The New York Herald Newspaper, December 18, 1878, Page 4

4 WASHINGTON. Lively Debate in Both Branches of Congress. ALLUSION 10 THE CIPHER DESPATCHES Neither Party Anxious foran Investigation. PASSAGE OF MR. BLAINE’S RESOLUTION. Apathy of Republican Senators on the Southern Question. SILVER COIN IN PAYHENT (OP INTEREST. —-- FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. Wasatseton, Dec. 17, 1878, ME. BLAINE’S RESOLUTION IN THE SENATE. The adoption of Mr. Blaine’s resolution to-lay practically ends the Southern question. It was the last effort of a republican leader to force the political activity of the country back to old issues instead of leading and guiding it to new ones. The whole sourse of the last two days’ debate has shown that Mr. Blaine had not the hearty sympathy of his party in the Senate and that the sub- ject he has tried to revive was so dead that even the galleries took bnt a languid interest in it. The republican Senators left Mr. Blaine unaided to manage his resolution. Mr. Hoar and Mr. Howe yesterday, Mr. Teller to-day and Mr. Edmunds last Wednesday interjected a few words into the debate. Mr. Coukling offered an amendment whose object was to relieve the Judiciary Committee of the inquiry and refer it to # special committer, and took occasion to say in offering it that he was in sympathy with the resolution, but that he would not serve on the sommittec it created, and that was all. So marked is the coldness with which the resolution is regarded on the republican side the Senate that a re- publican Senator remarked to-ilay that he thought there would have to be a draft on that side to get Senators to serve on the committee, and the loneli- ness of Mr. Blaine to-day, when there were several formal speeches on the democratic side, to all of which he had to reply, was so noticeable as to be painful. Not that Mr. Blaine halted or was embar- tassel. He was full of spirit. His share in the febate was the most brilliant and lively of all. He tept his temper and was always interesting and forcible, but it was all up hill work. There was no 4ife in the movement he bad begun, and everybody lelt this. The debate to-day was not important. Mr. Merri- mon made a speech which was so generally under- stood to be addressed to the North Carolina Legisla- bure about to elect a Senator, that when Mr. Blaine suggested as much he hardly raised a laugh. Mr. Wallace analyzed Mr. Blaine’s figures in his opening specch and contributed some new ones of his the other side. He made one forcible statement when he spoke of the greatly improved condition of the Southern States since they have been relieved from federal interference, and pointed ont that the only two States in which it is asserted that wrongs have been committed at the recent election were the two which were longest and latest under federal mnie, showing that local self-government brought peace, order and justice. must have patience,” be said. “Lf we want to reconstruct Southern society we must cease to agitave and to alarm. We must give the couutry rest anda chance to attend to business.” Mr. Whyte, of Maryland, sarprised the Senate with B comic appeal to Mr. Blaine not to disturb the serenity of that august body with his wild and boisterous ways. Mr. Morgan, of Alabama, thonght the inquiry of Bo practical use, and called it a political adventure tor the next Presidency. Mr. Blaine replied to all who spoke. He even tried to draw out others to the attack, and made an especial onset on Mr. Lamar, who quietly sat and listened and refused to bite at the bait #0 temptingly held up before him, and so the debate ended, having be ed all through and of little moment except that every added «peech made it clearer to everybody that Mr. Blaine had made a mis- take; that the inquiry less, as the laws are of being executed the nvestigated already by judicial process, and Southern question 86 3 political issue is dead, too dead to be revived by even Mr. Biaine’s brilliant onset, and so dead that no other Senator would tonch it except to push it out of his own way. THE CIPHER DESPATCHES IN THE HOUSE. In the course of a discussion this afternoon in the House, in which Mr. Foster attempted to throw doubt on the undoubted and important economics in the running expen- of the government since the democrats lav the House, and was over- thrown by Mr. Hewitt, who showed the House that Mr. Foster was wisteken in his figures, Mr. Conger to the aid of Mr. Foster with an irrelevant remark about the Tilden cipher despatches, which produced a droll confusion on both aides It is the first time that the cipher deepatches have been openly mentioned in the House, Both parties have been carefully silent about them. The repubii- cans are less anxious for their investigation than the democrats. Mr. Hale, who was said to have prepared im advance of the opening of the session a resolution demanding their investization, has been a6 silent as the grave about them since, aud Mz. Conger’s men- tion of them to-day was thought very maladroit by bis republican friends, The democratic position in regard to them is this:—They say that to enter volumtarily upon their tavestigation isfor them to sesume that Congress | bas a right to inquire into the private affairs of per. « who hold no official position. But they add | that if the republicans carry out their boast sud offer wresolntion ordering an investigation they will not find it opposed on the democratic side. Moreover it ie understood that if any one will bring to the Potter committes any cipher or other despatches bearing on the Florida, south Carolina or Louisiana election of 1876 the comscittes will not hesitate @ moment to make them partof its investigation. As they are im the possession of republicans the whole question of luvestigating them depends on these and not on the democrats, It is understood, bowever, that tf anch 0 inquiry is begun it will be made thorough, and the republican cipher deepatches will also be looked in or at least such of thom ax bave not been destroyed. came THE COMING CENSUS—GENERAL FRANCIS WALKED'S VIEWS, AS GIVEN TO THE HOUSE COMMITTES. General Francis Walker hos appeared betore the Census Committee to urge action at the present session ou the Consus bill, His experience with the last census shows bim that io postpoue the wetter until tho next session would be fatal to & usefnl census, Mr. 8. %. Cow who is chairman of the House committee, takes an intelligent and carnest interest in the question, hay- img made @ study of the European census systems during the summer. General Walker urges mainly that @ wide discretion shall be vosted in the Interior Department, both 2s to Theans and f Lority, this being a special service for which no strict limitations im detail can be applied. He hopes that the committee will authorize the ap- Pointment of local supervisors for the census spe cially for the work. This is now done by the United States marshals, who are, in the main, already too busy and have no special wleptation tr thie work. He «arpes tiso the employment of specialists to gather statis- tics of manufactures, mining and other gocial and | of allowin, | silver money in the ‘Treasurer's general coin acco NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1878—TRIPLE SHEET. limitation of the questions propounded on the gen- eral household schedule. He remarks also that it is injudicious to fix the compensation of the enumerat- ors beforehand in the bill. This system, heretofore pur- sued, works with great injustice and bardship to these officers in sparsely