Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-06-08
THIRTY.sIxTH CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
WASHINGTON, Thurs,

SEFATE.-Mr. Slidell, from the committee to H.
vestigate 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 political pur-
poses 1t was entirely voluntary and without the
knowledge of any officer in the government.
Inc report condemns toe present system Of
printing, as the worst thing that could have been
adopted. 1t effects severely Mr. Wendell's
testimony and eXonerates the President from any
knowledge of the matter, and concludes with the
resolution that the committee be instructed to in
quire into the expediency Of providing for the
printing being done by contract otherwise.
Mr. King made minority report, to the effect,
that the testimony shows clearly that large sums
money paid by the,prnter for the supIort of
party papers. and to influence the elections, and
that tic payments so mrle were known and as
sentet to by the President
The minority agree in the resolution appended
to the majority report.
HousE.-Mr. Reynolds, from the Judiciary
Committee, reported back the amended Senate
6lll Providing for the ieturn Of captured Africans
lie stated that there 1900 Africans at Key
| west, and 1t was important that the bill should
| pass as soon as possible
Mr.. Smith Of Virginia did not want TO force the
negroes back in chains he would rather allow
them the privilege Of remaining here.
Mr.. Pryor complained that the President neg
| lected his duty in not informing Congress that
| the amount appropriated for Post Office blanks
was excessive, instead Of paroelng the surplus
] among the partisan presses. lie said that the
| President said to the gentleman who executed the
blanks, "here are $50, 600 for your service, and
/ here are $50, 900 more 10 be distributed between
/ the Pennsy lvania Argus and Medary's paper in
/ Ohio"
/ Mr.. Burnett said that If such testimony exists,
10 hal not seen it. lie did not, however, ques-
tton Ii, Tor he knew nothing about it. lie then
argued against the government Office, and in favor
IL ~ hp mi rn +aso of frrT
Mr.. Burnett expressed hope that Mr.. Pryor,
the next time be charged a corruption on the Ad-
| mnistraton, would be better informed as to facts
Mr.. Pryor acknowledged Indebtedness Tor the
advice. Let tho House order committee and
make him Chairman, and he would prove what he
had said.
Mr.. Burnett said if the gentleman accused the
President, be would vote for another Committee
If the corruption exists, let him be arraigned i'm
peached and disgraccd. II gentlemen desire to
show their ZEAL it would be better for them to fire
broadsides the Republican party instead of get
ting up family s4uab5les.
Mr. 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 tn ir
hands Of all corruption.
Mr.. Haskin closed the debate, contending that
the President knew Of the profits Of the Post Office
printing and stating thai he would vote against
all schemes, eXtravagauces and corruption, coming
from either the Democratic or tie Republican
side.
The Bill f9r establishing government printing
Office was passed-l2O aeainst So.
Mr.. Pryor made a personal explanation. In
stating that he had been approached, he should
have added that in 81 he solicited to apply for
portion Of a surplus fund, but Indignantly repu-
dated the proposition.
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole.
tion, and Of the Oversha dowing oligarchy Of what
is sometimes called property. Resistance to ty-
rants is obedience to God. This sentiment nerved
| the a-Ius Of the Revolutionary fathers. He COM
battel the doctrine that the negro has no rights
which the white III are bound 10 respect The
decision of the Supreme Court strips US, as he
marked OF all rights except what may main
tain by our own right arms. The oldtyranny has
been FURNISHED over by modern politics and judi
cial Democracy.
The Republican party was organized to promote
the cause Of liberty and resist oppression having
ia view the restoration oftrue ideas, and the over
throw of taISchooi. The doctrine Of the irrepres-
sue conflict is as ancient as the law of Moses
" ere they TO be dissolved as party because its
Continuance was considered a menace TO the
saveholding States Our fl hers did not think
So AMI we are deiue no more than they did. He
SAID this not in a spirit Of menace or unkindness,
but under a solemn sense OF duty incumbent upon
hl.a Representative pledged to tue cause Of
freedom. there can be no compromise whatever,
so long as this question remains undetermined,
and this equivalent 10 saying long the free
States exist. AID there is & party favorable to
D. ,a- i,..,' enable IiSuts ui man. II tuts uv
solemn menace 10 the slave States, SO be 1t. We
shall seek no quarrel bat we shall value cur prin-
cipies more than your friendship. We, party,
have design against the II lhts of the southern
States. The leading idea Of the party is reform
total and Standardization in details which
have been -uf red Of late years to into abuses
All had well defined impression that for the sake
Of retaining power CORFU yticn had been tolerated
if not actively encouraged, in high places He
maintained that for the honor Of the country, and
those who may be concerned in tho administration
Of the sovcrum cnt, there is necessity for COM
plctc change
WAsmNCIoN. Wednesday, May so.
Ho- E.-rhe House passed bill for the
removal Of the arsenal OF St. Louis to Jefer-
son city.
Szyirr.-3lr. Seward appeared in his seat,
and was warmly greeted by many Senator's
Of both parties.
MIR. Fcntoa reported bill providing that
aii invalid pensions shall commence from the
date OF disability, the object being to place
all army and navy pensioners on an equality,
and remove from Congress the numerous
applications continually made for back pay.
He said this measure would require about
million and half dollars for arrearages.
Several efforts were made to defeat the bill,
which finally passed, % against So
Mr.. Shdell rcpol ted back the bill for the
acquisition OF Cuba, but said he would not
press it at this session. lie gave notice that
he should call itup at the next session.
Mr.. Slidell presented report from ma
jority Of the committee appointed to inyesti-
gate the charges of corruption against the
printer Of the Senate, accompanied by reso-
lutions, which he moved be printed.
The Chair called up the special order, be-
ing the Houmas land billr
Mr. Gwin moved to postpone it in order
to continue the consideration ofthe California
overland railroad bill.
The motion to postpone was carried by
yeas 27 nays %.
Mr.. Wade offered 4 resolution that during
the remainder OF the present session no Sem
ator should speak more than fifteen minutes
or more than once on the same subject.
Motion objected to.
Mr. Hale withdrew his substitute for the
| Overland mail bill.
Mr.. Latham offered an amendment author
ing the Postmaster General to contract with
the contractors on the routes between 81
Joseph, Mo-, and Great Salt Lake, ana De-
tween Salt Lake and Placeryille, for semi
weekly, the distance to be done in twenty
! davs-at not more than $462, 900 annually;
also to contract for the transportation of
r,rinted matter and franked documents by
/ steamships at not over S400, 900 per year;
also to contract for daily mail by coaches
/ from April lst to December 1st, and tri-
weekly for the balance of the year from
Sacramento to Portland, Oregon, at not over
! 100000 per annum; also to contract for
weekly mail from st. Paul, Minnesota, to
the Falls of Oregon, at not over Sl00, 200.
Mr.. Latham explained the provisions ofhis
amendment.
/ There were more than Five Thousand
Jealous, warm-hearted Republican Friends
! of Gov. Seward in attendance upon the
{ Cbica COpvar opx;0uslu autipiYo tipr