The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-05-28
PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRTY-SIYTH CONGRESS,
SENATE.

SENATE,
WASHINGTON, May 26.--The VICE PRESIDENT
laid before the Senate Il communication from the
Secretary of the Treasury. in compliance with n
resolution of the Senate Of the 10Th instant calling
Tor information in relation to the claim of Don
Anastaso Cavillo, transmitting the report of the
Secretary of the Light house rd-AIso a
communication from the Postmaster General in
answer toa resolution Of the Senate of the 10th
instant, calling for information as to when the
Post oilIce Department first had any knowledge
that deialcatiOn existed the part of the post
master of the city of New York and whether the
Sixth Auditor OF the Treasury had faithfully per
formed his duties in reference to the New York
Postolfice. The Postmaster General saws that the
first intimation he had of the defalcation of Mr.
Fowler was on the morning of the 10th instant on
which day Mr.. +. was removed by the President and
that he has no reason to believe that any knowledge
of the dealcation existed before that day Hefurther
states that in the month of April, while absent from
Washington, a telegraph despatch had appeared
alleging that there a deficit in the accounts of
the Postmaster Mt New York and the first assist
ant, then acting as POstmaster-General informed
him that his apprehensiOns were awakened but
that Mr.. Fowler had come to Washington, and his
accounts were balanced in the Auditors office up
to the 3lst December, 1859, which had quieted all
fears. The deiacatiOn since discovered could not
be detected and verified until the accounts for the
quarter ending the 3lst of March, 1860, had been
audited which was not completed until the 10th of
May, 1850, and that the sixth Auditor has faith
fully performed his duty under the law Also a
communication from the Postmaster General, in
answer to a resolution of the Senate of the 23d ut
transmitting additional documents in relation to the
contracts with Daniel Ii. johnson and Cor
nelius Vanderbilt for temporary mail service be-
tween New York and San Francisco-
On motion of Mr.. HAMLIN, resolution was
adopted, directing the Secretary of the Treasury
to communicate to the Senate the amounts due to
the several contractors'tor granite and other ma
terias already delivered for the construction of
the Treasury building, and the Custom houses at
New Orleans and Chareston.-Mr. JOHNSON
of Arkansas, from the Committee on Public Lands
reported back the bill to confirm certain entries of
land therein named, with amendment in the
form of a substitute.-0n motion by Mr.. BIG
LER, the Senate resumed the consideration of the
bill in addition to can act to promote the progress
of the useful arts" being the bill remodeng the
Patent-ofiice laws-On motion by Mr.. HALE
amendment adopted striking out the clause
which provides that "no appeal shall hereafter be
allowed from the decision of the Commissioner of
Patents, except IN cases pending prior to the pas
sage OF this act."-An amendment was also
adopted, that the board of three
provided for by the bill, shall be appointed by the
President, by and with the advice and consent of
the Senate.-After some discussion, the bill was
read third time and passed.-Mr. BRIGHT
made an Intellectual effort to get up the bill to en-
large the public grounds surrounding the Capitol
-On motion by Mr. HUNTER, the Indian Ap-
preparation bill was resumed. The pending amend
ments offered by Mr.. Latham, to give the State of
California S50,000 year for taking care of the
Indians within her limits, was discussed at some
length, and reiected-yeas 10, nays 2s.--The bill
passed, and the Post office Appropriation bill
was then taken up. long debate ensued on the
proposition to advertise for proposals for the SER
vice between Charleston and Kew West &C. in
stead of restoring the 'Isabel. ."--Without taking
the question, the Senate adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr.. ASHMORE offered a resolution that the
Sergeant-at-Arms be instructed to withhold the
further payment of salaries from such members as
have neglected or refused to report their MILEAGE
tn he mnIt ttnan Ia al bat
or more members are interested in this subject
and until the members so report, it impossible
for the SergeantatArms to balance his report
Mr.. BURNETT saw no necessity for the passage of
the resolution. If some members have refused or
failed to make report, it was because they had
reported at previous Congresses and are now
living at the same places the distance travelled
being the same now as then.--Mr. ASHMORE
replied that the Committee Mileage require
nothiug-the law demanded it. The Chairman
could not assume authority in determining the dis
tance travelled. 1t simply absurd d-Mr
KUNKEL thought that Mr.. Ashmore required what
without precedent, and which, by law he had
no right to demand.-Mr. ASHMORE said that
the distance travelled in some cases was changed
owing to the railroad improvements 1t was i'm
possible for the Committee Mileage to certify to
the Sergeant-at-ATms the correctness of the ac
count, unless the members report to them.-Mr.
MONTGOMERY thought the resolution pronosed
repeals positive law fixing the salary of Congress
men."Mr. ASHM0RE modified his resolution so
as 10 withhold the pay until the members do report
their mileage. In this form it passed.-Mr.
MoRRlS, of Pennsylvania, called up the bill for
the relief of MIR. Portman, which was passed 1t
gives him 50 900 for his services as interpreter to
Commodore Perry during the Japan expedition.
The House then proceeded to the order of the
day, being the consideration of private bills
When the Committee rose, several private bills
were passed.-The PRESIDENT communicated
message in reply to a resolution of the House,
giving information in relation to the Chinese COoie
trade, and showing the extent to which it has in
creased This information was in response to
resolution offered by Mr. Eliot, who has introduced
Dill to suppress this trade by Americans in Ameri
can vessels. Other private bills were passed, and
at three O'Clock the House adjourned.