Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-02-16
THIRTY.SIXTH CONGRESS.

OInce Appropriation DILL anu Lncn ADJOURNED
over till Thursday
Tuesday, Feb Z.
SENATE.-Mr Hunter introduced the Post
Office Deficiency Bill, with amendments and
gave notice that he would call it up after the
morning hour.
Mr.. Wilson introduced tho following
Resolved That a committee be appointed, to
inquire into the extent, the power and patron
age of the President of the United States in the
power of removal disappointment to Office, and
report the number Of Offices of trust and profit
under the control of the President, excluding
the Army and Navy, but including such as are
under the control of the heads of the depart
ments and the amount paid to those appointed
to such Offices. Also, further to inquire wheth-
er any power and patronage are exerted to inau-
ence the legislation of Congress, or any elections
in the States or Territories and whether any,
and what sums of money are paid, or required
to be paid, by persons holding offices of trust and
profit, as contributions in support of elections
and to inquire whether the power and patronage
are used BY heads of departments over subordin-
ates, mechanics and contractors and also the
allowance made to contractors of supplies, and
and those employed to purchase government
sites, vessels, engines, &C., transportation of
stores, &c.. and report by bill or otherwise,
Mr.. Hunter moved to postpone prior orders,
and take up the Post Office Deficiency Bill. Ad-
opted.
The bill was taken up and road. The first
amendment made by the committee on Finance,
was to make provision for wrapping paper, mail
paper, &C. 1t was agreed to.
The second amendment was to the third sect
ion providing that interest should only be paid
to contractors themselves, and be in full Of all
claim for damages, and providing that no inter
est is to be allowed on the last quarter.
After debate, and trihing notifications, the
amendments was adopted.
The third amendment provides for the abolish
ment of the franking privilege after the first of
May but that all persons now entitled to the
privilege are exempted from the prepayment of
postage.
Mr.. Fessenden advocated the amendment as it
stood
Mr.. Hale moved to amend by changing the
time to April. If it extended to the LIST of May,
it would be after the Charleston Convention,
and the Democrats would have benefits not
enjoyed by the Republicans, who do not meet in
Chicago till June. (Laughter.)
Mr.. Toombs accepted the amendment.
Mr.. Collamer said there were special laws
requiring the Treasury Department to pay out
100000 to the Post Office Department on &C
count of the transportation OF free matter. Ii
the amendment passed, those laws still existed,
and the Treasury could not be relieved The
subject was one requiring preparation and
examination, and ought to be considered by
itself.
Mr.. Collamer explained. Previous to 1851,
the Postmaster General was limited, in giving
out contracts, by the receipts Of the Depart
D,,k. octo h1iah.
ed in 1851, it was provided that the mail
service should not be reduced. The consequence
was that the Postmaster General had unlimited
discretion, and could, if he chose, increase the
expenses to twenty or thirty millions. Mr..
CoIlamer moved an amendment, repeating the
acts of l847 and 1851, appropriating $500, 1000
annually for the use of the Post Office Depart
ment. Adjourned.
Washington, Thursday, Feb. g.
SENATE.-The Post Office Deficiency bill was
taken up and reported to the Senate.
The proviso that tho interest be payable only
to contractors themselves, and be in full Of all
claims for damages, and be receipted according
ly, was adopted.
An amendment was offered by Toombs, total
ly abolishing the ranking privilege.
Mr.. Clingman moved to fix the time for the
10th of April.
Mr. Toombs accepted the amendment, where
upon the amendment was agreed to-yeas 81 +,
nays 81.
The bill then passed, and the Senate adjourn
ed till Monday.
HoUsE.-On motion of Mr.. Sherman, the
election of Printer was postponed till Monday.
The Speaker announced the Standing Com
mittees
WAYS and Means-Messrs Sherman Of Ohio,
Davis of Maryland, Phelps of Mo-, Stevens of
Pa, Washburn of Me-, Wilson of Va, Morrill,
of Vt, Crawford Of Ga, and Spaulding of N.
Y.
Commerce Washburn of ILL.,, Wade of Ohio,
John Cochrane of N. Y, Elliott, of Mass,
Smith, of N. c., Morehead of Pa, Lamar of
Miss, Nixon of N. j., and Clemens of Va.
Military Administration of Ohio, Curtis of
Iowa, Bonham of s. g., Bufinton of Mass,
Olin of N. Y, McRae of Miss, Pendleton of
Ohio, Longnecker of Pa, and Boteler of Va.
Naval Affairs-Morris of Me-, Bocock of Va,
Pottle Of N. Y, Winslow of N. c., Wilson of
Ind, Curry of Ala, Sedgwick of N. T., Harris
of Md, Schwartz of Pa.
Territories-Grow of Pa, Perry of Me-,
Smith of Va, Gooch of Mass, Waldron of
Mich, Clark of Mo-, Case of Ind, Vallandig-
ham of Ohio, and Ashley of Ohio.
Judicary-Hickman of Pa, Bingham Of
Ohio, Houston Of Ala, Taylor of La, Nelson
of Tenn, Kellogg Of H., Reynolds of N. Y,
Robinson of r. l., and Palmer of N. Y.
On Elections-Gilmer of N. c., Dawes Of
Mass, Campbell of Penn, Boyce OF S. c.,
Marston of n H., Stevenson of KY, Gartrel
of Ca, Stratton Of N. j., and McKnignts Of
Pa.
Claims-Tappan Of N. H., Hoard ofN. Y.