The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1873-01-30
TPOM 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
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 it at
tracing much attention in Congress, and
thirty-tive members from the cotton-SrownG
States have signed n memorial stating That
thev intend to press tho measure AT the pre-
sent session. This memorial is accompanied
by resolutions from the Legislature of Ken
tuckv, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Missls-
spp Virginia and Texas, and memorials from
tho Memphis Chamber OF Commerce ana the
Union Merchants Exchange of st. Louis, IN
favor of refunding the tax. The bill chiefly
favored is one providing for commission 10
be appointed by the President and conllr4ed
by the Senate, TO hear and determine all
claims and direct payment. There are other
competing proportions, but tins II the only
ono with a chance to pass. The claims capa-
bio of being proved np are estimated at some
thing less tlan twenty million dollars, and II
| is stated that they are nearly all held by tie
original parties.
The House Committee on Claims have
agreed to the Senate bill approprlatm6 some
thing like 527O, 600 Tor the relief Of London
County, Virginia, claimants, whose property,
principally live stock, was taken by order OF
General sheridan. sold. aid the proceeds con-
vevcd into the Treasury. They also agreed
to the bill for the relief of East Tennessee
University, paying $3.50 for property used
and occupied by the United States army.
bills have been introduced auth oflainG
the Secretary OF War TO contract for the
building OF several light draft snag boats for
the mississippi, Missouri and Arkansas rivers
Senator Sawyer has introduced bill in
the Senate which, if it passes, will sur up
nood OF litigation at the expense of the Cen
eral Government II provides for the eHLen-
sion Of the jurisdiction of the Southern
Claims CommreiOn. and opens the Court OF
Claims to all citizens OF foreign Governments
with whom our Government has treaty Ieit-
tions, and who resided in the Southern States
during the war and remained strictly neutral,
to present claims for the uso OF buildings,
storos and supplies including ships ana Fos-
sells furnished the Federal authorities, during
the rebellion. A provision is also made Tor
appointing special Commissioners by the Court
of Claims to take evidence III every county
and parish in the South from which cases are
pending in said court.
The decision of the Po5tmaster-Gen
that mail matter not fully prepaid at the olhce
of its mailing had to pay double postage, even
though one full rate is prepaid, has met with
such general opposition and censuro tina: tic
house Committee on Post-oiiices took up the
question for discussion, and decided nHaAi-
mously, except one vote, that MIR. Cres"ou 4
construction Of the law was all improper one
The TO lowing joint resolution was then
agreed to By the committee:
" Resolred, That the true intent and mean-
ing of sections 15l and l52 OF tho act to re-
yiee. consolidate and amend the statute relative
to the post-ollico Department, approved june
s. 1872, arc, among other things that "Acfc
one full rate OF postage has been piopal'i as
required by law, or 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 postmaBter-Generalw was before
the committee i'll consultation Oh the genera
subject of his department, and it il probable
, that he will modify his order before the reso'
luton il presented. 1t may possibly 50 to the
Attorney General for his decision. The lues
, ton of the reduction of letter postage to tive
cents for each half ounce, was discussed BY
the committee at some length, and seems t.
be favorably regarded. The Postmaster
General is also understood to favor it, i
seems probable the committee will agree to Tho
, proposition for the prepayment of newspaper
postage, in order to avoid the transportation
of large quantities Of newspapers, winch ar'
never paid for, and not taken OF Of the oicc