The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-02-08
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, Jan. %.

SENArE.-Private bills considered, until
o'clock, when the Pacific Railroad bill was
taken up. Mr.. Chandler moved to amend
80 as to give two sections oil land per mile
instead of one. Adopted. .i-,.f
Mr.. Clark moved to amend that the
grant of lands and bonds is to be made on
express condition that Congress shall here
alter have power to amend the provis ons
of the act, but not to diminish the specified
amount of contribution. Adopted.
Mr.. Wilkinson moved to amend by max.
ing the amount paid to the central route,
$5O,0OO,000, instead of $4,000 900, and
that 20 the southern route. $25 ,O0O,0
instead of $35, 100000, the design being to
provide for the northern route by another
amount The amendment was discussed at
some length, and disagreed to, yeas l9, nays
"a. -i 7..a',a uoe' t-.a III lr4-s3 10
Mr.. Wilkinson moved another amend
ment, the effect of which is to provide for
the northern route. He said he did not see
the propriety of voting $36.OOO,000 to q
State just on the eve Of secession, and not
giving road to the states true and loyal
to the constitution. He characterized the
bill from the House as bill of ab0mina-
tions. Alter discussion, the amendment
was agreed to, yeas %, nays 10.
Mr.. Wilson moved to amend so as to give
sixty millions to the central route, and that
the southern route, instead of going to San
Francisco, should 60 by the nearest route,
to the Pacific ocean.
Mr.. Gwin asked the Senator to withdraw
for the purpose of moving to strike Out all
except the central route. Mr.. Gwin moved
to amend the bill, so as only to provide for
central route. Disagreed to by the fol-
lowing vote-ayes %, nays %.
YEAs.-Messrs. Anthony, Barker, Bingham,
Chandler, Clark, C0llamer, Durkee Fessenden,
FoOte, Foster, Grimes, Gwin, Harlan, Morrill,,
Park, Simmons, Sumner, TeLEyck, Trumbull,
Wade and WilsOn-22.
NAYs.-Messrs. Bgler, Brigg, Bright, Clerg-
man, Crittenden. Dixon, Douglas, Doolittle,
Green, Hemphill, Hunter, Johnson of Tonnes
see, Lane, Latham, Nicholson. Pearce. Powell,
Pugh, Rice, Salisbury, S,bast an, Seward,
Thomson, WiPfall and Wilkins0n-25.
MIR. Wilson moved his amendment, and
it was disagreed to.
Mr.. Mason moved to strike out the part
making any appropriation OF money to
these roads. He said he did 81 as matter
OF protest of the state of Virginia against
this new debt. The time would come when
states would be called on to assume por>
ton OF the debt, and be wanted protest
entered so that Virginia shall never be
called on to pay this debt. The amend
ment was rejected. No further amend.
ment being offered, the bill was reported to
the Senate. A discussion ensued On agree
Ing to certain amendments.
On motion OF MIR. Fessenden, the Senate
adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 80.
SENArE.--The agricultural report from
the Patent Office was received and referred
to committee On printing.
Mr.. BigIer presented several memorials,
among the rest memorial of the working
men oil Philadelphia in favor of the Critten.
den resolutions. He said the latter was
memorial representing $4,000 workingmen
of Philadelphia without any political dis.
tinction. He was willing to yield anything
reasonable to the SOIth, and thought that
the resolutions OF the Senator from Ken
lucky were emiuenty just and wise. He
moved that they be printed.
Mr.. Trumbull presented petition of the
citizens of Chicago against any concession
while the south Was in rebellion against the
constitution and the laws. He said let the
government put itself in a position to be
respected, and it would have respect and
obedience. He also presented petition of
the Methodist Conference OF Illinois, asking
that if compromise was made there would
be provs:ors for the safety of citi-
zens in the states aud no man pruscri bed
for the sake of his religion. IIl
Mr.. Foster presented a petition OF certain
fishermen for protection to the fisheries off
the Florida coast, where vessels had been
seized and subjected to foe. -
MIR. Crlttenden presented petition Of
2400 citizens OF Massachusetts in favor oil
the CritteDden resolutions.
The Pacific Railroad bill came up and
passed, 81 against IA. The nays were Bay.
ard, Bigler, Bragg, CliDgman, F.ssenden,
Green, Hunter, johnson OF Tennessee, Ma.
son, Nicholson, Powell, salisbury, Thomp-
son. Mr.. Ten Eycke was excused from
voting. A..n. 1'r,>.- e. Ny/t,
Mr.. Fessenden was 10 favor of one road
and voted against two or three.
The bill to erect the Territory OF JEFF.
CfsOu was COuSiucTSus duu amcuumCutS
changing the name 10 ldOho.
h. MIR. Mason moved to strike cut the pro.
vision taxing all property alike, rejected 10
against %. r. T. e.
Mr. Hemphill moved to except schools,
etc.; pending the vote, adjourned.
HoUsE-The Speaker laid before the
House letter from MIR. Cobb, stating he
had received certified ordinance of seces-
sion of Alabama, and therefore he felt it
bis dutv to decline any further participation
in the business of the House. He adds
that he need not express bis deep regret at
the circumstances which render this step
necessary on bis part. God save the
country" Mr.. Cobb made few affecting
remarks in taking leave, imploring bis
friends to do something with view OF re-
uniting all the states. 30
The Speaker presented the proceedings
of the Democratic State Convention of Ohio
in favor of settlement Of our present
trouble, either by the border states or by
Douglas or Crittenden's plan, and especially
favoriDg the calling of a national conven-