The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-02-08
NEWS BY TELEGRAPH.
.e2RW by THE e. 4 W. LINE T. a ca
EXCLUSIVELY. FOR THE JOURNAL.
XXxIyo CONGREssAFIRsTi SESSION.

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.XXXdYo CONGRESSAFIRSTi SESSION.
WAsHINGToN, Feb. z, M.--SENATE.-The
President sent message to the Senate re-
turning the joint resolution passed on the
last day of the last session appropriating
money for the removal of the bar and oh
structions at the mouth of the Mississippi.
Mr.. Hammond introduced q joint resolu-
tion for the relief of Commander Hartstein,
appropriating $4,000. Adopted. 4 yrs u
nsMr. Hammond introduced joint resolu-
ton, to authorize Commander Shubrick to
accept sword from Urquiza. Adopted. Il
Mr.. Hunter introduced the post-office de-
ficieney bill with amendments, and gave
notice that he would call it up. after Che
morning hour.
Mr.. Gwin introduced a bill for thelrelief
of settlers of the town site of San Fran
cisco. Referred. @e..-,
Mr.. Mason moved that when the Senate
adjourns, it adjourn to meet at 10 O'clock
Adopted. .... -...--.-. =.
A resolution was offered that CON littee
be appointed to inquire into the ex Mt of
power and patronage of the Presiden of the
United States; into the removal sand ap-
pointment to office, and to report the num-
ber of Offices of trust and profit under the
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and ma W. but including such as are under
the control of Heads of Departments and
the amount paid to such officers also fur
ther to inquire whether any power and
patronage is .exerted to influence the leg
islation of Congress or any election in States
or Territories and whether any and what
sums of money are paid or required to be
paid by persons holding offices of trust or
profit, or contribution in support of election,
and inquire whether this power and patron
age are used by the Heads of Departments
over subordinates, mechanics and contrae-
tors; and also the allowance made to con-
tractors of supplies, and those employed to
purchase government sites, vessels, engines,
transportation of stores, &C., and report by
bill or otherwise. 5ss-.e,5 - t,.4
Mr.. Iyerson, from the Committee on
Claims, reported several private bills which
had been faYorably acted on by the Court of
Claims. 1sl AZ lsas.sl saa. ,45s
A resolution to print the meteorological
reports of the Smithsonian Institute caused
some debate. ...-.-...-.-..s
Mr.. Houston objected to the publication
Mr.. Fitch said the request to print game
from the President of. he Smithsonian In
stitute and the Commissioner of Patents
Mr.. Fessenden opposed the printing on
the ground that the work was not author
lied by Congress. 'T
Finally, the further consideration of the
subject was postponed. -.--.--.T 2 .fa.ts
Mr.. Hunter moved to postpone prior or
ders and to take up the Postotfice Deficiency
Bill. Adopted. .--.-...----.-..t F
The bill was taken up and read.
The first amendment made by the Com
mittee on Finance was to make provision
for wrapping paper, mail paper, &c, &c.
Agreed to. ..f {.
The second amendment was to the I'd
section, providing that interest should only
be paid to contractors themselves, and be in
full for all claims for damages, and provid-
ing that no interest 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 injus-
tice to assignees. .
Mr.. Hunter said the latter could have
their claims adjudicated in Court. What
was wanted was to clear the United States
of any claims for damages, and pay the in
terest to those only who could release the
Government. 1
Mr.. Hale wanted to know whether the
interest was confined to the deficiency of last
year. -sei.as - 1,
Mr.. Hunter said yes. Mr.. Hale thought
1T set q dangerous preceuenI.s s1ne fOSI
Master General goes on making contracts
just as though Congress had made an ap-
preparation. . saasl
Mr.. Hunter replied, the Post Master Gem
eraI is compelled by law to make these con-
tracts. The Post Master General did not
pledge the Government to pay interest
Congress allowed it in lieu of damages.
After further.debate and trihing mod
ifcation, the amendment was adopted.
Mr.. ToOmbs moved an amendment to in
clude sub-contractors who actually perform
ed 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-contraetors. Q1tt
i"n Mr. Davis thought the amendment emil
uently just, and said he wanted those who
did the work to get the money. @ so
Messrs. Rice and Fitch opposed the amend
ment. -t -a l.sa
Mr. DooIittle said the amendment would
give the department endless trouble in the
conflicting claims of contractors and sub
contractors. The contractor was the man
who suffered the damage and had furnished
the means to carry on the service. The
amendment was recOnsidered.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, M.-The President