The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-02-17
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
ssth CONGREss-sKCOND SESSION,

SENArE.-The bill relating to post laws was
considered. It provides for the return to
writer's letters either wholly upaid or short
paid more than single rate. Those unpaid
single rate shall be forwarded and collected on
delivery. Newspapers and periodicals after
January lat, 1866, shall be prepaid, and after
that date no printed matter except from for
eign countries shall be received unless prepaid.
Relief is provided for loyal postmasters sus.
tanning lesses by pressure of armed forces
Expenses for furnishing stationery for first,
second and third class Offices are to be allowed
out of the revenues. Publication of letter Lists
are to be paid two cents on each letter.
Special agents In the Pacific States and terri.
tories have salary Of %, 500 with five per cent
day travelling fees; also the appointment of
three special agents for the Pacific States and
territories. All other special agents are to re-
ceive four dollars per day travelling expenses.
&C., to be approved by the Post Master Gen.
eral. Regulations are made for Transporting
foreign mails. ..s
Mr.. Collamer explained the first section of
the bill. 1t was not proper, he said; to make
not be done In the case Of daily newspapers
having immense circulations.
The New York Herald, for instance mailed
10000, or 1t might be $4,000 copies daily.
They could not possibly get their papers off in
time for the mails If they had to afix stamp
10 e3cn copy.
It was proposed to leave this matter to the
discretion OF postmasters, and let them pre-
scribe the rules under which the payment
should be made.
Mr.. Collamer further stated that the bill as
it was reported by him, met the approval of
the Postmaster General, and was drawn up
under his supervision.
A message was received from the House at
12:45 P. NJ. announcing that that body was
ready to receive the Senate and proceed with
the counting of the Presidential vote. At one
o'clock the Vice President said: ssSenators
will proceed to the House of Representatives. y
A procession Of the Senate, led by the Vice
President and Secretary of the Senate. was
soon formed and entered the House of Repre-
sentatives.
At 2 P. M. the Senate returned to their
chamber.
Mr.. Trumbull offered a resolution, which
was adopted, that the Senate appoint COM
mittee OF one to meet q committee of two
from the House, to wait upon Abraham Lin
coin and inform him of his election,
Mr. Sumner moved to take up his resolution
calling on the President for information in ref
erence to the peace conference The resolu-
ton was read.
Mr.. Salisbury offered an amendment that
the President be also requested to inform the
Senate whether he and other persons under his
union the acquiescence of the persons men,
toned in Summers resolution, and of the au-
thorities of the Confederate States in abolition
OF slavery. Also whether he did not refuse an
armistice to the Confederates.
MI. Summer opposed the amendment as not
officially respectful.
Mr.. Comes thought the President would
communicate the information in his possession
without the special request contained in Sauls-
bury's amendment
Mr.. Saulsbury's amendment was not adopted.
Mr.. summers amendment was then adopted.
The bill in relation to the postal law was
then considered. The I'd section, requiring the
periodicals was stricken out and the bill
passed.
The bill to establish bridge over the Ohio
at Louisville was passed.
Mr.. Wade called up the bill defining the
boundaries of Nevada, transferring to that
State one degree of territory from Utah.
HousE--The galleries and floor of the House