por half ounce, or ninety-six cents per pound, for carrying those mails that forty or fifty miles. Now, consider that the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads were unanimously in favor of this bill, that it passed the House without opposition and went to the Senate, and they passed it, with a provision that it should take effect from and after the 30th of September next, when the bill comes back here we who are more immediately interested are willing to accept this bill in this form, especially as by that time the route will be decreased in length several hundred miles.

Now, then, Mr. Speaker, I hope that evenhanded justice will be meted out to the people who live west of the western boundary of Kansas and east of the eastern boundary of California. The law affects only those east of California. Those who live east of Oregon are not affected because of the peculiar phrase ology of the law, which is from the eastern line of California eastward, and from the western meridian of the western line of Kansas westward. This bill simply places them upon the same bases with all the other people of the United States. The mails will not be overloaded because there will be no more matter than now. It will be no heavier than it now is, but it will relieve the people from paying this express company such price as it may choose to put upon printed matter. This being the effect of the bill I hope it will now be acted upon and passed. It is just as correct now as in the early part of the session. As to Wells, Fargo & Co., I insist, as a matter of justice to the people between Kansas and California, we should not give them any more favors than other people; that we ought not to give them more than other people are willing to receive for carrying that mail matter. 1 learn that propositions are made to carry this mail under the change of the law, as sug gested, for $330,000. I hope the House will pass the pending measure.

Mr. FARNSWORTH. I think now I will resume the floor and decline to yield further. Mr. BASHFORD. I hope the gentleman will yield to me for three minutes.

Mr. FARNSWORTH. I will yield to the delegate from Arizona for three minutes.

Mr. BASHFORD. Mr. Speaker, this bill has been deliberately considered in this House. All the objections made to it were met at the time when it passed It was deliberately considered in the Senate, and they put an amendment upon the bill fixing a future day for it to go into operation. No one can object to that except the friends of the bill. Instead of going into effect immediately it is to go into effect at a future day. We make no objection to that. If I understand the chairman of the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads he does not go back and renew the objections made here at the time the bill was passed, but says that since that time there have been contracts entered into, and this would affect those contracts, and those contractors would come here and charge the Government more than they otherwise would if we should take this restriction off of printed mail matter. Now, this question has been before Congress for the last year and more. This bill was introduced a long time before; and, sir, if it had been desirable, if the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads had wished this bill to pass, how easy it would have been for them to suspend, by joint resolution, the letting of these contracts until this bill was passed, and then urged the bill through the House, putting our people upon equal footing in all respects with other people of the United States. The pioneers who go into our remote Territories have hardships enough to endure. They have dangers and troubles to meet from the Indians. You have collectors and receivers of public money among

us.

You make us help bear the burdens of Government, and yet deny us the right to send newspapers and other printed matter through the mails. I think it would be a great injustice not to pass this at once. I hope, therefore, it

will not be referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.

Mr. FARNSWORTH. I am only desirous the House should understand this matter. I have here now the figures showing the difference in these bids. These contracts before let very soon. The contractors must make provision for their forage before the season is far advanced. There are five bids for carrying this mail. Wells, Fargo & Co., $1,300,000, with the understanding that they are to carry printed matter if we pass this bill. There are four other bids, and the highest of which is $460,000, being $900,000 less than the bid of Wells, Fargo & Co. These other bidders made these bids with reference to the law as it is now, excluding heavy mail matter. The House will understand that the law now does not exclude newspapers and periodicals to regular subscribers. It cuts a little hard on the book trade and the publication offices, the men who are dealing in these articles. The question for the House is whether we shall now add this $900,000 to the expenses of the Department or wait a little. As fast as this railroad is completed these things are all carried, and in the course of a year, very likely, we may be able to amend the law without saddling this amount of expense upon the country. I now call the previous question.

The previous question was seconded and the main question ordered.

The question was first taken on the motion to refer the amendment of the Senate to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads; and it was disagreed to.

The question recurred on concurring in the amendment of the Senate; and it was concurred in.

Mr. CHILCOTT moved to reconsider the vote by which the amendment was concurred in; and also moved that the motion to reconIsider be laid on the table.

The latter motion was agreed to.

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE.

A message from the Senate, by Mr. GORHAM, its Secretary, informed the House that the Senate had agreed to the report of the committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the bill (S. No. 184) granting a pension to Mrs. Ann Corcoran.

Also, that the Senate had agreed to the amendment of the House to the bill (S. No. 280) granting a pension to Michael Hennessy, of Platte county, Missouri.

The message further announced that the Senate had passed a bill (H. R. No. 764) for the relief of certain exporters of distilled spirits, with an amendment, in which the concurrence of the House was requested.

Also, that it had passed without amendment a joint resolution (H. R. No. 294) donating to the Washington City Orphan Asylum the iron railing taken from the old Hall of the House of Representatives.

Also, that it had passed bills of the following titles, in which the concurrence of the House was requested:

An act (S. No. 215) to vacate and sell the Umatilla reservation, in Oregon; and

An act (S. No. 275) for the relief of Eliza Mascher, widow of John F. Mascher.

ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION SIGNED.

