The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-26
House Of Representatives.
WASHINGTON, Jan. rs, 1859.


POSTAL AFFAIRS
Mr. ENGLISH, (adm.) Of Ind from the Post ONCE Com
mttee, mado adverse report the memorial Of the
Mount Vernon Association asking TINT the Regents there
Of be granted the Thanking prvilegethe committee being
Of the opinion that said privilege ought to be restricted
rather than extended ALSO adverse report on memo
rial proposing the abolition Of the Post Office Department
On motion Of Mr. ENGLISH the Committee on Post Offices
was discharged from further consideration Of the memo
rial Of Charles Buttered praying the establishment
Of line Of steamers between the principal American and
Mexican ports on the Gulf Of Mexico He moved to refer
the matter to the Committee on Commerce
On motion of Mr.. JONES, of Tenn, the memorial was
tabled by 50 against SO.
Mr. ENGLISH made similar reports with regard to the
memorial Of A. L. Blocker and associates for mail steam
ers South American ports Also the memorial of John
Gardner, for mail steamers to the West Indies Both
tabled.
Mr. ENGLISH reported bill to abolish the Thanking pr-
vege, and for other purposes. He trusted would be
considered at an early day.
Mr. ENGLISH reported bill appropriang Sc 900 to en-.
able the Postmaster General TO employ temporary cerks
Mr. HAskS, opp Of N Y, moved to lay the bill on
expenses of the Post Office Department. 1t now cost
twice much as under the last administration.
The motion was agreed to, 113 against 80.
Mr. CovoDE (opp1 Of Pa. said he did not wish II to be
considered that he voted against the bill the Post
Office Department, during the late Pennsylvania election,
mad CLERK 70 spare 70 90 into bis district aud operate
Mr.. ENGLISH reported bill regulating the payment Of
postaBc newspapers Periodicals. provides
that periodical dealers may receive their bundles on pay
ing postage thereon, the regular subscribers
Maps engraving photographs &C. pay postage Of one
punish persons who receive money for postage but
frauduenty withhold i, or who fail to deliver letters
taken out Of the Office, addressed 10 others.
The bill referred to the Committee Of the Whole on
the State Of the Union.
Mr.. wooD (opp.) Of Me- from the Post ONCE Commit
tee, reported bill to establish national line Of steam
ships from certain ports Of tho United States to Great
The House went into Committee Of the Whole on tho
State of the Union, aud resumed the consideration of
CIVIL AND DIPLOMATIC APPROPRIATION
Mr.. HOPKINS, (adm) of Va, offered an amendment,
making Appropriation Of thousand five hundred
dollars for the salary Of Townsend Harris, Minister
Resident to Japan
Mr. SHERMAN Opp of Ohio contended that the Presi
dent had no right to make this appointment He said,
we following the usurpatlon commenced by Pro-
sdent Tyler, when he sent Caleb Cushing 10 China.
Several gentlemen expressed their views contendng
that the President has the right TO make diplomatic ap
pontmens whenever in his opinion, the public interests
The amendment was adopted BY one majority.
During the proceedings MIR. CURRY, (adm) OF Aa., at
tucked lie appointment OF so many foreign minister's
The Offices like 90 many hospitals for broken down
Mr. KErrr, (adm) Of s c., replied If what Mr. Curry
had asserted not the fault Of the diplomatic
SYSTEM but of the party which had pressed the appoint
ment Of persons unit for ofHce-mcre sposmen.
Mr. sicKIEs, (adin Of N. Y. condemned such reform
sought 70 be naugurated and asserted thai
when Europe astated /. Is necessary 10 have repre-
sentatvcs abroad Gentlemen, IN their zeal to retrench,
did not seem TO understand the hAtory Of tho times
AFRICAN SLAVE ntiDE LAWS.
Mr.. DowDELI, (acm) Of Ala, msyed to strike on. tho
clause Of the bill approprang 900 to essbc the Pre-
siden To carry out the act OF 1872 aAd subsequent acts
for the suppression Of the slave trade He said this clause
should have no place here. There no limo or syllable
authorizing the President tosend the An leans Of the Echo
to Liberia; 1t was assumption of pow,r He OPP
posed 10 the whole arrangement
Mr.. PHELPS, (adm) of Missouri, replied, that various
sums have been heretofore appropriated TO enable tho
President 70 execute the act Of 1872 and the latter has
informed Congress in his Annual message Of contract for
the care aud support OF those captured Africans The
rangtsnent was wise md humane one for which h0
took the precedent Of President Monroe
Mr.. CLAY, (adm) OF Ky, said he was opposed 10 all
Laws in reference to the slave trade.
Mr.. PHEls-Then repedi thcm--but long as they re-
uoin carry them out.
Mr.. SINGLETON (adm) Of Mss, moved provso, thas
no part OF the money shall be used for the support or oa