The New York Herald Newspaper, December 5, 1859, Page 2

2 THIRTY-SIXTA CONGRESS, MEETS AT NOON TO-DAY. THE CAUCUSES ON SATURDAY. Members of the Senate and House of Representatives. Apprehended Difficulties in Or- ganizing the House. MMPORTANT QUESTIONS AT ISSUE. The Subordinate Offices of Clerk, Ser- geant-at-Arms, Doorkeeper, Post- master and Public Printer. WEW ARRANGEMENTS OF THE HALL, PUBLICATION OF DEBATES. ANALYSIS OF BOTH HOUSES. CONTESTED ELECTIONS. The President’s Message: Subjects to be Embraced in It. WORK FOR CONGRESS @ur Dispute with England—The San Juan Dificulty—Our Relations with Mexico—The Acquisition of Cuba—Pretection of Ameri- ean Citizens Abroad—Government Expen- @ares—Investigating Committees—Pacific Raliroad—Tarif—Bankrupt Law—Post Of. fice Deficlencies—The Franking Privilege— Ocean Mail Steamships—New States and Ter- sitories—Old Soldiers’ Pension Bill—The @layton-Bulwer Treaty—The Reciprecity Treaty—Removal of the Mormons—French Spoliations—The Homestead Bil!—Miscella- Reous Matter, Comprising the Washington and Oregon War Debts, and Other Impor- tant Sabjects—Private Bilis—The Next Pre- sidency, &., &e., ‘The Thirty-eixth Congress of the United States opens at noon today, the 5th of December. There are we ceremonials or formalities observed, as is customary 4m the opening of the British Parliament and other repre- @entative bodies in Europe. In the Senate, the Vice-Pre- wident of the United States, who is ex-officio, Prosident of ‘be Senate, takes tho chair precisely at noon, calls the Senate to order, and the Secretary calls over the tist of Senators. The proceedings may or may not be opened ‘with prayer. In the House, the Clerk of the last Con- (gress acts as temporary Speaker, calls the body to order; The roll is called and members respond to their names. ‘Bhat is the whole ceremony of the opening. This is what is known as the long session of Congress. There is no Hamit to its duration, except the fact that the second ges- Bion commences on the first Monday in December, 1860, and the Congress expires on the 4h of March, 1861. ‘here are apprehensions felt and expressed very gene wally that this will be the last national Congress of the Mhirty-three States; but it is to be hoped that such gloomy ferebodings will be very, very far from realization. Asnexed is a complete list of the members of the new er Thirty-sixih Congress :— &e. SENATE. D.—democrat. R.—republican. §. 0.—Southern Oppo- sition. Namber of Senators re iain ae Ae 66 ent, J. G. Breckinridge. etal} -Asbury Dickens. Term Term ALABAMA. expires. ‘MISSISSIPPI. expires. Fitzpatrick. .D..1861 | Jefferson Davis.....D..1863 ‘Benj. @ement C. Clay, Jr.D.. 1866 | Albert G. Brown ARKANBAS. : MISSOURI. @ Robert W. Johnson.D..1861| James L. Green ....D ‘Wm. K. Sebastian. .1)..1865 | Trusten Polk CONNECTICUT. Lafayette S. Foster. R..1861 James Dixon.. 1368 Daniel Clark. John P. Hale. Preston King . NEW JERSEY. John R. Thompson..1). .1863 Jobn C. Ten Eyek..R.. NORTH CAROLINA. Thos. L. Ciingman ..D..1861 ‘D..1861 | Thomas Bragg.. D..1865 ono. 4 George FE. Pagh fee. .D..186) | Benjamin F. W Jesse D. Bright .../D.! OnE ILUNOW. Joseph Lane. Trumbull. . .R..1861 | Vacancy phen A. Dougiss.D.-1865 SRS, ae Willian Bigle - Damee Harlan......2..1861 | 5; dames Harlan. -H--1861 | Simon Cameron,...R..1863 ‘XEONTUCKY. RHODE ISLAND. James F. Simmons... .185 Tagarua W. Powel, D.1866 | Henry B. Anthony 1.1860 IANA. SOUTH CAROLINA. John Slidell... D. .1861 | Jas. H. Hammond... D..1863 Jadab P, Benjamin .D. .1865 | James Chestuut....0..1865 Mannibal Hamlin, ..R..1863 | Andrew Johnson... .D..1863 ‘Wm. Pitt Fessenden.R..1865 | A. 0. P. Nicholson. .D. ,1865 ‘MASSACHUSETTS. TEXAS. @haries Sumner....R..1863 | Matt Ward.........D.4363 Meary Wilson......R..1865 | J. W. Hemphill, MARYLAND. VERMONT. James A. Pearce.. .D..1861 | Jacob Collamer. Anthony Kennedy.8.0. .1863 | Solomon Foot. wcmGaN. VIRGINIA. ‘Yachariab Chandler.R. .1863 | James M. Mason. . .D..1863 &. S. Bingham.....R..1866 | R. M. T. Hunter....D..1865 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. ‘D.—democrat. R—republican. 8. 0.—Southern oppo- ‘Mion. A. L. D.—anti-Lecompton democrat 10—#Charles Case, R. M—*Jobn VU. Pettit. R. 10Wa. 1—*Samuel R. Curtis, R 2—Wm. Vandever, R. KEXTUOKY. cow RW. Cobb, D.” g—*Jabez L. M. Curry, D. ‘ARKANSAS. 3—Thomas ©. Hindman, D. albert Rust, D. CALIFORNIA, 2oSbe ©. boreh,'D. ©. Bureh,'D. cowxnenovT. 1—Dwight Loomis, R. 2—~John Woodruff, R. 3—Alfred A. Burnham, R. _9— 4—Orrie 8. Ferry, R. 10—*Jobn W. Stevenson, D. DELAWARE. LOUISANA, Wm. G. Whitley, D. FLORIDA. 2—*George S. Hawkins, D. GEORGIA. S—John W. Underwood, D. @—*James Jockson, D. ‘7—*Joshua Hiil, 8. 0. ‘S—Jobn J. Jones, D. TLLINOm, 1—*Fihu B.Washborne,R. 2—*John J. Farnsworth, R. 3—Chas. F. Adams, R. »3—70wen Lovejoy, R. 4—Alexander H. Rice, R. So eRillam Kellogg, R. §—*Anson Burlingame, R. N. Morris, A.L.D. 6—Jobn B. Alley, _ John A. McClernand, 7—*Daniel W. Gooch, RB. , oops an b. §—chas. ‘Train, R. B—Philip B. Fouke, 1 9—*EIi Tha SJohm A. Logan. Roget Thayer, Re INDIANA. a J—Wm. E Niblack, p. DD ane ey D. 1—*James A. Stewart, D. My 2—Edw’d H. Webster, 8.0. 4—Wn:. 8. D- 2—*5. Morrison Harris,8,0. | S—David y 4—*H. Winter Davia, 8. 0. G—Albert &. vig} 5—*Jacob M. Kunkel, D, 7—*John G, Vavie, A. L.D, 6—~Goorge W. Hoghes, D. I NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1859.—TRIPLE SHEET. ican ee ee 1—George B. Cooper, D. 16 7 B.Tompkios, % L— , LY ue ao 2—*Henry Wa! ron, R. 11—Thomas C. ‘Theaker, Lt. 4—*De WiC. »R. —-19—*Edward Wade, ‘MINDIBIUTA. 20—John Hutchivs, R. 3-Orrae Alérioh, Py 21—*Jobn A. Bingham, R. 2—William Windon, R. ‘ORRGON, | MIST ePL 1—Lansing Stour, D. 1—*Luclus Q. ©. Lamar, D, PRS NSYLY ANIA. 2—*Kouben Davis, D. J—?Taoe, B. Florenoa, D, 3—*Wm. Barksdale, D, 2—*Edward Joy Morris, 4—*Otho R. Singleton, D, 6—*John J. McRae, MaRSOURT. S—Jobn Wood, R't 1—J. Richard Barrett, D, @—*John Hick nan, A.1.D. 2—*ihos. L. Anderan, D, TH. C. necker, 8—John Schwartz, A. L. D. 9—Thaddeus Stevens, Re 10—John W. Killingor, Rt Y1—James H. Campbell, Rt 12—Geo. W. Scranton, R.f 13—*Wm. H. Dimmick, D. Y4—*Galusba A. Grow, R. 15—James T. Hale, R. 16—Benj. F, Junkin, Rt 17—E1ward McPhergou,R.t 18—Samuel &. Blair, R. Ye-sJoun Covode, RF 20—*W. Montgomery, A.L.D. 2i—James K. Morehead, R 22—Robert MeKuigat, Rf 3—*Wm. Stewart, Rit 24—Chapin Hall, Rt 25—Elijah Babbit, Rt RHODE 18LAND. 1—Christo’er Robinson, R. 2—*Wm. P. Brayton, R. SOUTH CAROLINA, 1—*Jobn MeQueon, D. 3—*Jobn B. Clark, D. s-sames Craig, D. em eee? 6—*Jobn 8, . ToJaha W: Nosit'b. NEW HAMPSEIRE. 