Mr. HOLMAN, from the Committee on Enrolled Bills, reported that they had examined and found truly enrolled a joint resolution (H. R. No. 294) donating to the Washington City Orphan Asylum the iron railing taken from the old Hall of the House of Representatives; when the Speaker signed the same.

relief of Freedmen and Refugees, and for other purposes.

The amendment of the Senate was to add the following as a new section;

SEC. 5. And be it further enacted. That the Commissioner is hereby empowered to sell for cash, orby installments with ample security, school buildings and other buildings constructed for refugees and freedmen by the bureau, to the associations, corporate bodies, or trustees who now use them for purposes of education or relief of want, under suitable guarantees that the purposes for which such buildings were constructed shall be observed: Provided, That all funds derived therefrom shall be returned to the bureau appropriation and accounted for to the Treasury of the United States.

Mr. ELIOT. I am authorized by a majority of the committee to move that the amendment of the Senate be concurred in. On that motion I demand the previous question.

The previous question was seconded and the main question ordered.

Mr. ELDRIDGE. I demand the yeas and nays on concurring in the amendment of the Senate.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

The question was taken; and it was decided in the affirmative-yeas 98, nays 20, not voting 71; as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Ames, Delos R. Ashley, Bailey, Baker, Baldwin, Banks, Beaman, Beatty, Benjamin, Benton, Blaine, Blair, Boutwell, Buckland, Butler, Cake, Sidney Clarke, Cobb, Coburn, Cook, Cornell, Covode, Cullom, Delano, Dixon, Donnelly, Driggs, Eckley, Eggleston, Ela, Eliot, Farnsworth, Ferriss, Ferry, Fields, Garfield, Gravely, Halsey, Harding, Higby, Hill, Chester D. Hubbard, Hulburd, Ingersoll, Jenckes, Judd, Julian, Kelsey, Ketebam, Kitchen, Koontz, Lincoln, Loan, Mallory, McCarthy, McClurg, Mercur, Miller, Moore, Morrell, Mullins, Myers, Newcomb, O'Neill, Paine, Peters, Pike, Pile, Poland, Polsley, Pomeroy, Price, Raum, Sawyer, Scofield, Shanks, Shellabarger, Starkweather, Aaron F. Stevens, Stewart, Stokes, Taffe, Taylor, John Trimble, Trowbridge, Twichell, Upson, Van Aernam, Van Wyck, Ward, Cadwalader C. Washburn, William B. Washburn, Welker, Thomas Williams, William Williams, James F. Wilson, John T. Wilson, and Windom-98.

NAYS-Messrs. Archer, Beck, Brooks, Eldridge, Getz, Golladay, Grover, Haight, Holman, Hotchkiss, Humphrey, Johnson, Jones, Kerr, Knott, McCormick, Mungen, Nicholson, Phelps, and Stone-20.

NOT VOTING-Messrs. Adams, Allison, Anderson, Arnell, James M. Ashley, Axtell, Barnes, Barnum, Bingham, Boyer, Bromwell, Broomall, Burr, Cary, Chanler, Churchill, Reader W. Clarke, Dawes Dodge, Finney, Fox, Glossbrenner, Griswold, Hawkins, Hooper, Hopkins, Asabel W, Hubbard, Rich ard D. Hubbard, Hunter, Kelley, Laflin, George V Lawrence, William Lawrence, Logan, Loughridge, Lynch, Marshall, Marvin, Maynard, McCullough, Moorhead, Morrissey, Niblack, Nunn. Orth, Perham, Plants, Pruyn, Randall, Robertson, Robinson, Ross, Schenck, Selye, Sitgreaves, Smith, Spalding. Thaddeus Stevens, Taber, Thomas, Lawrence S. Trimble, Van Auken, Burt Van Horn, Robert T. Van Horn, Van Trump, Elihu B. Washburne, Henry D. Washburn. Stephen F. Wilson, Wood, Woodbridge, and Woodward-71.

So the amendment of the Senate was concurred in.

Mr. ELIOT moved to reconsider the vote by which the amendment was concurred in; and also moved to lay the motion to reconsider on the table.

The latter motion was agreed to.

SALE OF IRON-CLADS.

Mr. JENCKES, from the joint Committee on Retrenchment, made a report in relation to the alleged fraudulent sale by the Navy Department of the iron-clads Oneota and Catawba to Alexander Swift & Co.; which was ordered to be printed, and recommitted to the committee.

Mr. UPSON moved to reconsider the vote by which the bill was recommitted; and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table.

The latter motion was agreed to.

COLLECTION DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA.

The next business on the Speaker's table was the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H. R. No. 538) to extend the boundaries of the collection district of Philadelphia so as to include the whole consolidated city of Philadelphia.

The amendment of the Senate was read, as follows:

Strike out all after the enacting clause to the end of the bill, and insert in lieu thereof as follows: That the port of entry and delivery of Phila

delphia, Pennsylvania, is hereby extended so as to include within its boundaries the whole consolidated city of Philadelphia.

Mr. O'NEILL moved that the House concur in the amendment of the Senate.

The motion was agreed to.

Mr. O'NEILL moved to reconsider the vote by which the amendment was concurred in; and also moved to lay the motion to reconsider on the table.

The latter motion was agreed to.

THE CHIEF JUSTICESHIP.

