The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-06-01
xxxv1th ooNeREss-F1RsT SESSION
WASHINGTON, May "a


WASHINGTON, May u.
| HoUsE.-Mr. Dawes from the committee
on elections reported resolution declaring,
First, that j. r. Barrett is not, and Second,
that Francis P. Blair is entitled to seat
from the first Congressional district of Mis-.
souri,. The majority and minority reports
were ordered to be printed. Mr.. Dawes
said it was the desire Of the committee to call
up the subject at the earliest possible pc.
riod. On his motion resolution was
adopted giving leave to Mr.. Blair to 0ccu-
Ply seat on the floor, and speak on the mer-
its of the question.
The House resumed the consideration of
the Atlantic and Pacific telegraph bill.
Mr.. Colfax explained the amendment which
the committee on post Office proposed. The
government is to pay $4,000 per year
for messages the public is to be charged
So for ten words. If the corporators do
not &C cept these terms within thirty days,
then proposals are to be invited and the
contract to be given to the lowest response
BILE bidder. Tie line is to be built within
two years, and St. Joseph is to be the point
of departure. Mr.. Colfax earnestly urged
the passage of the bills showing the great
advantages which will result to the govern
nlent.
Mr.. Burnett opposed the bill as creating
an oppressive monopoly.
Other gentlemen expressed their views
and the subject was passed over.
SENATE.-Ihe Senate met at III o'clock.
Mr.. Bigler presented memorial in favor
of changing the tariff.
Mr.. Fessenden called up the deficiency bill
as returned from the House. The latter had
stricken out the provision for paying the
widow of Lewis 7. Linn, arrears of mile
age
The Senate after some debate receded from
its amendment.
Mr.. Gwin introduced bill to grant the
alternate sections of land to California for
railroad purposes.
On motion of Mr.. Pearce, the Senate in
sisted on its amendments to the consular and
diplomatic bill, and the committee on con-
ference were ordered to confer with SINH
lar committee on the part of the House.
Mr.. Davis territorial resolutions were
taken up.
MIR. Hale resumed his remarks. He cor
rected the statement made by Messrs. Lane
and Pugh, in regard to the action of Indi--
ana, on the introduction of slaves. He con-
tended that Indiana did petition for sus-
pension law prohibiting slavery for ten
years, and Congress refused.
WASHINGTON, May %.
HoUsE.-Mr. Alley, the Senate Pacific
Telegraph Bill being under consideration,
spoke of the vast Importance of such COM
munication between the two oceans, which
cannot be expected for years to come, except
by this measure. He denied that it created
a great monopoly. 1t confers no exclusive
privilege, but merely grants right of way.
A number of gentlemen earnestly sought
the floor amid the usual confusion.
Mr.. Colfax said they wanted action, and
not speeches.
Mr.. Smith, of Virginia, thought it un-
fair that the debate should be confined to the
friends of the bill.
Mr.. Alley replied that the discussion had
been confined mainly to the enemies of the
measure.
During subsequent proceedings, Mr.. Curry
rose to point of order. Relative to the
prevailing disorder, he said it was impossi-
BILE to understand what was going on.
Mr.. Clark moved to table the bill. Neg
atived by so against 81.
Without further debate the House went
into committee of the whole on the state of
the Union, on the legislative, executive and
judicial appropriation bill. The amendment
pending was one to strike out the appro-
priation for an auxiliary guide.
SENATE-A message was received from
the President in relation to the capture of
more negroes off the Isle of Pines by the
U. s. steamer Wyandotte. Referred to the
committee On judiciary.
Mr.. Grimes introduced resolution ad-
dressed to the Secretary of War in regard
to the Fort Smelling reservation. A dis
cussioa ensued as to the propriety of send
ing an inquiry to the Secretary of War.