Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-03-04
Prom Washington.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18.--HousE.-The
Post Office Appropriation bill amendment
was adopted, appropriating six millions
for deficiencies OF the present fiscal year
The bill appropriates nineteen and half
millions, whereof nearly four millions is
for DEFICIENCIES previous to june Both,
1853. ~ f,1
The Miscellaneous Appropriation bill
was before the Committee Of the Whole.
The Naval Appropriation bill was cut
down, before its passage, from ten and
half to eight and a quarter millions. Ii
appropriates S60400O to complete the
seven sloops and side. wheel steamers pre-.
viously authorized.
SESATE.--Mr. Wilson, proposing amend.
ments to the Post Office Appropriation
bill, said be knew case where where
Rice, editor Of the PennsyIuaRidn, had
contracted for printing blanks for SAC, 900,
which cost him just $1,000; and the
profits were divided-ffty per cent to the
Washington Union, FIVE per cent. to Mr..
Appleton, and three per cent. to a paper
published for the interest Of q member
f Congress. Mr. Mason said II that
Woo ~ ihOb1 ~ was uuC " tue tDtualC anu
Country to lay the information before
them.
Mr.. Wilson reiterated the statement,
and said that Rice himself had said so
and, moreover, the arrangement was with
the cognizan nee of Mr. Buchanan.
Mr.. Cameron said the matter was 80
notorious that everybody, except perhaps
Mason, knew it. Rice, until lately, was
creature of the President; but recently
they quarrelled, and Rice went blabbing
all about it.
Mr.. Mason. Did Rice tell the Senator
SOP
Mr.. Cameron. The way to get this in
formation is to appoint committee of in :
yestigation, or sue for SANDER, and that
will bring evidence. I'm responsible for
all | say here or elsewhere. Just bring
Billy Rice and the President they know
all shout it. think my colleague knows
something about it too.
Mr.. Mason. Did Rice tell you so1
Mr.. Cameron, don't speak to Rice.
Mr.. Mason. Then you bring mere rumor
Of hear say to make grave charges Of
fraud
Mr.. Bigler said that the printing Of
these blanks was executed in accordon nee
with tho law, and explained the details OF
the affair not given in the eastern report,
and added that his colleague was scarcely
justified in these imputations Of the Presi-
dent.
Mr.. johnson, of Arkansas, said he con
sidered the price paid for these blanks too
high, but he couldn't believe the imputa-
ton cast by Mr.. Cameron on the Presi-
dent. He had no doubt Cameron believed
it, but he (JOhnson) could not give it
credence.
Mr.. Cameron said, to show his sincerity,
he would move for a Committee OF
Enquiry.
MIR. Wilson's amendment was then
adopted, and the Senate adjourned,
WAsHINaToN, March, Geo Taylor
of New York, from the Committee to in .
vestigate the accounts Of the superin-
tendent of Public printing, reports the
books so negligently spd loosely kept that
it is impossible to arrive at any knowledge
Of the business. Certificates for engrav-
ing and TYPOGRAPHY don't agree with the
accounts of the parties who did the work.
Certificates are issued to several parties
for greater amounts thau appear en- their
books. In one case the difference is &c.,
900 and in another over $4,000, both diff
ferences being against the Government. -
Several hundred reams of paper are un-
accounted for. There is q singular fatali-
ty about the books and accounts.
The facts show conciusively that there
is a combination for compelling all con-
tractors to pay their way for contracts,
and contractors understood they had to
pay for contracts either by loan, commits
sion or percentage.
The Committee trace between s35, COZ
and $40, 900 into the banks of the public
printer and $4,000 to others, and about
$50, 900 direct to seamen. The most Of
the last sum was by the way Of bonus for
contractors.
Sickles consents for his wife and child
to remain with her mother for the present.
The examination OF Sickles was not made
yesterday.