The next business on the Speaker's table was the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H. R. No. 861) relating to the Supreme Court of the United States; which was taken up and read, as follows:

Strike out all after the enacting clause to the close of the bill, and insert in lieu thereof as follows:

That in case of a vacancy in the office of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, or of his inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve upon the associate justice of said court whose commission is senior in time until such inability shall be removed or another appointment shall be duly made, and the person so appointed shall be duly qualified; and this act shall apply to every person succeeding to the office of Chief Justice pursuant to its provisions.

Mr. WILSON, of Iowa, moved that the amendment of the Senate be concurred in. The motion was agreed to.

Mr. WILSON, of Iowa, moved to reconsider the vote by which the amendment was concurred in; and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table.

The latter motion was agreed to.

MICHIGAN COLLECTION DISTRICTS.

The next business on the Speaker's table was the Senate amendment to the bill (H. R. No. 198) to reestablish the boundaries of the collection districts of Michigan and Michilimackinac, and to change the names of the collection districts of Michilimackinac and Port Huron; which was taken up and read, as follows:

Page 1, line sixteen, after the word "Territory," insert in said State.'

Mr. FERRY moved that the amendment of the Senate be concurred in.

The motion was agreed to.

Mr. FERRY moved to reconsider the vote by which the amendment was concurred in; and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table.

The latter motion was agreed to.

EXPORTERS OF DISTILLED SPIRITS.

The next business upon the Speaker's table was the Senate amendments to the bill (H. R. No. 764) for the relief of certain exporters of distilled spirits; which were taken up and read, as follows:

In line four strike out the words "alcohol and." In line five strike out .. were, "and insert "was." In line six strike out "or," and insert "and." In line ten, after the word "act," insert "and as shall be provided for hereafter."

In line eleven strike out "thirty."and insert"sixty." In line fourteen strike out "liquor," and Insert

rum.'

In line seventeen strike out "thirty," and insert "sixty."

Amend the title by striking out the words "distilled spirits," and inserting in lieu thereof "rum.' Mr. BUTLER moved that the amendments be concurred in.

The motion was agreed to.

Mr. BUTLER moved to reconsider the vote by which the amendments were concurred in; and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table.

The latter motion was agreed to.

THANKS TO HON. EDWIN M. STANTON.

The next business upon the Speaker's table was a concurrent resolution of the Senate of June 1, 1868; which was taken up and read, as follows:

Resolved by the Senate, (the House of Representatives concurring,) That the thanks of Congress are due, and are hereby tendered, to Hon. Edwin M. Stanton for the great ability, purity, and fidelity to the cause of the country with which he has disebarged the duties of Secretary of War, as well amid the open dangers of a great rebellion as at a later period when assailed by the Opposition, inspired by

hostility to the measures of justice and pacification provided by Congress for the restoration of a real and permanent peace.

Mr. GARFIELD. I move that the House concur in the resolution, and as I believe it is well enough understood, I demand the previous question.

The previous question was seconded and the main question ordered.

Mr. MUNGEN. I demand the yeas and nays on concurring.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

The question was taken; and it was decided in the affirmative-yeas 102, nays 25, not voting 63; as follows:

YEAS-Messrs. Allison, Ames, Delos R. Ashley, Bailey, Baldwin, Beatty, Benjamin, Benton, Blaine, Blair, Boutwell, Buckland, Butler, Cake, Sidney Clarke, Cobb, Coburn, Cook, Cornell, Covode, Cullom, Delano, Donnelly, Driggs, Eckley, Eggleston, Ela, Eliot, Farnsworth, Ferriss, Fields, Garfield, Gravely, Griswold, Halsey, Harding, Higby, Hill, Hooper, Chester D. Hubbard, Hulburd, Jenckes, Judd, Julian, Kelsey, Ketcham, Kitchen, Koontz, Lincoln, Loan, Logan, Loughridge, Lynch, Mallory, Maynard, McCarthy, McClurg, Mercur, Miller, Moore, Moorhead, Morrell, Mullins, Myers, O'Neill, Orth, Paine, Peters, Pike, Pile, Polsley, Pomeroy, Price, Raum, Robertson, Sawyer, Schenek, Scofield, Shanks, Shellabarger, Smith, Starkweather, Aaron F. Stevens, Stokes, Taffe, Taylor, Twichell, Upson, Van Aernam, Van Wyck, Ward, Cadwalader C. Washburn, Henry D. Washburn, William B. Washburn, Welker, Thomas Williams, William Williams, James F. Wilson, John T. Wilson, Windom, Woodbridge, and the Speaker-102.

