New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-02-07
WASHINGTON.
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
INTERESTING DEBATE ON THE POSTAL APPRO-
PRIATI0N BILL.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUsRI


lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUsRI
WASHINGTON. Thursday, Feb g. 1873.
The Post Office Appropriation bill again taken up
IN the House. yesterday and another long debate was
had upon It. The Appropriations Committee offered an
amendment suggested by tho Postmaster General re-
ducng the amount to meet tho Of expenses over
receipts, s6oO0oo. on account Of the abolition OF the
franldng privilege. This made the total appropriation
S,S9660A Mr.. Butler renewed his attack upon the Dill
He complained that the Committee had reported
million moro than last year. and proposed to cut
the appropriation down only the extent Of the excess
reported. The Postmaster had said there would
DO saving Of t2,5OO0Oo II ranking abolished. He
did not believe it, but he wanted TO take him at his
word and make him in next December for heavy
deficiency. He again denounced the frankng repeal az
humbug. Mr.. Palmer, VINO had the bill in charge ek-
planned the increase over last year. as hrst prepared D
stating that 1900 pOstOees had been established
during the year. and the mails put upon 500 mlo7
of new railroads He denied that the PostmasterGen-
eTal had promised TO save t50OO0O II the franng pv
cge abolished. Ho had said II postage were palu
on the franked matter In one year II would amount
| 10 that SUN. Last year IL would have amounted to
s3,5O0OOO Mr.. Cox said that two Republican members
had ranked 100000 of documents last year. How
many did you frank T. asked Mr. Patt Of the mem
bers referred TO-. "ony half million. my Christian ~
brother" replied Mr. Cox Gen. Butler rallied only IL
TO with him W reduce the appropriation. MI
Randall made fight against an item of 100000 for IN.
creased compensation for railroad mail service. bn was
beaten The final vote was not taken before tho HOUSE
adjourned. Postmaster General Crcswcu was on We
floor during the whole OF the debate and occupied seat
beside Mr.. Palmer.
A GIGANTIC RAID ON THE TREASURY.
There Is a scheme foot To plumber the Treasury
which for magnitude and audacity outstrips everything
Of the kind that has been devised Of late IL Is nothing
less than the assumption by the General Government OF
tho debts of the Southern States TO tho extent OF
e25OOOCOO The scheme originates with certain bankers
in NewYor, who large holders OF bonds issued by
the carpetbag governments in the South. They have
employed lobby agents quietly breach the project TO
Congressman. and these lobbyists have been engaged
for several days this work. They have endeayored
to keep the movement secret possible until thoy
what strength they count upon for fear OF the
hostile criticisms of the press They have been dsap-
pointed in getting the support among Democratic mem
bers which they looked for. Their expectation was
that the Democrats would vote in body for the scheme
together with all the Southern Republicans The argu-
in favor of this mOnstrous raid the Treasury 10
that the Southern States have suffered greatly the war
and by the bad civil governments forced upon them since
and that IL would be act OF noble generosity for the
United states to relieve them OF burden of debt IN,
Cured without the consent OF their citizens who hold
property, and which is serious burden upon them hin
derng their growth and development Tbe real motive
of the who have looked up this job s OF course no
consideration or the impoverished South but desire 0r
a heavy profit on the bonds they hold. These Donls
were bought at prices ranging from 20 to 80 cents on
dollar. Large quantities cost the holders nothing for
they Jen outright by connivance with theylsh
into United States bonds would be enormous
probably less than S5OOOOOOO There is of course,
this session. and 1t is probable that its advocates Will
feel sufficiently encouraged TO put it IN the form OF
Credit MObier developments have not had the ELECT TO
seriously demOraiiZe the lobby
EMBARRASSED CONDITION OF THE UNION PACIFIC
ROAD.
The House Appropriation Committee to-day heard Au
gustus Sche in reference to the balance alleged to be
due the Pacific road by the Government for mail and
other transportation. 1t is proposed by Horace f.
Clark and other leaders In the road to authorize the
President OF the United states, IL in his discretion it is
necessary prevent the road from becoming bankrupt
dshOnOred to pay half the amount due and 70 be
come due from the Government. until the action
of Congress provides a different course. Tho SEN
ate amendment 20 the legislative bill prohibits such
payment, and the House Committee are urged by MI
sche, Mr.. Clark, and the others 10 adopt the amend
ment proposed. This is virtual confession that tho
road il bankrupt aud that the t5OOOO or more when
may come from the Government VIII be necessary to
keep il running for the next year John b. Alley oakes
Ames and their cOadJutOrs, while the wilson committee
In progress, very indignant because the Com
mttee permitted the truth to come out regarding me
financial condition OF the road, ON the ground that
of the road make public confession Of their pow
ery and ask not only the extension OF their debt but
additional charity from the Government. IL seems
likely that the Appropriation Committee will pass the
amendment.
BILL FOR NEW MAIL SERVICE.
Individual Senators and committees 90 on introducing
and reporting bills during this last mouth OF the session
as though they expected this Congress to sit forever
Nobody, for instance can for moment think that the
Senate will pass Atlantic steamship subsidy bill be-
fore the 18th of March, and yet Mr. Logan went through
the farce OF introducing to-day and sending 1t 10
committee IL directs the PostmasterGe General TO adyer
tse Immediately for proposals by citizens OF the United
States for the establishment of weekly mail service
between New-York and Liverpool by means OF six iron
steamers constructed within two years expressly
for this purpose In American shpyards The capacity
OF be not less than 1000 tuns, and they
must be able 10 attain an average speed OF not less than
Is knots hour The contract with tho POst-Ofce De
parment shall continue for IS and the subsidy Is
exceed 5000 900 year The bill also contains tho
for taking the vessels the Gov
called up his bill to provide for the construction OF iron
ships waters flowing into the Atlantic Ocean and
one the Mississippi River, In order TO make written
speech upon IT, All DlS Oi TINS nature VIII nave 10 wait
another year. at least.
PROBABLE REPORT on THE CALDWELL CASE.
The Committee Privileges and Elections il ex-
pected TO report the Caldwell next week very
soon after the argument OF Judge Crozier, Mr. Cald
wells attorney. Though none Of the Committee have
given any Indication to the nature Of their report IL
is believed that at least four and probably five Of them
are convinced that show disappoya
Of the practices by which Mr. Caldwell elected in
the most decided A resolution of expulsion is
what is generally expected and the least the Committee
can report is q resolution OF II is currently
reported that Mr. Carpenter will write minority report
taking the ground that no bribery has been proved anu
Ghitewashing MIR. Caldwell.
THE LOUISIANA STATE GOVERNMENT.
EXAMINATION OF MR.. FELLOWS-MR. SOUTH
MAYD's OPINION OF THE ELECTION LAW.
GENERAL PRESS DISPATCH1
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.-The Senate Commit
tee on Privileges Elections resumed the Louisiana
investigation this morning. Gov. Warmoth stated that
the 9th Of December the day on which the Legisa
ture met, other members OF the Wharton Board
under rule for appearance before the United States
Court for contempt; the twice postponed and
then tried after which the Court took the under
adyisement and has since 30 held t without decision