap the supposed central road at Pixies Peak
Efforts are making to have the committee include
In their report the Southern road, by way of Ell
Paso and San Diego, notwithstanding the previous
decisive action of the committee against it.-Mr.
Covode's investigating Committee met on Monday
morning, but transacted no business. Messrs. But
terworth and Schell are set down for examination
tomorrow. Report says that COvode's committee
will examine the expenditures connected with the
secret service fund, and call as witnesses, among
Others Mr.. Appleton, Assistant Secretary of State
Mr. Wendell, and a member of Congress from
New Gork city. The secret service fund coming
directly from the Treasury of the United States
for diplomatic service, is subject of investigation
If there is good reason to suspect that it has been
used to corrupt the legislation of the country-
On Monday the Pacific Telegraph bid was again
discussed before the Post Office Committee without
reaching a decision. They will certainly reduce
the price of messages between the termini, from
81 to So, and probably the Government aid from
$4,000 to $4,000. As parties who are applying
for this monopoly bave invested no capital or
labor, it would be fairer to the public to open the
whole enterprise to competition by soliciting bids |
as for carrying the mails.-The House Judiciary
Committee met on Monday morning, and had under
consideration the Presidents protest messaue
After prOtracted discussion upon it. the majority
of the committee authorized the chairman to pre-
pare report against the views and doctrines laid
down in the message. The committee allowed
Mr.. Hickman, the chairman, week, if necessary
to prepare his report when it will be submitted to
them for their appreciation. Messrs Houston and
Miles Taylor were allowed to make a minority re- |
port, sustaining the positions assumed by the Pre-
sident.-The Constitutional Union Committee on |
Monday night decided that the chairman should |
convene the entire National Committee of three |
hundred simultaneously with the Convention to be |
held at Baltimore, May 8, to ratify nominations, |
and take steps further the organization for pros
ecuting the canvass.