settled parts of the country and causes needless expense to the goy- ernment. Their pay should be regulated by the Census Bureau according to the labor they have to perform, and Congress ought to leave the bureau discretion in this matter. ‘The committees in both Louses are at work on the subject, and they are likely to perfect a good bill at the present session. PROPOSED NATIONAL MUSEUM IN CONNECTION WITH THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION—-THE BUILDING AND THE EXHIBIT. Senator Davis to-doy introduced a bill providing for the erection of 2 freproof building for a national museum in connection with the Sinithsoniau Lusti- tution. This is very much needed. The present build- ing is overcrowded with the collections of about two Lundred and fifty explorations of greater or less magnitude, and al! the invaluable national collections shown at the Centennial Exhibi- tion, and which were presented to our gov- ernment. are now stored away out of sight and rotting or decaying. The value of these to inventors, to natural history, to history and to the industrial arts cannot easily be over-estimated, and they need a building in whieh they can be shown. What is now hidden away and perishing is thus described :— Nearly $150,000 was expended under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution in prepsring, by author- ity of Congress and at the expeuse of the government, acollection illustrating the animal resources of the country, including the fisheries, the mineral re- sources and the past and present condition of the North American Indians for exhibition at the Cen- tennial. All this in addition to what was alrealy coutained in the National Museum. This collection occupied one acre of the space in the government buildings at, Philadelphia. At the close of the Centennial, with scarcely an exception, the collections illustrating the mineral wealth, the animal and vegetable resources, the fisheries and the ethnology of all the exhibiting nations were presented to the United States; also a large proportion of those of a similar character be- longing to the States and private exhibitors, the ad- ditions being nearly twice as large as the ex- hibit of the National Museum in Philadelphia. The collections thus withdrawn from the public view em- brace the series of ores, metals, building stones, com- bustibles, pottery, clay and earth; aiso illustra- tions of the industries connected, with the animal kingdom and the fisheries, not only of the United States, but of most other countries. Large numbers of objects of Indian manufacture are also packed away. The collection thus withdrawn trom exhibi- tion is one of the finest in the world, The speci- mens are every day undergoing deterioration—the animal prodwets from the ravages of insects, the samples of iron and steel froin rust. Access to the collection for its preservation is to a great degree im- practicable. A new building is, therefore, absolutely in the interests of the industries of the country, which would be greatly served by the exhibition of this collection, containing, as it does, the pith and essence of the international exhibition. Professor Baird says that a fire proof building 300 feet square, or containing 90,000 square feet, would be adequate tothe want, and that one can be erected en- tirely suited to the purpose within a year of the time of commencement at a cost of $250,000, This would, however, be, it is understood, only a temporary build- ing, but it would stand many years, and it is to be hoped that the plans for such a building will be carefully made by Cony ee architects. fact, the advice of the whole body of American architects ought to be taken on the subject. The site for the building is an admitable one, und ever a temporary structure onght to be a meritorious piece of archi- tecture and nota disgrace to the capital. ime FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. Wastinoton, Dec. 17, 1878. FEES FOR POSTAL ORDERS—MOVEMENT FOR THEIR REDUCTION. ‘The bill of Mr. Cutler, of New Jersey, to reduce the minimum of fees tor postal orders to five cents was offered by that gentleman in response to a gen- eral demand for a lowering of the rate from the pres- ent minimum of ter cents now exacted for the trans* mission of even so smallasum as $1. There is no longer any pretence of necessity for maintaining the latter rate, as the report of the Postimester General shows that for the year 1474 the money order branch has become a source of profit. When it is remembered that Uncle Sam is willing to lose about $7,000,000 annually in the letter carrying business ft seems unfair that the mass of people who are benefited by the money order service should be made td pay more than the expense of such service, The experiment of again trying the five cent mini- mum, the abolition of which is credited to the inter- | ested lobbying of bankers and brokers who were jeal- ous of the government's interference with their ex- change business, will undoubtedly be popular. THE NEW YORK NOMINATIONS. As Congress will adjourn on Friday for the Christ- mas recess there is a general disposition on the part of members who live at a distance to leave town by as carly as Thursday. For this reason it is thought there will be no quorum of the Senate Committees on Commerce at the regular mecting the day after to- morrow, and that tly w York nominations will go over without further consideration until after the holidays. Pan Mee N= Sees GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES, WastiiNaton, Deo. 17, 1878. SILVER COIN IN PAYMENT OF INTEREST ON UNITED STATES BONDS—SECRETARY SHERMAN IN REPLY TO SENATOR BECK'S RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY. A communication from tho Secretary of the Treas- ury was laid before the Senate to-<ley in respouse to as resolution of Mr. Beck, adopted by that boay on the 3d inst., calliug for information as to the amount of silver coin received for cusioms dues since the be- ginning of the current fiscal year, and whether it bas been applied to any extent to the payment of in- terest on the United States bonds, and if not so ap- plied to state the reason why. Secretary Sherman transmits a report made to him on the subject by the ‘Treasurer, and adds :— Under existing law either gold coin or standard sil- ver dollars may be used in payment of Interest of the public debt. The law docs not direct which shall be paid, but leaves this to the diserction of ths dopart- ment, to be exercised upou considerations of public aud the practice, as stated by the Treawurer, the public creditor the option of the form and denomination of the money tu which he shall be paid has thus far been observed, The manifest object of the act to authorize the coinage of the silver dolar and restore its legal ten- ner eter, when construed in conuection with the Resumption act, is that gold coi silver dollars shall be maintaine other, and this object can best b ont sich pe may sibsorve th person and not to force upon him either torm of moey. Auy other course would divcrimi- nate against the standard silver dollar aud tend to its depreciation. ‘The following is the report of Treasarer Gilfillen, which Secr@tary Sherman trausmits and refers to as “farnishiug the desired information :”. Tagascny or run Untrep stares, Wastin tox, Lee, 9, i874, j $tn—I have the honor to return 1 ith, in eom- pliance with your Sagpees, Senate resvhition of the bd iust., referred to this office by you under date of the 4th iat. for information. The scope of the reso- | lution seems to