3—*G. B. Adrain, 4—Jeter R. Riggs, D. 5—Wm. Pennington, Ret NEW YORK. 1—Luther C. Carter, R. 2—James Humphrey, ®. 3—*Daniel E. Sickles, D. 4—*Thos, J. Barr, D. 5—*Wmm. B. Maclay, D. 6—*John Cochrane, D. 7—Goorge Briggs, A. 8—*Hor. F. Clark, A.L.D. 2—*Wm. } ier Miles, D. 9—*J. B. Haskin, A. L. D. S—tlawrence M. Keitt, D. 10—Chas. H. V Vyck, R. 4—*Millodge L. Bonham, D. D. 11—William'S. Kenyon, 8. §—John D. Ash 12—Charles L. Beale, R. 6—"* Wr. Boyce, D. 13—*Abraham B. Olin, R. — 14—J. H. Reynolds, a.L.D. 1—Thas. A. R. Nelson, 8. 0. 15—James B. MeKean,R.| 2—*Horace Maynard,’S. 0. 16—*Geo, W. Palmer, R. 3—Reese B. Brabson, S. ©. 17—*Frangis E. Spinner, R. 18—*Clark B. Cochrane, R. 19—James H. Graham, R. 20—Roscoe Conkilng, R. 21—R. Holland Duell, R. —M. Lindsley Lee, 'R. 2%3—*Charles B. Hoard, R. 4—Wm. B. Stokes, #0. 5—Robert Hatton, 'S. 0. 6—James H. Thomas, D. 7—*John V. Wright, D. S—James M. Quarles, 8. 0. 9—Emerson Etherldge,&.0. 10—*Wm. T. Avery, D. 24—Chas. B. Sedgwick, R. TEXAS. 25—Martin Butterfield, B. 1—¥John H. Reagan, D, 2%6—*Emory B. Pottle,R. 2—A. J. Hamiltoa, B. 21—Altred’ Wells, R. VERMONT. 2%—Wm Irvine, R. 20—Alred Ely, R. 30—Augustus Frank, R. 31—*Silas M. Burroughs, R. 32—E. G. Spanding, R. %8—*Reuben E. Fenton, R. NORTH CAROLINA. 1—Wm. N. H. Smith, 8. 0. 2 hos. Ruffin, D. 3—*Warren Winslow, D. 4—*L. O’B. Branch, D. 5—*John A. Gilmer, 8. 0. 6—James M. Leach, 8. 0. 1—*E. P. Walton, R. 2—*Justin 8. Morrill, R. 3—*Homer E. Royce, R. VIRGINLA. 1—*M. R. H. Garnett, D. 2—*Joho 8. Milison, D. 3—Daniel C. Dejarnette, B. 4—Roger A. Pryor, D. 5—*Thomas S. Bocock, .D. 6—Sbeiton F. Leake, D. 7—*Wm. Smith, D. 8—Alex. R. Boieler, 8. 0. 9—Jobn T. Harris, b. 7*—Burton Craige, D. 10— 8—*Zebuion B. Vance,8.0. 11 ono. 12. 1—*Geo. H. Pendleton, D. 13—Elbert 8. Martin, D. 2—Jobu A. Gurley, R. ‘WISCONSIN. 3—#C. T. Vallandigham, D. 4—William Allon, D. 5—James M. Asbley, R. €—Willam Howard, i. 7—Thomas Corwin, R. 8—*BRenjamin Stanion, R. 9—John Garey, R. 10—Carry A. Trimble, R. 11—Gharles D. Martin, D. 12—*Samuel §, Cox, D. 13—*Jobn Sherman, R. , D. 14—Harrison @. Blake, R. DELEGATE FROM KANBAS. 15—Wm. Helmick, R. Marcus J. Parrott, R. *Members of the last Congress. 4€iected by the ‘people’s party,” and are rather more American than republican. 1—*John F. Potter, R. *Cad. C, Washburn, R. . H. Larrabee, D. DRIRGATE FROM NLW MixI00. 1—*Miguel A. Otero, D. DELEGATE FROM UTAH. » ‘Wm. H. Hooper. DELEGATE FROM WASHINGTON. ‘Isaac J. Stevens, D. DELEGATE FROM NEURASKA, ‘E. Eastabri RECAPITULATION. Whole No. Anti Le- States. ls 3 = — Soa sentatives, Remidb, Mm. dem. 7 Alabama...... 7 ee ie 4 agg 2 = 2 SS = 2 = 2 os ee 4 4 = = a well _- 1 _- _- ie - 1 = = 8 = 6 = 2 19 4 4 1 _ me 1 3 1 = 2 een AS se : = 5 = 5 4 = 3 ay 6 6 _ a 1 n ne ae ay 6 — 3 _ 3 5 - 6 Be am 4 3 1 = = a = 7 = = Minnesota... 2 Bs = = N. Hampshire. 3 3 = = = N. Carolma.... 8 ps 4 me ri Whole No. Ankh. Ze States. of Repre- compton Sou'n sentatives. Repub. Dem. Dem. Opp New York*,.. 33 6 4 3 ae New Jersey... 5 3 1 1 = ObI0...+..e000 2 ors 6 = mY Oregon .. Pap _ 1 — — Pennsylvania. 25 20 2 3 = Rhode Island,, 2 2 = — — $. Carolina... 6 _ 6 = os 10 _ 3 _ 7 2 = 2 _ — Vermont. 3 3 ad _- — Virginia. 13 — 12 = 1 Wisconsin, 3 2 1 = ps Total........287 13 92 9 23 Necessary to a choicgy 119. Republicans lack, to make a majority, 6; democrats combined lack, to make a ma- jority, 18; democrats aud Sonthern opposition combined have a majority over the republicans of 11. APPREHENDED DIFFICULTIES IN ORGANIZATION. The first, and one of the most important and exciting, questions that will have to be disposed of is the organiza- tion of the House of Representatives. “Such a question rarely arises in the Senate, for, by the provisions of the constitution, the Vice President of the United States, is, ex officio, President of the Senate; but in the event of the Vice Presidency being vacant by death—as was the case during the whole of Pierce’s administration, Mr. King having died soon after his election—the Senate has the privilege of choosing its own presiding officer. Here, however, there would be no difficalty,as the democrats have a clear majority of twelve in that body, Besides, the Standing Committees of the Sonate are appointed by the body itself, not by its presiding officer; and the subordinate officers, such as Secretary, Sergeant-at-Arms, Postmaster, &c., hold their positions permanently—so that there is ueyer any difficulty about the organization of the Senate, It is not 80, however, in the House. The principle of rotation is there most strictly applied. The Speaker, Clerk, Postmaster, Doorkeeper, Sergeant-at-Arms, and other Officers, have to be clected at the cdmmencemtent of each Congress; and where, as in the present instance, no political parfy has a majority, the organization is a difficult and tedioas operation. It will be recollected that in the Congress before last (the Thirty fourth), the struggle over the election of Speaker continued from the firet Monday in December till the first Saturday in February, and was only then terminated by a resort to the plurality rule—giving the election to the candidate having the highest number of votes, though less than ama- jority of all the votes cast—by which Nathaniel P. Banks, the republican candidate, was raised to the Speakership. The same difficulty presents itself now. The House, as. will be seen by the table printed above, is composed of 113 republicans, 92 administration democrats, 9 anti-Lecompton democrats, and 23 Southern oppo- sitionists—in all, 237 members. All the votes being cast, it will require 119 to constftute a majority. The republicans lack six to make up that num- ber, and the democrate, administration and anti-adminis- tration, lack cighteen. ‘The SoutheFn oppositionists, there- fore, constitute the balance of power party, and unless they vote for the democratic candidate or get the demo- crats to vote for theirs, as is not improbable, the chances of a speedy organization of the House are very slim; be- cause it is entirely ow of the question that either the anti- Lecomptonites or the Southern oppositionists will lend any support to the republicans. How to effect an organization with these various hostile clements is the great political problem of the hour. Various plans and devices arc suggested; various bargainings a to chairmanships of committees and as to the lucrative offices of Clerk, Printer, Sergesnt-at-Arms, Postmaster and Doorkeeper, are proposed, but as yet it Is impossible to have any ac- curate idea how the thing will end. THE CAUCUSSES ON SATURDAY. ‘TH DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS. In