Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1873-02-01
FROU WASHINGTON.

Washington specials state that Mr. Mon
roe's bill to furnish twenty-five million dollars
of additional currency to the West and South,
will be further discussed and acted upon at Il
future meeting Of the Committee on Banking
and Currency. when all the members of the
committee are present.
The bill to refund the cotton tax il at
tracing much attention in Congress and
thirty-hye members from the cottou-growing
States have signed Il memorial stating that
they iutend to press the measure at the pre-
sent session. This memorial is accompanied
by resolutions from the Legislature of Ken
tucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Missis-
sppi, Virginia and Texas, and memorials from
the Memphis Chamber OF Commerce and the
Union Merchants Exchange Of st. Louis, in
favor Of refundiug the tax. The bill chiefly
favored il one providing for commission to
be appointed by the President and confirmed
by the Senate, to hear aud determine all
claims and direct payment There are other
competing propositions, but this is tho only
one WIN u ClhuNt ~ l'd7N' Inv ''"'l'' N"l"
bic of being proved up are estimated at some
thing less than twenty million dollars, and it
IL stated that they are nearly all held by the
original parties.
The House Committee on Claims have
agreed to the Senate bill appropratlng some
thing like .27O,OOO for the relief of London
County, Virginia, claimants whose property,
principally live stock was taken by order of
General Sheridan. sold, and the proceeds CEN
yeved into the Treasury. They also agreed
to tho bill fU tho relief of East Icnncssec
University paying 1850 for property used
and occupied by the United States army
Bills have been introduced authorizing
the Secretary of War to contract for the
building of several light draft snag boats, for
the Missssippi, Missouri and Arkansas rivers,
Senator Sawyer has introduced bill III
the Senate which, if it passes, will stir up Il
flood of litigation at the expense oi the GEN
eral Government. 1t provides for the extern
sion of the jurisdiction Of the southern
Claims Commission, and opens the Court Of
Claims to all citizens of foreign Governments
with whom our Government has treaty rela-
tions, and who resided in the Southern States
during the war and remained strictly neutral,
to present claims for the use of buildings
stores and supplies, including ships and yes-
sells furnished the Federal authorities, during
the rebellion. A provision il also made for
appointing special Commissioners by the Court
of Claims to take evidence in every county
and parish in the South from which caseS are
pending in said court.
The decision of the Postmaster-General
that mail matter not fully prepaid at the office
Of its mailing had to pay double postage, even
though one full rate is prepaid, has met with
such general opposition and censure that the
house Committee on Post-offces took up the
question for discussion, and decided nanl-
mously, except one vote that Mr.. Creswelrs
construction of the law was an improper one.
The TO lowing joint resolution was then
agreed to by the committees
Resolued That the true intent and mean
ing of sections ljl and 1852 of the act to re-
wise consolidate and amend the etatuterelative
to tho Post-ofice Department, approved June
8. 1872 are, among other things, that where
one full rate of postage has been prepaid, as
required BY law on the mail matter shall be
forwarded to its destination charged with the
unpaid rate, to be collected on delivery, and
that no double rate of postage shall be col
lected where such partial payment has been
made" The Postmaster-General was before
the committee in consultation on the general
subject of his department, and it is probable
that he will modify his order before the reso-
luton is presented. 1t may possibly go to the
Acknowledgement for his decision. The ques-
ton of the reduction of letter postage to two
cents for each half ounce, was discussed by
the committee at some length. and seems to
be favorably regarded. The Postmaster
General il also understood to favor it. 1t
seems probable the committee will agree to the
proposition for the prepayment of newspaper
hostage, in order to avoid the transportation
of large quantities of newspapers which are
never paid for, and not taken OF Of the Office
4 L III Ia.