The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-04
SECOND EDITION.
New York, Tuesday, March 4, 1881.
The Last Hours OF Copgress-Passage OF the
Cheap Postage ard other Important BtIIs.


Cheap Postage ard other Important Bills.
Our readers will find, under our regular tele-
graphic head, pretty full report, by telegraph, of
the proceedings Of both houses of Congress yes
terdsy, ard up to an early hour this morning;
together with complete list of all the acts, of
every kind, which were passed during the present
session, TO the hour Of our going TO press. The
labor ard expense of procuring all this inform alton
have been of no Iihing character. Heretofore it
has been usual to publish the list Of passed,
three or four days, and sometimes week, after
the adjournment; but, in this age of lightning
and steam, our people cannot afford TO wait so
long. In order to keep pace with the spirit Of
The age, as well as with the improvements of
the day, we have taken the pains to publish
the list of acts passed TO the latest moment.
A. will be perceived by perusal of our telegraphc
rtpor, in another column, the last hours of Con-
gress have been marked with the confusion, Try,
hustle. and excitement, which invariably precede
adjournment AS the greater part Of the BUSH
ness was postponed TO the last hours, great deal
wss performed during the last hours, and, OF
course, in very imperfect manner. We learn that
Nessrs. Chngman and Stanly, of the House, had
4 serious dispute, which, for short tims, was very
warm, and threatened resort TO fsticutis but
moderation prevailed, and the horizon became clear
sgain.
hard battle was fought in the Senate, on the
River and Herbof bill. To use the term so often
applied by members Of Congress, the friends, quasi
friends, and opponents of that measure, avaied
themselves OF all their constitutional rights" 10
favor, 70 dodge, and TO oppose IT, The great object
Of its particular friends 10 have been force
Messrs. Cass, Douglas, and others into a committal
il way the other, for political purposes and
with views directed towards the mex, Presidential
election. During the heat Of the struggle,
there was temporary armistice, so as TO
allow the Senate 10 take up the Cheap Postage Bill,
which was passed. This bill, passed, is in much
the seine shape il went from III. Senate
40 the House; the provision for coining q
three cent piece, for Post Office purposes is re
tanned. Among the most important bills passed
yesterday, were the Cheap Postage bill the Post
Office Appropriation bill; the bill for settling private
lane claims in California and the resolution ten
Sering public ship to Gen. Kossuth, 10 convey
him TO the United States.
p. S.-Half past our o'clock A. M.-Since writ
Ing ibe above we have received accounts Of addi-
uonal proceedings Of Congress. The House OF
Representatives got through with all the business
before them al, conpa atively, an early hour; but,
up 10 three O'Clock, the Senate had not made any
progress. The advocates and opponents of the
River and Harbor bill seemed determined to force
each other to the wall. and to stand TO their posi-
tns, even if the appropriation bills should fail, and
the business Of executive session should be laid
over. This uli'ing with the Interests Of the coun-
ny ior party purposes Is not to be tolerated. Gene
rel Case, and other members Of the Senate, have
declared the session al an end, and have refused
"a participate any further in the proceedings or to
vote any more. This action on the part Of those
gerlsmsn relieves them Of responsibility as 10 the
late a the River and lIarbor bill These scenes
are much 10 be regretted. IN this instance, they
arose in the first place, from the determination OF
Mr. Clay ard HE associates, who are in favor Of
the passage Of that bill, TO compel General Cas-
snd he party TO show their han. on the sasure,
ard secondly, rom The uncertainty which eKiss
~ 70 whether the session terminated at twelve
O'Clock las, night, or continues TIL noon TO day.
Il Is full time thst the time when the session j.
.taa end vsre Fixed We hope never again 70
hsar II such disputes on the sub sct, as those
which took place last night and this morning in
the s.nste
Ff,x o'cfoc "A " "A despatch has Just been
received, 10 the effect that The party ia favor q
80 River and Harbor Bill, gave way 10 postpone
~. farther consideration 81 the bill 10 eight
o'tiock and the Seuate took up the Civil and III
Ilomt 'c Appropriation Bill.
We will place before our readers the conclusion
al the proete dings Of Congress AZ the earliest mo
usnt possible. The rassags OF the appropriation
bills obyiates the necessity Ct calling an extra
AEON.