The Portland daily press., 1876-05-18
Fort, Fourth COngress-First Session.
SENATE.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, May II.
After the opening of business al 1890 O'clock
the Sen tie closed its doors to consider the ju-
risdIction of impeachment.
Before reaching decision the Senate, at five
o'clock, sitting as a court of impeachment adj
journed till tomorrow.
A brief executive session,was:the held and
the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
After the opening the House went into Com
mittea OF the Whole on the post Office apprc-
priation bill.
Mr.. Wood, from the Committee on Ways
and Means, reported bill abolishing the tax
on receipts to savings banks. Passed
Mr.. Miller of N Y, offered resolution ln-
structing the Committee on PGstottces to take
into consideration the whole subject OF the
compensation for mail services, and report at
the next session the most practicable plan to
secure the most efficient service at the lowest
price. Referred.
Mr. Eden of Ill., from the Committee on
War Claims, reported bill making an appro--
priaton for the payment of the claims reported
and allowed by the Commissioner OF Gains.
Made special order for Friday next
On motion of Mr.. Whtthorne of Tenn, from
tho Committee on Naval Affairs, bills to reduce
the pay of officers Of the navy, to reduce the
number of officers of the line and staff, to re.
organize the marine corps and to retain certain
be printed and recommitted.
The House then went into Committee OF the
Whole (Mr. Springer of H., in the chair on
the postoffice appropriation bill,
On motion of Mr.. Reagan of Texas, the sum
to be paid any railroad for transportation of
malls was limited to $500 per mile per an
mum.
Mr.. Hoar of Mass, moved to amend by add
ing new section providing that no stamped
envelopes or newspaper wrappers be sold by
poStoffion lena rtmant for less. 4 aC-
dition to the postage, than the cost, including
salaries, clerk hire, etc. Agreed to.
Mr. Clark of Mo. offered an additional sec
ton allowing third class mail matter to be sent
in packages not exceeding four pounds in
weight, and making the postage one cent for
every two ounces.
Mr.. Randall of Pa, supported the amend
ment, saying that unless the proposed section
was put into the bill the infamous legislation
of the last Congress would continue in force.
Mr.. Eames of r. l., moved to amend the
amendment by reducing letter postage to two
cents. Rejected.
Mr.. Townsend of Pa, moved to amend Mr.
Clark's amendment by providing that the an
nnal reports and catalogues of universities, COL
leges aud other institutions shall be deemed
third class matter. Agreed to.
Mr.. Clark's amendment as amended was
| agreed to.
| On motion of Mr. Holman of Ind, the APP
| preparation for letter carriers was increased
| ITOm Rl OoV,UUU W duu ou0
| ter General was directed to reduce, if possible,
the number of carriers and number Of daily
deliveries in the various cities.
On motion of Mr.. Holman the item to meet
deficiencies in the revenue of the postoffice de.
partment was increased from $2,650,0O0 to ST.
| 100000
Mr. Holman stated that the bill as amended
appropriates about the same amount as appro-
priated for the present fiscal year and thai
therefore there was no ground for the appre-
hension that the postal service would be in any
| wise diminished.
The COMMITTEES rose and reported the bill to
| the House.
The various amendments made in committee
were argued and the bill was passed.
Mr.. Singleton of Miss, from the Committee
on Printing reported back the resolution re
committed to it yesterday in reference to the
Congressional printer, with an amendment
which instead OF lnstlucting the COMMITTEES or
Appropriations to report in the sundry civil ap
propriations bill sections changing the present
system of printing, instructed an inquiry into
the expediency of making change.
Without action upon it-a point of order
having been raised by Mr. Hoar that it was no
privileged report-the House at 5.l5 ad
| journed.