be comprehended in the foliowing tare the awount and denomination of silver coins reccived in payment of customs dues since duly 1, 1476? Whether the sliver coins so received have to the payment of interest on the bonds or notes of the United States, aud if uot, the reason why. Thrd—What ainount of coin interest has been paid sitce the above date in gold and silver coins reepec- tively ? In wnswer to the first inquiry it may be said that no distinction has ever been tvde between gold and ut to which account ail coin receipts of the government ave carried by warrant of tho Secretary of ‘Treasury under section 305 of the kevised Statutes, No record is kept of the denominations of either the gold or silver coins — received fof customs and no informetion can be given from the records of thie oftice, snowing what amount of the generai receipts front customs for the current fixenl year was in silver coius. ‘Lhe receipts of sub- sidiary silver on account of customs are necessarily small, for the reason that such coins are not receiv> able, except for tractions of a dollar, when the pay- mont to be made excvods $5. Lhw total receipts of standard silver doilurs at this office and at the Sub- ‘Treasury offices for the period from duly 1, 187%, to November 9, 1874, were $6,178,345 from ail sources, except comage, including customs, the four per cent loan ant silver certificates. Deducting from this aim feceipis of silver dollars from other sources jan customs and $1,500,000 ie a very Hveral estimate for the amount of silver dollwrs recelved on account of enstoms for the period aleve mentioned. ‘The above figures Iver cor. tificates received on principally at the New York office, which smounted during the (miscellaneous subjects, and the strict aud judicious | current fisval year to $1,200,000, This amount exceeds the total amount of silver certificates issued, which is accounted for by the tact whan received tor pub- he dues silver certificates have been paid out. | ‘The greater portion of the above $11,200,000 is repre: | sented by only $6,717,000 in San Francisco silver tifleaies received for customs in New York, all, or portion being again paid out by that office and noth- | ing received for custoias, Silver certificates canuot | be paid tor interest, their issue being authorized ouly upon a deposit of standard silver dollars. In response to the second inquiry contained in the Senate resolution, it may be stated that the silver | coinage received during the current fiscal year has not | been specifically applied to the payment of interest | upon bonds and notes of the United States, except so | foras the fractional silver'so received has been used | in disbursements for coin interest in making pay- ments, for {ractional parts of the dollar, No in- structiens bave been given by the department direct- ing the payment of interest upon bonds and notes of the United States in silver, In making coin payments, however, payees are permitted to elect which currency they shall receive, whether gold, silver or coin certificates or United States notes. The Treasury has also exchanged standard silver dollars with the public for gold coin to the amount of $1,584,155. The receipts of silver coin for customs duties during the current fiscal year have not been suflicient to cnable the department to make payment exclusively in silver coin. No general demand for it, im lien of gold, was manifested by those entitled to coin interest from the government. While reserving the legal option of the government to pay either gold Or silver coin, tt Wak Bean the general practics to eomply with the wishes of the holder of a demand agaiust the United States a8 to the form or denomina- tion of money desired by hian, and this practice has been observed in the payment of interest of the pub- lic debt, In the disposition of the coin paid tor | duties on imported goods the requirements of sec- tion 30M of the Revised Statutes have uot been disregarded in respect to the application of coin #0 received, first, to the payinent of coin interest; scc- ond, to the sinking fund; third, to the payment of the residue into the Treasury, Attention is directed to the fact that nearly the entire receipts of standard | silver dollars from all sources, including coinaye, ave been expended in the purchase of silver bullion the appropriation made in the first section of | t of February 25, 1878, entitled, ‘An act to au- thorize the coinage of the standard silver dollar and to restore its leggl tender character.” To the third inquiry it isreplied that the coin in- terest paid during the fiseal year amounis to $39,345,224 37, and no fuller information can be given | than that contained in the reply to the second inquiry as to the amount of such interest which was paid in gold apd silver coin respectively, Very respectfully, JA) GLLFILLAN, ‘Treasurer of the United States. Hon. Joun SuveMay, Secretary of the ‘reasury. ABMY MATYERS—BILLS REPORTED BY THE HOUSE MILITARY COMMITTEE. The House Committee on Military Affairs to-day agreed to report to the House with favorable recom- mendations the following bills:— : me epnen tthe pale Ane ee War so as to read as follows :— ARTICLE 103.—No person shall be tried or punished by acourt martial for any offence committed more than two years, or in a case of desertion, three vears betore the arraignment of such persons for such offence, unless he meanwhile may have absented himself from the United States, in which case the time of his absence shall be excluded in computing the period of the limitation. ‘ Amendatory ot section 1,235 of the Revised Statutes 60 as to read as follows:— SzcTIoN 1,285.—A certificate of merit granted to an enlisted man by the President for distinguished ser- vices shall entitle him thereafter to additional pay at the rate of $2 per month while he is in the mili- tary service, although such service may not have been continuous. Amendatory of section 1,216 0f the Revised Statutes so as to read as follows:— = + SxEcTION 1,216.—When any non-commissioned officer, musician or private soldier shall have distinguished himself in the service the President may, on the recommendation of the commanding officer of the regnnent to which such non-commissioned musician or melee soldier belongs, grant him a certaficate of merit. Also a bill authorizing the appointment of Dr. James T. Powell, formerly of the Confederate service, to the office of assistant surgeon, United States Army, with tne rank of lieutenant. THE ROBESON INVESTIGATION. It was decided by the House Communities on Naval Affairs to-day that the majority report of the com- mittee in the care of ex-Secretary Robeson should be withheld for the present, in order that the gentle- man and others implicated in the testimony taken in the investigation should have an opportunity to furnish proof—as desired by them—to show that charges preferred are false. The time granted for this purpose extends until January 14, four weeks from to-day; and it is understood that in order ‘to allow full opportunity for the introduction of new evidence, the committee will hold sessions during the holiday recess. MR. HEWITY'S BILL TO SECURE A UNIFORM STANDARD OF VALUE. The House Commitjee on Banking and currency to-day heard Representative Abram S. Hewitt, of New York, *in advocacy of his bill to secure a uniform standard of value. A general dis- cussion was indulged in by members of the committee and it was finally decided to conclude consideration of the bill to-morrow, at which time various other bills pending Yefore the committee