accordance with the notice, the democrats assembled in the Hall of Representatives on Saturday. The names of the members present were then called over. Mr. George 8. Houston took the Chair, and Messrs. Cox, of Obio, and Wright, of Tennessee, were appointed Secre- A motion was made by Mr. Vallandigham, of Ohio, that a Speaker be nominated. This was opposed by Mr. Clark, of Missouri, He was of opinion that it would be better, in reference to successful combinations, that there should be no nomination of Speaker. He was fearfal of weakness in the act of changing candidates, should it bo neces. sary, ashe thought it might be, after a nomination was made. Mr. Garnett, of Virginia, spoke favorably to the reso- lution. He thought a nomination essential to the integrity of the party, which, in hie opinion, was paramount to ite | temporary success. So important did he think it that he would nominate, even though defeat were probable, Owo—(Continned.) ‘Mr. Burnett, of Ky., amended the resolution hy adding the Clerk, Duorkeeper, Postmaster and Senges’at-at-Arms, Deing all the officers oi the House. He @fpqgus in the be- lief that it was wise to proceed as it bad always been usual to make the ordinary nominatiors, and not 0 con- sult the expediency of not nominativg with reference to the action of the opposition, Mr. Leake, of Va., was averse, to nominating for any office, principally tecaxe of the number of democrats who were absent. Although ‘intending to sustain with cor- diality the action of the caicus, whatever it might be, he thought that prudence dictated that no nominations be made, aud that the Whole matter be postponed indell- nitely. Mr. John Cochrane, of N. ¥., conceived that the question of nomfuating a Speaker had a graver significancy thaw its temporary effect upon the organization of the House, The conservative cléments of the, North were regarding with ioterest the action of its Gemocratic representatives at Washing‘on. ‘The continuous and effective organization of the party, he thought, dyyended upon the steady aagertion of its prin- ciples. Be considered the introduction of the party ‘nto the comipg contest without a Speaker in nomina:ion eqnivaleyt to the advance of an army upon hostilities without a proclamation of war. But he was averse to nominmting any other officers. Having protected the party prinaipie by the nomination of a Speaker, he would nego- tiate upon t! s for a general success. Through these meave | red @ way might be prepared for the retrn to the democratic ranks of many who had left them. The question was then taken and the caucus <hter- termined to nominate only a Speaker. Thos. S. Borock, of Virginia, was accordingly unanimously nominated On the first call, John S. Phelps, of Missouri, aud Barks- dale, of Mississippi, received small number of votes each. A committee of five was then ordered to boll in super- vision the future action of the party on nominations. The caucus then adjourned. CAUCUS CF THE REPUBLICANS, A caucus of about ose Deundred republican members was held on Saturday, under a call issued by the Ohio members. Mr. Stanton, of Ohio, offered a resolution for an opposi- tion caucus, and it was voted down by @ large majority. Mr. Covode, of Pennsylvania, then moved @ resolution for a consultation of all those opposed to the admiaistra- tion; it was algo yoted down by about ten majority. This call, coming from the Ohio members, was con- sidered a Sherman movement. The friends of Sherman seem dissatisfied with the result, but Grow’s friends de not object. Under the following call the opposition members of Congress met on Saturday at one o'clock, in conference, to the number of cighty, including nearly all their leading men, to determine upon their action in organizing the House:— ‘The members of Congress opposed to the present ma- tional administration are invited to meet for the purpose of consulting relative to the of the House of Representatives. Mr. Pettit, of Indiana, wes chosen Chairman, and Mr. McPherson, of Pennsylvania, Secretary. Amotion was made requeating a caucus to be held the same evening of all the opposition members of Congress. ‘This was debated at considerable length, and the mo- tion was lost by yeas 34, nays 42. ‘Then a motion was made te adjourn, and earried by a large majority. ‘The discussion, which was harmonious, lasted ono or two hours. Some of the most radical republicansex- pressed their willingness to vote for an American or anti- Lecompton Clerk, if a republican Speaker was elected. It was finally decided not to call an opposition or astraight- out republican caucus, but that every member should go into the House and vote for his choice, as was done four years ago. As aconsequence of there being mo republican nemi- rations for Speaker or other officers, their vate in the Kouse at firat will be scattering, but will be given prin- cipally for Sherman and Grow, Sherman will undoubted- ly lead trom the first. There was a good deal of conversation on Friday and Satureey, between the Northern opposition and South “Americans, to effect « concert of action. This was Particularly the cage with the “peopte’s party” of | Penpeyivania, who are rather incliced to the South Americans than the radical republicans. In fact, the Pepvsylvania “people’s party” manifested great anxiety to unite with the South Americans, there being principles in common between them on the tariff qnestion. This question being the first one with them, aud the nigger question being ignored or subordinate, hence the defeat of the radical republicans, much to their chagrin, and the resnit of the conference, which leaves the question of pro- posing a Speaker open in Congress. Whilethere are some of the “people's party”? warmiy attached t Forney, there are others who do not think it necessary to insist upon bim being Clerk. He bas not all the delegation from Pepnsyl Many of the Pennsylvania opposition are apprebensive of the South Americans going in the end with the democrats, CAUCUS OF SUE SOUTH AMERICANS, ‘The South Americans met in caucus on Saturday, and, after a somewhat protracted conference, nominated Mr Jobo A. Gilmer, of North Carolina, aa their candidate for Speaker. They adopted strong resolutions ia favor of the Union and the constitution , and to vote for norepublican or democrat for Speaker, but to stand by and edhere to one of their own party for that position. It is stated that they communicated their action to the repuslicans, and informed them that they were ready to coaleice, provided they, the republicans, would