New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-21
xxxI.. CONGRESS-. :. second Session.

SENATE. .WAsHISGroE, Feb 20.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD presented petition from Al
leghany, Pennsylvania, for modification Of the
Tariff and the imposition Of tax of one hundred
dollars on each emigrant, as a protection to Anne
rican labor.
Mr.. DICKINSON presented a petition of the au-
thorities of Brooklyn in favor of line Of steamers
to Africa He was of opinion that the condition
of free blacks could not be ameliorated while they
remained in this country, and recommended the
petition to the favorable consideration OF the
Senate
Mr. SEWARD presented petitions from Hami-
ton county, Clintonville, and Of IS men and IS
women Of Jay, New.York, for the unconditional
repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law Tabled
Mr. COOPER presented petitions Of like charac-
ter-tabled.
He also presented resolutions of the Leg
islature of Pennsylvania in favor of Steamers
from Norfolk TO Antwerp, and from San Francis
co to Shanghai, China
Reports on private cases were made.
The bill granting land to Missouri for a Railroad
from ST. Louis TO the Western limits of the State,
was taken up and engrossment ordered.
The Deficiency bill was returned from the House
with amendment to the Senates amendment
The amendments relate to Cherokee claims,
and were cOncurred In.
Mr.. TURSEY called up the bill allowing four
years credit on duties on Railroad Iron impo ted
by the Tennessee and Georgia Railroad Comps-
ny. After long debate, the bill was laid on the ia
bic and the Postage bill taken up.
The eighth section of Rusks bill authorizes the
Postmaster General to contract and make ar
raDgements for transporting mails through any
foreign country by transient or other vessels, as
may be running between U. S. ports and foreign
ports.
Mr.. SOULT moved to add to this, that any such
contract shall be for four years, and by the short
est and most economical route, the contract TO
be modified or abrogated, at the discretion Of the
Postmaster General. and proposals. for such con-
tract to be advertised 90 days which after debate
was adopted.
Mr.. SEWARD moved TO amend Rusks substi-
tute, By adding thereto, section seven OF House
bill, authorizing the establishment of Post routes
in cities for conveying letters to the Post Office,
by establishing convenient places OF deposit &c.
Mr.. RUsK said the power already existed.
The amendment was rejected.
Mr. MILLER moved to amend by making the
rate Of postage on all letters not over halt an
ounce. three cents, whether prepaid or not.
Mr.. BELL made a speech against any change OF
the existing law. Amendment rejected: Yeas 10.
Mr. BRADBURY moved an amendment abolish
ing the ranking privilege after December next.
II this were done the mails would be relieved OF
cumbersome, Improbable matter, and book pub
locations by Congress would be checked.
Mr.. JEFF. DAVIS thought the amendment pro-
posed eVen-hanoed justice
Mr. RISK would support such a measure il
properly prepared. The amendment only affected
Members Of Congress.
Mr. JEFF. DAVIS thought, if members OF Con-
gress took the beam out Of their own eyes, the
mote in others would soon be discovered.
Mr. DAYTON. as the amendment did not operate
til December, it was probably disinterested
witness He thought ranking was a benefit to
people.
Mr.. Downs opposed the amendment
Mr.. HAMLIN supported it.
Mr.. BADGER moved to djourn-lost
Mr.. PIERCE opposed
Mr.. CAss-Franking was the privilege Of the
people and not Of Representatives.
Mr.. HALE supported the amendment If petit
tions were charged letter postage it would quiet
agitation and carry out the compromise. He was
in favor OF abolition even if nothing was abolished
except Frsnking privileges. Amendment lost
Yeasl3, Nays a. Adjourned.
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES
Mr.. STANTON OF Tenn. from the Committee on
Naval Affairs. reported bill to increase the Of.