The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-06-08

recited the facts and refuted the charges
preferred against him. fJ9ff1lIfe
Mr.. Benjamin defended the Houmas land
grant claimants, and Mr.. Toombs took the
opposite side. TxIL
Mr.. Pugh advocated the bill reported by
the private land committee. which compels
claimants of all the lands in dispute to
commence judicial proceedings within two
years or forfeit them to the government.
Adjourned.
HousE.-The House resumed the consid-
GRAFTON of the Pacific Railroad bill.
Mr.: Neal offered a substitute to the effect
that the road commence in western Texas,
which was rejected.
Mr. Woooson, as compromise between
the various propositions, proposed main
trunk from San Francisco between the 35th
and AID parallel north latitude, to connect
with the branches from Iowa, Missouri and
Texas. +'-'+- r" --'f e.tt+
Mr.. Smith of Ohio advocated southern
route, opposing the proposition for the &C.
commodation of local sections. 'N-
Mr.. Clark replied, justifying the action
of the special committee in reporting the
central route, and insisting that it is nation.
al in character, and best calculated to pro-
mote the important purposes designed.
After debate, in which Mr.. Davis of Ma.
ryland showed the bill was wholly impracti-
cable, it was recommitted to the select COM
mittee by 100 against 81. +...g4.
WASHINGTON, May 30.
HoUsB--Mr. Fenton reported bill pro-
viding that all invalid pensions shall com>
mence from the date of disability; the OBJ
ject being to place all army and navy pen>
sioners on an equality, and remove from
Congress the numerous applications contin-
ually made for back pay. He said this
measure would require about million and
half dollars for arrearages. ia ....
Several attemps were made to defeat the
bill, which was finally passed, SO against 80.
Mr.. Haskin's resolution, that hereafter no
person shall be elected printer to Congress
who is not practical printer, and of fair
reputation as to skill and ability, the printer
to either House to give bonds in $4,000,
and reducing present prices 40 per cent.
was debated.
The minority report was read, concluding
that Mr. Ford's contract with Marcood and
English was in violation of the act of Con-
gress, and declaring the Office of printer to
the House vacant.
Mr.. Gurley advocated the bill for gov
eminent printing house, and
Mr.. Clopton opposed it.
SENArE.-Mr. Slidell presented report
from the majority of the committee appoint
ed to investigate the charges of corruption
against the printers of the Senate, accom-
panied by resolutions which he moved be
printed.
Mr.. King rose to make an explanation
which was all cut short by motion to take
up the overland mail bills, which prevailed.
Mr.. Gwin appealed to Mr.. Hale to with
draw bis substitute for the present in order
to perfect the original bill.
The chair called up the special order,
being the Homestead Land Bill.
Mr.. Gwin moved postponement in order
to continue the consideration of the Califor-
MIA route. ..|.. ..
MI. fesSenden OBJECTED. ..
MIR. Toombs hoped the motion would not
prevail. If matters were left over in this
way, and the Senate jumped from one SUBJ
ject to another, they would never be able to
get through with the business.
The motion to postpone was carried-27
to o..
Mr.. Wade offered resolution that during
the remainder of the present session no Sen
ator should speak more than Is minutes, or
more than once on the same subject.
Motion objected to.
Mr.. Hale withdrew his substitute for the
overland mail bill 5t
Mr.. Latham offered an amendment au.
th0rizing the Postmaster General to con-
tract with the contractor on the route be
tween St. Joseph, Mo-, and Great Salt
Lake, and between St. Salt Lake and
Placerville, for semi-weekly mail. The
distance to be done in twenty days, and not
more than $462,0OO to be paid per an
mum; also contract for the transportation
of printed matter and franked documents
by steamship at not over $4OO,OOQkper
year; also to contract for a daily mail by
coaches, from April LIST to December LIST,
and tri.weekly for the balance of the year,
from Sacramento to Portland, Oregon, at
not over 100000 per annum; also to con-
tract for a weekly mail from st. Paul,
MIMI, to the Falls of Oregon at not over
100000. s..s .t...s
Mr.. Latham explained the provisions of
his amendment. He spoke at length in
favor of the Butterfeld overland route,
thinking Congress possessed no right to
terminate the contract, except by exercising
despotic power. -. -.........-
Mr.. Chandler rose to question of priv.
lege. He found in the Globe of yesterday,
language attributed to the Senator from
Indiana, (Fitch) in which be characterized
him (Chandler) as grossly ignorant. He
had not heard the language, but if it was
used it showed the Senator incapable of
approaching the position which be held on
this floor. ..-1
Mr.. Fitch avowed the language and still
thought it appropriate. -.9,a)a oi
Mr.. Chandler said when the Postofice
bill again came up be would discuss it, and
the question of ignorance would be then
determined.
The Overland Bill was then postponed
till Saturday. .aa.l'.Cq -
The House bill for the admission of Kan
sas came up. ,.,. 8, ,-..,. ....a.s ....+
Mr.. Collamer advocated it, and it was