accept a Sowh American for Speaker. The republicans, it ia said, refised to have anything to do with it. COSFERENCE OF THE ANTI-LECOMPIONIES. The anti Lecompton men had a conference on Saturday, and agreed for the present to cast their votes for Horace F. Clark for Speaker. The republicans have submitted vari- ous propositions to the anti-Lecomptonites, with a view to secure their votes. ‘The entire republican party, with the exeeption of a few from Pennsylvania—and these it is believed will be forced to come in—bave agreed to support Forney for Clerk, provided the anti-Lecomptonites will cast their vote for republican Speaker, The matter is now underadvisement, and it will probably be decided to-day, Forney has been telegraphed for, If this arrangement is carried out an Organization may be effected on to-day. IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AT ISSUE. It is not alone the pecuniary value of the positions at stake that gives importance to this struggle—though evyon that consideration is ordinarily a predominantone. Thero are other mightier considerations involved. If the Presi- dential election should have to go into the House of Representatives—as, in the event of its beng a triangular race for the White House, it may—then the position of Speaker would be of incalculable benefit to whichever party bad it, But even before that conside- ration, and almost beyond it in point of political import ance, is the influence which may be exerted over the popular mind of the country through the means of inves- Ugating committees controlled by the opposition party. It is asserted in advance that the republicans intend to move for committees of inquiry in regard toa variety of executive matters, such as contracts for army and navy supplies, Post Office and Custom House peculations, &c., with the object of eliciting and publishing facts which may be damaging to the democratic party. In this design the republicans rely for aid on the Southern oppositionists, It may be, however, that even should they succeed in getting up such committees, and in having a majority of their friends appointed on them, the developements will not prove half so hurtful or diagracetul to the democratic Party as the exposures of Matteson, Gilbert, Walsh and others in the Thirty-fourth Congress did prove to the re- publican party. If there are frauds and corruptions to be exposed, it ia the interest of the whole people of the United States that the exposures should be made, and the guilty parties, if ‘any, brought to punishment, Democrats can have no ob- Jection to that; their only objection is, that politi cal capital may be sought to bo made out of matters that really do not amount to anything, Politicians know how to take advantage of trivial circum stances, and are not restrained by any such notions of honor and fair play as exist among respectable people. Therefore it is that the one party will strain every nerve to get up investigating committees, while the other party ‘will do its best to thw&rt this design. For these three causes—plunder, political capital, and a possible influence over the Presidential clection—the elec- tion of Speaker, and the consequent organization of the Flouse, become a matter of the most intense interest to Politicians and to parties. We may expect, therefore, a most exciting contestover it—a contest which may extend beyond the Christmas holidays. The nominations of the different caucuses made on Saturday for Speaker aro, as will have been ween above, democratic, Mr. Bacock of Vir- | ginia;, South American, Mr. John A. Gilmer of North Carolina; anti-Lecompton, Horace F. Olark of New York. | The republicans have made no nomination, Tho | Speaker's salary is $6,000 per annum | otintsietered to th ‘Until the organization be effected, the Speakership of the House will be exerciged by the Clerk of th last Congress, Mr. James ©. Allen, formerly member of Congress from Diinols, who holds his office unti) the election of his suc- SUBORDINATE OFFICES—THE COLERKSHIP. Next in order, after the election of Speaker, comes that of Clerk. For this position there are half a dozen promi- mont candidates, Messrs. Allen (the present Clork), For- ney (Clerk in the Thirty-second and Thisty-third Qon- greases), Underwood (ex-member from Kentucky), Ho!l- man (ex-member from Maryland), French of Washing- ton (who held the position many years ago), avd others, are among thenumber. The salary of the Clerk is $3,400 per annum; but as he has the giving of contracts for stationery, binding, furniture, embellishments, and contingencies of various kinds, tht income of the office de- rived from all sources, legally and illegally, is estimated at from thirty to forty thousand dollars a year. BEARER OF THE MACE. ‘The position of Sergeant-at-Arms is, or at least has been, oually lucrative. ‘This official is the paymaster of the mileage and compensation of members. During the first two months of the Thirty-fourth Congress—whilo tho Hovse was unorganized, and whilo no ‘money could be drawn from the Treasury for the purpose—the ‘Sergeant-at-Arms managed to supply members with funds allthe same. It was said that some wildcat banks in Pennsylvania supplied that official with bills to any amount, allowing him x per centage for putting them ia circulation, and that ‘te was also allowed a liboral per centage by the members to whom he anced funds. He thas not only made a profitable epera... ., dut also in- sured his own re-election, He may have a similar op. portunity this Congress. There is any number of can- didates for this office, the emoluments being larger than those of the President of the United States, For every witness that is subpoenaed to give evidence before com- mittees tho Sergeant-at-Arms receives a messenger’s mile- age and per diem, although a score of witnesses may be sum- moned at the same time and place and by the ono offiger. The House adopted a measure at last Congress intended to put a stop to euch oxerbitant allowances; but, wherever public funds are in question, there is always a mode of evading the Jaws. Tue office of the mace bearer is therefore the object of may a politician aspiring to be- come suddenly wealthy. DOORKEEPER, POSTMASTER, ETC. As to the other subordiuate offices of doorkeeper, post- master, &c., they are all eagerly sought for, because, though the galaries are nominally small, the pickings are supposed tobo quite handsome, These pickings ought tobe all loyped off, fair sal paid, and the officials appointed, as in the Senate, during good bebavior, ‘This would insure g better