The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-02-17
WASHINGTON NEWS

A proposition is now before the Senate Post
office Committee, and bill will be reported to-
morrow, authorizing the contract with Genus Bar
mum, Hiram Sibley, II. r. Walker, }. II. Benyhill
J. d. Cation, c. NJ. Stebbins Norman Green and
F. A. Bee, for the use by government of line of
telegraph from Missouri to San Francisco, for a
period OF ten years. at an annual compensation of
hity thousand dollars from the time the line is COM
peted. The line is to be finished in two years. at
an estimated cost of one million of dollars AL
though the compensation is regarded small, it is
believed that the great amount of telegraph inter
ests now held by the parties named in the bill will
secure the building of the line
The Committee appointed by the Senatorial eau
Gus, to whom all the resolutions now before the
Senate are to be referred, and who are authorized
if they deem it expedient, to report back resolu-
tions, or platform, to meet conflicting interests in
regard to the question of slavery in Territories is
composed OF the following gentlemen :-Messrs
Green, Chairman; Gwin, Chestnut, Bigler and
Fitch. The Committee will probably bring for
ward proposition, which will be submitted TO the
next caucus, on Friday. The construction of this
Committee is inimical to the interests of Judge
Douglas.
The Committee on Elections will take up the con-
tested seat of Mr.. Sickles first. 1t will probably
be reached tomorrow The case turns upon a
point OF law as to the competency Of the House to
take up and decide contested seat where the le-
gal notification of intention to contest was not Civ
en- by the contestant. Mr. Williamson contends
that the law requiring such notice applies to claim
ants OF seats to whom certificates of election have
been Issued, which does not reach to the case of
Sickles, he never having received certificate.
The House Select Committee To enquire into the
printing, binding and engraving business in all the
departments of the Government, with instructions
to report a plan for the future execution of such
work, consists of Messrs. Grow, Quarles, Smith
Hoard, Walton, Florence and Gurley. This com
mittee intends to make thorough overhauling of
the different branches of business named and will
no doubt report bill which will result in a pecu-
mary advantage to the Government.
int, ,,,F.y, e r.. Il. II r
privilege Immediately upon the passage of the 9th
er, the only respectable mode of retreat after
the declarations which had been made. The de-
cisve vote of the House forbids any expectation of
its adoption there in any form this session.
The proposition of Great Britain for the settle
ment OF the San Juan question has not yet been
LAID before our government 1t is not at all prob
able that the proposal will be acceptable, as the
President has repeatedly stated that he would not
back down from the position he had assumed in the
matter.
Affdavits have been filed at the Post Office De-
partment, sustaining serious charges against the
Postmaster at Haverhi, Massachusetts, which are
to be investigated at once. Other Massachusetts
Postmasters are accused of completely with lottery
ticket sellers.
Benz. Rush Floyd, brother to the Secretary of
War, died at the Lafayette House, on Wednesday