The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-03-07
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, March 6.
SENATE.


Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont, said a
document had come into his hands
which he felt bound to bring to the at
tention Of the Senate. He sent up, and
had read, q circular signed Giles a.
Smith and addressed to the leading rail-
road men throughout the country,
stating a movement was on foot to Sc
cure the passage OF an act to increase
the rates paid to railroads for the car
riage of mails fifty per cent, without
reference to the existing contracts, and
proposes that they should join In the
movement and make contributions for IT.
The circular also gives list OF the rail-
road Presidents who it is claimed have
already entered into the arrangement.
Among them are William IL. Wander
bit Thomas Scott and jay Gould.
Mr.. Morrill, said that Smith, the signer
of tie circular, was formerly a d'stin-
guished officer in the army, and after
W ards an officer OF the Postoffice De-
partment, and that he appeared to have
resigned to 90 into this business. He
| (Morrill,) hoped that the gentlemen
charged with having entered into this
arrangement would be able to explain
the matter.
Mr.. Cameron moved 10 lay the circu'
lar on the table.
Mr.. Morrill, concurred in the motion,
having, he said, accomplished his object
by bringing this matter before the Sen
ate and the public.
Mr.. Bayard gave notice that at an
early day he would move to take up the
resolution asking the President to trans
nit instructions to the United States
District Attorney in New York in rela
ton to the prosecution Of persons who
have given gratuities to the Custom
House officials. The correspondence,
he said, was already in the hands OF the
Committee on Retrenchment, but he
wished the resolution taken up 30 as to
submit some explanatory remarks, and
also to give Messrs. Conkling and
Schurz an opportunity to discuss it.
Mr.. Couklipg said he had no desire
TO discuss the resolution. He had nc
objection whatever to its adoption.
! His only desire was to show that the
/ ius,rustlous .iv-n TO the District At
torney were given in Obedience to the
imperative mandate OF the President,
and hat their form were determined by
statute.
Mr.. Conkling called up the bill pro-
vidlng for the erection Of public build
ings at Utica. Passed.
Mr.. Nye, from the Committee on
Naval a fairs, reported bill to pro-
vide mode for ascertaining the amount
of prize money due 10 the capturers OF
the rebel ram Albemsrle.
Mr.. Logan called up the bill to au'
thorize the appointmrnt Of certain otfi-
GERS OF the Quartermsster Department
On motion OF Mr.. Thurman, it was
amended so as to apply also to the IN
spector Generals Department, and it
was then passed.
The legislative, executive and Judicial
appropriation bill was then proceeded
with.
Mr.. SAWYER moved an amendment
increasing the appropriation for the
Bureau OF Education.
Mr.. Carpenter said there was no gu.
thorily for the creation Of either the
Bureau OF Education or Of Agriculture.
1t was time for the Federal Government
to cease its encroachments on the prov.
ince Of State.
Messrs. Eimunds and Frelinghuysen
argued that there was ample constltu-
tional warrant for the creation OF those
bureaus
The amendment was rejected; ayes
II, noes %.
Mr., Frelinghuysen gave notice Of an
amendment authorizing compensation
to be made to those members of the
Civil Service Commission whoare in the
Government service and under the ex-
isting law are not allowed any extra
pay.
Mr.. Carpenter said this was beauti-
ful commentary on Civil Rervice Reform,
when members of the Commission came
here wanting extra fees.
Mr.. Frelinghuysen said these gentle
men had performed all their regular
duties in their departments and were
entitled to an extra amount.
Mr. Logan said that the Civil Service
Reform as now organized was hum
bug, and he should move to repeal the
law creating a Commission. One of the
members OF the Commission, Mr.. Cox,
mad himself been appointed to an office
without undergoing any examination.
The Chair said that no amendments
on this subject were now in order.
Mr.. Kellogg moved an amendment
converting back to New Orleans the
Mint property if the Mint is not re-
established in six months.
Mr.. Akerman said that the Secretary
OF the Treasury had no idea o. re.
establishing the Mint.
Mr.. Kellogg said Then give back to
New Orleans her property. He, after
further discussion, withdrew the amend
ment, intending 10 offer it as separate
measure.
The Senate then, after an executive
session, adjourned.
HOISE