and honester class of officers and would diminish the unseemly scramble for spoils that prevails at the opening of each Congress. The political managers expect, however, by the judicious bargaining off of these offices and the public printing, to win the game of the Speakership for their respective sides. TRE PUBLIC PRINTING. Next to the Speakership the position of public printer ie regarded as most important. By a remarkable arrange- ment on the part of the two houses, the public documents that are printed for the one body are also printed for the other, and paid for by each as if they were distinct jobs. Of course the composition work is done but once, the same man being virtually the ‘printer of both houses, although each considers it neces- sary toits dignity to elect a public printer. The men elected—usually some half-starved, fussy little editors from the South and West—sell out the job toa practical printer—Wendell, for instance—who does the work, charges for double composition, and pays ten or twenty thousand dollars a month to the nommal printers for their interest. The sum out of which the national treasury is swindled for printing ranges at from two to three and a ba millions each Congress. The work would be done in a national printing bureau for half amiliion. Why is it notsodone? Let Congress an- swer. The contest for this fat job. ies between Rives, of the Globe; Wendell, who has done the printing of the two last Congresses; Forney, who insists either on the printing or the Clerkship, in exchange for three or four anti-Lecomp- ton votes, which he is said to have in his pocket, and a whelc ewarm of hungry editors from the East, tha West and the South. Tharlow Weed is said to hare a Inger in the pie, going snacks with Wendell, and the later boasts that he will win as against Rives, ‘because ho is willing to poy five dollars for every picayune that Rives would pay. So mach for the spoils. NEW ARRANGEMENT OF THE HALL. ~ An innovation on the old system of seating members in the Hull is to be experimented on this cession, at the ex- pense of members of the lower House, A‘ tho last session a special committee, headed by Mr. South Carolina, reported in favor of removing the com- fortable desk and chair which each member bad assigoed to himself, and replacing them with rows of seats. To accommodate members who have to carry on corres- pondence during business hours, large writing tables aro placed in various poeitions outside of the ranges of seats. ‘This innovation, which was made at the expense of sevo- ral thousand dollars, will hardly prove very acceptable to members, and will probably operate to the retarding of business in causing members to adsent themselves. In the House of Commons, from which the ides ts birrowed, lesa than forty members, out of six hundred, constitute a quorum; here no business can be transacted witnout the Presence of one hurdred and nineteen members, Tae consequence will be that the House will find itsel? oftener than ever before without a quoram. PUBLICATION OF DEBATES. ‘The debates of Congress have been, for cyer twenty years, published in full in the Congressional Globe. A new system was devised, though not established, at inst Con- gress, which was to rake the reporters officers of thoir respective houses, and to haye the reports printed and published by tbe public printer, or by a National Printing Bureau. The House therefore struck ont of the Civil Ap- Propriation bill the usna items for the reporta. When the bill wentbefore the Senate that body restored the item for its own reporting, but did not interfere with that of the Houce. The latter body agreed % the Senate’s amendment, but it was then out of its power to put the ‘House reporting on the same footing. And so, while there is provision made for the officia! reporting of the Senate for next session, there is no provision for that of the House. The difficulty, however, is easily remedied, as the item can be placed :n a deficiency bill. The Berawp’s arrangements for reporting will bo more com- Pleto than they ever were before, ANALYSIS OF BOTH HOUSES. ‘The Senate is composed of sixty-six membere—two for each State. There are, however, several vacancies in the body. The vacancy made by tho death of Senator Broderick, of California, has been temporarily filled by the appointment by the Governor of that State of Judge Haun, a native of Kentucky. The appointment only holds good, however, until the meeting of the California Legiala- ture, which will be called upon to elect a successor to Broderick. There is also a vacancy for the Ste%s of Min- nesota, Oregon and Texas respectively. All of the present Senators were in the last Congress ex- cept seven, These seven are Messrs. Anthony, cf Rl, Grimes; of Iowa; Saulsbury, of Delaware; Powell, of Ken- tucky; Ten Eyck, of New Jersey; Hemphill, of Texas, and Haun, of California. Messrs, Grimes and Powell. have been Governors of their respective States; the other five are not extensively known as public men. The following named fifteen Senators have been Governors of their Tespective States, viz. :— Benj. Fitzpatr'ck, Ala. Lafayette 8 Foster, Conn, James W. Grimes, Iowa, Hannibal Hamlin, Me, Jobu J. Crittenden, Ky Kinsley 8. Bingham, Mich. Lazarus W. Powell, Ky. ‘Albert G. Brown, Miss, Witham H. Seward,N. Y, Thomas Bragg, N.C. ‘ibam ler, 5 joseph Lane, James it Lamaond, 8. ©. Henry B. ‘Anthong 'R. iL ‘Andréw Johnson, Tenn, Nearly half the members of the House of Representa- tives made their Congressional début in that body, There are only 115 (out of 237) who were members of the last House; but at least eleven of the others were mem- bers of former houses. These are, Rust, of Arkansas; the same who attacked Horace Greeley, on Pennsylvania avenue, three or four years ago, and hammered the Philosopher considerably with a heavy asilver-headed walking stick; Dunn, of Indiana; Perry, of Maino; Eliet, of Massachusette; Briggs, of NewYork; Corwin, of Ohio (Secretary of the Treasury under Fillmore’s administra- tion); Stevens, Millward and Campbell, of Pennsylvania; Etheridge, of Tennessee, and McClernand, of Iilinols. Tho four members who represent Connecticut are now in that capacity. Seven out of tho ten Kentucky mombers, six out of the eleven of Massachusetts, four out of tho five of New Jersey, nineteen out of the thirty-three of New York, thirteen out of the twenty-one of Ohio, seventeon outof the twenty-five of Pennsylvania, seven out of the ten of Tennessee, and six out of the thirteen of Virginia, were not members of the last Congrese, Dolaware, Fio- rida, Missiesippi and Vermont are the only States tha: have not changed their delogaiions. For several Congresses payt the oath of office has b yon peaker »y Joshua Ro Giddings ’ 0° Ohie, as being the member who consecutive service in the House. dings has been permitted to remain Geerge W. Jones, of Tenn.; Stephens, ot Ga.; Le:eher of Va., and other old members, have retired ‘body, the honors of seniority devolve on Williamson R: 'W. Cobb, of Ala. CONTESTED SEATS. ‘There are quite a number of seats to be contested, and ‘where party lines are 80 closely drawn we may expect to ‘gee these contests carried on with great carnestness and acrimony, because the results may give almost a working majority to the republicans. Returned, Contested by Daniel E. Sickles, of N. ¥.,D. Amor J. Williamson, A, ‘William B. Maclay, of N. ¥.,D. Philip Hamilton, D. John B. Haskin, of N. ¥ , A'L-D, Gouverneur Kemblo, D. ‘William C. Anderson, of Ky.,S. 0, James 8. Chrisman, D. J, Morrison Harris, of Md., $.