The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-01-19
TWENTY-EIGHTH CONGRESS.
FIRST SSION.
Senate.

WASHINGTON, Jan. II.
REDUCTION OF POSTAGE, &c.--Numerous petit
tons were presented from various sections of the
Union, for reduction of postage and reform in the
Post Office regulations Petitions very numerous
" signed from Cincinnati were presented by MY
M Morenead, VINO expressed a his strong desire that
an early report Ill favor of the reforms asked
Mr.. MERRIcK said the Committee would report
in few days-they Were not idle-but fully alive
to the demands OF the country for reform. He
spoke decidedly in favor of reform.
Mr.. KING made a few remarks strongly in favor
of early action on this subject by the Committee,
and especially desiring them to take into consider
alton the reform of abuses of the Thanking priyi-
lege.
Mr.. MEKnlcK replied to Mr.. King, that the Com
mlttee were fully disposed TO correct the enormous
abuses OF the ranking privilege. But he woult
take occasion to say that the greatest abuse of th
privilege Is not where it is generally supposed to be
by the people of this country. The greatest abuse
and ii ls' OF the most aggravated character is b,
the 1900 irresponsible Posmasters throughoutth the
United States The abuse of this privilege by the
two or three hundred members OF Congress is g
mere bsgatelle compared with that by the fifteen
thousand Postmasters. 1t is also abused to some
extent by the Departments.
THE feeling in the Senate this morning is most
clearly and strongly in favor of thorough and imme-
dlate action upon this all important subject of Posi-
Office. Reform. The people may indulge in the
most favorable anticlpations respecting it'll
AMEr.cAs srAMEs.-ihe House Bill No so. appropria.
ting $4,000 for the relief and protection of American
seamen, was then taken up and finally concurred in.
NAVAL School OF lssIRucrIos.-Mr. BAyARD gave no.
tce that he should shortly introduce bill to establish
School of Instruction in the Naval Service.
Fox AND WISCONSIN, RvERs.-The Senate Bill No. 80
making a grant of land for the Improvement of these
rivers, was then taken up and read.
vorabe to the bill
grants Of lands The bill grants alternate sections oi
land each side Of these rivers and of certain lakes
MIR TALLMApGE said the lakes all small excepting
Winehago which is thirty miles long and tel, broad j.
was the intention to sell the land for less than 50
per acre, for the first tiers
Mr. WoopBnIDcE followed with some remarks also in
favor Of the bill.
Mr. WALKER was in favor of the grants vet he though
the bill needed amendment. He in favor of adding
section providing that the canal should be kept in repair
by the Territory of Wisconsin long it continues
Territory. and when it becomes State that it shall b.
kept in repair by the State of Wisconsin and that thu
state shall never require any toll upon the canal
the canal in repair
Mr.. TArrAN was in favor of delay. Let Wisconsin be
come State and then let her make this canal which is
required TO render these waters navigable
Mr.. WOODBRIDGE replied that the accomplishment OF
this work would render the lands of increased value to
this country and of course OF greater
Mr. WALKER then offered his proposed amendment as
above stated which was adopted.
Mr. HAYWOOD wanted to make Inquiries and the
bill was therefore postponed to some future day.
The senate then went into executive session.
House OF Representatives.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT, JAN II
n Hodge Podge-1he Western Yaters--Mr Van
Bven-Snag Boats-Thc Merit EYection-Ques-
ton Of Vsracity--1he TariF-Riding on Rail.
and the Constitution
AS soon as the Journal was read, resolution
was offered about cheapening the price of station
airy.
SNAe BoATs ON THE MISSISSIPPI
The regular order of business then came up, or
which Mr.. WELLER, of Ohio, had the floor Thu
was the monon OF Cave Johnson to reconsider the
ye on the resolution relative to the snag boats on
the Mississippi. You must know that this resolu.
ton instructed the committee of Ways and Means
TO enquire how much il would cost to keep all tn.
~ hnufa nny anil ...x. l..ls IL
Mississippi river, IN constant use for year. and
also instructing them to report Bill providing the
necessary sum of money therefore.
Mr., WELLER-i do not rise to make a speech,
SIR but to reply briefly to the remarks of the gen
tleman from Pennsylvania, (Stewart.) Up to the
time he spoke, the debate had proceeded in order,
butt ever there was an outrage upon the feelings
ct members, II was when that gentleman Yesterday
undertook to lnfiic stump speech upon this House
When we, In common with all, were lamenting the
sad calamity of the loss of so many lives recently
on the Mississippi, the gentleman took that oPpor-
tunliy TO nfct upon a stump speech in regard 10
the next Presidential election and the Tariff AT
another time, Sir shall take the opportunity tc
show that all he said in relation to Mr.. Van Buren's
opinions and conduct IN connection with western
improvements, Is untrue. Sir, his remarks were
an insult to every honorable feeling that man pos
sesses And If don't show them TO be false, I'll
pc content to take upon my brow the brand OF
IalsehG noe ana II 40 prove them false, as will,
ask ms iouse TO stamp that brand upon his fore
mead III, IL Is nigh time to put a stop to this de
bate. The people, Sir, are tired of it, They ASK
us not Tor speeches., but for action. And shall,
therefore, 90 al In my power at once 10 sfop thu
useless this profiess discussion. And shall 1here.
fore. SIR, move the previous question on M (Greal
senssion and cries Of "No, no.'O
member from Ohio asked him TO withdraw il
for a moment.
WELLra-If my colleague wishes to explain ss.iv a,
III withdrawn But II the dohate Is 10 becoae e.
embracing the whole field Of POLITICS mu,t l,.i., 40, .
Mr.. S'rrH-Ths IL question Of great inser.t III ~,
constituents, sir, and ! wish to define ny pos.s.n
(Laughter)
NrMnra-Gn an under tone)-one OF the Smith fam,
~ wishes to define his position
WELiEs--No sir | must insist on the previous ques
ton.
sMIrn-vsry we'll then let us vote down the previou,
Theprsvous question was sustained, and the vote