New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-06-19
WORK in THE SENATE.
A HOT AND WEARY NIGHT sEssIoN-MR CONKL1NG
on THE SOUTHERN MAIL OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
WORK BY ENROLLING CLERKS.

On TIE SOUTHERN MAIL CONlAACAOl'o- GOASN
WORK BY ENROLLING CLERKS.
IBl TELEGRAPH THE TEIBUEEI
WASHINGTON June 1S.-The Senate sat until
nearly o'clock this morning. The scenes after
midnight were Of the quietest character, and the
Senators buckled themselves down to their work
with unusual patience and energy. The attendance
was rather small, but the working members were
mostly in their seats and only the idlers and few
sick Senators were absent from their places To
those who watch the proceedings of this body it is
known that the business is generally conducted by
a small number and that the roll-calls nearly
always represent sections OF politics.
The Senate chamber was exceedingly hot and I'M
comfortable last night, being shut in as It is from
the outside air by corridors and cOmmittee-rooms,
and the Senators worked at disadvantage. The
Sundry Civil Appropriation Bill, however, had been
set as task. and there was a determination to
finish it. The regular amendments Of the Appro-
priations Committee were finished at about l
o'clock, and amendments by individual Senators
followed Good progress was making, and the
prospect of getting away was hopeful, when Sem
ator Withers offered an amendment to pay the al
ready notorious Southern mail contractors who had
back claims against the United States at the time
Of the breaking out Of the war; in March, 1877,
1878 600 was appropriated to pay these claims,
but the Secretary Of the Treasury found from
the Confederate archives that the rebel Congress
had made appropriations TO cover these claims,
and that many Of them had been paid by that
shOrthved Government. Some time ago the ques-
ton came M in the House. and the production Of
the facts defeated the bill. the promoters gladly
escaping from further advocacy Of the scheme.
There was some sharp debate on the amendment of
Mr.. Withcrs both Senators ConklnQ and Blaine de-
nOuncng the proposition as little better than rob
berry. The debate lasted more than two hours
Nothing could have been more severe than MIR
COnking's remarks, and they aroused a good deal OF
interest among the sleepy Senators. Many OF the
Southern Senators we're at heart opposed to the
amendment as being mean and contemplate, mas
much as nearly AL the contractors have been already
paid and some Of them by both the Confederate and
Federal Governments, and also for the reason
that an might have been paid If they had applied
contractors shows that the highest amount asked
for by any single claimant Of the fourteen who have
made application for double payment Is $400 and
there are among the batch amounts as low as $40.
Several amendments were proposed; but u became
evident that nothing could be done at that sitting,
and 30 adjournment was had until ii o'clock
to-day.
To-day the amendment Of Senator Withers was
passed, but the Objectionable features were stricken
out or changed. A penalty was affixed for present
ing claim already paid, and bonds are to be re-
CURED from those receiving payment. It is proba-
bic that an intelligent conference committee may
after all cut the amendment from the bin.
The discussion Of the Sundry Civil Bill to-day
lasted until p. n, aud various amendments were