The Portland daily press., 1870-06-18
XLIst OONGRESS---second Session.
SENATE.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, June 1.-THE joint resolution
for the relief of certain army officers commits
stoned while in rebel prisons, providing for
compensation from date of commission, was
passed.
Mrs. LincOln's pension was taken up on mo-
ton of Mr. Sumner, against the objection OF
Mr.. EdmundS, and discussed without action
until the expiration Of the morning hour.
Mr. Edmunds argued against the bill, con-
tending that it would be an injustice to all the
other women in the country made widows by
the war, of whom over 213 600 are receiv ng
only $t6 year each, to grant this large and
unprecedented pension, however worthy the
recipient.
The amendment to the postal appropriation
bill, retaining t ne letter carrier system in cities
of less than 10000 inhabitants was concurred
in, and Mr.. Ramsey moved further amend
ment to the House bill abolishing the ranking
privilege and continuing the present provls-
ions of the law for free transmission of news
papers. Adopted, 20 to II.
The amendment to continue the privilege to
the Executive and Agricultural Departments,
petitions to Congress, ETC., and that the aboli-
ton should not go into effect until January
next, was rejected, and another providing for a
system of stamped envelopes for the use OF
Congress and the departments, and making
appropriations to detray the expense, was re-
ferred to the Committee on Appropriations
Mr.. Sumner moved as an amendment his
proposition to reduce the expense of carrying
the mails and providing for one penny pos
tage system, etc., pending which the Senate
went into executive session and afterwards took
recess till this evening.
EVENING SESSION.
At the evening session the postal appropria-
ton bill was proceeded with, the question be-
ing upon Mr.. Summers substitute for the
ranking bill, providing f one cent postage
on half ounce letters AMI three ounces OF print
ed matter; regulating the ties on newspapers,
books, etc., authorizing stamped envelopes for
the departments and Congress, limiting the
cost Of mail service on any railroad TO 5000 per
mile annually, and requiring all post Office pay
mentS to be III stamps in lieu of money.
Mr.. Sumner in explaining his amendment,
stated that the latter provision would prevent
fraud and population and speculation in post
offices. The main object was to secure cGeap
postal facilities to the people at large as an
equivalent for the ranking system, which had
BEEN great privilege to the people, but not
any to their representatives.
Mr. Edmunds said that no substitute for the
Thanking privilege had been proposed which
would not be liable TO the abuse com piai ned Of
under the present sys,em. He commenced
upon ,3e fact that the experiment OF rereal
had been tried in 1875 I'll unsat sfac:ory re-
sr It's and with de.nmerU 10 The public service.
Mr.. Fowler favored the abO ion OF all letter
postage add the ring OF mails free. He
said that more than 100000 of the people were
in favor of the abolition CT tie ranking prvi-
lege while c',C00,5 $50 opposed il.
AZ L 80 oc,oc. tie Senate rejected Mr.. Sum-
| ne s srbstt ute, =. to 25.
The amendment by Mr. Nye to provide for a
| two cen. letter postage was agreed to, q to II
and at - O'Clock the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
The Virginia contested election case of Whit.
t'esey against Mckenzie, was decided in fanOr
OF the latter, the sitting member.
Mr.. Cobb, from the Committee on Military
Affairs, by unanimous consent, reported bill to
equalize the bOunties of soldiers allowing SO SO
to non-commissoned officers, soldiers and mu-
| sicians for each months service between the
18th of April 1861, and the 9th of May, 1865,
deducting the United States bountes already
paid.
The Clerk of the House was proceeding to
read the bill when Mr.. Holman, iDterrupting
| said there was no objection to the bill, which
was thereupon read the third time and passed.
A bill was passed allowing individuals to ex-
plore the public domain at their own expense.
The bill granting Goat Island, San Francisco
harbor, to the Central Pacific Railroad Com.
pany was debated by Mr.. Washburne of Wis
eonsin, in opposition and by Mr. Bl r of Mich
! igaD, in favor, end it was rejected, so to 81.
SUI sequently Mr.. Wood of New York, made
| a motion to reconsider, which was entered.
The remainder CT the session was occupied
with the pension bill and the District OF Co.
lumbia business, and 1T : ) O. clock the House
| adjourned