The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-19
g o " q H H . y.
Senate.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19.-The President laid
before the Senate report adopted by the late
Louisville Commercial Convention in favor of
Southern Pacific Railroad. Referred.
Mr.. Conkling On. " presented the memorial
of the New York Chamber of Commerce, setting
forth that the harbor of New York is threatened
with an encroachment by neighboring State,
the effect of which would diminish by two
square miles the circuit of the harbor, and Gre
ate impediments to the influx and efflux of the
tide, which of itself served as a perpetual drain
age. Referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Mr.. Sumner (Mass,) presented the memorial
of the citizens ofNew York against the proposed
enlargement of the West Point Military Acade-
my as not conducive to loyalty, security and
economy. Referred to the Committee of Mill
tary Affairs.
Mr.. Patterson presented petition for the
abolition of the franking privilege and re-
marked that his information was that the Post
Office Department had sent over the country at
the public expense "a, 900 blanks and 26 900 cir
culars to Postmasters.
Mr.. Drake asked by what authority these
documents were printed at the public expense?
Mr.. Patterson supposed it was by authority of
the Postmaster General.
Mr.. Drake-Have they been sent free through
the mails? trr
Mr.. Nye-I can answer the Senator they have
Mr.. Drake-Then am in favor of the aboli-
tion OF the franking privilege.
Mr.. Conkling suggested that the further accu-
mutation of these petitions would be avoided IL
the Committee on Post Office and Post Roads
would promptly report and the Senate pass the
bill granting the prayer of the petitioners.
Mr.. Ramsey expressed the opinion that
the Post Master General had done public SER
vice. For in the event of the passage of the
proposed reform, many constituents of Senators
who might be disposed to continue their appli-
cations for public documents might be re-
minded that by these petitions they had agreed
to deprive themselves of the privilege and there
could not complain.
Petitions for the same object were presented
by Messrs. Scott, Thayer and Hamlin.
Mr.. Thayer said he would like to know from
what law the Postmaster General derived autho-
rity to procure from the people instructions to
Congress to pass particular measure. He
believed 1t unsafe for any department to under
take to bring about legislation by circulating the
grossest misrepresentation of facts.
Mr.. Howe believed 1t the duty of the Post
master General to aid the repeal of one of the
grossest abuses In the expenditures Of the Gov
eminent.
He intended to call the attention of Congress
TO violations of the revenue laws, whereby large
quantities of merchandise were smuggled into
the United States lby class Of swindlers and
horse.thieves, who infested a portion Of the
territory which included the city of Matamoras,
known rs the free belt, which, prior to the war,
was set apart by the Mexican Government The
estimates of loss of revenue to the United States
byunlawful traffic fixed the amount from $3.50, 900
to S3, 600 900 annually Official correspondence
had resulted in the refusal by the Mexican Gov
ernment to abolish this free belt, and some
Aenouy lo, .no oth Wis NJ" imperative, ana III
view of its Importance he moved that the me-
mortal be tabled and printed, which was
agreed to. -la r la
Mr.. Warner presented a memorial of the
managers of the Industrial Home in Washing
ton, for relief. Referred.
Bills were introduced as follows
By Mr. Pomeroy, by request granting lands
to aid in the construction of the Republican Val
ley Railroad in Kansas Referred
By Mr. Osl IN, granting lands to aid in the
construction of railroad IN Florida. -f
By Mr. Ross, granting lands to aid in the con-
struction of the Lawrence and Kansas Railroad
and Telegraph line.
Mr.. Ashley offered q resolution, which was
agreed to, setting apart Friday, after the morn
ing hour for consideration of business from the
Committee on the District of Columbia, and
1T vate land clams.E
fhe Virginia bill was taken mp, and Mr.. Nor