NAYS-Messrs. Archer, Beck, Brooks, Cary, Chanler. Eldridge, Getz, Golladay, Grover, Haight, Holman, Hotchkiss, Humphrey, Johnson, Jones, Kerr, Knott, McCormick, Mungen, Niblack, Nicholson, Phelps, Pruyn, Stone, and Taber-25,

NOT VOTING-Messrs. Adams, Anderson, Arnell, James M. Ashley, Axtell, Baker, Banks, Barnes, Barnum, Beaman, Bingham, Boyer, Bromwell, Broomall, Burr, Churchill, Reader W. Clarke, Dawes, Dixon, Dodge, Ferry, Finney, Fox, Glossbrenner. Hawkins, Hopkins, Asahel W. Hubbard, Richard D. Hubbard. Hunter, Ingersoll, Kelley, Laflin, George V. Lawrence, William Lawrence, Marshall, Marvin, McCullough, Morrissey, Newcomb, Nunn, Perham, Plants, Poland, Randall, Robinson, Ross, Selye, Sitgreaves, Spalding, Thaddeus Stevens, Stewart, Thomas, John Trimble, Lawrence S. Trimble, Trowbridge, Van Auken, Burt Van Horn, Robert T. Van Horn, Van Trump, Elihu B.Washburne, Stephen F. Wilson, Wood, and Woodward-63.

So the resolution was concurred in.

Mr. GARFIELD moved to reconsider the vote by which the resolution was concurred in; and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table.

The latter motion was agreed to.

MAIL SERVICE IN DAKOTA AND MONTANA. The next business upon the Speaker's table was Senate joint resolution No. 134, authorizing a change of mail service between Fort Abercrombie and Helena; which was taken up, and read a first and second time.

The question was upon ordering the joint resolution to be read a third time.

The joint resolution, which was read, authorizes the Postmaster General to change the character of mail service from Fort Abercrombie, Dakota Territory, to Helena, Montana Territory, to post-coach service.

this will cost the Government something. It is a proposition to change the mail service from horse service to stage-coach service, three times a week. There is now a tri-weekly line running to Fort Abercrombie; but there is only a pony service," as the gentleman from Milnesota [Mr. DONNELLY] styles it, from there to Helena, in Montana Territory. The Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads have informally examined this joiut resolution. While they have not directed me to report upon it, I believe they are not hostile to it. I took pains to inquire at the Post Office Department what would be the probable cost of this proposed change, and in reply I received a letter which I will ask to have read. The letter was read, as follows:

POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, CONTRACT OFFICE, WASHINGTON, June 6, 1868. SIR: In answer to your verbal inquiries of yesterday yon are respectfully informed that this Department estimates the cost of mail service three times a week in four-horse post coaches on the route from Fort Abercrombie, in Dakota Territory, to Helena, in Montana Territory, supposing the distance to be nine hundred miles, at $135,000 per annum; and that such estimate is considered a liberal one. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEORGE W. MCLELLAN, Second Assistant Postmaster General. Hon. J. F. FARNSWORTH, Chairman of Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, House of Representatives.

Mr. FARNSWORTH. The estimate made is quite large enough. I do not know how much the present cost is; but it should be deducted from this estimate. I believe this is the first appropriation made to establish a stage line upon that northern Pacific route. I am in favor of it. There is a very large population in the northern portions of our western States and Territories, and I am in favor of doing something for them. This is on the line of the Northern Pacific railroad. It seems to me no more than just and proper that we should pass this joint resolution. Mr. WARD. What is the additional expense?

Mr. FARNSWORTH. Some sixty or eighty thousand dollars a year.

Mr. WARD. Does the gentleman from Illinois think we ought to consent to the expenditure of that large amount without any investigation of any committee of this House?

Mr. FARNSWORTH. I think it far better that we should carry letters to the people there who are upon this route at this price than to vote a million to carry printed matter, as we have done a while ago for our other Territories.. We have never yet done anything for this northern overland mail route. It supplies many forts and military stations where they have a large population. We have never yet given them anything but a pony mail.

Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. Speaker, a statement from me may perhaps answer some of the objections in the minds of gentlemen here, and I ask the attention of the House for a few minutes.

I am no more interested in this change of mail service than other gentlemen upon this floor. An examination of the map will show that the Territories of Montana and Idaho lie immediately west of the Territory of Dakota and the State of Minnesota; that they go to form part of our great northern belt or tier of States. At the present time intercourse with that country over the mail and stage routes is by way of the Salt Lake valley. Direct communication in a line due East and West, as proposed by this joint resolution, will shorten the distance between New York and Montana one thousand miles, and that, sir, seems to me a sufficient justification of this bill. If any member of this House, or if any citizen of this country starts to go by railroad and stage from the city of New York to the Territory of Montana he has to travel one thousand miles further than he would have to travel if this stage line were established. That is to say, he has to descend from the latitude of New York city to the line of St. Louis, and thence to the Salt Lake country, and thence to ascend north to a point even higher than the latitude of New York.

The expense of the change is inconsiderable compared with the evil which it remedies. The service by horses, or pony service conducted by Indians, now costs the Government $84,000. If this change is made according to the letter from the Post Office Department, just referred to, it will cost the Government $134,000, or $50,000 additional, and in exchange for this increased outlay we get a stage line that will shorten communication between Montana and our northern tier of States one thousand miles.

What are those Territories? They are rapidly developing into mighty Commonwealths. The Territory of Montana shows to-day a population of fifty thousand, not an idle, unproductive population, but a population of miners who are taking out of the bosom of the earth that metal which is to add to the riches of this land.

We may talk here, Mr. Speaker, about our various policies of finance, of changing this form of bond into that form of bond, of recalling this form of indebtedness and issuing that form, but it is apparent to all sensible men that the best scheme of finance is to pay the debt, and that the means to pay the debt must be dug from the bosom of the earth either by the processes of agriculture or the processes of mining.

