The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-03-01
CONGRESSIONAL.

WASHINGTON, FEBRUARY ~.
SENArE-Mr. Doolittle presented cre-
dentials of Timothy o. Howe, Senator
elect from Wisconsin.
Several private bills were passed.
On motion Of Mr.. Wade, the House bill
to authorize the Postmaster General to dis.
continue the mail service in states where
it is liable to be interfered with was ta-
ken up. r5ts sae
Mr.. Green moved to ad that the Secre-
tary of the Treasury be directed to prevent
any attempt to collect the revenue in such
states
Mr.. Douglas suggested that this was not
the proper place to offer this amendment.
Mr.. Greene said it was direct attempt
to strike at the states claiming to be out of
the Union. Is there insurrection in any
state, or obstruction to the mail service
Even if there was, the Postmaster General
or President has no power to interfere I'M.
less asked by the Governor of the states.
Mr.. Hemphill offered the following:
Whereas, Several States have Withdrawn.
from the Uuion, and the laws of the United
States are no longer enforced, therefore
Resolved, That the Postmaster General be
directed to discontinue the postal service in the
said States. and make arrangements with the
Governors of the same for inter-postal com.
municatiOn therein.
Mr.. Greene withdrew his amendment.
Mr.. CIingman said he believed these
States were out of the Union and foreign
States as much as Great Britain, and
thought the mail service ought to be stop.
ped. He wanted to alter the bill and
wanted to strike out the Instruction and
insert as a reason for the discontinuance
the secession of certain states.
: MIR. Fitch suggested, say refusal to ac>
knowledge laws, so as not to recognize Sc
cession. Also strike out the words " pos
tai laws maintained so as to give no rea-
son to employ force. ~ j. s
Mr.. C.ingman accepted.
Mr.. Mason said the bill was q declara.
ton of the House of insurrection in part of
these states. He trusted he would look on
the question as it is one of the most grave
ones ever before the country. He said the
facts were, states had confederated, had a
Congress in secession with as much power
as we possess, yet the bill calls it insnrrec-
ton and assumes that there is no new EN-.
pire, but that the federal power is still in
existence in the states. - IS t va a..' =
The Morrell tariff bill was taken up, and
the committees amendments were adopt
ed, except q few on which separate votes
were taken. That releasing the duty on
sugar, and placing it on tea and coffee was
agreed to. The amendment placing FIVE per
cent. on wool, carried, 26 to 9. The amend
ment for fifteen per cent. adualorem on
books, periodicals and watches was carried.
Mr.. Lane offered his amendment, which SUBJ
suitutes essentially the tariff of 1916. Mr..
Hale moved that stationery and paintings of
American artists be free, but duty of ten
per cent. on all others. adopted. A duty
of five per cent. on copper ore was also
adopted. The bill passed by the following
vote omb' t19'g3m99Hf ra 2
YEAs-Messrs. Anthony, Baker, Chandler,
Clark, Do0little, Durkee, Foote, Foster,
Grimes, Hale, King, Morrill,, Parker, Seward,
Simmons, Sumner, Ten Eycke, Trumbull,
Wade, Wilkinson and Wilson. y 9laf
NAYs-Messrs. Bragg, Briggs, Clingman,
Douglas. Green, Hunter. johnson of Arkansas,
Johnson of Tennessee. Lane. Latham, Nichols
son, Pearce, Powell, Rice and Sebastian. ease
HoUsE.-The House resumed the consid-
GRAFTON of the volunteer bill reported IRON
the military committee, Ylsa .ll,.al "a ii 81
s. S.