New-York tribune., 1875-02-23
SPIRIT OF THE SENATE DEBATE.

THE DEMOCRATS UNJUsTIY CHARGED WITH DELAY
ING BUsINEss-A DEBATE on THE FRANKING
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. THAT IT WILL BE FULLY
REsToRED-THE PACIFIC MAIL SUBSIDY CASE 10
BE DECIDED TO-DAY.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22-In considering the final
details of the Indian bill, an attempt made in
the Senate to-day to relieve the Secretary of the In
terror of the responsibility of using, according to his
own discretion. so large an amount of money as was
appropriated Tor incidental expenses, but it was de-
uounced at once as premeditated and precOncerted
attempt on the part Of the Democrats to initiate a
firing all along the line for the express purpose OF
impeding legislation This was most unworthy
imputation, which the Democrats have never de-
served as all their desires and endeavors have been
to expedite public business, and all their subsequent
action to-day showed that they were very much in
earnest in their professed anxiety to offer no obsta
cles to necessary legislation.
Mr.. Morton endeavored to attach to the Pension
bill his amendment to the 22d joint rule providing
for the counting of;the electoral votes The amend
ment provides that the objection Of both Houses
shall be deemed requisite for the rejection of the
vote Of any State. This attempt met with the
greatest opposition on all sides, and generally
condemned as being against the rules and customs
of the Senate, ON account of its not
finally withdrew it when The discovered the case to
he homeless one but it was not done until the
Senate had resounded with such cracks Of the party
whip as have not been heard before during the ses-
sion. The Republicans were reminded that they
would be held responsible for their action In playing
into the hands of the Democrats every one OF whom
had voted against the proposition.
The most remarkable of the events OF the day in
the Senate was the debate the franking privilege
which showed the livelness of that supposed de-
funct abuse, and ended in its partial resuscitaion
Messrs Thurmau Edmunds and Moril, succeeded
without much ardent opposition, In perfectlng an
amendment which provides for the passage through
the mails on the frank of any member OF the present
Congress- of the Record of proceedings
or any speech of reports contained therein or OF
any documents already issued. This amendment
was carried by majority of 22. With the exception
of q few Senators who characterized this as the
entering wedge for the original widespread frankng
privilege the whole tenor of the debate tended TO
show that it was only through difference to pubic
opinion, which, as was stated, had not yet been
aroused sufficiently to clamor for return to the
convenience OF sign manual that it was not totally
restored to-day All the references to it were of the
mildest and most complimentary character, and it
was very generally held that il had been painted too
black and that a demand for its restoration would
inevitably be made
The express companies scheme was introduced
IN an amendment offered by Mr.. Ramsey from the
Post Office Committee. providing for the reduction
of the weight of thrd-class articles passing
through the mails from pounds to II ounces
Messrs Ramsey and Dorsey, with the aid of Gard
ner Hubbard's recent argument before the Com
mittee. labored hard to convince the Senate
that the carriage Of such heavy weights at 30 low
charge was a serious loss to the Department, but
when this statement shown to be ac-
tually false, and that there was more
profit to the department from this class Of articles