Now, sir, why should we not have this change? What is $50,000 compared with the development that country will receive? By shortening the line of communication one thousand miles a vastly increased emigration across the State of Minnesota, across the Territory of Dakota, will pour into Idaho and Montana, and this nation will receive back the abundant fruits of their industry in the shape of the precious metals to be used at home or to be shipped abroad in payment of our debts to foreign nations.

If there are no other questions to be asked I will call for the previous question.

Mr. WARD. I ask the gentleman to yield

to me a moment.

Mr. DONNELLY. Certainly.

Mr. WARD. I do not know that I wish to make any opposition to this measure if it came properly before the House. What I mean by that is, that I think this House, as the guardian of the public Treasury, at this time especially, owes it to itself and to the country to see to it that no appropriations of public money are made unless for reasons of the gravest necessity. Now, what is the question before the House? A bill comes from the Senate proposing to create a new post route, and we have a proposition before us to expend from sixty to one hundred thousand dollars in the creation of that route. Gentlemen interested in the section of territory to be affected rise and recommend the proposition; but the chairman of the committee on the Post Office and Post Roads says that he cannot, from the informal examination he has been able to make, favor it. So, after all, we have no recommendation of a committee of this House. Now, I say let it be referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads; let them examine the matter and make their report upon it. Let it have a deliberate consideration, and if it is found to be wise and proper to expend this amount of money to establish this new route, let it be done.

Mr. DONNELLY. In answer to the gentleman from New York, [Mr. WARD,] I will say that it is impossible that this bill should have been before the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads except in an informal way. The Postmaster General was so solicitous that this change should be made, believing it was demanded by the growth of the country and by the emigration that was tending in that direction, that he at first sought to make the change without asking the permission of Congress. He believed he had the power so to do, but upon a critical examination of the law he came to the conclusion that he had not that power. So the matter was brought before the Senate of the United States. It was examined by the Committee on the Post Office and Post

Roads of that body, received their recommendation, and passed the Senate. It is now taken from the Speaker's table for action. It is absolutely impossible that it could have been before the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads of this House, save as I said, in an informal manner. In that informal manner it has been considered, and the committee through their chairman tell us they are satisfied it ought to pass.

Mr. COVODE. I would ask the gentleman whether he is not aware that $80,000 were thrown away on this route last year and not a single mail was carried over it? A few mails were started by Indians but not one ever went through. And in this connection I call the attention of the House to the fact that a most enormous bill has been run through over the chairman of the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads -to-day, without reference to that committee, a bill in which $1,000,000 are involved. I want this bill to go to the committee. Let us have a fair report on the subject.

Mr. CAVANAUGH. Will the gentleman from Minnesota permit me to answer the gentleman from Pennsylvania, [Mr. CovODE?] Mr. DONNELLY. Certainly.

Mr. CAVANAUGH. I desire to say that I know more about this mail route than it is possible for the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. CovODE] to know. I know that the mail was carried from St. Paul by the way of St. Cloud and Fort Abercrombie, and came as regularly as possible under the circumstances to the town of Helena, my home. I know that the mail was carried over that route during the last summer, and a portion of the last winter, and the contractors were so earnest in the discharge of their duty that for hundreds of miles the letter mail was carried on the backs of men traveling on snow-shoes. I hope the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. CoVODE] is answered, and that he is satisfied.

Mr. DONNELLY. The gentleman from Montana [Mr. CAVANAUGH] seems to have given a sufficient answer to the remark of the gentleman from Pennsylvania.

Mr. DELANO. I desire to make a parlia mentary inquiry, whether a motion to refer this bill to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads is in order.

The SPEAKER. If the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. DONNELLY] surrenders the floor without demanding the previous question it will then be in order; or if the previous question should be voted down it will then be in order.

Mr. WARD. I hope it will be voted down. Mr. DELANO. I desire to inquire of the gentleman upon what authority he limits the expenditure of this enterprise to $40,000. If I correctly understood the chairman of the committee he said he was not himself informed as to the probable cost. I hear from different parts of the House different opinions as to this increased expense. Many gentlemen estimate it much higher than the gentleman from Minnesota does. I know very well that these estimates are very often made, and I want to know the gentleman's authority for his estimate.

Mr. DONNELLY. My answer to the gentleman is simply this: I have been informed, and believe, for I was cognizant of the circumstances at the time the service was let, that the present service costs $84,000 a year. The chairman of the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads has clearly stated to the House that the Postmaster General has informed him by letter read here, that if this bill passes, the service will cost, "at a liberal estimate," $134,000, which, as I figure it, is an increase of precisely $50,000 per annum.

Now, Mr. Speaker, I appeal to the justice and fairness of this House to treat this northwestern country liberally. We well know that there is not a human probability that the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads will have an opportunity to report again this session. We know, therefore, that if we commit this joint resolution to that committee we defeat

it for this session. If it is a just and righteous measure let us pass it. If it is not, let us vote it down, and not resort to what I may almost call subterfuges to kill the measure.

Mr. WARD. How do we know that it is a just and righteous measure if we do not find it out through the instrumentality of the committee appointed for the purpose of ascertaining the facts? How do we know it?

