Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-03-01
THIRTY.sIxrH ooNGREss.-rlr.t Session.
WASHINGTON, Feb. %, 1860.
SENATE.

hAshlN"IoN, feD 20, IoOO.
SENATE.
On motion of Mr. Mason, a resolution was adopted
calling the President to furnish copy of any report
made by the Commissioners for making the boundaries
between the United States and Great Britain.
The hour for the meeting of the Senate was fixed on
and after Thursday at II o'clock.
Mr. Cameron presented the petition for the modifca-
ton of the tariff
Mr.. Foot, from the Committee on Claims made a re.
port accompanied by bill, explanatory of the act to
carry into effect the 9th article of the treaty of 1919
with Spain. Ordered to be printed.
Mr. Davis moved 20 take up the bill authorizing the
sale of to the States and regulating the appoint
ment of the Superntendents OF the Public Armoues.
The question being the amendment to appoint SUI
perinendents from the Office Of the Ordnance Corps
Mr. Hale opposed it.
He said he mad examined the studies of the students
in the military academies and found nothing to t them
for these posts.
Mr. Davis said the Senator's remarks had no appica-
ton to the bill.
On motion of Mr.. Mason, the Senate here went into
Executive session.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr. Mison Intellectually endeavored to introduce a res
oluon providing for the election OF Chaplain tomor-
row.
Mr. Sherman from the Committee on WAYS and Means,
reported bill providing that it shall be the duty of the
President his annual message and the Executive
document 10 he printed and copies delivered the Secre-
rbution at the commencement Of each session OF Con-
gress. That the said printing shall be executed by the
Printer of the Senate and Printer of the House at the
rates prescribed by law, provided onehalf now allowed
for compensation be allowed to each and more 1t is
also provided that ten thousand additional copies OF the
message aud reports proper OF the departments and bu-
reaus emitting the stationary, be printed for the of
the Senate and twenty-five thousand for the House and
for each five thousand Of the complete documents ad
dition. The bill was referred to the Committee Print
ing
Mr. Sherman also reported bill proposing in place of
the present mileage of members of Congress- to allow
twenty cents per mile, to be computed by a straight
geographical line and repeating all and parts of acts
this subject.
Mr.. Sherman said that some members received from
five to six thousand dollars mileage. Everybody admits
that the present system is unequal and uufar IL was
adopted time when it required as many weeks as it
does days to get here and pay members expenses
of travel well loss OF time. This state of affairs does
not exist. He had before him table showing that
a saving OF 100000 annually could be effected by the
proposed reform. The amount provided by the bill is
than enough pay expenses and from Washing
ton travelling il the best style with wife and children
if member has any.
Mr.. Washburn, of Illinois deprecated hasty legislation
and suggested that the bill be referred the Commit
OF the Whole the state OF the Union They should
do nothing to place in the power of wealthy men only
come here to the country.
Mr.. Sherman replied that reference would be sub
stantialy defeat Of the bill.
Mr. Maynard wanted to know how the proposed straight
line TO be ascertained.
Mr. Sherman replied that it to be determined by
the committee mileage.
Mr.. Florence agreed with Mr.. Washburn, and moved
to lay the whole subject the table. The time cOnsum-
ed with the bill would cost more than it was worth.
The House refused TO table the bill by vote OF q
against li9.
The original bill provides that after the fourth of March
next the actual expenses of members and their families
in travelling shall be paid; WHILE has been above sta.
ted the substitute provides that the mileage shall be
twenty cents for each member.
Mr.. John Cochrane desired light. A patriarch from
Utah. with his family attendants, to be provided
Cor, while poor bachelor like himself come here
alone. Laughter.
Mr. Davis, Of Indiana, moved that the whole subject
be laid upon the table, but the question decided in
the uegatiye-yeas 30, nays li2.
Some OF the opponents Of the bill here commenced
making diatOry motions with a view to defeat the mea-
sure
The question then taken on the amendment or
substitute to the original bi-twenty mile &c.
The substitute agreed to by four majority
Further proceedings interrupted by Mr.. Ruifn,
who entered motion to Yesterdays journal hi~
having been omitted in the last taken for prn
ter Should it be inserted the election of ex-Goy Ford
as printer OF the House will be vitiated.
The House without further business adjourned.