The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-08-25
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

WEDNESDAY, Aug. p, 1871.
Whole Mr.. H. EVERETT in the Chair, and resumed
the consideration Of the
BILL PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT OF MAIL CON-
TRACTORS.
Mr.. STEENROD briefly objected to the bill, as
establishing bad precedent in making the Post Office
burden upon the Treasury. He hoped, therefore,
that the amendment proposed by the gentleman from
North Carolina Mr.. Mckay would be adopted,
directing that distinct loan should be made by the
Post Office Department, to pay off existing claims.
He very DESTROYS to vote for the relief Of the
contractors but could not do unless the bill were
thus amended.
Mr. HOPKINS considered the proposed amend
ment useless. If distinct loan should be negotiated
by the Post Office Department, it would be much a
debt for which the Government would be liable as If
it were obtained through the Treasury Department.
1t would besides occasion much delay and trouble in
procuring the money.
Mr.. LITTLEFIEID read some comments on the
BILL and accounts of the dissatisfaction excited
in his district by the removal OF Postmaster on the
charge of having intermeddled with politics
Mr.. GORDON made long statement to show that
the Department had now abundance of means to pay
all claims existing against it. These means consisted
mainly in the large surplus accumulated by MIR Ken
dalls able and economical administration Ii Mr..
Kendall were now p. NJ G., he would not think of
calling upon Congress for such purpose.
MIR. ARNOLD addressed the Committee with great
violence of manner, upon the state and tendency of
politics at present. He defended the Postmaster Gen
era from various charges which had been made
against him. though he owned himself not satisfied with
the only Wing appointment which Mr.. Granger had
made in his district. He insisted on the justice and
importance Of full provision for the Post Office De-
partment as the palladium of our lbertes,the great
channel of political information to the people.
lie then went into severe administrations on
the course of the PRESIDED, in the late veto-accused
him Of treachery 10 the party which elevated him to
power and of allying himself TO the Locofocos. He
further said that if they wanted stuff to make Lo
cofoco of they could not find better stuf than the
base miserable wretch at the other end of the Ave
nue.. He just fit to becomea Locofoco." Here
Mr.. Arnold loudly called to order all sides
and the Chairman decided him to be out of order for
abiding in disrcspeclful terms to the Chief Mags-
trate Mr.. A. said Il did not mention the President.
spoke of base, miserable wretch at the other end
of the Avenve. The avenue, believe, reaches to
Georgetown Who can say who lives at the other
end of 1t | spoke of base miserable wretch and
the friends of Mr. TYLER insisted upon its application
to him. If the cap fits him. he may wear it. If the
Chair decides me TO be out of order appeal" MI.
A., however, withdrew his appeal, and was proceed
ing when
prou that the President of the United States had
no more privileges that floor than any other citizen
At Mr.. ARNoLD's request, however, he withdrew the
appeal and Mr. A. then concluded his speech IN
similar strain.
MT. > ANIL loiloWeu WI 1hIholui one 't'iN"
ed the speech Of that gentleman with much severity
He denied that the President had given occasion for
any such denunciations He had too much respect
for him to entertain towards him the sentiments which
Mr.. A. expressed. lie expressed his confidence IN
the good intentions Of the President the continuance
Of the Cabinet and the harmony Of the Wing party
J. Mr. Bolts (by permission Of MIR. Profit, who
obtained the floor made few remarks on the subject
of his letter" published in the Madsonian, which
had been referred to by Mr.. Slopy. he rose not to
excuse the letter to defend himself but to discaim
for the Wing party any responsibility for that letter
lie assumed all responsibility for il himself, and was
willing 10 meet it, He considered the conduct of the
President towards the Wing patty treachey-
the basest and vest treachery. When that second
voto should come, come it must, he should be able
TO main ain this.
As to the phrase "heading the President" as used
in that letter. he explained that he meant to cut off
that connexion with the Locofocos which, he believ-