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

Washington News.
The House Committee is busy consider
ing the Railroad question. The Herald
correspondent writing on the 10Th, says:
The select Pacific Railroad Committee
held their fourth meeting tonight. The
first proposition was, that every member
should express his..views on the subject of the
members of roads to be constructed, and
each member present announced his prefer
ence. The Committee then proceeded to
vote, and the first proposition was upon
granting aid for three roads, and the vote
stood three yeas to eleven nays. The second
proposition, granting aid to two roads, was
defeated by seven yeas to eight nays The
third proposition in favor of granting aid to
one road, was adopted by vote Of eleven
yeas to three nays The three who opposed
tne last proposition are understood to be
Messrs: Aldrich of Minnesota, Smith of
Virginia, and Hamilton of Texas. Messrs.
Hamilton and Smith were very much dis
satisfied at the defeat of the proposition for
two roads. Mr.. Hamilton announced his
intention to oppose a single route. Mr..
Scott, OF California, voted against the
three routes, which would give Oregon a
road, and Mr.. Stout, of Oregon, voted for
the three routes, giving equal advantages to
California and Oregon, and voted against
the extreme Southern and central routes.
which Mr.. Scott voted for. The single road
was voted for both by Stout, of Oregon, and
Scott, of California. An effort is being
made to reconside. the vote agreeing to one
route, for the purpose of inducing the COM
mlttee to agree to the central and Southern
routes, upon condition that branch from
the central shall be constructed from Salt
Lake City to Portland, Oregon. All the
members of the committee were present ex-
cept MIR. Davis, of Maryland, who has been
absent from the city several days.
Another despatch says that the vote in
committee stood as follows For one road,
Messrs. RICE, FRENCH, FENToN, ALDR1cH,
FARNswoRrH, Stout, PHELPS, and H1NDMAN.
For two roads, CURTIS, BLAIR, Scorr,
SMITH, TAYLOR, and KELLOGG of Michigan.
The despatch adds that no single route, no
matter how or where located, can pass the
Senate under the existing state of parties.
Hence, if bill on such basis be Insisted
upon, the Pacific road may be considered
dead this session. 1t is rather singular that
Mr.. ALDRICH should be found advocating
but one road, for that would necessarily be
central road.
Senator WILSON, of Massachusetts, has
introduced bill for the prevention of the
slave trade, embodying some very sensible
provisions. 1t provides, first, for the con-
struction of five steamers, of a size and
armament to suit the African coast, and
costing one million of dollars; second for
reducing the punishment of those convicted
of engaging in the slave trade, from death
to Imprisonment for life, as more likely
to ensure conviction, and rendering ship
owners equally liable with officers aud crew
third, resolution of enquiry as to the ex-
pediency of instructing the President to
enter into treaty stipulatioDs with foreign
nations, for the mutual right of visitation
and search of vessels found within two hum
dred miles of the coast of Africa. These
several propositions Mr.. WILSON designs
pressing upon Congress, and intends, if pos
sible, to secure action upon them. The
Democrats express cheerful concurrence in
the first two, but question the propriety of
the third, in view of the difference of navies
of this and European governments, and our
national repugnance to the right of search
the correspondent of the Cincinnati En-
quirer says:
A curious chapter is presented in the late
action of the Administration in regard to
the Boston Collectorship. If the President
had one devoted friend 10 New England
that man was Mr.. Austin, the late incum-
bent. Two months since he was removed, on
no charges that have ever been given to the
world, and his successor appointed in the per
son of Gen. Whitney, of Springfield, Doug
las delegate to Charleston, that is. elected as
such after distinct pledges given as to his
position. Since bis appointment places have
been made in the Custom House for four
other delegates, elected on similar pledges.
In December last, while the House was
trying to elect Speaker, Messrs. HICKMAN
AOhA1N duO 11AShIN, oulF1NCOuptOu OCLu-
ocrats, made speeches, in which they sever
ally stated that the President had sought to
improperly influence their action upon the
Lecempton bill. The House has just ap-
pointed Committee, under resolution
offered by Mr.. HOARD, of New York, to
investigate the truth Of the charge.
Of the Japanese embassy to this country,
we have the following news:
Consul General Harris, writing from
Yeddo to the Secretary of State, says that
American affairs there are in an unsatisfac-
tory condition. The japanese evade the
faithful observance of the most important
of the treaty stipulations, or meet them with
a passive resistance. He adds he is un.
wearied in his efforts to convince the gov
eminent Of the dangerous course it is pur-
suing, and until its eyes are open to the
peril it incurs by its present course no
change for the better can be looked for.
The documents sent to the Senate to day