The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-05-31
OF THE THIElY.SIIIH CONGRESS

WASHINGTON, May 30.-Mr. SEWARD appeared
in his seat, and was warmly greeted by many Sen
ators of both parties.-The VICE-PRESIDENT
laid before the Senate communication from tbs
Secretary OF the Treasury, in compliance with
resolution of the Senate of the 26th inst, transmit
ting statement OF the amounts due the several
contractors, for granite and other materials, al
ready delivered, for the construction of the Treas
ury building, and the Custom Houses at New
Orleans and Charleston, with the report of the
Acting Engineer, in charge of the Office of CON
strucuon under the Treasury Department, and ac-
companyIng documents; which was read and on
motion by Mr. Hamlin it was referred to the Com
mittee on Finance.-Mr. GRIMES presented the
petition of the President of the Dubuque and Pa
clfic Railroad Company, praying that said compa.
ny may not be divested Of the title to certain lands
MIR. MASON gave notice that at twelve
O'Clock tomorrow he should submit motion
to proceed to the consideration of Executive
business.-The bill granting pen
sion to the widow of Colonel Thomas l.. Harris was
passed.-Mr. WlGFALL called attention to the
speech of Mr.. Bingham, in which an extract was
made from one of his Mr.. Wigfal's) speeches, in
winch language is attributed to him that he never
used: lie pronounced the quotation utterly false.
MIR. BINGHAM said he found the language in
newspaper, and supposed it to be correct He
had no intention OF misrepresenting the Senator
from IeXas.-Mr. TRUMBULL rose to a person
al explanation in regard to article in the Consi-
t"fton attacking his vote and that of MIR. Hamlin
upon one of Mr.. Davis resolutions and said if the
editor OF that Journal had read his remarks at the
time he would not have made false statement as
to his position He had never desired that Con-
gress should protect constitutional rights in Ter
ritory, but did deny that holding slaves was
constitutional right. 1t ill becomes the editor of an
Official organ and the Printer of the Senate thus
wiltully to misrepresent the views of Senator'S
Mr. SLlDElL reported back the bill for the acuui-
sIuon OF Z uba, but said he would not press it at
this session.-Mr. SLIDELL presented the re-
port of the majority of the committee appointed to
investigate the charges of corruption against the
frlrter to the Senate, accompanied by resolutions
winch he moved to be printed MIR KING
rose 10 make an explanation, but was cut
snort Dy motion to take up the Overland
Mail bll which prevailed. GWIN an.
Pealed TO Mr.. Hale to withdraw his sub
glnal bills.-The CHAIR called up the speciaI
order, being the Houmas Land bll--Mr. GWIN
moved to postpone it in order to continue the de.
bate on the Overland Mail bill.-Mr. FESSEN-
DEN and Mr.. TOOMBS hoped that it would not he
postponed Ifmatters were left over in this wav.
and the Senate jumped from subject to another
they never would be able to get through 1.-The
motion to postpone was carried by yeas 81 nays
22-Mr WADE offered resolution that during
the present session no Senator should speak longer
than htteen minutes nor more than once on the
same subject. Objected to.--Mr. HALE with
drew his substitute to the Overland Mail BILL
MIR. LATHAM offered an amendment authorizing
the Postmaster General to contract with the con-
tractors on the routes between St. Joseph and Great
SAT- Lake, and between Salt Lake and Placervile
Tor a semi weekly mail, to run through in twenty
days: at not more than SiG2, 900 annually. Also
TO contract for the transportation of printed mat
ter and ranked documents by steamships at not
over 100000 per year. Also, to contract for a
daily mail by coaches from April lst to December
lst, and tri-weekly the balance of the year from
Sacramento to Portland, Oregon. at not over
100000 per annum. Also to contract for 4
weekly mail from St. Paul, Minnesota, to the Falls
OF Oregon, at not over 5000, ,000.-Mr. LATH-
AN explained the provisions of his amcndment-
y he bill for the admission of Kansas was taken
up, and Mr.. COLLANlER made speech in favor of
It, 1t was then postponed until Monday next
when Mr.. Sumner has the loor.--Mr. LANE dis
cussed the Oregon War Debt bill. Hewas followed
by Messrs. DAVIS and CRITTENDEN, who gave
their views on the sub ject.--Mr. HUNTER said if
this bill passed, means must be found to pay this
gratulty of four millions of dollars and upwards
and suggested new loan. On the conclusion of
his remarks he offered amendment to that effect,
authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to ad-
vertise Tor loan to the amount required to be
paid under this act at rate of interest not exceed
ing six per cent per annum, payable at the end of
hve years, and the stock to be sold to the highest
bidder--Mr SIMMONS was opposed to putting
loan bill on the war debt bilI.--The ques-
ton being taken, the amendment of Mr. Hun
ter was not agreed to-yeas u; navs 35-
The bill was finally passed reported from the
Committee on Military Atfairs-yeas 81; nays II.
