Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-01-16
Washington, Jan.


HoUsE.-The House resumed the consid-
Grafton from Thursday of the bill to abolish
the franklng privilege.
Mr. Porter adverted to the bill, and ex-
pressed the hope that Congress would distin-
guish itself in reforming abuses and making
the recipients pay postage on documents IN
stead Of this being done byihepublic at large.
Several other gentlemen expressed their
views upon the subject.
Mr.. Hutchins while adverting to the abOI-
iton Ofthe franking prililege, said that the
Globe published the official proceeding Of
Congress, but T. was the associated press that
conveyed the intelligence of the proceedings
to the great mass OF the people,
Mr.. Wickliffe moved to recommit the bill
to the Post Office committee with instructions
to modify the same.
Mr. Pomroy moved to recomnit the bill
with instructions to report new one, en-
bracing the following principles;
First-The abolition Of the transmission Of
written or printed matter free by mails in all
cases other than that of printed matter pub
| lished by direction of either branch of Con-
gress,
Second-Tthat all such printed matter be
stamped "public documents" and be trans
missable through the mails free upon being
| ranked by any member Of Congress
| This was rejected.
The question was then taken on striking
all of the bill exec pting the first section, which
absolutely abolishes the franking privilege
from and after the first of July.
This Was decided in the affirmative by a
large majority.
SENATE.-Several petitions for the eman-
c5pation Of slaves were presented.
Mr.. Foster introduced bill to allow the
President to accept the services of certain
persons in the army without pay, which was
referred.
A communication was received from the
President transmitting copy of the instruc.
tons to the Minister from Austria Referred
Mr.. Powel's resolution was taken up ask.
ing the Secretary of War for an answer tc
the resolution in regard 10 contracts &c,
Mr. Powell urged the adoption OF the res.
olution at some length.
Mr. Cowan hoped the resolution would not
pass
He WAS opposed to calling for the genera
reports from the Departments though he wa:
willing to have any details called for il any
thing was suspected.
Mr.. Powell contended that it was specific
He wanted the people to know about theSt
contracts.
Mr.. Wilson did not believe the Depart
ment could give this information for month
1t was not the act of that Department and hi
was not willing it should see light.
Mr.. Trumbull thought the resolution shoul
| be answered. Last July he (TrumbulD Of
tered a resolution asking the war departmer
why purchases were made by civilians whe
it was the proper duty of the regular quartz
master. That resolution was never answered
1t now appears that two and half million
= OF dollars were given to Mr.. Cummings,
D civilian to make purchases
e Mr. Trumbull read at some length frol
4 the report of the House investigating con
mittee the evidence of MIR. Cummings
regard to the purchase of straw hats an
prntaloons, &C., and Halls carbines for Fl
d teen dollars apiece, which the govcrnmel
=, had sold before for two dollars apiece. A
= forwards they were re-sold for three dolla
s. and fifty cents piece. Afterwards, in A
gust, they were re-purchased for the Cover
ment by the agent for twelve dollars and fit
E. cents a piece, and turned over finally to L
st government at twenty-five dollars piece.
:, The committee of the House are tryiug
III prevent this last payment.
Mr.. Bayard said that Congress had Il