Mr. DONNELLY. By that common sense and judgment with which God has endowed most men. [Laughter.]

Mr. WARD. The gentleman has more than his share, and I was inquiring for a little of his. [Laughter.]

Mr. DONNELLY. I should be happy if time permitted it to fully enlighten the gentleman, but it would take time.

Mr. MAYNARD. This is not a question for levity, it strikes me, but for serious, substantial information. I wish to know what the present service is that costs $80,000? What are

Mr. WASHBURN, of Indiana. the postal receipts from the pony service now there?

Mr. DONNELLY. We did not ask these questions when the liberality of this country spread over the uninhabited wastes of the South the mighty net-work of the postal service, and we have no right to put such questions here to this great and growing northwestern loyal country-loyal all the way through.

Mr. MAYNARD. Does the gentleman refuse to answer my question and tell me what the present service is?

Mr. DONNELLY.

I have already twice stated that it is a "pony' or horse service. Mr. FARNSWORTH. It is fair that I should state to the House that if this joint resolution is referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, it is not at all likely that the committee will have an opportunity of reporting it at this session. If the joint resolution is to be passed at all it ought to be passed now, so that whoever shall contract for the service may be able to provide the neces sary teams, forage, &c., for the seasons in that country are not as long as they are here and the men who propose to contract for the ser vice will require all the time between now and the fall to get ready.

As I said when I was up before, I will say now, in reply to the question put by the gen tleman from Indiana [Mr. WASHBURN] to the gentleman from Minnesota, [Mr. DONNELLY,] as to what the postal receipts are upon this route, that I presume they are very trifling. The postal receipts on every route are very trifling until you get the route established. The postal receipts on the central route to California were very trifling until you had the route established, and a line of stages to carry the mails. While you are only carrying the mails by Indian and pony service, which is irregular, fugitive, spasmodic, the people are not going to travel or send their letters that way. They will rather go round two or three hundred miles. If you wish to develop the country and to facilitate its settlement, the only way is to do as we did in the case of the central route, to give them some facilities, to put a stage route on and thus pave the way for settle

ment.

The Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads are of the opinion, from the cursory examination they have given to it, that this is a fair joint resolution. While it will cost the Department something, it will only cost about one tenth as much at the most as will the bill that has just passed, and passed, too, to afford the booksellers, publishers, and dealers greater facilities in their trade. It seems to me that it is very much like straining at the gnat after we have swallowed the camel to refuse to give these people away up there in the North, these military posts, and these remote territories, a tri-weekly stage line after you have opened the door to all the booksellers in the United States to send their books all over the Territories by stage coaches.

The following petitions, &c., were presented under the rule, and referred to the appropriate committees:

By Mr. CHANLER: The protest of Edward Hincken, president, George M. Clearman, vice president, Thomas M. Sandford, secretary, of the Ship-owner's Association of the State of New York, against the passage of a bill relative to the mercantile marine of the United States.

By Mr. EGGLESTON: The petition of all the principal liquor merchants of Cincinnati, Ohio, praying that the tax on whisky may be reduced to twenty-five cents per gallon.

By Mr. KOONTZ: The petition of Thomas J. Eddowes and 100 others, of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, asking for the establishment of

Mr. MORGAN. I present the petitions of Walter Scribner, Francis Hart, Henry Conklin, and two hundred and thirteen others, printers and bookbinders of New York city, representing that the industry of the country is paralyzed for want of efficient protection against the cheaper labor and capital of foreign countries; that much of the distress now prevalent and increasing daily would be relieved by the legislation suggested in Special Commissioner Wells's report of last year, and perfected in the tariff bill (as passed by the Senate) which failed in the House of Representatives March, 1867, for want of time, and praying that Congress will resume consideration of that measure and enact it into a law at the earliest practicable moment. I move the reference of the petition to the Committee on Finance.

The motion was agreed to.

Mr. MORGAN presented a petition of citizens of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, praying that pensions be granted to the soldiers and the widows of soldiers of the war of 1812; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Mr. SUMNER presented a petition of citizens of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, praying that pensions be granted to the soldiers and the widows of soldiers in the war of 1812; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Mr. SUMNER. I présent the memorial of John Beeson, known to many Senators as having devoted his life to philanthropic efforts in behalf of the Indians, in which he represents that the enormous waste of life and money and the demoralization from the frauds and wars upon the Indians demand immediate redress, and he proceeds to set forth several particulars under different heads, of which he proposes a reformation. I move the reference of this

The motion was agreed to.

By Mr. MOORHEAD: The petition of S. Chadwick, farmer, and others, citizens of Alleghany county, Pennsylvania, complaining of the depression of industry, and praying for such increase of protective duties as will revive manufactures and restore prosperity to the country.

Also, a memorial of the Board of Trade of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, recommending that Government aid or subsidy be extended to the Kansas branch of the Pacific railroad.

IN SENATE.
SATURDAY, June 20, 1868.

Prayer by Rev. A. D. GILLETTE, D. D. On motion of Mr. WILSON, and by unanimous consent, the reading of the Journal of yesterday was dispensed with.