The Post Office Deficiency bill was taken up,
shortly after which the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
The House passed the bill for the removal f
the Arsenal from st. Louis to Jefferson CITY,
Mr.: FENTON reported bill providing that all in
valid pensions shall commence from the date of the
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 required
about Sl,5OO, 900 for the arTeara ages-After seve-
raj efforts to defeat the bill it was finally passed
yeas 9S, nays S0.-On motion of Mr.. GROW, the
House insisted on its disagreement to the Senates
amendment to the Homestead bill, and asked
committee of cOnference.--Mr. HASKINS called
up the special order, being the resolutions reported
by him from the Committee on Public Expendi-
tures providing hereafter that no person shall
be elected Printer either the Senate or
House, who is not practical printer, and
of fair reputation for skill and ability The
Printer elected TO either branch to rive bond
and security in the sum of S25 900, and the
present prices to be reduced forty per centum
The resolution to take effect from its passa5a-
Mr.. IIASKIN, the Chairman of the Committee on
Public Expenditures, (who had investigated the
subject of the public printing spoke of the abuses
Of the present system He said that the contract
system has proved an abortion. Hence there was
a necessity for reform. He charged the President
together with Attorney General Black, of having
distributed patronage or profits from the printing
of the Postolice blanks, to bolster up and sustain
corrupt partisan presses; mentioning, in this
necton, the PennSytrdnIdn, Evening Arglis and
Constitution. He showed the enormous increase
OF the expense for public printing; and in con-
cluson, he said that by the adoption of
the resolutions reported, the government
would save annually a hundred thousand
dollars.-Mr. BARkSDALE inquired whether
Mr.. HaSkin did MOI vote for printer, for Mr..
Defrees, who authorized a declaration to be
made in the Republican caucus which nominated
him. that If elected he would give half the profits
for eIectioneering purpOssS.-Mr. HASKIN said
at the time he voted for Mr.. Defrees he had no
knowledge of that fact lie afterwards hea rd
OF 1t through the newspapers. But this showed
the greater necessity for the proposed REFORM
The CLERK next read the report of the minority
of the Committee-Messrs. Hindman and Clopton
which concludes with resolution, that the con
tract made by Mr.. Ford with Messrs. Larcomb and
English is in violation of the law of Congress- and
declaring the office of printer to the House vacant
MIR. GURLEI, the Chairman of the Committee
on Printing, advocated the bill heretofore reported
by him, to establish a Government printing office
as remedy for the existing evils extravaganza
and scandal. Among others in support of a Gov
ernment printing office, he quoted the evidence of
Mr.. John Heart the Superintendent of Public
Printing, of whom he spoke as an able and honest
man. and who took singular pride in his profession,
with n single eye to the public interest. He with
pleasure bore this testimony to Mr.. Heart, who is
his political Opponent-Mr CLOPTON of the
minority of the Committee on Public Expenditures
proceeded to oppose the establishment OF Govern
ernment printing office, account of the increase
of Executive patronage, and because he was
not convinced that there would be a saving by
adopting that plan. He advocated the letting out
the printing by contract to the lowest responsible
bidder, and defended the President from Mr.. Has
kins charges of usurpaon and violation of law
saying it came with bad grace to charge corrup-
tion on the President, the Attorney General and
Others when the Republican party with single
exception, voted for a candidate for printer who
promised to give half the profits of printing for
party purposes.-NO question was taken.-The