New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-02-15
XXXVth CONGRESS- ;. Second Session.
SENATE. .WAsHISGroS, Feb. IA,

SENATE. .WAsHIscroS, Feb. IA, 1859.
The Senate net at III a. M
Messrs. SEWARD and FESSENDEN respectve!
presented memorials from the Cities Of NewYork and
Portland respecting the working of the Reciprocity
treaty. Referred.
Messrs. Pugh and Gwin introduced the Senators
from Oregon, Messrs. Lane and Smith, who wore
lorg term. and Mr.. Smith hss it.
Mr. HUNTER presented the credentials OF nf.
Toombs reelected for six years from the Atm Of March
Text.
M Bislers tariff resolution was taken I'D 10 allow
Mr. Hunter to express his visws.
Mr. HUNTER began by saying that the present
issue 10 between high taxation on side, and moder
ate expenditure on the other. His personal conaec-
ton with the tariff Of 1851 induced him to review the
circumstances under which it came into operation aad
ana the principles on which il was estsblisbsd.
Secretary Guthrie had founded his estimates On
the opinion that the expenditures for tho
preceding years, exclusive of payments fos The
public debt had required more than 9i3 OO0 90
The tariff was therefore reduced by the consent OF ell
sections. Unfortunately in the FIRST year Of its opera
ton il encountered the great financial depression, bat
IN this year, 40 far as has gone it promised 70 sttse
the amount estimated by the Secretary. The Senator
from Rhode Island had estimated that IL would pro-
duce but $40 000 but during the two first qasns
it has produced twentythree millions and the pfoee
bity Is that the two las. quarters viii produce fsy
the amount Of the estimates II has done what ~
expected to do and the question is, shall cossiass
to use IL TO carry the requirements Of the Govees
mert The President and tho able head the Treasury
Department. thought insufficient but after earns
thought he Hunter had come to different coscls'
sicn. BE went TO show that the estimates Of ~
receipts from the public lands are not overssined,
ard the unexpected balances Of appropriations Do
Quoted, as probably they ought to be, would redaoe
the estimates twelve millions. The war expenditures
might be reduced nearly four millions the navy nsw
forr millions, and then Il would have a. much a. vas
actually nded on il lsst year. and IL the Post Omce
be mace sefsustainng il will ecoromize nine milicss
upon the estimate for the year. The bill reportsd
the Pest Office Com nittse would add three and nsa
millions to the revenus the abolition of the flsshne
privilege it 10 supposed viii save one and h@
million more, and if by increased charges y
can make the department self-sustsning 10 49,
ten reduce the totalexpendtureS TO fty6ve mlho1t
There are many moral political and fscsl ressons -
this reform in the Post Office. Az 1t at present asee
il is vast machine Of irresponsible power. He hses
read from the tables 30 show the stesdy aud alarming
increase Of the burden Of the Post0f6ce % ~
Treasury which, il continued at the same rso, wee
ICON make il more costly than the army and navy
With q ,979 Postmasters. exclusive of route sgeeS
special sgents local agents, and other officer, -
make total OF nearly 30 600 Communicating the ~
and navy under the direction Of the Postuastss, -
has power TO incfesse them at bis pleasure, beside
ercisipg great power through the prees asd "a arm!
Of corHactors who shal estimate his Influence! Wyi
IN .hs aazne u Hssvsa. act cay the eIpeodiss~