The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-12-21

ing, by amendment to the Constitution, the
Office OF President, and establishing in lieu
thereof an Executive Council, consisting of
three members to be elected by districts,
composed of contiguous states, as near as
practicable; each member of said council
to be armed with veto power, such as is
now vested in the President and if such
plan be deemed practicable by said Special
COMMITTEE that they report to this House
such details thereof as may be necessary to
accommodate the same to the existing Con-
stltution of the United States that said
Special Committee also be requested to take
into consideration the means necessary, if
any can be devised, to restore the equilib
rum between the free and slave states in
the Senate, and particularly whether the
END can be accomplished by voluntary
division on the part of some of the slave
states into two or more states.
Mr.. Hindman, of Arkansas, proposed
amendments to the constitution, ex-
pressly recognizing property in slaves where
slavery now exists or may hereafter exist !;
and also denying the right of the Fed
erai Government to prohibit or interfere
with 1t anywhere or restrict the trade in
slaves between the states ; also to express an
agreement to protect slavery wherever the
federal Jurisdiction extends, and guarantee
ing the protection of slaves, while passing
through the free States any state defeating
or impairing the fugitive slave law not to
be entitled to Representatives in Congress
until the multiplying laws be repealed. Ad.
journed.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 49,
SENATE-Mr. johnson, of Tennessee, in
troduced joint resolutions, proposing
amendments to the constitution of the
United States, in accordance with the fifth
article of the constitution. He introduced
a resolution that the select committe be in
structed to inquire into the expediency of
establishing by provisions a line running
through the territories, making an equita-
BILE division, so that slavery can exist south
OF the line, but not north of it.
That the states preventing the return of
slaves shall pay double the value of said
fugitive, and that slavery shall exist in the
navy yards where it now exists, but not in
others.
That Congress shall never interfere
with slavery in the District of Columbia,
so long as it remains in the limits of Mary
land.
That Congress shall not touch the repre-
sentation of three>ffths of the slaves.
That the amended provisions shall be
considered part of the constitution of the
United States.
A message was here received from the
House, that it concurred in the act to
amend the 4th section of the act for the ad-
mission of Oregon,
Mr.. Iverson called up the bill relative to
our commission to Mexico.
An amendment was offered to authorize
the employment of solicitor to represent
the claims of American citizens against that
government.
Mr.. Hamlin opposed it, and said secre-
tary was allowed to the commission.
A message was received from the House.
1t concurs in the first Senate amendment to
the loan bill, but had made an amendment
to the second amendment.
MIR. Hunter moved to take it up. Agreed
to. Mr.. Hunter said he would like to have
the same provisions apply to the $4,000,
600 as to the $3,OOO.O0O.
The Senate then cOncurred in the House
amendment.
Mr.. Davis submitted report of the joint
committee, instituted by the last Congress
to inquire into the affairs of the military
academy at West Point, which was ordered
to be printed.
Mr.. Hale moved that when the Senate
adjourn to day it be till Monday. CARED.
The resolutions on the state of the Union
were taken up, when Mr.. Wigfall concluded
his remarks, talking about treason, &c.
Adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IL.
HoUsE.-The speaker appointed General
Hughes, of Maryland, a member of the
committee on military affairs, in place of
MIR. BOnham, excused.
Mr.. Morris asked leave to introduce a
resolution, expressing proper estimation of
the immense value of our national Union
that we will discountenance those who may
suggest suspicion that it can, in any
event, be abandoned, and Indignantly frown
upon the first dawning of every attempt to
ALLEVIATE any portion of our country that
whatever evils or abuses rest under it ought
to be corrected within the Union in peace
full and constitutional way, and that it is a
patriotic duty to stand by it as our hope in
peace and our defence in war.
Mr.. Curry, of Alabama, objected to the
introduction of the resolution, unless it be
referred to the select committee.
Mr.. Morris had not the slightest idea of
letting it be buried in the coffin of that
committee.
Mr.. Curry objected.
Mr.. Morris said he wanted vote on the
resolution, and hoped it would ultimately
succeed.
On motion of Mr.. Sherman, the House
then took up the Treasury note bill as re-
returned from the Senate with amendments.
The House agreed to that amendment
which restores the denomination of the notes
from 500 to $500. The other Senate
amendment proposed that three million of
the Treasury notes may be sold at a rate of
interest higher than six per cent, but not
at less than par. To this the House agreed,
but extended that authority to all the notes
issued under this law.
Mr.. Haskin presented letters showing
that Mr.. Ford, the House printer, was alb
sent and that the sub-contractors, Messrs.
Enp1ish &, Latham object tn executinp the