, 1855-04-14
CongresslOnaI.--Th Finale.

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The announcement, we well know, will
be received with universal rejoicing by the
people of this Territory, that congress has
at length acted justly towards this portion
of the Pacific, by authorising the Postmas-
ter General to contract for, and put iu on.
GRAFTON a semi-monthly mail, by sea, from
San Francisco, (as we understand it, to the
head of Puget Sound, or at least as far up
as Port Townsend) touching at two or
three places in California and lower Orc
gon-appropriating $l2O, 900 therefor.
The proposition was introduced into the
Senate by Mr.. Gwinn, of California, and
it will be remembered that in our last issue
We gave the title of the bill introduced by
that gentleman, who, at the same time,
took occasion 10 read for the information Of
the Senate, communication received Ly
him, jointly from the delegates of WASH
ington and Oregon Territories, as also the
communication addressed to the Postmas.
ter General by the delegates from those
Territories, in connection with the entire
California delegation, and Gov. Stevens Of
this Territory, urging upon the head of the
Post Office Department, the Importance
and absolute necessity of tho establishment
of such mail service. The proposition Of
Mr.. Gwin in the Senate, was inserted rs
an amendment to the Postoficc Appropria-
tion bill, and the House having conctrred
in said amendment, no excuse can exist for
delay in placing the route under contract
at once, and furnish us with that which has
long been denied us, and for which we have
long and earnestly contended--a mail stea.
mer direct fran Puget Sound 10 San Fran.
cisco.
Whilst VIC take pleasure in acknowledg--
ing and attesting to the faithful discharge
Of duty with which Hon. Columbia Ian
caster has acquitted himself in the further
ancc Of this important measure, our citiy
zens cannot do otherwise than hold in last
ing and grateful remembrance the disintcr-
ested interest manifested towards US in the
achievment by the joint efforts of the mem.
bers of congress from California and Ore
gon Of the most vitality essential enactment
which has been afforded since the orguni-
zation Of our Territory.
Despite the pcnuriousncss and peryere-
ness Of the Postmaster General, q project
long and ardently cherished by many of
our citizens has been acquiesced in by
power dighiiy above the functionary OF the
Postofice department s-l ~
Daylight is now about to break upon
this Territory. Let but a steamer ply reg
ularly, semi-monthly, between Port Town
send and San Francisco-with mail CON
tract for a smaller steamer TO supply The
different post Offices between the head of
the Sound and the port above mentioned
activity would at once be resumed, the coal
fields on our shores would soon be worked
with vigOr, and general prosperity again
assume its former attitude. aiei
The following summary of Congressional
action at the close Of the present session,
which we select from the New York Hr-
aid, will be read with more or less inter-
est: taoE
The House bill reducing. and modifying
the rates Of postage was debated and
passed. After the first Of January, 1855
oil letters must be prepaid by stamps in
every instance. A registration Of all let
tors containing money or drafts is provided
for.
Nearly all the appropriation bills neces-
sary 10 be passed, ha,a been acted on.
No further action, that re can discover.
had been taken on the great national meas
ure as advocated by Senator Doaylass-
the Pacific Railroad scheme-up 10 the
time Of FINAL adjournment.
As 1t originally passed both branches,
the President vetoed the Collins line, ocean
mail steam appropriation bill. The yeto
message is brief, but pointed and conclu-
siyc, and after It had been read, Mr.. Sew
ard proposed the vetoed bin as an amend
ment to the Naval Appropriation Bill, lea-
wing out the clause repeating the powerto'
give notice Of the discontinnance Of The
. extra allowance to the Collins line, andre
tanning the one compelling the construction
Of new vessel. II passed unanimously.
The bill has passed for revising our d.
! plomatie and consular system, including D
large increase Of the compensation Of our
principal ministers abroad.
Two bills for increasing the efficiency
and improving the discipline Of the NaxJ,.
have passed. These reforms, II we mistake
not, include a retired list for superannated
officers, and rewards and encouragement to.
the sailors and mariners for good conduct, .
&c.