Washington sentinel., 1854-04-04
House of Representatives.

Mr. OLDS asked leave to report from the Com
mittee on the Post Office and Post Roads, bill
regulating the pay of deputy postmasters.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, asked The gentleman
what he proposed 10 do with the bill
Mr.. OLDS replied he wished to make a state
men showing the effect Of it, and to ask that it be
put on its passage. .... . u ....s
Mr.. JONES thought il would be better to post
pone the introduction Of the bill until quorum
should be present; and interposed an objection
accordingly.
Mr. OLDS moved suspension of the rules but
no quorum voted ....#. .,.. ""
Mr. WENTWORTH, Of Illinois, moved that
there be call of the House, which was agreed to.
The roll having been called, one hundred and
twenty-scyen members answered 10 their names
The rules were then suspended, and
Mr. OLDS introduced the bill above named.
He explained the several laws relative to the
> ay OF deputy postmasters, saying that their COM
ensation has been reduced thrty-fve per cent,
while their labors have been more than doubled,
under the last act reducing the rates Of postage.
The bill proposed to increase the compensation,
giving sixty per cent receipts OF $l00 quarter;
fifty $500, and forty $4,000, or ten per cent.
over the present pay; fifteen on all over So 400,
as now, and twelve and half instead Of ten per
cent. on letters for distribution Ii this bill should
be passed, the effect would be to make the COM
pensaion on an average, 81 81 less than il was
under the act of March 80, 1854.
Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee, moved to recommit
Post Roads, with instructions TO report bill in
connexion with it, increasing the postage of the
country so as 10 meet the expenses of the de-
partment. He had no idea, Judging from the feel
ing of the House, that his motion would be sus-
tanned; but he should vote against the bill, if he
should stand alone. He was opposed TO giving
more than one-half of the receipts of postage for
its collection. He expressed his opposition TO
making the Post Office Department chargeable on
the treasury. 1t should sustain itself
Mr. la e.
the bill, saying it founded in justice and
equity, and would commend itself the more to the
favor Of the House the more il shall be examined.
Mr.. HOUSTON wished 10 move an amend
ment, in effect raising the present single letter
postage from three 10 five cents
Mr.. OLDS opposed the proposition, saying he
knew enough OF parliamentary usage 10 know
that the enemies of the bill might vote for such
an amendment for the express purpose Of killing
the bill afterwards,
The bill was, after other proceedings passed in
the form in which il was originally reported
CANAL ROUND NIAGARA. e,
Mr.. WENTWORTH, of Illinois, asked leave
10 offer resolution, instructing the Committee on
Roads and Canals TO inquire into the expediency
oil making an appropriation Of land or money for
constructing canal round the falls Of Niagara.
objection having been made, he moved sus-
pension OF the rules; but the motion did not pre-
vail @ r
IL
On motion ofM. CLINGMAN, il was
esored That the President be stcd 10 N
this House f not Incompatible with the public interest
In his opinon copies of all that NAV have
taken place between the the United States
anu tnet m SPAIN IN relation TO the refusal BY the nutho
rites Of tpe Island o Cuba some time In The autumn ~
1862 to permit the United States mail steamer Crescent
City to land the mail passengers destined for that
island, at Havana. " aia'
PARTIES IN EQUITY.
Mr. CHANDLER introduced BILL ALLOWING
parties IN equity, less than The whole number of
S,ainliahss, 70 sue ior share of the common fund
Referred 10 the Committee on the Judiciary.
OCEAN POSTAGE
Mr. WELLS asked but did not obtain leave - |
Introduce bill reducing ocean postage TO ten
cents on letters half an ounce in weight
AuTHENTIoATIoN OF RECORDS.
Mr. PERKINS, Of Louisiana, reported bill 10 |
repeal part of the act "to provide for the safe.
Keeping of the acts records and seal Of the Unted
States, and for other purposes He said il simply
proposed to repeal that part which requires al the