The New York herald., 1873-12-19


the closing hours OF the session by unworthy ana
disreputable means Hale Is rather pretty
man. with shining bald head, blonde side whiskers,
and face not unlike that seen in fun
moon. He feels himself evidently, to be one Of the
"unco' guidn kind, thoroughly satisfied with him.
selr and, to Judge from appearances, fond OF good
living, for which he doubtless had excellent oppor
tunities while acting as counsel Tor our govern
ment before the British Claims Commission. Hale's
attack upon the character and motives Of go many
OF his associates who were members OF the Forty
second Congress called forth considerable aston
ishment and indignation among those who knew
that Hale, who denounced the increase OF salary
unjust and exorbitant himself in the pay Of the
government drawing his salary OF over $4,000 q
year agent Of the Claims Commission, while, at
the same time, he drew his pay Of 1900 year as
member of Congress. wilson, OF Indiana; Butler,
OF Massachusetts and Eldrdge, OF Wisconsin, tried
to get in these facts III the debate OF yesterday,
but failed
Mr.. Hale, hearing OF this, resolved to take the
defensive in his behalf and, accordingly. after
the reading OF the journal, he rose to make per-
sonal explanation. He admitted his employment as
counsel claimed that he had right to do SO, and
admitted that he drew pay portion OF this time
as member OF Congress-; but when asked the
amount OF pay he received as agent OF the United
States he said the question was impertinent, and
advised Mr.. Eldridge to find out for himself He be-
came very personal in his remarks, towards Messrs.
Butler and Wilson in particular, and wound up
with some OF the most vulgar Billingsgate that
perhaps was ever uttered on the noor OF Congress.
He lkened Mr.. Wilson to a dirty cur, rolling
In the mud OF the gutter and coming
out to rub himself against and bedaub
decent people. They smeared their filth over the
people, but the cur received no advantage bene-
ff ha ofiII sinoA . tho Artv Ann htc
tainly most indecent language for q member of
the American Congress use upon the moor Of the
House, and the astonishment visible on the faces
OF the members showed clearly the estimation in
which they held its author, and the bitterness with
which it was uttered added to its grossness and
vulgarity.
Mr. Wilson Immediately rose to reply, pale with
passion and excitement He is a man OF light
build, with long, narrow face, prominent nose,
GOOD intellectual development and said to be very
like in personal appearance ex-President James K.
Polk. He was chairman OF the Committee mo,
p Pacinc Railroad Frauds at the last Con-
gress, and has developed latterly a good deal
OF ability and independence OF character. After
rising he sad:-"Mr Speaker, we have just had q
splendid exhibition OF the dirty dog" on this
there was sensation all over the House, until the
Speaker was compelled to rap for order and eau
ton the House against its repetition. Mr.. Wilson
then defended his record against the assaults OF
Mr. Hale, and coming down to the facts OF Mr.. Hale
drawing two salaries-one agent OF the govern
ment, the other member OF Congress-he charged
Mr.. Hale with having got resolution through the
House in a surreptitious manner, on the last night
OF the Forty second Congress, to enable him to
draw his pay agent up to the time OF his being
sworn in as member OF the Forty third Congress,
and that he had drawn both salaries up to the 5th
OF the month, and that while he. was denouncing
others for passing the salary BILL the contents Of
which every member or the House was well ac-
quainted wth he had not only drawn pay under
that DILL but also under q bill which he had lob.
bied through the House the last hours OF the ses-
sion, when not perhaps nve members OF the House
knew its character and purpose, and that II very
Ill became him to denounce members for taking
$500 year when he himself had drawn from
January 1872 to December 8, 1879, agent s23 7oo
besides his salary as Congressman up to the
latter date. Edridge and Butler also dissected
the lofty integrity OF the Congressional Pecksnin
and the latter referred him to The fourth chapter
OF ST Joan-and advised him and others to study
1t for their edifcatton-where the accusers OF the
woman were told that those who were without sin
could throw the first stone, and, said he, III this
thing continues fear there will be nobody left in
the House to throw any stones.n Butler ofrerea
his civil rights bill In the House and asked that it
might be printed He intends to call IL up for de-
bate tomorrow.
The senate Shows IT'S Economy.
The House having passed bill reducing the sal
aries by increasing them $500 more than they were
during the Forty-frst Congress, the Senate to-day
was apprehensive that the people might have
some doubt as to how that branch OF the
government stood on the subject OF reform,
II 1t did not do something to demonstrate
the question. After the Senate came to order
resolution was offered providing for the printing
OF the biennial register, or Blue Book. This sug.
gested the extravagance OF the government In
wasting money on fancy bindings, and LED to
spicy discussion, which resulted In passing the
resolution. After ALL there is nothing like debate.
The Question sf Right or Custom House
Omcers g Examine Correspondence
Passing Through the Post ONCE.
The Postmaster General has prepared reply to
resolution OF the House OF Representatives,,
adopted the 10th inst, calling on him to inform
them whether any Custom House officers or detec-
tiyes have been allowed to examine correspon-
dencs passing through the Post once OF New York
and Boston, and whether any such on1cials have
opened or otherwise tampered with such corre-
spondence for the purpose OF ascertaining whether
the revenue laws have been violated or for any
other purpose. 1t appears that in August last
question arose between the Postmaster and the
Collector or Customs at New York, concerning the
right OF the Collector to seize letters or sealed
packages suspected or containing articles subject
70 custom duties, sent By mail. with the intention
OF deiraading the revenue by avoiding payment OF
duties. /
The Postmaster General says that, Tor the pur.
pose OF protecting the customs revenues from |
frauds practised through the mails, provision has
been made IN the postal convention concluded |
with. h.Great Br1tain, Germany and other European |
countries for the levyng OF customs duties ON any
articles exchanged In the mails with those csun-
tries which are properly chargeabe witn-dutie.:
and the mode OF procedure for collecting sucn |
duties on articles Of mail matter seized by the |
oacers OF the customs is prescribed by section 50
OF the Post once Regulations. The department
has instructed postmasters In all cases, to adhere
stTicty the uravisona nj that aecttou tho