Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-02-08
LATEST NEWS.
BY TELEGRAPH
TO THE WORCESTER DAILY SPY
'IIIRrY-sIxTM CONGRESS-
TUESDAY, Feb. It'll, 1860.
SEN

MN ttiS lnOutu Vi tie MISSISSIPPI.
Mr. HUNTER introduced the Post Office De-
1ciency Bill, with amendments.
MIR. SALISBURY Offered several amendments
to MIR. DAVIS Union resolutions.
Mr. HAMMOND introduced joint resolution
Tor TIE relief OF commander Harstene, appro-
priating S6008. Adopted.
Mr.. HAMMOND introduced joint resolution
authorizing Commodore Shubrick to accept a
a sword from Urquiza.
Mr.. GwIN introduced bill for the release
OF payments of the town site of San Francis
co. Referred
Mr.. MASON moved that when the Senate
adjourn, it be to meet at o'clock. Adopted.
Mr.. WILSON introduced the following =
Resolved that a committee be appointed to
inquire into the extent of the power and pat
ronage of the President of the United States,
IN the power of removals, and appointment 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 departments and
the amount paid to those who are appoint
ed to such offices also, further to in
quire, whether any power or patronage are
eXerted to influence the legislation of Congress,
or any elections i'll the state or territories and
whether any, and, if any, what sums OF money
are paid or required to be paid by persons
holding Office Of trust and profit as c0ntribu-
tons IN support of elections, and to enquire
whether the power and patronage are used by
heads OF departments over subordinates, me-
chanlcs, and contractors and also the allow
ance made to contractors for supplies, and
those employed to purchase government sites,
vessels, engines, &C., transportation of stores,
&c, and report by bill, or otherwise
Mr. lvERsoN, from the committee on claims
reported several private bills, which had beeu
fayorabIy acted on by the court of claims
The resolution to print the meteorological
reports of the Smithsonian Institute, caused
some debate
Mr.. HUNTER objected to the publication.
MI FITCH said the request to print came
from the President of the Smithsonian Insti-
tute and the Commissioner of Patents. Mr..
FEssENDEN opposed the printing, on the ground
that the work collected was not authorized
by Congress.
Finally the further consideration was post
poned. Mr.. HUNTER moved to postpone prior
orders, and take up the Post Office Deficiency
Bill. Adopted. The bill was taken up and
read.
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 sec
ton, providing that interest should only be paid
to contractors themselves, and be in full Of all
claim for damages, and providing that no III
terest is to be allowed on the last quarter
Mr.. HUNTER said it gave the interest to the
contractors, in lieu of damages.
Mr. CHESTNUT thought it did'great injustice
to assignees
Mr.. HUNTER said the latter could have their
claims adjusted in court. What was wanted
was to clear the United States of any claim for
damages, and pay the interest to those only
who could release the government.
Mr.. HALE wanted to know whether the in
terest was confined to the deficiency of last
year?
Mr., HUNTER-Yes
Mr. HALE thought this would set danger
GUS precedent. The Postmaster General goes
on making contracts just as though Congress
had made an appropriation.
Mr. HUNTER replied the Postmaster Gener.
al is compelled by law to make these contracts.
The Postmaster General did not pledge the
government to pay interest. Congress allowed
it in lieu of damage.
After further debate and triliing medication,
the amendment was adopted.
Mr. TooMBs moved an amendment to in
clude sub contractors who actually performed
the service in the benefits of the bill. Adopted.
Mr. HUNTER moved to reconsider on the
ground that the department did not know the
sub contractors.
Mr.. DAVIS thought the amendment emil
nently just and proper
MIR. IooMBs said he wanted those who did
the work to get the money. He did not want
to give it to those who pr 3wled about tho de-
partment and got the contracts, and then sub
let them to honest men who did the work
Messrs. RICE and FITCH opposed the amend.
ment. 1t would give the department endless
trouble in deciding on the conflicting claims of
artn nd St,h 10
tor was the man who suffered the damage. lie
had furnished the means to carry ON the ser
vice when the government failed to do So
The amendment was reconsidered and
then 1t was relected-yeas II, nays 80.
The third amendment provides for the abol-
ishment of the franking privilege after the LIST
OF May, but that all persons now entitled to
the privilege are exempted from the prepay
ment of postage.
Mr. HAMLIN said the amendment had no
business tlere-a difference of opinion on this
point led to the defeat of the bill at the last
session.
Mr.. TRUMBULL denounced the abuse of the
franking privilege. He wanted to see the
whole system abolished, and moved to strike
out the last clause, which would saddle the
expense upon constituent who should receive
letters or documents.
Mr.. FEssENDEN advocated the amendment
as it stood.
Mr.. RICE said the present object was to pay
the honest debts Of tile government, and the
Senate should not embarrass action by intro
ducing subjects not germane thereto.
Mr.. TooMBs said the mail contractors had
no more claim than any other class of the pub
lie creditors, and now was the best time to get
this reform through. This privilege, which
costs the department now 81, 100000, ought to
be abolished. 1t was not proper that members
who wrote to constituents on public business
should bear the burden themselves Let the
persons who are benefited by the correspond
encc pay for it.
Mr.. HALE moved to amend by changing the
time to April LIST. If it was extended to the
LIST of May, it would be after the Charleston
Convention, and the Democrats would have
benefit that would not be enjoyed by the Re-
pubcans who do not meet in Chicago till June.
Laughter.l
Mr.. TooMBs accepted the amendment
Mr. SIMMONS opposed the amendment as
having been Improperly introduced. If the pro-
position had so much merit, it might carry it
self through.
Mr.. CoLLASIER said there were special laws
requiring the treasury department to pay out
100000 to the Post Office department, OIL ac
count Of the transportation OF free matter. II
the amendment passed, those laws still existed,
and the treasury would not be relieved. The
subject was one requiring preparation and ex-
animation, and ought to be considered by it.
sell.
Mr.. DAVIS advocated the adoption of the
amendment now. They could then go on and
protect the system of the amendment propOs.
ed. First, the reform of an abuse, and second,
q change of the policy of administering the
department. The abuse of the ranking privi-
iese was in burdenng the Imails with large
masses Of documents
Mr.