-O. William P. Preston, D. Henry Winter Davis, of Md., 8. 0. William G. Harrison, D. George B. Cooper, of Mich.,). William A. Howard, R. J. Richard Barrett, of Mo., D. Francis P. Blair, Jr., R. Lansing Stout, of Gregon, D. R. T. B. Florence, of Pa., D. Ezra B, French, of Me., R. ‘Alfred Experience Estabrook, of Neb.,D. Samuel G. Daily, R. ‘Miguel A. Otero, of N..M.,D.” | Henry M. Watts, D. ‘Two or three weeks of the session, at least, will be con- sumed in disposing of these contested election cases; and in this, as in other matters, the effect of the organization will be felt, Ifarepablican Speaker be elected, a majo- rity of the members and the Chairman of the Committee on Elections will be republicans, and ‘will, of course, favor the claimants bolenging to their own party. As to the Territorial seats, there will be no hurry in disposing of them, because the delegates have no votes, and because the longer the question remains open the better for both Parties, who receive their mileage and per diem until itis devided, THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE. SUBJECTS TO BE EMBRACED IN IT. ‘The organization of the House being effected, and Con- gress having appointed a joint committee to wait upon tho President and inform him that itis ready to proceed to business, the President’s Message will be delivered. If there should be any undue delay in electing the Speaker, Mr. Buchanan may, as Mr. Pierco did four years ago, send his Message to the Senate. There are a great many ipeportant and exciting questions to be discussed in it: the-oocupation of the Island of San Juan; our unsettled relations with Mexico and Central America; the om\nous ap- pearance of affairs at home, arising out of the “irropressiblo conflict,”’ as interpreted by John Brown at Harper’s Ferry; the passage of a general bankrupt law, the tariff question, the Pacific Railroad, the acquisition ot Cuba, the Post oftice deficiencies, the working of the Reciprocity treaty, the ab- rogation of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, and other matters ofmore or leas pressing importance. The principal points in the forthcoming Message may be thus briefly resumed:— Recent events in Virginia will bring forth some em- phatic remarks on the danger which all sections of the country incur, from the growing tendency to arrange parties on geographical grounds, and also from the in- creased disposition in the public mind to hold lightly tho obligations of loyalty to the constitution. Another point of domestic policy which it will touch ‘upon is the protection to slavery in the Territories. While the President holds to the constitutional doctrine on this point, he deprecates legislation in anticipation of its being required, and thinks we should wait until the emergency comes up. If Congress will follow his advice, the whole subject will sink quietly down; for, in flve years more, we shall have no Territories on which to agitate the ques- tion. The condition of the Post Office Department, in the ab- sence of appropriations by the last Congress, isa subject of earnest commen}, with a recommendation of speedy action, in order to relieve the department and the country from the evils that accrue in the present state of aflairs. In regard to revenue and finance, the recommendations of the Message will probably embrace some important con- siderations, Although the trade of the country will ex- hibit a vast recovery from the depression of the last two years, there is room to doubt whether it would not be prudent to return to the tariff of 1846 until the whole ques- tion can be arranged on a more stable basis. Under the present unwise system every fluctuation in prices affects the revenue, In speculative years, when the government snonid net have the temptation which a large revenue gives it to entertain all kinds of schemes, the high prices of merchandise flood the treasury with income from duties and stimulate the general intoxication. On the other hand, in years of commercial depression the low prices of goods deplete the revenue and increase the general uneasiness. In our foreign policy, the Message will give the first place to the San Juan question, which is at this moment in on irritating position. During the last administration an understandivg was established between us and Eogland that neither government should exclusively occupy San Juan until the pending question of its dominion was settled, General Harney, either from some ambiguity in his in- structions or from not understanding them clearly, took possession of the island. This step called out from Lord Jobn Russell a despatch to Lord Lyons, which was com- municated by direction to General Cass, stating that England held undisputed right to the island, and would insist upon its recognition by this country. This ill-advised despatch has complicated the question materially. We cannot withdraw under its implied threat, and the President will set forth our rights to the island in the clearest and most distinct manner, and ad- vise Congress tbat they be maintained. In regard to the actual position of things at the island since the arrival of General Scott, the following are the facts:—On Tuesday last, 29th ult., voluminous despatches were received at the War Department from the General, brought by the last steamer from the Pacific. He had ad- dressed a letter to Governor Douglass, stating that under his instructions from the President of the United States, he was authorized to withdraw the forces of the United States and adhere to the treaty agread to between the two governments, of joint