will be disposed of, including the proposition of Representative Phillips relative to postal savings in- stitutions. . The bill of Mr. Hewitt, which was under discussion to-day, provides that gold and silver coins of the United States which are u full legal tender shall here- after be interchangeable at their lawful value, cither for the other, npon the demand of any holder thereof at the office of the Assistant Treasurer in the city of New York, when presented in sums of $100 or any multiple thereof, leaving the amount of silver to be coined to the discretion of the Secretary of the ‘Treasury. ILLEGAL ACTION OF THE BUREAU OF ENGRAY- ING AND PRINTING—HOW NATIONAL BANK NOTES HAVE BEEN PRINTED. , Some time ago Mr. Atkins, chairman of the House Commnttee on Appropriations, reqnested Mr. Gloyer, chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the ‘Treasury Department, to furnish such informe tion as might be useful eral appropriation bills. Mr. Glover acvord- ingly sent to Mr. Atkins a statement that national bank notes have been printed in the Burean of Engraving and Printing instead of under the direction of the Comptroller of the Currency, as the law requires, and that the Bureau obtained the work on the back of the notes by offering to do it for $892 a thousand impressions, which was lows than the bid of any of the seven bidders, Bui from the lst of Jannary to the Ist of July Jast only about one-sixth of the work wax done at this price, the remainder being charged secretly at $14 4 thousand for the second printing or green tint and $20 wthousand for the third printing or faces. Mr. Glover says that Congress and the public bave been deceived as to this expenditure; that the bureau figures are wholly unreliable; that the bureau reports do not make a proper showing of cost, and that the bank note printing indicates needless ex- penditure and extravagance within the last fiscal year to the extent of over $130,000, The expenditures of the bureau before 1874 are not even known, being mixed with so-called expenses of the national loan, and it would take a corps of clerks six months to ascertain the actual state of the account, ‘THE! CONGRESSTONAL YELLOW FEVER COMMISSION, A meeting of the eub-committees of the Conyress- fonal Yellow Fover Commision was held to-night ap which there wes a general discussion of the business necessary to the operations of the joint com- mission, and the names of ® number of mod- jeal experts were presented to accompany the sub-committees South on their tour of investigation. Among those who will take official part inthe investigation arc Drs, Bemis and Chaille, ot New Orlewns; Green, of Boston; Cochran, of Mo- bile; Randie, ot Philadelphia, and others. The gen- eral committees of both houses of Congress will oe hg meeting to-morrow in furtherance of the object. “THe M'GALRABAN CLAIM. The Howee Commitiee en Pablic Lands to-day postponed, until January 15, the hearing of the argu- meut in regard to the MeGarralan claim, the at- torneys of the New ldria Mining Company, who op- pose it, not being ready to go on to-day, It is the intention of the committee, after the date mentioned, to give the matter continuots hearings until it s! be disposed of finally, PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS, SENATE. « Wasutxarow, Doo, 17, 1473. On motion of Mr. Wixpom, (rep.) of Minn., the Sea- ate insisted upon its amendiments to the Military Academy Appropriation bill, and # committee of com ference Was ordered. Mesers, Allison, Blaine and Davis, of West Virginia, were appointed members of the committee on the part of the Senate. Mr. Wixpost moved to take up the Naval Appropria- tion bill. Mr, Bis hoped that the bill would not be taken up now. He desired to address the Senate in regard thereto, Ff ‘THE CONULAB AND DIPLOMATIC BILL. Mr. Wrxvom withdrew that motion and submitted one to tuke up the Consular and Diptomatie Appropri- ation bill, Agreed to. im explanation ofthe bill Mr. Wixpom ssid the bill, as itcame from the House, approprinted $1,045,735. ‘The Senate Coumittee on Appropriations had added $*2,100, which iade the bill as it now stood $50,300 fess than the estimates for the next fiscal year, The House had reduced the salaries of Ministers to Great Britain, France, Germany and Russia from $17,000 each to $15,000 each; the Ministers to Spain, Austria, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, Japan and China from $12,000 each to $10,000 each, and the Ministers to Chili and Peru from $10,000 each to $6,000 each. The Committee on Appropriations had restored the sala- rivs of these officers, so that they might receive the amount of compensation now fixed by law. All the amendments of the committee restoring salaries were agreed to, and also the following: — Tepesling so much of the act of June 4, 1478, as provided that chargés d'affaires af interim shall’ re. | ceive no additional pay beyond that which the law provides for regular oftices Which they hold in their respective legutions. Various other amendments restoring certain con- stilates wee agreed to, aul also amcudments providing for ministers’ resident at Belgium, the Netherlands and the Argentine Republic at $7,500 each; restoring the salary of Minister Kesident and Cousul General at Hayti to $7,500, and providing for charyzés d'affaires to Denmark, Paraguay and Uruguay and Swizerland at $5,000 each. All the amendments of the committee having becn agreed to, Mr. Pappocg, (rep.) of Neb., submitted an ndment raising the cousnlate at Chemnitz trom $2,000 to $2,500, which was to. ¢ bill wis then read a third time and passed. Mr. Buunsipr, p.) of R. L, submit & rosolu- tion allowing Lieutenant F. V. Green, of the United States Army, to acespt a decoration conferred npon him by the enor of Russia. Referred to the Com- mittee on Foreign Relations. MR. BLAINE’ RESOLUTION. The morning our haying expired the Senate re- sumed consfficration of the unfinished’ business, being the resolution of Mr. Blaine, of Maine, provid- ing tof an inquiry as to whether any citizen was de- prived of his constitutional rights during the recent elections, Mr. Hin1, (dem.) of Ga., said he Wad to leaye the Scuate yesterday on accotnt of severe physical indis- Rosinod. He had no purpose of tuking part in this discussion, but had he besn here yesterday he would have voted for the amendment of tie Senator from South Carolina (Mr. Butler) in regard to having the comuittee sit with open doors. SPEECH OF MR. MERRIMON. Mr. Meanttos, (dem.) of N.G., took the floor and replied to the remarks of Mr, Blaine of Wednesday Jast. Ho said he listened with feelings of surprise and indignation to the assanlt upon the white cople of the South by the Senatur from Maine. He (Mr. Merrimon) could not deny the physical power of that Senator to thus abuse the patience and dignity of the Senate. The reason brought forward by the Senator from Maine could ouly serve to revive sectional hate und array the colored people ageinst the white peo- ple, It would injure the industries of the people, their trade and their commerce. Such a speech ag that made by the Senator might gratify the noble am- bition of that gentleman, but he (Mr. Merrimon) did not think there were many who would envy the au- thor for the laurels it afforded hi should have peace and harmony and there should be an end of sectional feuds. Misrepresentations must cease and love of country must be above love of party. The colored man may have been interfered with in some of the States, just as the white man had been interfered with in other sections, but