Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-02-14
Thirty-Sixth Congress-First Session.

! MONDAY, February 6, 186O.-Sen0te. Mr.
Wigfall, OF Texas, introduced the Pacific Rail
way and Telegraph bill.
The bill to increase the pay of officers of The
Navy was made the special order for Monday
next
Mr. Chandler, of Michigan, defended the bill
for the Improvement of the ST. Clair flats lately
Messrs. Toombs Wgfall and Clay, with much
earnestness.
The Postal Deficiency bill was received from
the House and referred.
House The Postal Deficiency bill was taken
up, discussed and passed.
George Marston, of New Hampshire, the
nominee Of the Black Republicans, was elected
Door-keeper, and J. NJ Lucas, of Illinois, Post
master.
The House adjourned till Thursday, when the
standing committees will be announced.
| TUEsDAY.-Senate. Nearly the whole day
was occupied in the discussion on adding the
ranking privilege amendment to the postal bill
of the House. No action was had on it, and the
bill was made the special order of the day for
tomorrow.
| II the meantime and incident to this unex
peoted delay, memorial is being numerOusly
signed by the contractors, praying the immed
ate passage of the bill as it came from the
House. If this is impossible. they ask that the
interest clause and all other Objectionable fea-
tures may be stricken out and left to future leg
isation as their pressing necessities require i'm
mediate action.
| House.-Not in session.
WEngEsnAF.- agds-Mr. Pearce introduce
ed a resolution authorizing the Secretary of the
Interior to make arrangements for the dedica-
ton of CLARK Mills new statue of Washington
OF the 8and inst. The Post Office Deficiency
bill was taken up and after debate the amend
ment providing44 the abolition Of the Thanking
privilege was rejected by a tie vote. Without
passing the bill the Senate adjourned.
THURSDAY Senate.-Mr. Gwin, from the Com
mmttee on Post Offices and Post Roads, reported
bill repeating all laws by which any person or
persons, excepting those to whom the ranking
privilege has been granted by name, are author
lied tosend or receive any lDailable matter free
of postage. This would not only abolish the
franking privilege but prevent newspapers from
receiving their exchanges free of postage. The
post office deficiency bill was finally passed by
the Senate with an amendment totally abolishing
the ranking privilege.
Adjourned till M5eadax.
-Ea1ass.-Mr. Sherman made an effort to get
the House to proceed to the election of printer,
but the subject was postponed to Monday next.
The Speaker announced the Standing Commit
tees. M. Sherman is Chairman of the Ways
and Means Committee, with Mr.. Henry Winter
Davis second on the LIST. Mr. Glmer, of N. O.,
is Chairman of the Committee on Elections
Mr.. Hickman, of Pennsylvania, is Chairman of
the judiciary Committee Mr.. Corwin, of Ohio,
of tue Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Mr..
Grow, of Pennsylvania, of the Committee on Ter
ritories. The memorial of VIM. G.. Harrison,
Esq., contesting the seat of Mr.. Davis, of Nd,
was presented by Nh. Hughes, of Maryland
The Presidents annual message was then read,
and without 'transacting any further business,
| the House adjourned.
FRIDAY.-H0use.-The Speaker laid before
the House copy of the State Constitution Of
Kansas, recently adopted at Wyandotte, as pre-
| limiuary to admission into the Union.
Mr.. Morse, of Me-, introduced q resolution
that the several standing committees be author
ICED to appoint clerks. This was resisted on the
Democratic side, and after protracted contest
the House went into Committee of the Whole.
Mr.. Ferry, of Connecticut, occupied an hour in
refuting what he considered tie fundamental
principle Of the Democratic party On the ques-
ton OF slavery Mr.. Reagan, of Texas, briefly
replied
SATURDAY--HouSe--M Morris, of Ill.,, offer
ed series Of resolutions calling upon the De-
partments for information in reference to re-
movals from Office in Illinois.
The Post Office bill, as returned from the
Senate, was taken up and discussed in Committee
of the Whole 4 number of members favored
the SeDate's amendment abolishing the ranking
privilege, and others opposed it. No conclusion
was come to, and the House adjourned.
For the SDectGtag