The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-03-01
LATEST NEWS.
BY TELEGRAPH TO ST. PAUL.
WINSL WIS LINE.
XXXN Congressional Session.
WASHINGTON. Feb. Is.

morrow at ll.30.
MI. Bigler presented number Of petit
tions 10 favor of the Crittenden resolutions.
Mr.. Bigler also presented the resolutions
adopted by the Pennsylvania State Con.
vention.
MIR. Sumner presented petitions from citi
zens of Massachusetts, and Philadelphia
against compromise. Mr.. Sumner also
presented petition from citizens of Massa-
chusetts, asking Congress to enact q law
that no person shall be held in servitude by
the laws of any State. and that such per-
sons now held be declared free. He said be
presented the petition because he thought
it bis duty to do so, it having been present
ed to him in a proper and respectful form,
but be would take this occasion to declare
most explicitly that be did not believe that
Congress hrd any right to interfere with
slavery in the States.
Mr.. Green presented petition from the
inhabitants of Dakota, asking for a Terri
torial Government.
Mr.. Trumbull presented a petition against
compromise.
On motion of Mr.. Wade the bill in re-.
lation to the postal service in the seeding
states was taken up.
Mr.. Pearce moved to strike out the word
instruction.
Mr.. Mason said the word instruction
was unknown to the constitution and pro-
tested against the use of such a word.
Mr.. Wade said be was willing to have
the causes of insurrection, resistance to the
laws, assigned in the bill stricken out.
Mr.. Pearce's amendment was withdrawn
and the bill amended on motion of Mr.. Bay.
ard so as to conform to Mr.. Wade's sugges-
ton.
Mr.. johnson of Arkansas presented the
credentials of Charles B. Mitchell, Sen.
elect from Arkansas.
Mr.. Hemphill offered substitute tor the
bill that
Whereas several states have withdrawn from
the Union, and the laws of the United States
no longe r have force, therefore
Resolved, That the Post Master General is
authorized to discontinue the postal services
and make arrangements with the governments
of those states in regard to the same.
After discussion, Mr.. Polk moved to
modify the amendment so that it would read
"all states withdrawn from the Union, the
Postmaster General have power to discon.
tinue the postal SERVICE" which was lost
IL against 30.
Mr.. Hemphill's amendment was lost--9
against 36.
The bill then passed-34 against IL.
YEAs-Messrs. Anthony, Bayard, Biglcr,
Bingham, Chandler, Clark. Collamer, Critten.
den, Dixon, Doolittle, Douglas, Durkee, Fes.
sender, Fitch, Foote, Foster, Grimes, Hale,
Harlan, johnson of Tennessee, Kennedy, King,
Latham, Pearce, Morrill,. Seward, Simmons,
Wade, Wilkinson and Wilson.
NAYs-Messrs. Bragg, Bright, Green, Hem
Nicholson, Polk, Powell, Rice, anu Wigfall.
Mr.. Powell explained that he would have
voted for the bill to suspend the postal
service, but would not vote for the bill after
amended giving such general power.
The miscellaneous appropriation bill came
up. The Senate considered amendments
made in committee OF whole.
Mr.. Green offered the Chiriqui amend
ment, advocating its adoption.
After some discussion it was disagreed
to, % to 25.
The amendment providing for custom
house and post Office at st. Paul, Minneso-
ia, was lost.
Mr.. Simmons offered an amendment re-
pealing the act preventing the Secretary of
War from purchasing patented articles.
Mr.. Pearce said it had been repealed ex-
cept the part relating to firearms.
The amendment was adopted.
A message was received from the House,
that the tariff bill had passed and asking
committee of conference on certain amend
ments.
HoUsE.-The House met at IL and after
the usual morning business, proceeded to
the consideration of the Senates amend
ments to the tariff bill.
About so of the l60 amendments were
acted on in committee of the whole, which
at o'clock rose pursuant to previous order,
and the entire subject was reported to the
House.
Mr.. Sherman urged the necessity Of con-
curing in all the amendments, to many of
which be was opposed, and under other
circumstances he would vote against them,
but he believed the very existence of the
government depends on the prompt passage
OF the bill, which is substantially the act
of l847. When the present administration
came into power, the public debt was 49,
100000 with nearly 100000 in the
Treasury, but now the public debt is &C.,
100000. The smallest possible amount
the government can get along with for the
next fiscal year is $58,00O,OOO. 1t was a
necessity to pass this bill. The House then
on motion Of Mr.. Sherman, proceeded to
act under the operation Of the previous
question on all amendments.
The amendment imposing IN cents per
pound on coffee. and on tea, A cents, with
addition of 10 per cent. advalorem, was re-.
jected, 80 against LAT. Several gentlemen
made brief explanations.
All the amendments, except that relating
to warehousing, being acted on, Mr.. Branch
moved to adjourn, which was negatived.
He then moved to table the warehouse
amendment, as test vote on the bill. Lost,
43 against 101. All the Senate's amend>
ments, excepting that taxing tea and coffee,
were concurred in. A committee of con.
ference was appointed on this amendment.
Mr.. Stanton succeeded in getting his
L .l1 LIE, L. soL I'll