The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-06-17

the Committee rose, (yeas SO, nays 55,) and, at
three minutes past ten o'clock, the House sd-
journed.
Thursday, Jane 10, 1853.
SENATE.
On motion by Mr.. Bright, the report of the
Committee on the Judiciary, in reference to his
right to seat as Senator from Indiana, was
made the special order for to morrow at twelve
O'clock.
Appropriation BiHs.-The Senate proceeded
to The Consideration of the bill from the House
OF Representatives, making appropriations for
the service Of the Post Office Department du-
ring the fiscal year ending the 30th of June,
1859.
Mr.. Yuiee moved to amend the bill by add
ing a section authorizing the appointment of a
Forth Assistant Postmaster General. After
some debate, the amendment was agreed to-
yeas 81, nays Ia.
An amendment was adopted, repeating the
present provision by which the lists of letters
are advertised III the newspapers having the
greatest circulation, and providing that here
after the advertisements shall be given to the
lowest bidders, the price paid not to exceed
that allowed by the existing laws.
Mr. johnson, of Arkansas, submitted an
amendment increasing the rates of letter post.
age 10 five cents for any distance under three
thousand miles, and ten cents for any distance
over three thousand miles; which was agreed
to-yeas l9, nays l5-as follows:
TeaS-Messrs. Benjamin, Bright, Broderick,
Brown, Clay, Clingmsn, Davis, Fitch, Gwin,
Hunter, johnson of Arkansas, johnson of Ten
nassee, Mallory, Pesrce, Polk Reid, Sebastian,
Thomson of New Jersey, and Yulee-l9.
Nays-Messrs. Bigler, Chandler, Clark, Doo-
little, Douglas, Fessenden, Foster, Hamlin, King,
Pugh, Rice, Seward, Stuart, Wilson, and
Wright-l5.
Absent or Not VOting-Messrs. Allen, Bates,
Bayard, Bell, Cameron, Collamer, Criitenden,
Dixon, Durkee, Fitzpatrick, Foot, Green, Hale,
Hammond, Harlan, Hayne, Houston, Iverson,
Jones, Kennedy, Mason, Shields, Simmons, Sill
dell, Sumner, Thompson Of Kentucky, Toombs,
Trumbull, and Wade-29.
Mr.. Pugh submitted an amendment abolish
ing the ranking privilege, now accorded to
members of Congress, after the 4th of March
next. After a long discussion, the question be.
ing taken, the amendment was agreed to-yeas
80, nays 4-as follows:
Yeas - Messrs. Allen, Benz amin, Bigler,
Bright, Broderick, Brown, Chandler, Clark. Clay,
COllamer, Davis, Doolittle, Fessenden, Fitch,
Fitzpatrick, Foot Foster, Green, Hale, Hamlin,
Harlan, Hunter, Johnson of Arkansas, John
son of Tennessee, King, Mallory, Polk, Pugh,
Rice, Sebastian, Seward, Stuart, Thomson of
New Jersey, Toombs, Wade, Wilson, Wright,
and Yulee-38.
Nays-Messrs. Bayard, Clingman, Houston,
and Reid.
| Absent or Not Toting-Messrs. Bates Bell,
| Cameron, Crittenden, Dixon, Douglas, DuIkee,
Gwin, Hammond Hayre, Iverson Jones, Ken
nedy, Mason, Pearce, Shields, Simm ons, Slidell.
Sumner, Thompson of KY, and Trumbull-2l.
Mr.. Seward then moved to amend the bill
| by adding new section, that from and after
the h day of March next all matter passing
through the mails shall be prepaid, excepting
newspapers and foreign matter. This was
agreed to-yeas %, nays 2O--as follows:
VeaS-Messrs. B.oderick, Brown, Chandler,
Clark, DoolIttle, Douglas, Fessenden, Foot,
Foster, Hale, Hamlin, Hsra an, Houston, John
son of Tennessee, King. Pugh, Rice, Seward,
Stuart, Thomson of New jersey, Toombs,
Wade, and Wilson-23.
Ndys-Messrs. Allen, Bayard, Benjamin,
Bigler, Bright, Clay, Clingman, Colamer, Davis,
FIlch, Green, Gwp, Hunter, Iverson, johnson
OF Arkansas, Mallory, Polk, Reid, Wright, and
Yulee-20.
Absent or Not J0tiag-Messrs. Bates, Bell,
Cameron, Crttenden, Dixon, Durkee, Fltz-
patrick, Hammond, Hayne, Jones, Kennedy,
Mason, Pearce, Sebastian, Shields, Simmons.
Slidell, Sumner, Thompson of Kentucky, and
I umbull-20.
Mr. Hamlin moved to amend the bill by add
ing another section, that from and after the
4 day Of March next, al laws which confer
the right to frank letters or other matter on
any person or offices shall be repealed. This
amendment was rejected by vote of yeas 20,
nays 26.
After the adoption of s1ndry other amend
ments, the bill was read third time and
passed-yeas 30, nays IA.
On motion By Mr.. Hunter, the Senate pro.
cseded to consider the bill making appropria-
tions for the expenses Of collecting the revenue
from customs.
Mr. Wilson moved 10 reduce the sppropria-
ton from $4,000000 to $3,0O0,000. He
thought our expenditures for collecting tho
revenue had increased to an enormous aud un-
necessary extent. SIX hundred men had been
added 10 the force for collecting the revenue
within the last few years.
This motion led to protrscted discussion,
which was very generally participated in, when
The question was taken Mr.. Wilson's
motioo, and decided III the affirmative by the
following vote:
YGs-Mes7rs. Broderick, Chandler, Cola
mer Criltenden. Dixon, Doolitllc. Fessenden,
Fitch, Foster, Green, Hale, Harlan. Houston,
Iverson, johnson Of Arkansas, johnson OF Ten.
nessee, Kennedy, King, Rice, Sebastian, Sew
ard, Simmons, Stuart, Toombs, TrumbuH,
Wade, Wilson, and Yulee-2S.
Ndys-Messrs. Allen, Bayard, Bright, Ham
mond, Hunter, Slidell, and Wright.
The bill was then repor ed to the Sena.e,
the amendments ordered TO be engrossed, and
the bill was read third time and passed.
Mr.. Hunter then called up the IIdisn sppro.
priation bill, the Senate having refused to ad.
journ on call of the yeas and nays.
Mr.. Houston, who had amendments to offer
requiring explanation. said he had given way
to the Senator from Virginia Mr.. Hunter on
more occasions than one, and he now gave
notice tha. he would occupy The floor until the
light from the east should break in through the
windows.
This communication caused another motion
TO adjourn, which proved successful; and the
Senate adjourned at ten minutes past ten.
HOUSE.
The army BIZ The House went into Com
mitiee Vi the Whole, Mr.. Boccck, of Virginia,
in the char,) AMI resumed consideration of
the Senate amendments to the army appropria-
ton bill.
The several amendments having been passed
upon, the Committee rose and reported to the
House.
Mr.. j. G.. Jones called for the previous
question Oh the amendments which was sus-
tanned.
The appropriation of S335,0OO for the pay
ment of volunteers ooerating in Florida during
the year 1857 was rejected.
The amendments providing for continuing
the construction of various FORTH cations COM
ing up
Mr. Whitley, of Delaware, asked that a vote
might be taken upon all together.
Mr.. Marshall, of Kentucky, objected.
The first item was then read, heiep An ap-
nronriation of go non for FIR. R,nx O, tba