Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-06-02

Prscsedinss Of Ysn,erdaI Af,srneen.


In THE SENATE, yesterday, after we went to
press. Mr.. Green offered resolution that select
committee of five be appointed by the President
Of the Senate to inquire whether the sixth section
of the act entitled IAN act making appropriations
for the service of the Post Office Department
during the fiscal year ending 3Oth June 1857 -
mas been executed by the First Comptroller Of the
Treasury, and whether any further legislation is
necessary TO carry into effect said act and TO report
by bill or otherwise Adopted. rs
The Vice President appointed Messrs Green
Pqgh, Latham, Foster and Doolittle as the COM
mittee.
ibis resolution refers to the alleged refusal of
the Hon VIM. III. Medill, First Comptroller of the
treasury, to adjust the damages due Messrs Car
mick d Ramsey, mail contractors according to
law which matter was brought up by Mr.. Green
some time ago. in the shape of resolution of
censure of the First Comptroller
On motion Of Mr. Hunter the Senate resumed
the consideration Of the Post Office appropriation
bill, the question pending being on the amend
ment reported from the Committee on Finance TO
ike out that clause ofthe bill which directs the
Postmaster General to restore the island service on
all the routes under contract on the 4th Of March,
1859, unless the same have expired by their own
limitation, or where improved service over said
routes has been furnished by railroads or other
wise, ana also TO restore the steamer Isabel mail
service, &c.
A long discussion ensued on the general subject
OF the rates iof postage, the franking privilege,
the utility of particular routes and the propriety
OF leaving the discretion with the Postmaster
General to restore such routes as he may deem ex-
Pedient, and omit the remainder of those which
have been curtaiied. The question at length be-
Ing taken, the amendment, striking out the clause
directing the restoration Of the routes was agreed
to-yeas 2e, nays "a
All the amendments of the committee on finance
were then agreed to, and the various amendments
offered rejected, when the bill was read third
time and passed
Mr.. Hunter from the Committee on Finance.
reported back the legislative executive, and dn
H9rffh A.,
ments
After the consideration of executive business,
the Senate adjourned.
In THE HOUSE, the body having under consid-
Grafton the resolution to censure Mr.. Houston, of
Ala, for disorderly words used in debate
A motion was made TO lay the resolution on the
taole; which was disagreed to by a vote of SO
After further desultory discussion on the sub
Ject, MIR. Millson suggested that if the resolution
were withdrawn, his friend from Alabama might
the House.
Mr. Sherman accordinly withdrew the resolu
ton temporarily.
Mr.. Houston.-Mr. Speaker, there has been no
moment to-day since the occurrences this morn
ing, when was not willing, as my friends very
well know, II | had been PERMITTED to enjoy the
rights that thought was entitled to by the miles
OF the House, to have offered any PREPARATION to
the House for any violation might have COM
miued of its rules. But at once the proposition
for censure was presented to the consideration
Of the House, and under that | did not feel at
liberty to make any statement in relation 10 the
matter at all. would have preferred at any mo-
ment to have taken a censure rather than to have
endeavored to make that of an explanation and
that sort of an apology, which otherwise / would
In an instant have made, under circumstances
that would have been in the least derog atory to
my own sense Of self-respect
Now, air, am free to say that the remarks
made by me this morning were made under cir
cunistances OF momentary excitement, and in the
language of the gentleman from Virginia, am
quite as free to say that far they have tended
TO show or do show a want of respect towards the
House on my part. regret any violation thus
made of its rules | would not Intentionally vio-
late the rules of the House, and have no false
pride that would prevent me from making re-
pafatlOn either TO the House or to an individual
II thought bad done wrong. And in that view
OF the case desire to make this explanation to
the House, acknowledging that have violated
us rules, ana expressing my regret for that viola
uon OF the rules of the House
MIR. Sherman regard the explanation made
ny the gentleman from Alabama as satisfactory
and therefore withdraw the resolution entirely
At fifteen minutes before five O'Clock the House
adjourned