TERRITORIAL LAWS.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore laid before the Senate the acts, resolutions, and memorials of the Territory of Montana, passed by the fourth Legislative Assembly, convened at Virginia City November 4, 1867; which were referred to the Committee on Territories.

PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore presented a petition of citizens of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, praying that pensions be granted to the soldiers and widows of soldiers of the war of 1812; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions.

He also presented a petition of Duncan Jordan, praying an extension of the time for applications in bankruptcy; which was ordered to lie on the table.

He also presented the petition of stone cameo cutters of the city of New York, praying an increase of the tax on cut cameo; which was referred to the Committee on Finance.

He also presented a memorial of citizens of Louisiana, against the recognition of the constitution of that State by Congress; which was ordered to lie on the table.

40th Cong. 2D SESS.-No. 208.

Mr. BAYARD presented a petition of E. and A. Betts, H. B. Seidel, Casper Kendall, D. Lammot, jr., and one hundred and thirteen others, manufacturers and workingmen of Wilmington and Dover, in the State of Delaware, complaining of the paralysis of domestic industry resulting from the want of efficient protection against the cheaper labor and capital of foreign countries, and praying for the enactment of a general tariff law, similar to the bill which was matured but not finally passed by the Thirty-Ninth Congress; which was referred to the Committee on Finance.

He also presented the petition of W. Jones & Co. and others, morocco manufacturers of Wilmington, Delaware, complaining of the depression of industry, and praying for such an increase of protective duties as will revive manufactures and restore prosperity to the country; which was referred to the Committee on Finance.

Mr. PATTERSON, of Tennessee, presented a petition of citizens of Philadelphia, Pennsyl vania, praying that pensions be granted to the soldiers and the widows of soldiers in the war of 1812; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Mr. CONKLING presented a petition of citizens of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, praying that pensions be granted to the soldiers and the widows of soldiers in the war of 1812; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Mr. WILLEY presented a petition of citizens of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, praying that pensions be granted to the soldiers and the widows of soldiers in the war of 1812; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions.

Mr. YATES presented a petition of citizens of the United States, praying the adoption of a law investing all men with the equal exercise of the elective franchise in all the States; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.

Mr. WILSON, from the Committee on Military Affairs and the Militia, to whom was referred the bill (S. No. 214) to authorize the Secretary of War to settle the claims of

the State of Kansas for services of the militia called out by the Governor of that State, upon the requisition of Major General Curtis, the commander of the United States forces in that State, to repel the invasion of General Price, reported it with amendments.

ORDER OF BUSINESS.

Mr. HARLAN. If the morning business is through, I move that the Senate proceed to consider House joint resolution No. 201, in relation to the Rock Island bridge.

Mr. SHERMAN. There are several Senators who have examined that question and are opposed to that measure who are not here, and as this day was specially set aside for pension business I doubt very much whether we ought to proceed with a matter that is disputed.

Mr. HARLAN. I think the special order referred to by the Senator from Ohio was fixed for one o'clock, and we have ample time to dispose of this joint resolution in the mean time. Mr. FESSENDEN. But there are not more than a dozen Senators in the Chamber, and there are several gentlemen absent who are opposed to that resolution. It would not be right to take it up now in their absence.

Mr. SHERMAN. There is not a quorum present, and I think it will be very unwise to take it up now.

Mr. TRUMBULL. If the Senator from Iowa does not press his motion at this moment, I wish to move to take up another bill.

Mr. HARLAN. I shall not press it in view of the observations made by other Senators, and therefore withdraw my motion; but I desire that the subject shall be properly considered, and I shall repeat the motion at the first opportunity.

DISTRICT COURT OF CAIRO.

Mr. TRUMBULL. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration of House bill No. 347, to which, I presume, there is no objection. It is a bill to authorize the holding of a district court at Cairo.

The motion was agreed to; and the bill (H. R. No. 847) to amend an act to divide the State of Illinois into two judicial districts, approved February 13, 1855, was considered as in Committee of the Whole.

The Committee on the Judiciary reported the bill with an amendment, to strike out all after the enacting clause, in the following words:

That, in addition to the terms of the circuit and district courts of the United States for the southern district of Illinois, now held at Springfield, terms of said circuit and district courts shall hereafter be held at the city of Cairo, in said district, to begin on the first Mondays of March and October of each year.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That the clerks of the said circuit and district courts shall keep clerks' offices for said courts at the city of Cairo, and all the records and papers pertaining to business in said courts at the city of Cairo shall be kept therein, and they shall appoint deputy clerks for said courts, who shall reside in said city of Cairo.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the district attorney for the southern district of Illinois shall perform the duties of his office in the circuit and district courts held at the city of Cairo, and the marshal of said district shall keep an office at the city of Cairo, and appoint a deputy, who shall reside in said city of Cairo.

And to insert in lieu thereof:

That, in addition to the terms of the district court of the United States for the southern district of Illinois, now required by law to be held at the city of Springfield, terms of said court shall hereafter be held at the city of Cairo, in said State, commencing on the first Mondays of March and October in each

year.

The bill was reported to the Senate as amended, and the amendment was concurred in. The amendment was ordered to be engrossed and the bill to be read a third time. The bill was read the third time, and passed.

Its title was amended so as to read: A bill for holding terms of the district court of the United States for the southern district of Illinois at the city of Cairo, in said State.

