The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-02-19
THE FORTIETH CONGRESS.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IS. 1868.


SENATE
WASHINGTON, Feb. Is. 1868.
PETITIONS, ETC
The CHAIR laid before the Senate resolutions from the
Town Council Of Washington praying for the removal OF
the charter, which was referred to the Committee on
the District Of Columbia
Mr. CArrrlL. Gep) OF N. J., presented, he said with
great pleasure petition from the anti monopohsts OF
New Jersey, also petition from the citizens OF New
Jersey aud Pennsy vana in regard to the damages from
the Entertainments OF the At Absecomb inlet which
was referred TO the Committee on Commerce.
Mr. HOWARD trep) Of Mich, presented pston
from the inhabitants Of the commercial towns on Lake
Michigan praying for the improvement Of The harbor at
New Buffalo, which was referred TO the Committee
Commerce.
Mr.. ANTHONY, rep.) Of R. l., presented a memorial
from Of persons rho shared in the capture Of
the rebel Albemare setting forth that they are
entitled to prize money.
Mr. CRIMES yep Of Iowa, presented q petition OF
several commodores. praying that all commodores on
the retired LIST OF January 1867 be promoted
to be rear admirals Referred 70 the Committee on
Naval Affairs
THANKS TO SOLDIERS FREE OF POSTAGE.
Mr. RAxsEy, Fep) of Mimi, called up the House bill
TO authorize Adjuant General Of New Hampshire TO
free OF postage certain certificates Of thanks to
soldiers Of that state substiu had been inserted
making tho bill general to all Sta,ss The amendment
was adopted.
Mr. SAUIsBURY ldem) Of DEL said OF course this had
nothing TO do with the New Hampshire election. He
glad the senate had awakened to realizing
OF the service Of the soldiers who had been greatly
wronged heretofore in not being allowed by New
Hampshire receive such certificates free Of expense
The bill was passed.
REDUCTION EXPENSES OF TIE WAR DEPARTMENT.
The House joint resolution for reducing the ex-
penses Of the War Department &C. was taken up and
passed motion Of Mr. WILSON, lrep) Of Mass 1t pro-
vides for the reduction OF expenses in the city Of New
York by concentrating the business Of tne various
bureaus connected with the War Department into one
build ng at a not exceeding $25, 900 per anuum,
and the selection of suitable property for receiving
and storing army stores at cost not exceeding $50 600
per annum.
REDUCTION OF THE ARMY.
Mr. Wilson's bill for the reduction Of the army and 10
discontinue unnecessary grades therein and for oner
purposes, was reported with amendments and passed.
II confines the appointments Of second lieutenant TO
graduates Of the Military Academy, aoolisnes grades
of regimenal commsssry sergeant, regimental hospital
steward and veterinary surgeon, and reduces no
Der OF corporals to each company TO four discharges
fourteen bands and incorporates the provisions OF the
bill relating to bounties &c., recently overwhelmingly
that no bounty suail be paid 10 deserler unless the
Secretary OF War or Inc Secretary Of the Navy shall
the charge Of deserton ground IL was
enormously made, and the declaration that officers Of
the army on leave or on the rered list shalt n 10
considered az changing their station when obeyng an
order for duty.
AMENDMENT LAWS.
Mr.. RAMSEY rep) OF Min, introduced bill to amend
tho postal laws and tho efficiency Of the postal
ce which roerr to The Post ONCE Committee.
IL proyue that the existing law shall not be
D Postmaster
from issuing orders payable by himself. and
term "Deputy Postmas err, used in sao act shall he
held the postmaster Of every money order oice
Tho charges for money orders folUws:-For an
order not exceeding $o ten cents for an order from
$40 to $50 fifteen cenLs for order exceeding 500
twenty-five cents, and the compensation OF
for payment OF orders IL increased IRON Il 10 y per
cent their amount SECTIONS three and four
relate 10 the issue OF duplicates; and punishme n,
! for forging money orders, imprisonment AT hard
labor IRON two to I'VE years aud fine not
exceeding $1,000; and the subsequent provisions
authorize the Postmaster General appoint employ
mail agents on the steamers running from aiornia TO
China and from San FRANCISCO Honolulu stares
$1,000 each, and TO establish general agency ut
and japan, appointing postal agents, clerks &C. as
may be necessary for conducting the postal business
For the more efficient management IF ihs foreign mail
service he is authorized to appoint in his department
superintendent OF foreign mails at q slary OF SIS 00O
and three additional clerks and he Is 10
appoint chief Of division for dead office at a
salary oil 500. Punshmens provided for The use
OF cancelled stamps, &c IN the case OF deparme en-
ployes imprisonment from one 10 three wears: other
persons six months TO one year and fine OF $500
Sales or stamps aud stamped envelopes at discount
are limited 10 the amount Of 500 any
one time TO the same party, and such sales
to be restricted TO dos grated agents w az
TO sell again without discount under raes To be liked oy
the Postmaster General The last section provides that
il shall not be lawful TO deposit in post Office 10 be
sent by mall any letter or circular concerning loeres
any kind on any pretext, aud posDasters receiving
what they have believe such iccrs or CIR
culars shall send them to the dead letter Office.
CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY
Mr. MORRILL,, rop) OF Vt, offered a resolution
directing the collect on OF books and documen of tue
Senate library, under the direction OF The Library
Committee, and appropriatng fooms in the
Senate wing OF the Cantol. He said tins nearly
identical with resolution on tho subject by ,ha In
Senator. sr. Foote, four five years AGO and tna.
there library whore the senaors could get
To complete sets or documents OF the Sepaie
The resolution referred to he Committee on the
Library.
Mr. CarTELI, from the Committee Finance reported
adversely the House bill forbddng the dcs gneton az
puslic depository OF any national bank within nIty miles
Of place where an Assistant Treasurer is located.
THE CASE OF Major IHomAs.
The special order, which was tho resolution TO admit
Mr. Thomas, Senator elect IRON Maryland, taken up
Mr. JOHNSON, dem OF No. had the floor to close the
debate but yielded to Mr.. fRusBULL, repl OF ill., who
desired to answer some remarks made on his former
speech in the course OF debate He ad from report
OF the committee the subject 10 show they
found nothing against tho admission OF Mr.. Thomas II
not contained 10 connection with mis- con
yet Senators based objection upon snreiy different
grounds, some of them members OF the committee
VINO signed tina. report Tho senate was sitting to
a question whether Mr. Thomas sympatbzed with the
rebellion, but whether he the regularly qualified
representative of the State Of Maryland. He lMr.
Trumbull had not selected him. He replied TO Mr. Ed
munds comments on his defence OF Mr.. Thomas and his
and his denunciston Of them traitors, and said
this not the place for such denuncations He Mr.
Trumbul claimed to be as loyal any Senator had
great adherence OF treason anyone; but did
that prevent the Senator from Maryland being entitled
TO his seat III that Senator shown TO be traitor
he could be kept OUT bus he TO be kept by
defamation, but on the proof OF the facts she
Sir. Trumbull AGAIN discussed the various charges
against Mr. Thomas He denied that war existed
the time Mr. Thomas resigned, claimed by Mr. How.
ard II So II was only on SIDE and he referred the
deeson OF the Supreme Court In the prize cases. whore
he said judges claimed that existed until the firing
Fort SUMTER and yet the Senator said fragrant war
existed
Mr.. DRAxE trsp.) Of No, said IL was fragrant enough
on side.
Mr. TRuxBULL continued claiming In the course OF his
remarks that the oct Of Mr. Thomas In resiening the
Treasury Department 10 General Dix In whom the
try had such confidence &c thoy did not repose him.