The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-18
House Of Representatives.
WASHINGTON. Feb, II. IL


coNTUMACous WITNESS.
The Sergeant at Arms pursuant to previous order Of
the House. produced John Cassn of Philadelphia who had
been summoned but failed to appear before the Select
Committee investigate the accounts Of Mr. Seaman the
late Superintendent Of Public Printing. He
ragned the bar of the House. attachmentfor
tempt.
On motion of Mr.. GEO. TAYLOR, (adm) of N Y, chair
OF the committee the Speaker directed to pro.
pound to Mr.. Cassin the questions of What had
he to giveY and Whether he was ready appear
before the committee and answer all proper questions ~
Mr. Cassn answered by written statement under OATH
that being summoned by the Sergeant Arms the
9th nst he Immediately prepared to attend required
but allowed himself to be delayed few days, owing to
the illness of near relatives but he had now come and
voluntarily surrendered himself He meant no dsrespect
the House, begged be excused for any
actual dcrecson and was ready to testify before the
committee.
Having thus purged himself from the alleged contempt
motion of Mr.. TAYLOR he was discharged from Gus
tody.
POSTAGE on NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS
Mr.. ENGLISH (adm) OF Ind, called up the bill reguat-
ing on n @ @
proposed to tax newspapers passing in exchange This
not the fact The design was that periodical dealers
shall receive their mail matter the terms re-
guar subscribers Another section authorized maps and
Autographs TO be carried at cent per fraction
Of an Heretofore such matter has been excluded
from the mails The third section proposed punish per.
taking letters sent out Of the Office by mistake but
wully ard fraudulently emitting to return them and
also persons who in like manner fail to apply money hand
ed them for the pre- payment Of postage &c There at
present adequate law to punish such offences aud the
bill proposes fine Of 500 years Imprisonment,
or both.
The bill was passed.
Mr.. ENGLISH made an Intellectual effort to obtain the
consideration of tho bill abolish the Thanking privilege
Mr. Co1xAx (opp Of Ind stated that by the phraseo-
logy Of section Of the BILL every newspaper publisher
would DO compelled to prepay the postage on his entire
by no one.
THE ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL.
The House went into Committee-Johu Cochrane chair
mainland the Army Appropriation bill was taken up
Mr.. DAVIS, (adm.) of Miss, defended the democratic
party from Mr. Garnetts charges Of extravaganza Why
the last year OF Mr. Fmcrcs administration selected
for comparison with Mr.. Buchanan's first year, coming,
too, from democrat he was unable 70 determine. This
extension Of mail facilities the Pacific the Utah troubles
the expenses attending the Territories OF Kansas Nc
hraska, tho suppression Of Indian hosties aud other
objects OF expenditures required by the progress and
scquent necessities Of the country For those Increased
expenditures the President and the heads Of the depart
should fall on the Congress Of whatever party.
Mr.. GRANGER, opp Of N. Y, made speech to show
that New York is guarding the liberty OF every person
regardless Of complexion condition, who sets foot
her coil As she claims their allegiance she ives protec
ton return. she fulps her constitutional obligations
person can come within her territory and take away
human being 70 be made slave Congress has power
to legislate the return Of fugitive slaves.
heretofore made on tie subject Of economy, said the
Committee on Ways aud Means, whenever they could on
adequate Information, had reduced the appropriations.
II the other committees especially charged with rcrench
mcnt and the correction Of abuss had presented their
programme, something might have been saved TO
The treasury.
Mr.. PHmis, fadua.) Of Mo-, showed that millions had
been expended under the direction Of army officers for
objects which have connection with tho army While
pointing out the in which this branch Of tho ser
vice has increased he stated that the four reg
mcnts cost 000 which, together with the increased
pay Of the army and raons, made nearly four millions
annually. He would be happy 10 aid In reducing the APP
preparations II Il could be done.
Mr. cnArrEE, opp OF Mass, in supporting the bill,
said that the facts justify the assertion that our army Of
sixteen thousand mon il performing the work Of Mt
least eighty thousand any extravaganza exists
let be pointed out, and will be more xcAlous than
himself 20 aid IN reform.
Mr. STANTON, (opp.) Of Ohio moved 10 strike out tho
100000 appropriated for the recruiting service This,
he said presented distinctly and fairly the question Of