The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-06-22

bring about the proper result. Let us not
hasten that time.
If Spain, however, should attempt to lay that
Island waste, we should be compelled to lay
our hands upon her, and to annex that Island.
Spain may attempt to set the slaves at liberty,
TO deprive us of enjoying that possession and
England and France may encourage her IN
this lf so, then the issue would be before ns.
Mr.. Chandler, of Pennsylvania, urged the
propriety of an appropriation to construct the
water works in this District, as measure OF
national Importance and comfort, and OF safety
to the archives of the Government. He indl-
Gated his intention Of proposing an amendment
at the proper period.
Senate, Thursday, June Is, 1854.
Mr.. Sumner presented the credentials OF
Hon julius Rockwell, Senator from Masssehu-
sets, appointed by the Governor of that State
to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resigna-
ton of Hon. Edward Everett.
Mr. Rockwell appeared, and was sworn.
The Senate took up the bill providing for the
extinguishment of the title of the Chippewa In
dams to lands owned by them In Minnesota
and Wisconsin, and to provide for their support
and civilization.
Mr.. Pearce stated some objections to the bill,
and. after some remarks by Mr.. Sebastian, In
reply. the bill was postponed till tomorrow.
The Joint resolution giving the consent of
Congress to the acceptance of Lieut.. M. r.
Maury of the gold medal rendered him by the
King of Sweden, was taken UP, and passed.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the
bill granting lands to the several States, for
the relief of the INDECENT insane.
Mr. Clayton then argued the constitution
4 40 I'D L.
ments of the President.
House of Representatives., June IS, 1854.
The Speaker announced the first business in
order to be the consideration of the bill fur
Their to amend and modify the Post Office Regu-
lations sc.
Mr.. Odds said, if no gentleman wished to
address tho House, he would move the previous
question.
Mr.. Gerrit Smith arose and said that there
were two bills before the House, and he would
propose an amendment to whichever was he
fore the House for immediate action. He was
opposed to both bills as they stood, because
they both resembled the present laws. His
amendment provided for the abolition of the
Post Office Department after two years.
His first objection to these bills was to the
retention of the franking privilege. Members
Of Congress were obliged to attend to moro
correspondence than they would, if there were
no such privileges. He did not think the diff
fusion of speeches. as at present practiced,
essential to the prosperity of the country,
though he would not object to the granting of
certain quantity of stamps to each member,
for the purpose of disseminating a reasonable
quantity of such mailable matter.
Another objection was, that several rates Of
postage were contemplated by the bills, based
upon distance, rather than upon the difficulties
of transportation.
The bill also provides that the General Gov
eminent should continue to be our mail carrier.
He would have the people as free to carry their
letters, as to carry anything else The people
are not compelled by the Government to send
their money by the mails, and they do not.
They regard the expresses as far more safe
and reliable.
Mr. Smith said in conclusion, that he re-
ioiced to sec the Post Office Department becOm-
ing wreck He would mend it up for two
years cruise, and then let it perish, and so con-
fine the Government little closer to its legit-
innate line of duty.
Mr. Chandler concurred in many of the
views expressed by Mr.. Smith but they led
him to different conclusion.
enterprise, was adequate to the requirements
of commercial and wealthy communities The
sparse regions Of the West require the protec-
ton Of the Department.
Mr.. Haven said the original bill before the
House proposed to increase the rates of post
age; and that the substitute proposed only to
require prepayment He preferred the sub
stitute, but hoped neither would pass
The substitute also proposes to pay franked
matter out of the contingent fund of Congress.
The revenues of the Department are deficient
to the amount of two million dollars That
deficiency arises in States south of Pennsylya-
MIA, all being deficient except Louisiana The
excess of income in New York he stated was
immense.
Mr.. Houston said that the mails carried
through the Southern States were charged to
them, though for the benefit of other States
Mr.. Haven said the suggestions had been
made by the Postmaster General, upon whom
he depended for his facts The routes have two
ends. Why arc there not great excuses at eacL
end
Mr.. Houston said the two ends did collect
the excess.
MIR Haven said that twenty-seven or twenty
eight thousand was the excess in Louisians
while New York mot an end of the route) col
lects an excess Of more than million.
If you increase the postage, it is simply tax
ing the North to the amount of two millions
The North is willing to join in the expense
and pay it out of the general Treasury The
North might, in mere even handed Justice, ask
the South to make up all the deficiency. Even
Minnesota collects an excess Michigan is the
only Northern State that falls behndhand
Mr.. Vansant said that the State is charged
in which the number Of the route is located
Thus Maryland is charged with the mail from
Baltimore to Wheeling to Philadelphia tC
Harrisburg, and to Washington.
Mr. Haven said this statement did not cor
respond with that Of the Postmaster General
He read from the report. He said, that if the
statement were so, the converse was also true
and the discrepancy would balance itself
Mr.. Cobb demanded the previous question
which was ordered; when,
On motion of Mr.. Houston, the House re
solved itself into Committee of the Whole, (Mr
Orr in the chair and took up the Civil anC
| Diplomatic Appropriation bill, the debate or
which had been limited to the hour Of noon to
day.
ORGANIZATION OF THE AFRICAN FORCE.
HAVANA, Nag %, 1854.
| ! have been ATTENDING the negro exhibitiur