occupancy, until the points in dis- pute are settled. Governor Douglass replied that he was not authorized to accept. the proposition, and would therefore have-to confer with his govern- ment. He had no doubt it would be entirely acceptable. He expressed great satisfaction at the arrival of General Scott, and had no doubt the pend- ing difflonities between the two goyesnments would be amicably and satisfactorily adjusted. If the proposi- tion of General Scott is acceded to, the island will be oc- cupied jointly by a small force of the respective govern- ments. In view of the increasing value of our transisthmus trade and travel, the Message will call the attention of Congress again to the insecurity of those routes, and re- new the recommendations of last year’s special messages on this subject. si Mexican affairs are to be lightly touched upon, in view of pending negotiations; but the President will recom- mend that the present absurd restrictions of our neu- trality laws be so far modified as to permit our citizens who may desire todo so to enlist in the defence of the legitimate government of that republic, without incurring the penalty of fine and a term in the State prison. ‘The Message will probably give rise to exciting and pro- tracted debates. WORK FOR CONGRESS. ‘The unfinished business of a Congrees dies with the clos, of that Congress, and all pending matters must be com. menced de novo. Thus, bills passed by one house and not acted on by the other stand in no better condition than if they had never been brought up, and derive no advantage whatever from the progress that had been made with them. There was quite a large number of bills passed by the Senate, and not voted on by the House, and vice versa. ‘These come before Congress, if at all, as new matter, and must go through all the preliminary courses of introduc- tion, reference to committees, and reports from com mistees, before tifey arrive at the point of discussion and ere THE ACQUISITION OF CUBA. A great fortion of the time of last session was occupied in the discussion of a bill appropriating thirty millions of dollars to facilitate the acquisition of the island of Cuba by negotiation—in other words, to enable the President to conclude with Spain a treaty for the settlement of all diffi culties with her, including tho cession of the island of Cuba to the United States. This bill was introduced by Senator Slidell, of Louisiana, on the 10th of January, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. It was reported back from that committee by the same Senator, on the 24th of July, with a recommen. dation that it paas. From that day until the 26th of Feb. ruary, within a week of the final adjournment, the debate on the subject was kept up, the Inst vote being taken at one o’clock in the morning, on a motion to lay the bill on the table, which motion was nogatived by the vory decid- ed mojority of 18 yeas to 80 nays. Those who voted in the affirmative were Messrs. Broderick, Cameron, Chand- ler, Clarke, Doolittle, Fessenden, Foot, Foster, Hale, Ham. lin, Harlan, Kennedy, King, Seward, Simmons, Trumbull, Wade and Wilson. Those who voted in the negative were Mosers. Allon’ Bayard, Bonjamin, Biglor, Brown, Chestnat, Ciay, Cling man, Douglas, Fite, Fitzpatrick, Green, Gwin, Hunter, ny Iverson, Johnson of Arkansas, Johnson of Tennessee, Lane, Mallory, Mason, Polk, Pugh, Reid, Rice, Sebastian, Shields, Slidell, Smith, Toombs and Ward. Mr. Blidell, regarding this as a satisfactory test vote, Dut at the samo time recognizing the Impossibility of the Dill becoming a law within tho remaining seven days of ‘the session without injury to the public interests, declined to press it any further, but announced his determination to. bring it up early this session. ‘We may expect, therefore, '® lively time in both houses over the Thirty Million bill. PROTECTION TO AMERICAN CITIZENS ABROAD. On the 18th of February Jast—just a fortnight before. the final adjournment—the President sent a special mes- ‘sage to Congress, urging the importance of legislative action for the protestion of American citizens and their Property while in trdiisit across the Isthmus routes ba- tween our Atlantic and Pacific possessions, and recom- mending Congress to pass a law conferring on the Presi- dent the power to protect the livos and property of Ame- rican citizens in such cases, Senator Mason, from the- Committee on Foreign Relations, reported a bill giving the President the authority he asked. Tho Senate spent a. portion of a day in debating the subject, but noaction was. taken, Next day Senator Mason made an effort to havo the bill considered; but the Senate, by a vote of 25 to 31, refused to take it up. The matter-will undoubtedly bo again brought before the attention of Congress. GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES. The Senate adopted, on the 3d of March, the following, very important resolution:— Resolved, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, requested to cause the heads of the various executive departments to submit estimates of the expenditures for the: government to the Thirty-sixth Oon- gress, upon a basis not exceeding $50,000,000 per annum, exclusive of the public debt and the interest thereon, pro- vided the same can be done without injury to the public serv.ce, In compliance with this resolution, -the estimates to be submitted to Congress will be restricted in the aggregate to fifty millions; but Congress will probably go to work and make appropriations requiring the expenditure of double that sum. a COMMITTEES OF INVESTIGATION. The republican party are indulging in very extravagant antictpations of what they will gain from a series of spo” cial committees of investigation into all governmental ex- Penditures, and it is quite probable that an effort will bo made in that direction. It is also expected that the im- peachment case of Judge Watrous, of Texas, will be again brought on the tapis. ‘Theso investigating committees rarely effect any practical good. The only case for somo years past in which any good flowed from.them was that which led to the expulsion or resignation of Matteson, ‘Walsh and Gilbert, all membors of the republican party. ‘This case ought to be a warning to the republicans not to indulge in such dangerous experiments. PACIFIC RAILROAD. Next to the subject of Cuba that of the building of one or more lines of railroad from the Missouri to the Pacific occupied most time in the Sonate. So carly’as the 13th of December, Mr. Rico, of Minnesota, introduoed a bill to aid in the construction