he denied that it had been done to such an extent as to affect the whole colored vote. Thousands of colored men: in the South had abandoned the republican ey. nd voluntarily joined the democratic % the number increased at every election. It was to the de- cided interests of the colored people to vote with the white people. Hespoke of the peaceable condition of affairs in his own State, and satd:—‘Let the shrieks of the ke political alarmist be hushed. Let peawe do its in restoring good will, The demo- cratic party was in power in the South, and, as a result, peace, order and good will pre vailed. Southern men do not want any ad- vantage over their brethren of the North.” He deplored and deprecated the tone and manner of the speech of the Senator trom Maine. It would have been better for the whole country had he not made it and in it referred to Senators here from the South as men of the South instead of as Senators. REMARKS OF MB. WALLACE. gy. Mr. Watuace, (dem.) of Pa., said he would have arrayed the democrats of ‘the Senate solidly against this resolution if he could, tor it could bring no re- sults, and the people were sick of sectional and poli- tical agitation. The fourteenth amendment to the constitutidn had been construed by the Supreme urt, and the remedy these resolutions proposed could not lawfully be applied. No good could come from agitation, ‘The remedy tor these alleged troubles in the South was by contests for seats in the other House of Con If all these statements of fraud in the Sou! re true :t was very si e that out of 106 members from that section holding seats in the other House of Congress less than six had been contested. Why raise this investi- gating committee ? The practical sense of our busi- ness people would have no more of this useless ae tation. ‘The democrats proposed to obey the cons tutional amendments to the letter, to educate elevate the biack man and test his capacity for citi- zenship. The republicans propose to take from him Tepresantation and rade him. It was not true, ag charged by the Senator from Maine, that thirty-five members had been yiven to the South since the war by reason of the negro vote. The act of 1872 only added twenty. ‘They had misrepresentation for three- fifths of the colored vote before. The figures given by the Senator from Maine were based upon popula- tion and not upon voters, and the same irregularities that he (Mr. Blaine) pointed out im the South existed in the North. ‘These were the results of our system and must be borne. We could not deprive States of representa tion. If we could Pennsylvania might suffer, for masses of voters wero turi@d away from the polls there for nonpayment ot taxes. Two contestants were topdeeteen for seats froin that State based upon corruption, frand and illegal votes. This was the only safe method for the settlement of such wrongs. Tho laws recognized no other. ELECTIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA. ae people of Pennsylvania had been dominated by political managers and money used to bring about results, Pcople of that State subimitted because the forms of the law were used to deny oy and give the republicans control. ‘The people of this country wanted no more political agitation. They business fostercd and sectional strife to cease. It would be monstrous to punish a State and deprive her representation because the uegroes refused to regis- ter. He referred tq the conduct of elections.in Phila- deiphia, and said the republicans or republican man- agers placed at every poll in that city deputy marshals, many of them of the most dixrep- utable character, to drive away voters. A subservient Legislature bad taken from the Sheriff of in framing gen- |-Pbiladelphia the power to appoint the deputies be- cans he happened to bea democrat. Such was the republican rule in Pennsylvania, The negro voter was provided by them with a tax receipt and the white man too poor to pay his taxes was driven from the polls. He argued that the condition of the South was infinitely better than it was five years ago. The country must be couteut with its progress, through which the capacity of the negro for self-government cond be fully tested. ‘Mr. Buarse, (rep.) of Me., inquired if this great tyranny prevailed in Pennsylvania, how it was that the Senator, a leading democrat, occupied a seat on this floor? Mr. Waxtace, of Pennsylvania, said there were always carthquakes, and an eafthquake sent hin here. Mr. Buarse—And the Senator is in a stgte of ernp- tion yet. Continuing his remarks, Mr. Buarne said :— The brief period he had been in Congress two demo- cratic Senators had been here from Pennsylvania, showing thet earthquakes occurred there with the game regularity. ‘The question then being on Mr, Blaine’s amend- ment, offered yesterday, authorizing the committee to take testimony, to adininister oaths and visit any portion of the couniry when such visit may in their judgment facilitate the object of the inquiry, it was agreed to without @ division, SPEECH OF MB. WHXTR. The question then being on the passing of the resolution a® wnended, Mr, Wire, (iem.) of Md, said he did not rise for the purpors of making a speech, us Le intended to vote against the revolution, but he desired to give his reasons therefor. lu the firet place he was unalter- ably oppowed to these roving commissions, He was opposed to this system, which had grown up’ since ot ne out commissions upon t ‘) veivuble subject, to rove over the country st public expense. He was opposed to the expeuso of these commissions by either house of Con- Sree ‘There were investigating committees prior to he count of the Presidential vote, and when the evidence was printed at the public expense and laid before the Electoral Commission it was said that it wus alladiunie, We had had our Potter Comittee and our Matthews Conimittee all at work, and all resulted in absolutely nothing but the expeuditure of @ large amount out of the public treasury. ‘The thae had come for Congress to set its face against these wandering comunittees, some of which he be- pede yt half a dozen stenographers, wandered over the Rocky Mountains. It would be impossible for the investigating comnittes in this case to re- Port #t this sexeion uf Conyreas, and by the next ses- sion the orgauizition of the Senate would have tn- dergone & change. He was oppored to secret exam- inations, which were to be made public afterword aud reflect upon gentlemen elected to the next House. it was uniair for the Forty-fifth Congress to send out a committee to collect testimony to decide cases in the Forty-sixth Congress. He cared not what might be thonght of his vote Mgainst this resolution, He uever shirked an investigation which might be for the good of the country, but this waste of jrublie money, which could produce no practical legislation, he did oppose. Where was the Senator from Maine (Blaine) in the old days when the Know Nothings drove citizens from the polls bocwuse of foreign birth? Mr. BLarse—Alwaye against that. Mr. Wayrr—Point to your record. Where did you make # speech against them? Why did not you stand up for the rights of the white man at that day? It was convenient to be silent then. Mt. BLAINE AGSIN. Mr. BLArNe said when the Know Nothings were rav- ishing Philadelphia and Baltimore he was in # small academy and was t ratheramall boy. Ho never was a member of the Know Nothing party and never had anything to do with it; aud that wass great deal more jim. The country |- than a great many democrats who: are pandering for the Irish Oatholic vote