The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-13
THIRTY FTFTH CONGRESS,
sECCED SESSION.
Saate,

Senate,
WASHINGTON, Feb ~, 1859.
PATENT FUSE TRAIN
Mr.. SEWARD, opp ofN. Y, presented the memorial Of
Gomez Mills of New York, asking Congress purchase
the patent for their safety fuse ran by which fire may be
communicated for unlimited distance at a velocity only
equaed by that Of electricity Referred to the Military
Committee.
TELEGRAPH TO THE PACIFIC
Mr.. GwN, adm Of Cal. from the Committee on Post
Roads reported an amendment to Mr. Brodercks bill for
a Pacific telegraph. Referred.
The OCEAN POSTAL SERVICE
Mr. YrLEE, (adn Of Fla, reported bill from the Post
Office Committee that the Postmaster General contract for
the conveyance Of the mail for the term Of ten years.
steamers of suitable speed between any ports of the
United States and Europe monthly TO Liverpool ouce
month to Bremen via Southampton and month to
Havre via Southampton provided the total expense shall
not exceed six hundred Thousand per aunum tho
government agreeing TO make contract but give
any additional mails required TO the same parties ut the
same rate. Referred.
RErRENcuxENr IN THE EXPENDITURES
Mr. JOHNSON, (adm.) OF Tenn, brought forward his
resolution that the President instructed to re quest the
heads of departments to prepare their estimates for 1860
Oh basis not exceeding y millions of dollars, exclusive
Of the interest Of the public debt and that that part of the
Presidents message be referred to the Committee
Finance.
Mr. GwN, (adm.) Of CAL, moved to refer it to select
mittees
MIR. HUNTER, (adm) Of Va, Chairman Of the Finance
eom'ee, oDeoted that was Impossible Tor him TO be
on such committee, as his time was wholly occupied in
the Finance Committee
Mr. DAVIS (adm) Of Miss Chairman OF the Military
Committee mentioned that extensive reductions Of expen
dture are already proposed by his committee.
Mr. lRuaBuLL, (opp) of ILL.,, considered the army and
navy useless and was in favor Of reducing them fifty
cent
Mr. WILSON (opp.) of Mass, supported Mr. Johnson's
Senate without amendment. The executive department
had taken the lead in extravagant expenditures He did
no. agree with Mr.. Trumbul, that we need no army or
navy but was certain that great extravaganza exists
their management especially in the dock yards
Mr. DAVIS defended the army and navy, and maintained
Gentlemen have right to charge extravaganza unless
they are prepared to lay their hands specific acts
Mr. CHANDLER, opp OF Mca. was prepared to lay his
hand not only extravaganza but crime He read from
the navy list to show the immense number OF naval Off
GERS on shore, and the few aoat. He also acclaimed
against the army as gulf which swallows up the re-
venue.
Dir. Davis replied.
Mr. JOHNSON, of Tenn, urged that vote be taken and
that the resolution be passed.
Mr. INVERSION, (adm.) of Ga, point of order, called
for tie special assignment namely the private calendar
Twenty gentlemen ready to spring upon the floor to
discuss the resolution Was il likely that resolution
like tbsnvolvpg the whole expenditure and policy of
the adminisrotOn-w be passed without discuss0n
was evident that would be discussed all day before
vote was taken.
Mr.. TRuMBuIL replied to Mr. Davis He thought that
Congress the proper judge Of what was requisite for
the country. If nine millions sufficient for the army
decnces Of this country in 1850, and seven millions for
the navy, they are enough now
Mr.. DOUGLAS, (opp.) Of IL, said the desrabilty Of
economy is undeniable; but the only practicable
question is how to accomplish anything in the brief
remains Of this session. 1t appeared TO him that the
best way to trust the chairman Of the Finance Com
mi.tee (Mr. Hunter) to make any retrenchmen
that the public service will permit. The chairman
has been for ten fifteen years the head of that commit
tee and knows every item aud under what law it is ap
propriaed and his vigilance such that no item escape
his attention. Let him say where reduction can be
made and by next session will have reports which
to act. seemed to him (r Douglss) that retrcnchmen
may be made in more than one departmental the Army
Navy and Post Oice especially the last named. An OBJ
lection to Mr. OWNS proposal for committee composed
of chaiImen is that 1t would be composed of al
Of political side, 1t would like whitcwashng
committee
Mr. lvERsoN here insisted on the special order, which
carried so the private calendar was taken up, aud
less than dozen private bills, and very many mostly
pension, objected to.
Adjourned.