The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-03-23

wAmfsaroN. Marc

by what authority army force is employed
as posse the committee also to report on
the legality of slavery in the territories, and
on the propriety of paying claimants in the
Arnestead case also what legislation is
necessary to insure the faithful and efficient
execution of the provision of the Constitu-
ton in reference to the rendition of fugitives
from justice; also to report bill providing
that no contestant of seat in Congress shall
be allowed a salary unless his claim is al
lowed also calling on the Secretary of the
Interior, for statement of accounts of Pine
the late United States Marshall of Illinois,
and whether he has ever been defaulter.
Mr.. Hickman reported bill to authorize
the District Judges of the United States to
go out of their districts in certain cases ;
referred to the committee of the whole on
the state of the Union.
To continue half pay to certain widows
and orphans, so as to give pensions to all
widows therein provided for from. the 4th
of March 1848, without reference to the
time of marriage.
Mr.. Wilson from the judiciary committee,
reported bill, the substance of which is,
that
Whereas Polygamy is sought to be justified
as religious rite by the inhabitants of one of
the territories and as no privilege of self gov.
| eminent, requires or sanctions such abOmina-
| ton,
Therefore be it enacted that such provisions
| or laws in the State called Desert or Utah, be
| declared null and void, and that persons guilty
| of polygamy, be fined five hundred dollars and
| be imprisoned not less than two, or more than
| Eve years.
Mr.. Nelson moved that the bill be put on
its passage, having been instructed to do so
by the committe.
Mr.. Houston was opposed to the bill, and
moved to table it.
The bill and report were ordered to be
printed.
The House went into committee on the
consular and diplomatic appropriation bill
"a provision of which appropriating $780,
900 for the suppression Of the African slave
trade, elected some debate and was reje cted
The bill was then laid aside, and the In
dian appropriation bill taken up.
Mr.. Curry made speech on the slavery
question, contending that slavery was a
great social and political fact.
Mr.. Vance made speech justifying sla-
very.
SENArE.--Mr. Ten Eyck presented Pc
tition of LOB citizens of New Y ork aud New
Jersey, praying for the passage of the
Homestead bill.
Mr.. Foster presented petition numer-
ously signed by manufacturers and others
| of Hartford, Windsor, New Haven, Nor
wich, Winsted, New London and other
places, praying for an alteration of the tariff
law, so as to afford them protection. The
petition was read.
Mr.. Foster spoke in favor of granting
their prayer, as q matter of justice and ne
cessity, using statistics to enforce bis argu>
| ment.
WASHINGTON, March Is.
SENATE.-The Senate met at IL o'clock
Ten Senators were present. No prayer was
offered. The galleries contained thirteen
gentlemen and no ladies.
Mr.. Brown introduced bill to incorpo
rate the national gallery and school of art in
the District of Columbia.
On motion of Mr.. Benjamin the Senate
considered the bill amending existing laws
relative to the compensation of the District
Attorneys, Marshals, and clerks of the
United States Circuit and District Courts.
The bills were discussed and passed.
The special order was taken up, being q
joint resolution authorizing the enlargement
! and construction of branch to the Louis
vile and Portland canal.
Mr.. Wade presented resolutions of the
Ohio Legislature in favor of the same object,
which were read.
On motion of Mr.. Bright, an amendment
was adopted, providing that when the canal
shall be enlarged, and the branch construct
| ed, and the cost of this Improvement is paid
for, no more tolls shall be collected than an
amount sufficient to keep the canal in repair,
| and pay for the necessary superintendent.
Mr.. Toombs opposed the bill, saying that
the government owned all excepting five
shares, which were held by the directors,
who controlled the work, doing just what
they pleased. If they made money, very
we'll but if they got in debt they would call
on the government to foot the bill.
Mr.. Powell stated that the government
had received $4,000 more than she ever
put in this work, and had purchased more
than one thousand shares, not with money
from the federal treasury, but, from the
tolls collected from vessels passing through
the canal. All he asked was that they
might be allowed to 60 on and use the rev.
| enue and credit of the canal, so as to enlarge
it sufficiently to accommodate the class OF
boats now navigating the river.
Mr.. Wade said the tolls collected would
be sufficient to make the proposed improve
ments and repairs. Not one dollar was asked
from the Government.
Mr.. Crittenden remarked that these direc.
tors had held the stock merely for the pres.
ervation of the work, and had managed it
the best they could.
Mr.. Davis thought for the Government
to hold stock in canal was an invasion of
the jurisdiction of sovereign State. He
admitted an enlargement was needed, but
Kentucky ought to control the whole mat.
| ter. ~ 49,
The bill was passed-yeas 30, nays, ID.
On motion of Mr.. Mason the Senate went
into executive session. .
Adjourned. ~ 1se ,..3
HousE.-The House passed the consular
and diplomatic appropriation bill.
Mr.. Campbell from the committee on
elections, reported a resolution declsricg II
ipexpe1ieut to allow further time to take