to-day could say. Referrin fo ‘his resolution Mr. Blaine argued that great goo! would come m it. ‘The Senators from the South had asked Northern Senstors to believe that more fant than Saul was converted on his journey from mascus vast bodies of colored voters were cou- verted to democracy, Why was it that immigration | did not seek the south? Lvcauso the fecling among immigrants was that they. would uot be welcome. More Northern men had left the South within five yeers than had gone there. He was no enemy to the South and mever gave an illiberal vote respecting that section. It wax the Southern men themselves’ who Ls ke wall of fire avound that country. ‘Wurre, of. he ‘really admired the mauner in which Maine preached; but he was like the yuide post—he poluted the way, but never went himself. Could not @colored man be found North to send ere to Con- reas to represent # Northern district? He (Mtr, Whyte) had no faith in their political Moodys. He would -rather believe in their practices than in their protessions. He spoke of the condition of afuirs inthe South after the war; the management ofthe negroes by the Freedman's Bureau, ag#inst the people of that section, and said, now, “Their curses, like chickens, had onl, ine home to roost.” Hist friend (Mrs. Blaine) said he was a mere boy in Know | Nothing times. He (Mr. Way%®) doubted it that Sona- tor ever was a young boy. (Laughter.), Certainly in politics he is the old boy now. (Laughter.) Thero was peace and good order in the Senate before the Senator from Maiue was transplanted here from the other eud of the Capito (Renewed laughter.) My, Wuyze then am amusing story related by one Kit Hughes, who dreamed that he was in the realms of His Setanic Majesty, when Satan mado his appearance witha huge pitchfork and great noise, | yelling that the place was not big cuough for him and Kit Hughes, and his friend from Maine reminded him of that story. (Creat laughter). The Senator did not desire these scones all the time, aud if tho | Senator-trom Muine desired to keep the country in 4 Lubbub he (Mr. Whyte) hoped he would return to the other end of the Capitol, in the which another | Senator described as a’ bear ; but, of course he would not say anything that. Let these olitical questions be postponed until the next Presi- tial election, and then we would have 4 chance at the Senator (Mr. Blaine) i Mr. Morgan, (dem.) of Ala, made a lengihy speech in opposition to the .esolution, aud said be supposed the Senator (Mr. Blaine), under parliamentary usaye, would be chairman of the special committee. Mr. Buaine said he ly anuounced that ho would not accept the chairmanshi) Mr. Morcan, continuing bis remarks, said the Sen- ate might not excuse the Senator. He for one would vote against excusing him, Let him father this in- vestigation, which belonged to no oue clue. He de- fended the Southern people, and denied that there had been any discrimingtion against the nogro. On tho contrary, everything had been donc to qualify him for citizenship. The negro voted with the democrats be- cause they were convinced that the democrats were honest and desired to do right by them. He gave notice that this investigation should be a full and fair one. It must go into Pennsylvania and see what had been done there; into Massuchusetts, New York and out West to Colorado and Nevada. Mr. TeiixR, (rep.) of Col., denied that there had been any frauds on the part of republicans in‘ Col- orado and invited the fullest investigation. VOTE ON THE RESOLUTION. The question being on the resolution of Mr. Blaine as amended it was agreed to—yeas 56, nays 6, as follgws:— Yuas—Mossrs. Allison, Anthony, Armstrong, Bailey, Barnum, Bayard, Beck, Blaine, Booth, Iuruside, Butler, Cameron of Pennsylvania, Cameron of Wisconsin, Chri tianey, Cockrell, Coke, Conkling, Davis of Mlinois, Davis of West Virginia, Dawes, Dennis, Eustis, Ferry, Garland, Gordon, Hamlin, Harris, Heretord, Hoar, Howe, Ingalls, Jones of Florida, Kellogg, Kernan, Kirkwood, McDonald, McMillan, McPherson, Matthews, Maxey, lerritnon, Mitchell, Morrill, Oglenby, Paddock, ‘Putters Ransom, Rollin Wadleigh, Windos Bele Nay: jessrs. Eaton, Hill, and White—6. Messrs. Grover and Saulsbury said they were paired with Messrs. Plamb and Conover on political juestions, but did not ssy how they would vote on resolution. ‘Mr. Davis, (ind.) of Ill, announced that if the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Thurman) was present he would yote yea. ‘THE RESOLUTION AS PASSED. The resolution as passed is as follow: Resolved, That a committee, to consist of nine Senators, to be appointed by the Chair'to inquire and report to the Nenate whother, at the recent eleccion, the constitutional rights of citizens were violated in any of the States of tho Union; whether tho right of suffrage of citizens of the United States or any class of such citizens was denied or 68, McCroery, Morgan, Wallaco abridged by the action of the election officers of any State or of the Unitod States tn refusing to roccive their votes, in fniling to count them or in’ receiving and counting fraudulent ballots in pursaance of a conspiracy to make th ful votes of mich citizens of non effect; and whether auch citizens were prevented exercising. the elective franchise or forced to une it against their wishes by vic lonce or throats, or hostile demonstrations of armed m or other organtzations, or by say unlawful means or pra committee shall also inquire whethor any citizen of y dismiased or threatened with dismissal from employment, or deprivation ot any right or privilege by rouson of his’ vote or intention tu vote at the recent elections, or hus been ecusonias interfered with; and to inyuire ‘whether, in year 1878, mowey was raised, by ussedsinent or ‘otherwise, ' upor? federal jcelolders or einployes for selection purposes, and under What mouns, and if +0 what circumstancos and Ws what amount was s0 raised and ‘how the samc was ex- pended; and further, whether such assessments were or were not in violation of law. And shall further inquire into the action and conduct of United Stati isors of elee- number of mar- ed to take part in ‘tion, in what State or city ap- pointed, the amoant of money patd or promised to he paid fo them’ and how or by whom and under what Inw unthor- r ined. Resolved, That the committee bo further instructed to inquire and report whether it is within the compotency of ongress to provide, by additional logislution, for the niore nertect security of the right of suffenge to citizens of the United Stutes im all States of the Union, That in prosecuting these inquiries the com- have the right. by itself or by eny sub-cou tee, to send for persons aud , to take testimony, to adininister oaths and to visit portion of the country when such visit may, in their judgmont, facilitate the ob- ject of their inquiry. The Vice President laid before the Senate a message from the President, in answer to the resol tion of oes ool Ferry, slg on yer van eth A transmitting reports of the Secretary of st am Postmaster General in regard to postal and commer- cial intercourse between this and South American pectin Ordered that it be printed and lie on the table. Mr. Eustis, (dem.) of La, said a number of citizens of Louisiana had been arrested for alleged violation of laws of the United States at the last election—that is, for violating what is known as the test oath. That law had been repealed, but was put into the Revised Statutes by mistake, At the last session a bill passed the House to remove it from the statutes, which bill was