Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-02-09
xxvssh conrre..-r,r.s session.


last session, appropriaiiug money for moving
of the bar and distractions at the mouth OF
the Mississippi
Mr.. Hammond introduced joint resoIu-
ton for the relief of Commander H. J. Harris
tine. appropriating s60os, adopted
Mr.. Hammond introduced a joint resolu-
ton authorizing Commander Sh0brick to ac-
cept sword from Urquizza, adopted.
Mr.. Hunter introduced the Postofice de-
fciency bill with amendments and gave
notice that he would cali it up after the morn
ing hour.
Mr.. Gwinn introduced bill for the release
of payment for the town site of San Francis
co, referred. - -
Mr.. Salisbury introduced amendments to
MI Davis resolution expressive of devotion
to the Union, DC. Ordered 10 be printed,
Mr.. Wilson introduced the follow:
ResotOed, That a committee be appointed to
inquire into the extent of the power and
patronage of the President OF the United
States, in the power of removal and appoint
meat to Office. and report the number of Off
ces of trust and profit under the control of
the President, excluding the army and navy,
but including such as are under the control
of heads OF Departments and the amount
paid to such officers. Also, further TO in
qulre whether any power and patronage is
eXerted TO influence the legislation of Con-
gress, or any election in States or Terrific
ries; and whether any and what sums of
money are paid or required to be paid by
persons holding Offices of trust for profit, or
contribution in support of elections; and to in-
quire whether the power and patronage are
used by heads of departments over subordi-
nate mechanics and contractors; and also the
allowance made TO contractors of supplies
, aud those employed TO purchase government
sites, vessels, engines, DC, transportation of
stores, &c., and report by bill or otherwise.
Mr.. Hunter moved TO postpone prior orders
and take up the postUfice deficiency bill.
Ad pied.
The bill was taken up and read.
The first amendment made by the Commit
tee on Finance was to make provision for
wrapping paper, mail paper. &c. Agreed to.
The second amendment was to the third
section providing that interest should onIy
be paid to contractors themselves and be in
full OF all claims tor damagrs, and providing
that no Interest is to be allowed on the last
quarter.
Mr.. Hunter ssid it gave the interest to the
contractors in lieu of damages.
Mir. Chestnut said that it did great njus-
tice to assignees.
Mr. Hunter said the latter could have their
claims adjudicat, d in court. What was wan
ted was TO clear the United States of any
eIaim for damages, aud pay interest TO those
only who could release the Government.
tercst Was contiLed to the deficiency OF last
year.
Mr.. Hunter-Ycs.
Mr.. Hale thought it would set dangerous
precedent. The Postmaster General goes on
making contract, just as though Congress
had made an appropriation.
MIR. Hunter repiied-The Postmaster Gem
eral is compelled by law to make these con-
tracts. Tie Postmaster General did not
MI. hal
gress allowed it in Leu OF damages.
After further debate. a tritiing modification
to the amendment was adopted.
Mr.. TOOmbs moved an amendment to in
clude sub-cOntractors, who actually perform
ed the service, in the benefits of the bill
Adopted.
Mr.. Hunter moved to reconsider on the
ground that the Department did not know
the sub-contractUrs.
MIR. Davis Thoughts the amendment emf
nently just and proper.
Mr.. TOombs said he wanted those who did
q e work to get the money. lie did not want
to give it to those who prowled about the De-
partment and got the contracts and sub-let
them to honest men. who did the work.
Messrs. Rice and Fitch opposed the amend
ment.
Mr. Doolttle said the amendment would
give the Department endless trouble, in de-
Gliding on conflicting claims of contractors
and sub-contractors. The contractor was the
man who suffered the damage. He furnished
the means to carry on the service when the
Government failed TO do So.
The amendment was recOnsidered.
The amendment was then rejected-ayes
IL, nays 80.
The third amendment provides for the
abolition of the ranking privilege after May
list, but that all persons now entitled to the
privilege are exempted from the payment of
postagr.
Mr.. Hunter said the amendment had no
business there. a diff renee OF opinion on
this point led TO the defeat of the bill at the
last session.
Mr.. Trumbull denounced the abuse of the
franking privilege. He wanted TO see the
whole system abolished, and moved to strike
out the last clause, which would saddle the
expense upon constituent who would re-
ceive letters or documents.
Mr.. Fessenden advocated the amendment |
as it stood.
Mr.. Rice said the present object was to pay
the honest debts of the government, and The |
Senate should not cmbarrass action by intro
ducing subjects not german thereto.
Mr.. Toombs said the mail contractors had |
no more claim than any other class OF public |
creditors. Now was the best time to get this |
reform through. This privilege. WHICH Gusts
the Department now 81 100000 per annum,
ought to be abolished. 1t was not proper |
that members who wrote to their constituents
on public business should bear the burden |
themselves. Let the persons who are bene-
fitted by the correspondence pay for IL.
Mr.. Hale moved to amend by changing the |
time to April. If il extended to the first OF |
May, it would be after the Charleston Con-
vention, and the Democrats would have BEN |
efts not enjoyed by the Republicans, who do |
not meet in Chicago till June. Langhter.1 |
Mr.. Toombs accepted the amendment.
Mr.. Simmons opposed the amendment, as
having been improperly introduced. Ii the |
had SO much grit, it mis- ht carry |
itself through. ss.skAzs
Mr.. Collamer said there we're special laws |
requiring the Treasury Department to pay |
over 500, 900 to the Postoifice Department |
On account of transportation of free matter. |
II the amendment passed. these laws still ex- |
-ted aud the Treasury would not be relieved
The subject WAS enc requiring preparation
aud examination, and ought to be considered /
by itself.
Mr. Davis, of Miss, advocated the adoption
Of the amendment oow. They could then go
aud perfect the system. The amendment pro-
posed, first the reform of an abuse, and
secondly. change OF policy OF the admins
.ering departments. The abuse OF the privi-
ege was in the hardening OF the mails with
! large mass of documents.
Mr.. Colamer, of W., explained that previ-
BUS 10 1851 the Postmaster General was linn
ted in giving out contracts by the receipts
" the Department; but when the three cent
POSTAGE was esi abiished in 1851. il was pro-
lided that the mail service should not be re-
uced. The cons, quence was that the Post
iaster General bad unlimited discretion and
ould. IL he chose, Increase the expenses to
or 80 millions.
Mr. Collamer moved an amendment re-
ealing the acts OF 1917 aud 1851 apprupria-
ng s7000 600 annually for the use of tie
lost Office Department..
Mr.. Trumbuil, OF ILL.,, said that persons
Titing to members on business could en-