, 1859-03-11
PUGET SOUND HERALD.
STEILACOON, ". T. FRIDAY, MlRCH Il, lSla.


CONGRESSIONAL. ~r rr
The House Committee on Military Affairs, after
alaborious session, February 4th, settled all the
principles applicable to the payment Of the Ore
ron and Washington war debt The accounting
officers Of the treasury viii be required to adjust
the claims on principles which must reduce the
demand on the treasury some three millions Of
dollars at least The expenses on the part Of
Oregon have been stated at about four millions
and a half or $ll21 for each days military ser
vice rendered by Oregon. The gross amount Of
claims as reported by the same Commission, is
nearly million aud a half
They were occupied the same day in voting on
the Presidents recommendation Of military posts
in Sonora and Chihuahua Several amendments
were offered to Mr. Faulkner's bill, which was
but an embodimento Of the Presidents views, and
the amendments rejected, and the subject finally
disposed of by the committee declining to make
any Recommendation in response to the message.
The Committee on Military Affairs are still en-.
gagged in the consideration Of the Oregon and
Washington Indian war debt Ex-Governors
Lane and Stevens the delegates from these Ter
IitOries, had hearing on the subject before the
committee, Feb. Sd.
A bill reported from the House Committee on
post routes, provides
lst Contracts to be made with parties giving
good security, for a weekly mail from New York
pid Panama, to San Francisco and Astoria, one
half Of which service may be transferred to the
Nicaragua route, when that is open, but with no
increase Of expense Also weekly service rid
Tehuantepec, from New Orleans to Acapulco
Contracts with the New York line must provide
for taking these mails from Acapulco.
Cd. Tho pay for the New York and San Fran
cisco lines must not exceed $G5O,OO per annum,
or 81 10 per mile, including land and water trans
portation. The present average is 50 90 per mile
Sd. The pay for the New Orleans and Tchuan-
tcpcc line is limited to $250,000.
The bill reduces the aggregate expense one
hundred thousand dollars.
Mr.. Yulee, the chairman Of the Senate Com
mittoe on Post Offices and Post Roads is prcpaT-
ing bill for postal reform, which will add to the
revenue Of the Post Office Department. The pro-
position Of a uniform increase Of the postage to
five cents has not been agreed TO, desire being
expressed TO have two rates-threo cents under
three thousand miles, and five cents over, if it
will not cut off too much of the revenue. There
Is little doubt but that the Overland Mail route
to California will be discontinued, as too expen-
sive for the advantages derived. When a rail-
road, or even n wagon road is constructed, it will
be time enough for mail route across the Plains.
II will cost less than the present piic sixty dol
lars q letter. It Is not believed the irankng
privilege will be abolished this Congress. --
In the Senate, Feb. 4tll, Mr.. Green, from the
Committee on Territories, reported bill to or
gnniZe the present Territories Of Dacotah and
Arizona, which was ordered to be printed.
Also bill, which was passed, repaying TO Gov.
Douglas, Of Vancouver, $1,000, which was loan
cd by him TO the Governor Of Washington Ter,
ritory.
The Committee on Territories reported ad
versely, Feb. 10TH on the application Of Messrs
UReily, Speed and others, for an appropriation
to lay q Telegraph to the Pacific. m
The Senate bill for the admission of Oregon
was debated in the House, Feb. 10th. No vote
was taken. -.-, .-.-r.f
The House Of Representatives on Feb. 9th
passed the General Appropriation bill, after strik
ing out an appropriation Of 100000 for mileage,
an item Of $4,000 for furniture, repairs, and
packing boxes, and an appropriation Of $T3, 900
for the Congressional Globe reporting. The
House also deducted $23,OO0 from the appro-
priation for the New York Assay Office, struck
out the appropriation Of $200,O00 for the work
men Of tho San Francisco Mint, deducted $685.
900 from the appropriation for the purchase Of
property in New York city leased for the U. S.
Courts, and reduced the appropriation for the
workmen at the New Orleans Mint to $4,000.
An appropriation Of $l75, 900 was added to the
appropriation bill to supply the deficiency for
tho Congressional printing Of last session.
Mr. Branch reported back the bill appropriate
ing $50, 900, 900 for the purpose Of enabling the
President to settle the difficulties with Spain,
and to negotiate for the purchase Of Cuba.
so