The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1860-02-08

Mr.. Wilson introduced the following:
Resolped, That committee be appointed to
inquire into the extent OF the power ana pat
ronage of the President Of the United States
in the removal and appointment to office, and
report the number of officers of trust and
profit under the control of the President, ex-
cluding the Army and Navy, but including
such as are under the control Of the heads OF
departments, and the amount paid to such
officers; also, further to inquire whether any
power and patronage is exerted to influence
the legislation Of Congress, or any election in
States or Territories, and whether any, and
what sums of money are paid or required to
bo paid by persons holding Offices of trust, for
profit or contribution in support of elections;
and to inquire whether the power and patron
age are used by the heads Of departments over
subordinates, mechanics and Contractors; and
also the allowance made to contractors Of sup
plies and those employed to purchase Govern
ment sites, vessels, engines, No., transporta-
ton of stores, &C., and report by bill or 9TH
srwiae.
Mr.. Iyerson, from the Committee on Claims,
reported several private bills which had been
fayorabIy acted on by the Court of Claims. A
resolution to print the meteorological reports
of the Smithsonian Institute caused some de-
bate.
Mr.. Hunter objected to the publication.
Mr.. Fitch said the request to print came
from the President of the Smithsonian In
stitute and the Commissioners of Patents.
Mr.. Fssssnden opposed the printing on the
ground that the work collected was not au-
thorized by Congress. Finally the further
consideration of the subject was postponed.
Mr.. Hunter moved to postpone prior orders
and take up the Possofice Deficiency Bill.
Adopted. The bill was taken up and read.
The frst amendment made by the Com
mittee on Finance was to make provision for
wrapping paper, mail paper, DO. 1t was
agreed to. The second amendment to the third
section, providing that interest should only be
paid to contractors themselves, and be in full
Of all claims for damages, and providing that
Mr.. Hunter said 1t gave tho interest TO the
contractors in lieu Of damages.
Mr.. Chesnut Thought II did great injustice
to the assignees.
Mr.. Hunter said the latter could have their
claims adjudicsted in court. What was
wanted was to clear the United States of any
claim for damages and pay the interest to
those only who oonld release the Government.
| Mr.. Hale vented to know whether the
| interest was confined to the deficiency Of last
year.
Mr.. Hunter said yes.
Mr.. Hale thought it would set dangerous
precedent. The Postmaster. General goes on
making contracts Just as though Congress had
made an appropriation.
Mr.. Hunter replied that the Postmaster
General is compelled by law to make these
contracts. The Postmaster General did not
pledge,the Government to pay interest. Con-
gress allowed it in lieu of damages.
After further debate and q trifing modi6ca-
tion, 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 emf
nently just and proper.
Mr.. Toombs said he wanted those who did
the work to get the money. He did not want
to give 1t to those who prowled around the
department and got the contracts, and sub.lei
them to honest men, who did the work.
Messrs. Rice and Fitch opposed the amend
msnt.
Mr.. Doolittle said the amendment would
give the Department endless trouble in decid
ing on the conflicting claims of contractor,
and sub-contractors. The contractor was the
man who suffered the damage. He had fur
nshed the means to carry on the service wher
the Government failed to do 80. The amend.
ment was reconsidered. The amendment wa.
then rejected-Yeas II; nays 30.
The third amendment provides for the abol.
ishment Of the franking privilege after May
1, but that all persons now entitled to the
privilege are exempted from the payment Of
postsge.
Mr.. Hamlin said the amendment had no
business there. A difference Of opinion on
this point led to the defeat of the bill at the
last session.
| Mr.. Trumbull denounced the abuse of thu
franking privilege. He wanted to see th'
whole system abolished, and moved to strike
out the last clause, which would saddle the
expense upon constituent who would receiv,
letters or documents.
Mr.. Fessenden advocated the amendment al
it stood.
Mr.. Rice said the present object was to pay
, the honest debts Of the government, and tn
Senate should not embarass action by intro
duoing subjects not germain thereto.
Mr.. Toombs said the mail contractors had n
> moro claim than any other class Of the publ
creditors. Now was the best time to get thi
reform through. This privilege, which cost
the department now $l,SOO,00O per annun
E ought to be abolished. 1t was not proper tbs
4 members who wrote to constituents on publ
- business should bear the burden themselves
Lot the persons who are benefited by tho COL
respondence pay for it. III
Mr.. Hale moved to amend, by changing th
time 10 April. II it extended to the first
Q May, it would be after tho Charleston Copver
/. finn and the Damocrata ~ onId hava hon ef
h not enjoyed by the Republicans, who do N
meet in Chicago till June. Laughter.
;. Mr.. Toombs accepted the amendment.
d Mr.. Simmons opposed the amendment, ,
o having been improperly introduced. If Il
J. proposition had SO much grit, 1t might carr
itself through.
y Mr.. Collamsr said there were special Law
II requi ring the Treasury Department to pa
over 100000 to the Postofice Department, {
account Of the transportation of free matte
ID If tho amendment passed, those laws st
q existed, and the Treasury would not be r
Ie lieved. The subject was one requiring pr
IF paration and examination, and ought TO
10 considered by itself.
IF Mr.. Davis, of Miss, advocated the adoptit
q; of the amendment now. They could then 90
,f and perfect the system. The amendme
4: proposed, first, tho reform Of an abuse, an
Of secondly, the change Of policy Of the Admin
Of tering Department. The abuse Of the privile
Of was ir the burdening Of the mails with O. lar
IF mass VI documents.
Mr.. Collamer explained that previous
1851 tho Postmaster- General was limited
b, giving out contracts by the receipts Of the D
b, psrtment, but when tho three cent posta
~ wes established in 1851, It was provided th
n the mail seryice should not be reduced. T.