The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-03-29
Tho Legislation of tho late Congress
Tho Boston Journal gives an abstract OF
the Legislation Of the late Congress, from
,,b;ob ,.a taLo tho c,llovipy extracta.

The Boston Journal gives an abstract o
the Legislation Of the late Congress, iron
which We take the following extracts:
Among the acts passed WAS the amend
ment of the Constitution with reference Il
slavery the act for the admission OF Kan
sls; three acts providing for the Organiza
ton Of the new territories Of Colorado, Da
cotah and Nevada. Colorado includes Pike
Peak, the famous gold region It is mad,
up from parts of Kansas, Nebraska and Utah
territories. Nevada will bc composed Of the
western part of Utah, and part of Califor'
mia IL that state consents. IL includes the
lovely Carson Valley Dacotah was a
part of the territory of Minnesota. II ],
bounded on the north by British America,
East. by Minnesota and Iowa, South and
West by Nebraska.
The most important measure of the session
is the New Tariff Act, the exact provisions
of which are still in doubt. 1t authorizes u
ten million loan.'
The several appropriation bills passed were
as follows
'l.lnvalid and other pensions; 2, Militia.
ry Academy 3, Army; 4, Navy; 5, Post
Office 6, Indians (; 7, Consular 8, Exccu.
tive, Legislative and judicial 0, sundry
civil expenses, more commonly called MS
ccllaneous.' The appropriations made at
this session, it is admitted, are mostly ol
moderate amounts. Among the appropria-
tions are the following Repairs, improve
ments, and new machinery at the armory ut
Springfield, Mass, $4,000; for work at
various arsenah about Sl09, 900, including
Sll 100 for Arsenal at Wstertown, Mass.
Fort Knox, Pcnobscot River, Me-, so, 900
Fort upon Hog Island ledge, Portland, Me-,
$50, 900; Fort Winthorp, Governors Island,
Mass, $4,000; Fort at entrance of New
Bedford Harbor. Mass, S25 1000. Tho Ma
Wy appropriation act, besides the usual ap-
propriations, and that of. 81 200, 900 to
build seven new war steamers, contains 9TH
er appropriations of general interest, among
which is that this bill authorizes the Post
Master General to furnish letter sheets with
postage stamps impressed thereon, combin-
ing in one sheet and the envelope. The un-
claimed money from dead letters to be used
to promote the efficiency of the Dead Letter
Office by providing for more careful exam
ination of letters and for the return of q
larger number to the writer's
Among the other provisions in tho Post
Office appropriation bill, arc the following
1t shall be lawful for persons known as
regular dealers in newspapers and periodi.
calls to receive by mail such quantities Of
either us they may require. and to pay tho
postage thereon US they bo received, at the
same rates as regular subscribers to such
publications.
Maps, cngrlvings, lithographic or photo
graphic prints on rollers or in paper covers,
books, bound or unbound, phonosrapic pa.
per and letter envelopes shall bo deemed
mailablc matter, and charged with postage
by tho weight Of the packagc-not in any
case to exceed four pounds-at the rate OF
one cent an ounce or fraction OF an ounce to
any place in the United States under 1900
miles, aud ut tho rate of two cents an ounce
or fraction Of an ounce, over 1909 miles to
bc paid by postage stamps.
Cards, blank or printed; blanks in pack
ages weighing eight ounces; seeds or cut.
tings in packages weighing not exceeding
eight ounces, shall also bc deemed mailable
matter. and charged with postage at the
rates last mentioned for maps, books, &c.
The ten cent rate of postage mentioned in
the act OF March 3, 1855, (tOr letters to Cal.
iiopia, &c. must be prepaid and oil drop
letters must be prepaid by postage stamps