referred to the Cominittee on the Kevision of the Laws in the Senate. He hoped the chairman ot the committee would call it up soon, Mr. Monnitt, (rep.) of Vt., called up the House res- olution providing for a holiday recess, and it was amended so as to apply to both the House and Senate. Mr. Mornint then moved to amend so that the re- ceas should be from Monday, December 93, to Friday, January 4, mstcad of from ‘December 20 to January-6, as the House provided. Rejected. Mr. McCrexrx, (dem.) of Ky., moved to amend so as to have the recess from December 19 to January 7. Rejected. Mr. Buaxe, of Maine, moved to amend #0 a8 to huve the recess from Friday, December 20, to Tuesday, January 7. The Senate then went into execntive session, and at five minutes to five P. M., when the doors wore reopened, adjourned until to-morrow. Resolved mittee shal HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wasitncton, Dec. 17, 1878. The House resumed the consideration of the Geneva Award bill, and was addressed by Mr. Ketirtn, (rep.) of Ohio, in favor of the majority report. He said if the minority report was adopted the claims would be determined without regard to justice, equity or the law of nutions, inasmuch as the commission which it was proposed to recreate would have no power to exclude or include any claim extept as the law directed, THE POSTAL SERVICE. After a longthy debate the further consideration of the bill was postponed, and at ten minutes to two ofclock the House wont into Committee of the Whole (Mr, Carlisle, of Kentucky, in the chair) on the Dill appropriating $450,000 to meet the deficioncy in the appropriation for postal mail service and prohibiting guy inerease in the postal car service during the present year. Mr. Bioust, (dein.) of Ga., a member of the Appro- priation Committer, explained the bill and showed the increase in the cost of the postal car service. That inexease had been at the rate of three and one-half per cent; not on the postal car service itself, but on the whole railway service. Since July 18, 1875, it had increased forty-five per cent on the postal car service itwelf, The deficiency had arisen, in the determina tion of the department, against the will of Congress, that the service should be increased. Congrers had been ignorant that there had been growing up in silence this system of postal car service. Congress has not been treated wilh cominon courtesy by the Post Office Departinent. The deficfeney was —— able to the department and mow the officers of the Post Office Department spoke triumphantly of their a toe Congress on this question, at Mr. Mats, (rep.) of Me., defended the action of the department. ‘Lhe Postmaster General could not have done anything else than report to Congrovs that there was a deficiency, He could not stop the service. All he could do was to notify Congress, The weight of the mails was constantly increasing, and the law was pitiless on the Postmaster General to pay for the postal service, .) of Ohio, said that if the gentl id not know of the in- should have known it year $9,700,000 the postal car sei vi jepartment had eetimated asthe cost forthe mail service, and but $9,200,000 had been appropriated, thus giving rise to the defi- ciency. If ction reste ery ere it rests on the House and the Committee on Appropriations. The deficiency was the result of the general te of Foam inaetamtamtiie by the Approp: Com- mittee, ‘Mr. Casxoy, (rep.) of NL, thought that the trne policy wae to give every dollar that wae necessary to promote and ieiniain the efliciency of the service, Mr. Brows, of Goorgia, called attention to the fact that ueither the Pon from Ohio Aor his political friends had opposed the red ‘ ia y Baicl distinguished Sonator tron | (Mr. Foster) jaotion in | $< the cost of the postal service last year; but had, on the contrary, assented ty it, ‘Mr, Cuyater, (dem.) of Pr., stated that he was last year on the sub-conuaittee charged with drawing up the Appropriation bill relating to the Post Office De partment, and no bill had been more carefully con sidered, But there had been concealinent on the part of the department, and the Assistant Postmaster Gen- eral or his subordinates had been derelict in their duty. THE ECONOMY QUESTION. Recurring to the remark made by Mr. Foster in re- gard to democratic economy he suid if uot for those snecessful cconomies there would haye been to-day 4 deficiency in the Treasury which would have bad to be made up by increasing mor making new loans. He proceeded to compare the appropriationa made by the republicans in the Thirty-ninth and suce ceeding Congresses up to the Borty-third, and the re- ductions mate in the-succeeding Congress after the democrats had gained control of the House. He de- clared that the average saying to the government by the democratic party was well on to $30,000,000 ¢ yeur, and it ithadnot been for that economy the ifreasury would have been bankrupt. Mr. Fosrex, of Ohio, expressed bis amazement at the statement made by Mr. Clymer, He admitted that (he saving in 1877 over 1876 was 319,000,000, and that the saving the next year was $1,695,000, but sgid that the current year would shoW an increase of 000,000, Under republican administrations liberal propriations hud been made, so that all the depart ments could be properly run, and at the close ot each year large amounts were returned tothe Treasury Department. Under the democratic administration too little was appropriated, and then deficiency bills had to be reported. Such deficiency bills amounted to $18,000,000 in two years, while in the four preced- ing years there had been only $12,000,000. The actual facts were (as shown by the figures of the Treasury Department) that for two years of democratic udministration the reduction had been about $20,000,009, while for the two preceding years of re- publican edministration the reduction has been about $26,000,000, Mr. Crxamn, of Pa.—You have never décreased au appro} riation since 1869, ‘rv, FosreR—The decrease has been continued every yer, from 1867 down. Mr. Foerrs asked Mr. Clymer if he denied that the expenses of maintaining the government had beep decreased every*year since 1867 save ong. ‘MR. HEWITT'S FIGURES. Mr. Hewrrr, dem., (of N. ¥.)—I deny it and will ve the gentleman my figures. He quoted from the report of the Secretary of the Treasury to thg effect that the expenditures in 1871 wore $157, ; in 1872, $153,000,000; in 1873, $180,000,000; in 1374, 14,000,000; in 1375, $153,009,000 ; in 1876, $16,000,000, ‘Then followed the democratic era, and in 1877 the expenditures had been reduced to $144,000,000, would this year fall below $140,000,000, The geutleman froin Ohio had admitted that in republican Congresses the deficiencies in four years had amounted to $12,000,000, aud had stated that the democratic Congress had"had to pay $18,000,000 in deficiencies. If the republican Congresses had paid larger deficiencies the democratic Congress would havé had smaller deficiencies to meet; deficiencies to the amount of $13,000,000 had been paid by the last Congress to cover appre riations made in the Forty- second and Forty-third Congresses. Mr. Fosren—I emphatically deny the correctness of those figures. Mr. Huwrrr—They are bills passed by this House. Mr. Fosrun said that as he had stirred up such a hornets’ nest on the other side he would not continue. Mr. Dunuam, dem.) of Ky.