Wabash express. [volume] (Terre-Haute, Vigo Co[unty], Ind.) 1841-186?, 1860-02-08

nj. nuntef odiu yes
Mr. Hale thought it would set danger
Gus precedent. The +. NJ. General goes Of
making contracts just IS though Congress
hsd made an appropriation.
Mr.. Hunter replied the P. NJ General i
compelled BY Law 10 make the contracts
he did not pledge the government to pay
interest. Congress allowed il in lieu o
damages.
After further debate and trihing moditi
cation the amendment was adopted
Mr.. combs moved an amendment to in
elude sub-conlractors who actually per
formed the service. in the benefits Of the
bill.
Adopted
Mr. Hunter moved TO reconsider on the
ground that the department did no, know
the sub contractors
Mr.. Davis thought the amendment emf
nenlly just and proper.
Dir. Toonbs said be wanted those who
did the work to sc. the money; he did not
want TO give it 10 those who provided "a
bout the department aud got the contracts,
and sub let them to honest men, who did
the work
Messrs. Rice aud Fitch opposed the
mendmeht.
Mr.. Doolittle said the amendment would
give the department endless trouble in de
Gliding on the conflicting claims OF contrac
tors aud sub contractors. The contractor
was the man who suffered the damage-he
had furnished the means To carry on the
service when the government failed TO do
So
The amendment was reconsidered
The amendment was then rejected. aye'
II, nays 80.
The third amendment provides for the
adjustment Of the ranking privileges after
May first, but that all persons now entitled
to the privilege are exempted from the pay
ment of postage
Mr.. HamIin .aid the amendment had no
business there, difference Of opinion on
this point led TO the defeat of the bill at
the last session.
Mr.. Tsumbull denounced the abuse of
the ranking privilege. He wanted to see
the whole system abolished, aud moved to
strike out the last clause. which would
saddle the expense upon a constituent
who would receive letters and documents.
Mr.. Fessenden advocated the amend
ment as it stood.
Mr.. Rice said the present object was 10
pay the honest debts of the Government.
aud the Senate should no; embarrass nc.
ton by introducing subjects not german
thereto.
Mr.. Toombs said the mail contractors
had no more claim than any other class OF
public creditors Now was the best time
70 get this reform through. This priyil-
eye, which costs the Department now ST.
100000 per aDnnm. ought TO be abolished.
It was not proper that members who wrote
70 constituents on public business shonld
bear the burden themselyes--le. the per-
sons who are benefited by The correspon-
dence pay for t.
Mr.. Hale moved to amend by changing
the time to April: il it extended to the lst
Of May, it would be after the Charleston
Convention. and the democrats would have I
benefits not enjoyed by the republicans /
who do not meet in Chicago till june I
lLaughter.l
Tcombs accepted the amendment.
Mr. Simmons opposed the amendment
as having been improperly introduced. II
the proposition had so much gri, it might
carry itself through.
Dir. Coilamer said there we're special /
laws requiring the Treasury department to
pay over several hundred thousand dollars
10 the p. o. department, on account of the I
transportation of free matter Ii the amend I
ment passed these laws still existed, and
the Treasury would no, be relieved. The I
subject was one requiring preparation and |
examination. and ought to be considered
by itself
Mr. Davis advocated the apoplisn of tie |
amendment now; they could then go and
perfect the system. The amendment pro-
posed first-the reform OF one abuse, and
secoudly--tEe change of privilege of the
administrative departments. The abuse
of the privilege was in the burdening of
the mails with large mass Of public doc
uments.
Mr.. Coiiamer explained that pravious TO
ASST the p. NJ. General was limited in Civ
ing outcontraets by the receipts of the de.
Partment. bnt when three cent postage was
established in 1851. it was provided that
the mail service should not be reduced
The consequence was, that the p. NJ. Cen
ersl had unlimited discretion, aud could if
he chose. increase the expenses TO 90 or
10000 600
Dir. Collamer moved an amendment re
pealing the act of ls47 and 1851 appropria-
ting 100000 annually for the Of the
P. o. department
Mr. TrumbulI, Of Ills, said persons wri-
ting to members on business, could enclose
STAMPS he pOihteu Jul tue hDuees iihell
10 arise from the adoption of Proviso ex-
emptiDg members from payment of post
age. He wanted the whole system mashed
out
After further debate, in which Messfs.
Tombs, of Ga, Collamer, of VT. and Haun,
of Cal, participated, vote was taken on
Mr.. TrumbulPs motion TO take out provi-
go. and it was rejected, yeas "a; nays 30.
Mr.. slidell. of La, moved to postpone
che bill till l:30--earried.
The Senate went iuto executive session.
Adjourned.
FROM NEW YORK
New YORE, Feb. 6.