The New York herald., 1878-03-09
PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE.

WASHINGTON, March 8, 1873.
Mr.. WOOD, (dem.) of Y, moved to take from the
Speakers table the Senate bill known the "Long
Bond bill and 1t to the Committee on Ways and
Means.
Mr. BUcKNRR, (dem.) Of Mo-, said that the Banking
and Currency Committee mad under consideration a
bill embracing the provisions of this bill.
MIR. woop said that the bill, it pertalnod to the
public debt, certainly belonged to the Committee on
Ways and Means, and he was supported in this view
by Mr. sAyLER, OF Ohio, who said that that committee
had always Jurisdiction every question in regard
10 the issue OF bonds.
Mr. EWING (deml OF Ohio, stated chat the Banking
and Currency Committee had authorized OF Its
members TO report the Postal Savings bill, which
braccd the provisions of the Senate bill
Mr.. WADDELL, tdem.) OF N. G., gavo notice that
when the Postal Savings bill should be reported he
would move to refer 1t to the Committee Post
Offices aud Post Roads, where 1t properly belonged.
Mr. BucKSER moved to reler the bill TO the Com
miltee Banking and Currency, which motion WIS
deieated and the bill was referred TO the Committee
on Ways and Means.
The SPEAKER laid before tho House the iollowin z
executive communications, which were rcierred:--
A letter from tho Secretary OF War asking Tor an
Appropriation Of Sl2 500 tor mediation ut Prov
ing Ground, Sandy Hook.
letter from tho Secretary OF War stating that tho
post quartermaaters at Chicugo and New York would
be ordered 10 appear before the COMMITTEE Mill
tary Ailars.
The SPEAKER tncn proceeded call comm ittees Tor
reports OF private nature
rhe morning hour was consumed in discussion
upon resolution reported adversely from tue Com
mittee ON Accounts Tor the payment OF laDorers
pioyed IN the cloak rooms winch was finally referred
TO the Committee on CivI Service Reform.
Mr.. ATKINS, (dem) OF Tenn, offered resolution
calling The secretaries OF tho Interior and OF War
Tor all in ormatiVn III regard to the geographical and
geological surveys conducted by their respective de-
AATE-BELLUM MAIL CONTRACTS.
"A. a lca uuql ~ d,
went into Committee OF the Whole (Mr Price, o Iowa.
in the chair upon the private calendar the unfinished
business being the bill for the payment OF certain
ante-bcllum southern mail contractors.
The OIL makes available immediately an appropria
tion OF S3150UO already appropriated the pay
Of such contractors Tor services rendered prior May
81, 1861
Mr. FRYE, (rcp) OF Me-, said that If tho United
States government owed just debt To man who
aiterward went into the rebellion he was in iayor Of
the government dscharging is iuss obligations. But
this OIL provided tbst payments should made
May 81 1861, whIc IN reality most OF the States vent
INTO the rebellion IN the previous January. He
lore offered an amendment prov idng TINT payment
should be made TO mai contractors Tor services rem
dcred alter thor respective States adopted ordinances
OF accession.
Mr.. MILLS (dom) OF Texas, argued that inasmuch as
the United states DID not rccognIzc tho insurrection
airy condition OF The Southern ses until the 3lst OF
May, 1861, the government should pay Tor services
rendered IN tnose states up TO that time.
Mr.. REAGAN, ,dcm) OF Texas, pursued the samo line
OF argument and stated that inc oniodcrato governs
ment mad required all posmasers TO account 10 tho
United States government Tor all moneys, stamps, &C.,
IL tnOir possession up 10 May ol, 1901
Mr.. CoSGER, (rcp) OF Mich, read from an order
issued May 20 1861 BY tho Postmaster General OF tho
Confederate states, instuctng the postasters OF tho
United States government in the Southern States 10
reain Their possession, subject order Of
the department, ior the benefit uf the Confederate
states, all mail and other property belonging to
the postal service.
Mr. WILLIS, Hop.) of Michigan, dcnicd the statc-
mcnt maie by Mr. Reagan some time ago that the
Confederate government had never paid U assumed
to pay contractors, and read rom act ptssc
by tho Confederate Congress, in which IL 10
pay every collar, the only limitation being that such
contractors should DC loyal 10 the Confcuoracy. He
mad found upon examination OF the Conledc rate
that eighteen OF those claims had been audted
and paid, and inc Confederate government mad gone
SO far as provide that II the United states govern
mont should thereafter pay them the contractors
should reimbursc the Confederate government Tor the
amounts paid them. He also quoted from a report
by Mr. Reagan, as Confederate Postmaster Cen
cral which lac credited himself with S5O2 paid
rcnoereu prior say 81, 1861.
MIR. AIKEN, ldem.) ol >. o., inquired IT,, becluso
eighteen CLAIMS had been pad, the government
should rcpudlale its honest debts.
Mr.. REAGAN, OF Texas, SAID tht he had not any
of his reports the Oi the war; but IL he had
ali OF ms reports he thought no could prove no
had previously stated; but II the gentleman IRON
Michigan lMr. WlIis) was right, lac would conccdo
To an amendment so us 10 exclude from payment
contractors were paid by the nicdcra,o govern
ment
M BLouST (dcm) OF Ca, felt II 10 be his bounGon
duly 10 say tor section that he would not hs
vote 10 pay any gentleman tor carrying mails In tho