Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-24
EVENING STAR.
DOUBLE SHEET.
COvGRESSTOyfI
Conclusion Ye-,erdny', Proceeai,Sx

S"nciusfon festerday's Proceedings
sENATE.-Aner our report closed
The bi for the protection OF the public works
at the mouth of the Mississippi, aud TO tAsli-
tate the excavation OF the same, was recommit-
ted to the Committee on Commerce
The unfinished business being the resolution
on the finances, " As taken up.
Mr.. Stewart addressed the Senate in opposi-
ton TO any imitation OF the currency, and in ia
vor OF free banking on a gold basis.
on motion OF Mr. sherman, the further con-
sid6ration OF the finance resolution WAS then
postponed until Tuesday next, il being uuder-
stood that the resolution in reference 20 the
Louisiana Sen&torship will come up on Monday
next.
Mr.. sherman then called up the bill to pro-
vide for the payment of the bonds Of the Louis
vile and Portland canal, which was passed.
TIRE ANNUAL POST ROUTE BILL.
Mr.. Ramsey called up the annual post route
bill, the pending question being on the amend
ment of Mr.. Pratt, providing that all bridges
heretofore OF hereafter 20 be erected over the
navigable rivers in the nited States, over
lakes or the outlets OF lakes, over arms o. the
sea or other bodies OF water, and an public
Ioa s established CT hereafter TO be established
IN the states or territories hy cCmpetPDt author
ity, AND used as public htghSays, be. aud the
same are hereby, established post roads Pro
rad q. That lar, after no service will be ordered
Oh the routes herein or hereafter established
until after an examination and report Of an
agent ~ fae Pos. Office departm sut, and that
in the Judgment Vt the Postmaster General
such service If demanded by the public ccuye-
nienCe and necessity.
Mr.. Morrill, lNtl moved TO insert after the
word "hi ghways," IN the amendme s.lesdiug
from one town 20 another, OF from one village
10 another
lengthy debate ensued on the postal system
and it, great expense.
Mr.. Morrill, lMe.) thought the discretion as to
the establishment of post routes WAS much safer
IN the hands OF Congress than in the hands OF
any one else.
The motion OF Mr., Morrill, was agreed to. and
the amendment OF MT. Pratt was then rejected
MI. Sargent moved an amendment providing
that after June 30, 1874, there shall not be
transmitted through the mails any samTles Of
merchandise, clothing, cuttings, seeds, bulbs,
bound books, Nc., aud repeating all laws or
parts of laws authorizing such transmission.
MIR. Sargent said III bulk of mail m after was
incre ased immensely by the transmission o mat
ter which in no sense could be denominated A.
mail matter. As specimen he maintained that
il was no uncommon thing for beehives full of
bees to be sent through the mails. Even snakes
and crocodiles were sent in the mails.
Mr.. Morrill, Me- said the primary object of
the postal service had been subcrdinated to the
carrying OF treights, which absolutely over
whelmed the mails.
Mr.. Frelinghuysen said the mails penetrated
to many remote sections where the express did
not, and it would he a great deprivation 10
many of the people of the country not 10 have
| the privilege of books being sent to them. He
| said the Postmaster General had expressed 70
MIN lately the desire to have the postage on
Mr.. Sargent was satisfied that the Pos;m aster
| General WAS in favor of his amend ment, but he
withdrew il at the suggestion of Mr. Ramsay,
who said that IL never had been the custom TO
engraft matters of general legislation on the
post route bills.
| The bill was then passed.
| The Senate then, on motion of Mr.. Conkling.
went into executive session, and then adjourned
| till Monday.
| HOCSE.-After our report closed
| Messrs. Dawes and Niblack were appointed
| trustees of the institution for the deaf and
| dumb.
| THE CHARGES AGAINST GEN O. O. HOWARD.
Mr.. COburn, from the Committee on Military
Affairs, reported the following resolution. which
| was ordered TO be printed and recOmnitted.
| THAT the President of the United States be,
| and he Is hereby, authorized and required "a
convene a court of inquiry, TO consist of not les.
| than five officers of the army, whose duty il
| shall be, when so convened, TO fully investigate
l. all the charges against Brig. Gen. .. .. How.
/ ard. contained in the communication of the
| Secretary OF War to the Speaker of the House
| of Representatives, of date December 5, 1S-3,
l and TO report their opinion, as well upon moral
| as upon technical and legal responsibility tor
such offence, ii any, as may be discovered"
| The House ordered that to- morrow's ITO
DAYS session be for debate only.
| The West Virginia case was then resumed
| and Mr.. Hyde concluded his remarks ami wa,
| followed by Mr.. Thomas in favor of the report
| of the majority. Mr.. Harrison took the same
| view as that taken by Mr.. Hyde.
| Pending further consideration, the HOus,
| proceeded to business on the Speakers table
and number of Senate bills were referred.
| Mr.. Garfield asked leave to offer a resolution
| directing the Committee of Ways and Means {,
inquire into the expediency of amending the
laws relating TO customs duties, as to defn
| Itcly nix the number of persons 10 he employed
ard the amount 10 be paid for that service
| Objected to.
| Adjourned az AGO p. m.