Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-26
THIRTY. sixth CoNGRGSS-second Session.

WASHINGTON Jan. a.
SENATE.
The following gentlemen announced by the Vice
President appointed fill the vacancies in committees
Committee of Finance Messrs. Hemphll and Simmons;
Military Affairs, Messs Baker and Bragg; Navy, Messrs.
Kennedy and Grimes Postohce, Mr. Wade; Pensions,
Mr.. Morrill, Revolutionary Claims, Mr.. wilkinson;
Claims, Messrs Polk and Pueh; District of Columbia,
Messr johnson, of Arkansas, Powell and Clark; Public
Buildings Messrs. Green and johnson, Of Tennessee;
Territories, Messrs. Hunter and Foster; Printing, Mr..
Cameron.
The Vice President also announced the names of the
following gentlemen to compose the select committee
the tariff and loan BILL viz Messrs. Simmons, Hunter,
Biger, Fessenden and Gwn.
Mr. Gwin moved to take up the Pacific railroad bill.
Mr.. Crittenden 10 personal exp lanation. In
violation of the rule OF the Senate, spurious report had
been sent abroad of what he had said session
of the Senate He entirely disavowed the report He
had never read it. nor would he do So He had been
informed that he charged with avoring coercion
1t was not true He had said that in his Judgment Con-
gress had the power TO force to enforce the laws and
| i might be exercised.
The District of Columbia might undertake to r.sume
her sovereignty and would say that that should be
permitted. He had, however, expressly said that now
was not the time to speak Of coercion He moved
that the Pacific railroad bill and all other prior orders be
| postponed, in order to take up his resolutions
Mr. Lane said he in favor of a Pacific railroad but
it was no use 10 vote for road until the pending poti.
| cal difficulties should be adjusted.
The yeas aud nays being ordered, the motion oil MI.
Ciittenden disagreed to, yeas 20, nays &C.
The vote is about the same yesterday; the repub-
icans with Gwin and Latham Of California voting in the
negative.
| The Pacific railroad bill taken up.
Mr. Benjamin moved to amend the clause requiring
the rails to be of American manufacture, by inserting
these wordsProvided they could be obtained cheap
| ly as foreign rails of equal quality" .. .....
Mr.. Cameron opposed the amendment, and thought
that it came with q bad grace from State which bad
been much benefited by protection to her sugar as
| Louisiana. .... ......r
| Mr. Benjamn's motion was disagreed to.
Sundry other amendments proposed, but without
final action on the BILL the Senate went into executive
session, and afterwards adjourned. -.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The House considered the Senate's amendment Mr..
Cofax proposed modify it, authorizing proposals TO
be received until the first Monday in April for daily
transportation Of the entire overland mail service, TO
commence on the LIST Of July, for four years, from st
Louis other point connected with the Eastern
railroads. San Francisco the letter mail to be carried
through in twenty days. and documents and papers in
thrtyve days. the contract to be given to the lowest
responsible bidder Salt Lake and Denver city TO be
supplied semi weekly without extra expense and the en-
tire amount for the service exceed 100000 per
| annum. ~. T.. ..t..... $50
Mr.. Cofax showed the advantage and economy OF the
plan proposed remarking that if We desired the Pacific
States to be faithful Union-oving members OF the Con-
federacy we could do better than in giving them
what they have a right to demand namely, daily com
munication with the Atlantic coast This would be
valuable than bands of iron or gold.
Mr.. Hami ton desired to offer amendment
Mr.. Cofax, before accepting it, wished 70 know wheth
er Texas was going to remain In the Uniony