Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-06-07
Congress-.

Wednesday, May 30.
SENATE.-NIr. Seward was in his seat, and
was warmly greeted.
Mr. Slidell reported back bill for the ac-
QUESTION of Cuba, and gave notice that he
would call it up at the next session
The House bill for the admission of Kansas
was taken up
Mr. Collamer made some remarks in advocacy
OF Its passage, when it was postponed till Mon.
day.
The Oregon War Debt bill was then taken
up, and Mr.. Lane defended it as Just and
proper
An amendment, that all money paid under
the provisions Of the act, shall be to persons
who actually did service, and not to assignees,
was agreed to, and the bill passed-3l against
II. 1t appropriates SO 100000 Adjourned
HOUSE. House passed bill that all in
valid pensions shall commence from the date of
disability, the object being to place all army
and navy pensioners on an equality, 1t will re-
quire a million and half OF dollars to pay ar
rearages
The Homestead bill was reported back from
the Senate. The House insisted on its amend
ments, and asked an appointment of Commit
tee on Conferences.
Mr.. Haskin, from the Committee on Printing,
reported series Of resolutions, that hereafter
no person shall be elected Printer to Congress
who is not a practical printer. and with fair
reputation as to skill and ability; that the
Printer to either House shall give bonds in
$25 600; and reducing the present prices 40
per cent.
Mr.. Gurley advocated a bill for the establish
ment of government printing office, and Mr..
Copton opposed it, Adjourned.
Thursday, May 81.
| SENATE Mr.. Slidell, from the Committee to
investigate corruptions in the public printing,
made a majority report to the effect that any
money paid by Mr.. Wendell was in accordance
with a bargain, and If he paid money for po-
litcal purposes, it was entirely voluntary, and
without the knowledge of any officer in the
government
The report condemns the present system Of
printing, as the worst thing that could have
been adopted. 1t reflects severely on Mr..
Wendell testimony, and exonerates the Presi-
dent from any knowledge of the matter, and
concludes with the resolution that the Com
mittee be instructed to inquire into the expedi-
ency of providing for the printing being done
by contract or otherwise.
Mr.. King made minority report, to this ef'
feet, that the testimony shows clearly that
large sums of money are paid by the printer for
the support of party papers and to influence
the elections, and that the payments SO made
were known and assented to by the President
The minority agree with the resolution ap~
pended to the minority report.
Mr.. Anthony urged complete reform in the
public printing. He thought that newspapers
that could not support themselves were OF no
use to any party. And that the Printer to the
Sono 70 az 4bo Ian hu
the printing, the office should be declared va
can't The subject was then postponed.
HoUsE.-Mr. Reynolds, from the Judiciary
Committee, reported back the amended Senate
bill providing for the return of the captured At
ricans. He stated that there are now 1900 AT
ricans at Key West, and it was important that
the bill pass as soon as possible.
The House then took up the Printing Reform
Bill
Mr.. Vallandigham spoke in favor OF gov.
eminent printing Office.
Mr.. Pryor spoke in the same way, and COM
planned that the President neglected his duty in
not informing Congress that the amount appro-
priated for Post Office blanks was excessive, in
stead of parceling the surplus among the parti-
san presses. A running debate ensued between
him and Mr.. Burnett, in which the latter main
tanned that the President had no control OF the
matter, and that it was the duty Of Congress to
correct any corruptions.
| MIR. Pryor, in the course of his remarks, SAID
that the evidence was uncontroverted. He said
that the President said to the gentleman who
executed the blanks, here are $40 1000 for
your service, and here are $4,000 more to be
distributed between the Pennsylvania Argus
and Medary's paper in Ohio
Mr.. Burnett expressed hope that Mr.. Pry-
or, the next time he charged corruption ON
the Administration, he would be better informed
as to facts.
Mr.. Pryor acknowledged indebtedness for the
advice Let the House order committee and
make him Chairman, and he would prove what
he said
Mr.. Burnett said if the gentleman accused
the President he would vote for another Com
mittee II the corruption exists, let him be ar
raigned, impeached and disgraced, If gentle
men desire to show thsir zeal it would De better
for them to fire broadsides at the Republican
party, instead of getting up family squabbles.
MIR. Pryor replied that he was fighting on his
own individual responsibility and in defense of
the interests of the people. He conceived it
sound policy in the Democracy that they wash
their hands of all corruption.
After further discussion, Mr.. Haskin closed
the debate, contending that the President knew
of the profits of Post Office printing, and sta
ting that he would vote agoinst all schemes,
extravagances and corruption coming from
either the Democratic or Republican side.
The bill for establishing government print
ing office was passed.
Friday June l.
SENATE.-The Post Office Deficiency bill was
taken up and amended by striking out SO much
as provides for the restoration Of the discon-
tinued routes-2S agrinst "a.
An amendment was adopted restoring the
mail service on the route from Charleston and
Key West to Havana, giving the contract to the