Washington sentinel., 1854-07-13
Hou.e of Representatiye..

Mr.. LETCHER moved that the select commit
tee heretofore appointed 10 inquire whether i'm
proper means have been used 10 procure the pas
sage of bills through Congress, be authorized 10
employ clerk and the motion was agreedto.
Mr.. CUTTING asked TO be excused nom serv-
ing on that committee, as he II already a member
of the one now engaged In the investigation Of
alleged frauds in connexion with the Gardiner
case.
He was, by a vote Of the House, excused and
Mr. wHKELER appointed in his place.
Mr.. HARRIS, OF Mississippi, rose TO personal
explanation, saying, when the bill providing for
the execution Of our recent treaty with Mexico
was under consideration, he INDUCED in language
unnecessarily severe; but he was free 10 say u
was not Justly meritcd by the party against whom
IL was directed. He desired 10 recall modify
that language, which, whatever he might think of
the character Of the recent negotiation, was GER
uainly too sweeping in its character.
The acquisition Of territory from Mexico by
purchase and especially such territory, was not,
in his judgment, demanded by the necessities Of
the nation but the abrogation Of 80 much OF the
treaty Of Guadalupe Hidago as made this govern
,nent responsible for Indian depredations, was an
object Of very great importance. To this extent,
,hen, The treuty has something cf substantial
hssss 20 rest upon; and, although the acquisition
of this territory may be no recommendation 10 the
treaty IL certainly is grounds OF objection,
as IL costs nothing more.
PosTAGR on NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS.
The House resumed the consideration Of the
hill. reported yesterday by Mr.. OIDs, from the
Cominitee on the Post Office and Post Roads, TO
r.pesr 30 much of the act Of August, 1853, as
makes reduction Of fifty per cent on prepaid
hostage on newspapers and periodicals.
Mr. OI.DS continued his remarks from yester-
.lsy nvowing he had no hostility against the city
press but was willing il shonld obtain the largest
Circulation compatible with the public interest
~. .sid however, that the Post Office Depart.
,osr, should be reimbursed for the transmission
r 49,. papers and periodicals through the mails,
and hence .he object of the bill.
Mr.. CHANinLER replied, arguing that II tho
bill should becom s .aw Wo@o 90 o,m.d es1" mater ~
through the mails. and thus deprive the depart
ment Of revenue which IL now receives, ~h''e u
would not lessen. TO the amo UNI oi a spee cent,
the sums now paid TO coniracto.s iof Inc hsh ser
vice. :.
Mr. BARRY contendcd that the &c vernmeni is
not bound TO carry any mans letters at less than
The cost of transportation. They who en- 'oy the
benefit of the postal system, should pay its ex-
Mr.. SMITH, Of Virginia. took similar ground,
Before he finished his remarks, the morning
hour expired.
RIVER AND HARBoR BILL
The Uo,se resolved itself into Committee Of
the Whole on the state Of the Union, Mr.. McMuL-
LEN in the chair,) aud resumed the consideration
of the bill making appropriations for the repair,
preservation, and completion, Of certain public
works heretofore commenced under the authori'y
oflaw.
Several amendments were offered and discussed
among them one by
Mr. BARKSDALE, 10 the effect that the Secre.
,sry OF War be authorized TO withhold any or al
appropriations which in his opinion, are nncon
sttutional or inexpedient. He said he did moi
expect the amendment would meet with any favoi
from the friends of this bill The administration
aud the War Department having irequenily been
referred TO during this discussion, and the csti.