Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-02-16

mort whether in their opinion, any changes in the exist
inc laws which govern the public printing connected with
the executive bureau are necessary to be mades
Mr. Burnett understood that these subjects
sdersd nv n specia committee last session. and he now
| asked whether they had ever made a report
Mr. Grow repied that that committee was the same as
that ordered now That committee investigated these
subjects hut were not authorized to report At any time
aud was never reached. The committee had prepared
bills but a report from it was never called for. Allow
this committee TO report at any tlne.
Mr. Burnett agreed to that.
The amendment proposed by Mr.. Grow was adopted.
Mr. Phelps moved there he, and there was call of the
Uouse as preliminary to the election of printer
Mr. Anderson of Mo-, moved to postpone the election
of prpter in order that the House may resolve itself
into committee of the whole on the state of the Union
ON the Post Office Appropriation bill He reminded gen
temen of their responsibility every day the government
wa. losing by delay in not passing this bill.
Mr. Washburn of Illinois, suggested that the House
have one more vote for printer If they should then
succeed in an election, they could take up the bill in
committee.
Mr.. Anderson said. estimating the damages on the
sum due TO mail contractors at six per cent it would
amount to thousand dollars day; and every day the
contractors are being ruined The House should de-
termine whether the mail contractors shall be paid.
Mr. Anderson's motion was disagreed to-yeas Sc
noes 80.
The Speaker requested the teers TO take their Seats
to record the votes for Printer.
Mr. Hill moved that the House adjourn, giving as
reason that some of his friends were absent.
Mr. Sherman said that the question Of public printing
was not worth adiOurning over for an hour.
The question on Mr.. Hills motion was taken by yeas
and nays, and rejected.
Mr. Barksdale remarked that the Democratic side
were not vet ready for printer. He said that
last Thursday when the other side ready there
particular objection 10 postponement OF the sub
ect till yesterday, when two unsuccessful votes were
taken.
CT. -. ILL.
general understanding the House shall proceed an
election tomorrow.
Mr. Sherman, from the committe of ways and means,
reported bill for the support of the Military Academy
bill for the payment of invalid and other pensions and
a bill for the payment of diplomatic and consular ex-
penses. These lid were referred to the committee of
the whole on the state of the Union.
The House then took up i'll committee the post office
appropriation bill
The Senate amendment requiring the post office blanks
to be given out by contract agreed to.
The next and last amendment of the Senate was next
considered, viz The entire abolition OF the irankng
privilege.
Mr.. Pryor advocated the abolition of the franking
privilege. BY it speeches circulated which were
not read and seeds distributed which never came up
Mr. Moore Of Ky, opposed the so-called reform Let
retrenchmen begin the right place. reform the politi.
cal specuatons here entered into.
Mr.. Winslow thought it would be unwise to abolish
that privilege
Oher gentlemen gave their views as to the propriety
Of the proposed reform.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Dawson rejected af-
ter discussion viz That newspaper exchanges be exempt
ed from postage.
Mr. Montgomery opposed the abolition of the frankng
privilege and humorousy proposed that the Senate be
empted from the enjoyment Off
The debate was further continued, but presented no
especial points Of public interest.
The committee then rose, and its action was reported
TO the House.
The amendments Of the Senate concurred in ex-
cepng that to abolish the iranking privilege which was
rejected by yeas 90, nays ll2.
The amendment directing the postoice blanks to be
printed by contract concurred in-yeas ljO nays A.
The House then adj ourned.