of certain railroads to the Pacific, to encourage settlements on their lines, and for ather pur- poses. This was intended as a substitute for the bill re- Ported at the previous session. Next day that original Dill came up for discussion, and was. kept before the Senate, with more or less steadiness, until the 27th of January. The title of the bill was “To authorize the Pre- sident of the United States to contract for the transpor- tation of the niails, “troops, seamen, munitions of war, army and navy supplies, and all other government service, by railroad from the Missouri river to San Francisco, in the State of California.” Finally the bill: was so altered and amended as simply to direct the Secretary of the In- terior to advertise in two newspapers in cach State and in the District of Columbia, for eight months, inviting sepa- rate proposals for the construction and working of threo railroads from the valley of the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean—one from the western boundary of Minnesota to Puget Sound, in Washington Territory; one from the western boundary of Missouri or Iowa, within the thirty- fourth and thirty-fifth parallels of latitude; to San. Fran- cieco or Benicia; and one from the western of Arkansas or Texas, by tho most oligible route, to San Francisco. The, sum of $3,000 was appropriated to pay the expense of advertising. ‘The ill, which ‘Was denounced as a farce by Senator Gwin, and was by all the friends of the Pacific Railroad regarded as a virtual. defeat of the measure, was passed by a vote of thirty-one to twenty. It was sent to tue House, but no action was taken on it inthat body. The Pacific Railroad will un- doubtedly be one of the most important subjects that wil? be brought before the next Congress. THE TARIFF, A revision of our tariff laws will also Occupy much of the time and attention of our national legislators through. out the coming session. The New England members, Particularly, are pressingly anxious for the imposition of ® system of high protective duties on ali articles of foreign manufacture that come into competition with the product of Northern looms, and the Pennsylvania dele- gation are equally golicitous about Protection for the tron. interests of that State. The Western men would like better protection for their ‘Wwool-growing interests, and: “the: members from Louisiana would like higher duties on sugar. Butthe Southern representatives generally aro: decidedly opposed to the existence of import duties for the sake of protection, and would prefera system of direct: taxation for the support of the government. The Presi- dent is rather in favor of a revision of the tariff, and will Probably recommend it in his annual message. A pretty exciting contest, may be looked for on this head. BANKRUPT LAW. : ‘The President will in all Probability press upon Con- gress the importance and necessity of passing a general bankrupt law. There aro few subjects of more absolute: importance to the commercial and trading interests of” this country; and it is to be hoped that, Congress will not fail to givo it that attention which ite magnitude de- serves. POST OFFICE DEFICIENCIES. Tt will be recollected that ,the annual Appropriation bill for the support of the Post Office Department during the current fiscal year failed to pass last Congress, on account: ofa parliamentary technicality which came up in iesug between the two honses. The bill—as all appropriation bills necessarily do—originated in the House of Repre- sentatives, was passed by that body, and thefi sent to the Senate. Tho Senate added amendment after amendment, increasing largely the aggregate appropriation, and among these amendments putin one increasing the rate of single letter postage from three to five cents for distances within the United States not exceeding three thousand miles, and to ten cents for any greater distance, and abolishing the franking privilege as to letters. When the bill came back to the House with these amendments of the Senate, a question was raised by Mr. Grow, of Ponn- sylvania, that this particular amontment was an en- croachment on the privileges of the Houso of Representa- tives, and he therefere offered the following resolution:— Resolved, That Hou 2 = tions for defraying tho expenses of te Post Olies Depart. ment for the year ending June 30, 1860, with the Sonate amendments thereto, be returned to the Senate, as sec- oe 18 of said amendments is in the nature of a revenue The question was put to the House, and the resolation was mdopted—yeas 117, nays 76. The subject then came before the Senate, and that body retorted by the adoption of the following resolution:— Resolved, by the of the to judge of the itutionality of its action ihe Senate has exercised said right 4 its netlon on the amendments sont to the House, leaving to the House its right to adopt or raject each of sald amendments at its pleasure. Honeo of Representatives, and tant the bal sat ee sent " - ments aforesaid be transmitted therewith. se ‘The bill, with the message from the Senate, came to the Speaker's table, and a motion to take it up was lost. Finally, however, © committee of conference -was ap- Polnted, and that committee agreed, within a few hours of the final adjournment, to a report, that whilo neither- House was understood to waive any constitutional right. which they might respectively consider to belong to them, the House be recommended to pass a new bill (preciecly the same as the original one), and the Senate be recom- mended to concur theroin, The House adopted ‘the report, and carried out the recommenda- tion, In the Senate the bill was defeated by @ technicality. According to the rule and practice of that body, a bill cannot reogive its second reading the same day it receives its first, except by unanimous consent, and there is no mode there, as there is in the House, of sus- Pending its rules by a two-thirds vote. Onthe motion be- ing made by Mr. Seward that the bill bayo ite second reading, objection was instantly made by Messrs. Toombs, Broderick and Benjamin, and while the former was dis- cussing the question the hour for the expiration of Con- gress (noon of the 4th of March) arrived, anit the View President declared the Senate adjourned sine die. ‘The aggregate appropriation in the origian! bill wag $20,- 476,788, including nearly four millions for a doficioncy from the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869. The sumalso inctnded tho estimated receipts from poatnges, it boing a mooted guestion whether Wese receipts can be legally appliot