Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-06-24

1
about half a million more than when II LETT
the House. Altogether it appropriated
little more than half million more than
the bill of last year. The report was agreed
to.
Postal Patchwork.
Mr.. Tyner, from the Conference commit
tee or the APost-ofiice ppropriat:on Dill,
made report and proceeded to explain II.
1t provided that the prepayment OF postage
Oh newspapers should commence January
/, 1875. and that the rate OF postage on
newspapers should be two cents pound on
all weekly and daily newspapers, and three
cents pound on all publications less ire
quent than weekly.
| Mr. Roberts complained that the House
was being compelled to yield its own Judg-
ment to that of the Senate.
| Mr.. Tvner said the House had sent to the
Senate a clear appropriation bill without
any legislation whatever. The Senate had
engrafIed on that bill vast amount OF leg
islation, such legislation as never ought to
be forced through the two Houses OF Con
gess on an appropriation Dill or ID any
other way, except on the most tnoroilgh
examination and fullest deliberation.
Mr.. Cobb inquired as to the provision to
prevent
straw Bids.
Mr.. Tyner replied the House bill on that
subject had been materially altered by the
senate. and had been engrafted IN the
Post-office Appropriation bill. The House
bin was decidedly better than what the
Senate had proposed.
| Mr.. Eldridge inquired
| ssI,at nysferious Power
4 was that was able to thwart the efforts OF
| Cousress TO do what all men acknowledged
| ouobt to be done in this matter OF straw
| bids. We should stay here till August OF
navt session; rather than be baulked IN our
efFors 10 provide Araii.st this crying evil
Mr.. Luttrell-I hope the V'ei va, a5G
referred to committee of conference,
let US stas here, as the gentleman says, till
next session, or break up this combination
against the Government.
| Mr.. Hawley, of Connecticut, opposed the
conference report on the ground Of the high
rates of postage fixed for newspapers, and
stated that the effect would be to diminish
the re enue from that source by forcing
| newspaper publishers to make arrange
ments with the railroads and express COM
panieS.
1
interrupted by the close of the Monday ses-
sion and the formal opening of
Tuesdays session.
Mr.. Dawes, in consequence Of the post
pcnement Of the tariff bill till next Decem-
Der, moved to taEe up and pass Senate bill
to extend the time for the redemption of
certain lands for direct taxes. Agreed to.
Mr.. Garfield, from the Sundry Civil Ap-
p1opriation bill, made report.
Mr.. Butler, of Massachusetts,, inquired
how the
Civil Service
matter was left.
Mr.. Garfield said its exact position was
this: the Senate had appropriated the usual
! sum of ZOO, together with the uneX-
pended balance. The House had repealed
the civil sersice law altogether. The con
ferenoes of both sides had agreed to drop
the whole subject out of the bill, and II
was not alluded to in any way whatever.
Mr.. Butler-How does that leave the un-
! expended balance of $4,000?
Mr.. GarfeId-That comes under the new
law requiring all mexpended balances TO
! lie covered into the Treasury except the
balance on public buildings and some other
| matters.
1
Mr.. Garield.-Of which this is not
one.
Mr.. Butler--All right. You let Civil
Service Reform
Die, Instead
of being killed.
The conference report was agreed to, and
then the consideration of the conference
report on the Postoffice Appropriation bill
was resumed.
Mr.. Marshall, of Illinois, one of the
conference committee, advocated the report
as q compromise measure. As TO the pro-
vision that public documents may he sent
at ten cents per volume, postage prepaid,
the average weight of these volumes was
two pounds, SO that the postage on them
was five cents per pound. . The Daily
Record postage on each numbCr was to be
one cent a pound.
| After further discussion the report was
adopted.
MIR. Butler asked leave to move 10 pass
the bill giving preference for the appoint
ment to and retention in office of
Discharged soldiers
and sailors and their relations.
| Mr. Archer objected.
Mr.. Butler gaze notice that no other bus
mess would get through out of order.
Mr.. Randall suggested that ali the ap-
propriation bills had now passed both
| Houses and the only delay was to have
them enrolled. The enrolment Of the
| Civil Appropriation bill would not be
ready till o'clock. If any more bills were
passed now, they could not possibly be COZ
| iected and it was idle to undertake further
legislation. He moved to take a recess
| till 2:30 p. NJ. LCst-S1 to l22.
Mr.. Wilson, of Indiana, from the Joint
Select Investigation Committee on the Dis
trict of Columbia, made a report in the
matter of
The burglary
iu the District Attorneys Office which was
adopted.
MIR. Averill, from the Committee on In
dian Affairs, made report in the matter
of the investigation of alleged frauds, in
mailing contracts and furnishing supplies
i'm the Indian office, with the volume of
testimony. The report eXOnerates the
Commissioners Of the Interior Depart
ment, and shows the frauds were charged
by Welch and three rejected bidders who
failed to obtain contracts. These parties
could none of them show either frauds,
unfairness or irregularities, in the conduct
of the Interior Department or the Board OF
Indian Commissioners. The investigation
occupied two months. The report is a
complete vindication of the Government
officers.
Mr.. Garfield, chairman Of the Committee
on Appropriations, summed up the work
of the session in the matter Of public sll-
prupriations.
The House again proceeded to business
on the Speakers table. The Senate bill
authorizing the Committees on Appropria-
tions Of both Houses to meet during the
recess to make inquiry into the
machinery by which reforms can be made
in the expenditures of the civil branches
of the service was passed.
The Senate bill in regard to the survey
of lands of the
Northern Pacific Railroad Company
was referred to the Committee on Public
Lands.
The Senate bill recognizing the several
staff corps of the army was passed. Yeas,
| 13l; nays, 30.
The Senate amendments to the House
bill IN relation to courts and Judicial
| of in,