—I think the gentleman has got worse stung than any one else. Mr. Fosrer—-But more have been stung on your side. There never was, in my judgment,a greater fraud perpetrated or maintained by any party than the fraud of your democratic claim that you have re- duced expenses $30,000,009 a year. Mr. OLymmn, of Penusylvenia, was bed emg to hoar such language from the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Fos- ter), when he accused the gentlemen on the democratic side of fraud in making statements which were offi- cial, It was not that courtesy which should char- acterize the intercourse bebween geutlemen on this floor. Such langugge would do on the stump, but not on the floor of the House, Mr. Buncuand, (rep.) of Ill, asked Mr. Hewitt why he had not gone back in his figures for three or four years. If he had done so he would have found that the republicans had decreased the expenditures from what they were in 1867 or 1863, Mr. Hewrrr replied that he had commenced with the year 1871 in order to show with what excellent in- tentions the republicans had ‘started in economizing, but how soon they forgotten their goud inten- tions and increased the ‘appropriations in succeeding years. ‘The general discussion having’ closed, the com- mittee proceeded to consider the bill for amend- ments. Mr. PuILvrs, (rep.) of Kan., moved to strike out the proviso which prohibits the increase of postal car service during the year beyond what it: was on the Ist bs ot December, 1878, he motion to strike out was advocated by Mr. Mitchell, (rep.) of Pa., and opposed by Mr. Atkins, (dem.) of Tenn., chairman of the Committee on Ap- propriatious. In the course of bis remarks Mr. At- kins asserted (replying to Mr. Foster) that half of the deficiencies for which the democratic party had made seneoytistions had come down from the years of Byte lican administration and that the dem- ocrats had been clezrivg up old scores. © MR, CONGER BRANCHES OFF." ‘ Mr. Concer, (rep.) of Mich., also advocated the mo- tion, and in his remarks branched off into the Ciscus- sion of the cipher despaéches, How, he asked, did the gentleman on the other side defend the misstate- menis against the cipher despatches? By crying fraud—no, I beg panic, by silence, which is ominous as the grave. (Laughter on the republican side.) No living soul of the democracy, not even the distin- guished gentleman from Gramercy Park, the head of the investiga committee, is permitted to alludq to the subject, lest that gentleman should be called i to investigate it as the country calls upon him to Mr. Spauks, (dem.) of Ill.—You knew that the gene tleman (Mr. Potter) was not in his seat. Mr. Conoxr, of Michigan -—He was in his scat not a minute ago. Mr. Sranxs, of Llinois—He is not there now. Mr. Coxerr, of Michigan—Then he started out when he saw me risiug. (Laughter.) Mr. Tuc«ss, (iem.) of Va., rose to make 4 remark. Mr. Coxe&r ypticing, tbe movement and turning toward afr. Tucker)—The gentleman from Virginia is in his seat, being fearful of danger, when remote from the scene of dangor. (Laughter.) Why in Heaven's name has he not called up the yher de- spatches ? (Loud laughter.) Is nobody on that side honest enough, bold enough, to speak about this, and when talking about the profligacy of parties ? Oh, Mr. Chairman, I cannot blame any democrat for never alluding to the cipher despatches. There is no man bold enough to defend them. There is no com- inittee that daves to examine them. They stand there arrayed and backing up each other—one, two, three. Even my long triend from Kentucky (alluding to Mr. Durham) rises here before he retires from the arena of his greatness to make an attack on the gentleman from Ohio (Mir, Foster) who accompanies him in his exile, (Laughter.) hy could they not watt to dis- cuss those questious amid the scenes of domestic happiness to which they are about to return soon ? (Laughter.) The hammer fell and Mr. Durham rose to reply. As Mr. Conger still tried to hold the floor Mr. Dur- hase sleet that he had been recognized by the Cl Mr. Concen—I guess not. It was I who recognized the gentleman—(laughter)—but if the gentleman will " to the subject to which I alluded, or if any gentleman on that side will, I will gladly yield. Mr. Dunnam, of Keutucky—Ever since I have been a member I have directed my attention to the matter on hand, rarely ever going out of the subject under consideration for the Live! gpa ot making merriment. Consequently I disregard everything that my friend has said of a jovial character. The cipher despatches will take care of themaclves, I suppose that the whole couutry understands thet the administration now in power was foisted there through fraud, and it makes no differance whether the cipher despatches or not (Laughter on the democratic side.) Joncen—Is tut the explanation of the cipher tehes? (Laughter. Dunnam—No. Iieave them to work out them- 1 was amused at my triend from Michigan, who has searcoly got a respectable town in his coun: try, and where a railrood train is rarely seen, talking about postal cars. Why, ii one of then was to run in that country it would seare his people. (Laughter.) Let him be content as Lam with haviug Star service. Wo are glad to get it twice a week. Wy is he talking about postal cars’ Ouly for the sake of making fun. (in an admonitory tone to Mr. Gouger.) Confine your- self to your own section of country and don’t be put ting on airs. (Shouts of laughter.) . GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION. Mr. Conorn.—I have beon told that in the gentle. man's (Me, Durham) district there is not a manutectur- ing estubliehivent of eny kind (not even shoe peg nnak- ines it be, either in public or in private, the ire of alcoholic liquors. I have been told is one uewspaper published ia his district, and tiat there are three public schoolhouses—remote, very remote from tho residence of the gontieman. (Laughter.) I have been told that that gentleman, whea once travelling in Michigan and the splendid sehoolhouses thero, turned to some South- ern colleagttys and said ‘St is no wonder that the Uuited States Treasury is depieted when every vil- lage that we ere through Lass graud government Uuilding.” (Laughter.) Oh, that the gentleman had but had a schoolhouse when he was young where he could have studied geography! ») 1 do not wouder thut tue “Star service” is all service that they have in his district, 1 do not know whether the Mammoth Cave is in his district; but if it is not then { should say that the gentleman's district is yer ground) the dark mammoth cave of the United States. Mr. Durwam (to Mr. Conger)—Honor bright! Did the people ot your country ever see a postal car? None ot your Muachausenisms, (Loud laughter.) Mr, Coxéen—We have them on every one of the five railroads that centré in the little town where I live. L myself have tle appointment of seven or cight route agents. (Laughter.) The little car houses for the accommodation of drovers are supposed, itr the gentleman's district, to be postal cars, ie hter. if the gentleman will come up to Michigan, it he will sojourn in that State, that sleeps among the lakes and that is thrended by railways in every direction, there be beg Ld postal cm Mr. DURHAM (conteurptuously)—Listen to the musio of bullfrogs. (Laughter, * = ait of Ke pore! gore that the committee for the purpose of closiug debate. (Triamphant laughter on the republican ) Lees . Coxoen—I hope that the debate will not be closed till we hoar about the cipher despatches, Tho motion was not pressed, but the committee proceeded to vote on Mr. l’aillips’ motion, which was then the committee rose and the House detu 5 Other amendments were vifored and rejected, ant Dill, and at @ quartor-past five P.M.