ADMISSION OF COLORADO.

Mr. YATES. I move that the Senate proIceed to the consideration of Senate bill No. 11, to admit the State of Colorado into the Union.

Several SENATORS. Oh, no.

Mr. YATES. I wish to say to the Senate in relation to this bill that the committee have again had it under consideration and have reported it back with amendments, to which nobody will object, to refer the whole matter back to the people, and the State is only to be admitted on the condition that it adopts the fourteenth amendment to the Constitution. I am sure in its present shape there will not be any objection to the passage of the bill.

Mr. VAN WINKLE. I should like to make a statement to this effect: several Senators who are now absent called on me yesterday to know what I intended to do with regard to the pension bills, and I told them that I intended to call them up as soon after the reading of the Journal as I could; and I apprehend that several Senators, not being interested, are absent with that understanding. I have no objection to this bill in the form which I understand it assumes; but I do not think, perhaps, it would be strict justice, as I may have led them into the error myself, to take up any bill of this sort when so many Senators are absent.

Mr. FESSENDEN. I do not think we ought to take up such a bill to-day.

Mr. CONKLING. I should like to make an inquiry of the honorable Senator from Illinois. Is it his purpose to take up the bill now and dispose of it in the morning hour?

Mr. YATES. Yes, sir. I presume the Senator from New York did not hear the statement I made a moment ago. I stated the bill had been again under consideration before the committee, and this is a compromise bill to which there is no objection, I believe, from anybody in the Territory. It simply proposes to refer the matter back to the people.

Mr. POMEROY. The bill is now merely an enabling act, and I think there can be no objection to it.

Mr. CONKLING. I know in general terms what the amendment is that is suggested to the Colorado bill. It is an amendment which I believe is calculated to remove objections to it. At the same time I have no idea that the bill

can be taken up and passed in any form in the morning hour to day. In addition to that, there is not a quorum of the Senate present, as we all see; and the understanding was that this day was to be devoted to another purpose, and that that particular business was certainly to occupy the day. Now, I submit to my honorable friend, without wishing to interfere at all with him in getting up his bill, that this is an unfortunate time to select to do it. If the amendment is satisfactory to all interests, and if it shall avoid all objections, certainly there can be no purpose in pressing it now, in the absence of Senators; whereas a majority being absent, and absent upon an understanding that no business of this sort was to be considered to-day-for the understanding went as far as that I submit to the honorable Senator that it would rather provoke suspicion and distrust of the amendment and the bill than to win for it the consent of those who otherwise might be inclined to concur in it. Therefore, not making the suggestion in enmity to the measure or the amendment, it seems to me it would be better to wait until a day comes that general business is in order, and in expectation, too, and then take up Colorado, and if the amendment is satisfactory, as I hope it will be, there will probably be no objection to its passage.

Mr. YATES. I should not have moved to take up the bill but for the understanding that all objections to it were removed by the amendment; and even now I shall not press it, although I do not understand the force of the points made by the Senator from New York. I withdraw the motion for the present.

BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD. Mr. SUMNER. There was a resolution which I offered some months ago relating to the railroad between Washington and Baltimore, which I wish to call up, and, after making a single remark with regard to it, I

propose to withdraw it. I wish to assign the reason for my action.

The motion was agreed to; and the Senate proceeded to consider the following resolu tion, submitted by Mr. SUMNER on the 17th of February last:

Resolved, That the Committee on the District of Columbia be instructed to consider if any additional legislation is necessary in order to secure the rights of colored persons on the railroad from Washington to Baltimore.

Mr. SUMNER. Mr. President, when I offered that resolution I had in my hands a great deal of evidence showing abuses on that road; that colored persons, very respectable, of both sexes, had been treated very badly on the road between Washington and Baltimore. Having that information I felt it my duty to call the attention of the Senate to it. The consideration of the resolution at the time was objected to by the Senator from Maryland, who is not now in his seat, [Mr. JOHNSON.] Since then I am happy to say a change has taken place on that road, and I am not aware now that there is any occasion for inquiry. By way of confirmation of this statement I beg to read a letter whice I have received from one of the former complainants, one whose family had been badly treated on the road, George T. Downing, as follows:

WASHINGTON, D. C., June 18, 1868. DEAR SIR: I have the pleasure to inform you that the managers of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad have yielded to the progressive spirit of the age: a point which will not be appeased until men shall be respected according to their merit, regardless of their color, until color shall not be a badge either of distinction or of contempt.

I have been assured by the managers of the above road that its passengers shall enjoy its advantages regardless of their color, and that its managers will punish by dismissal any of its employés who shall disregard this, its rule. Yours, &c.

Hon. CHARLES Sumner.

GEORGE T. DOWNING.

Under these circumstances, considering that the managers have come into this explicit understanding with Mr. Downing, who is a representative of the colored race, I do not propose to press the inquiry any further, and I

therefore ask leave to withdraw the resolution. lution will be withdrawn, if there be no ob The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The reso jection.

ISRAEL T. CANBY'S SURETIES.

Mr. HENDRICKS. I move to take up the bill that was before the Senate yesterday morning in the morning hour. It will take but a moment, I presume, to consider it. The report is now printed.

The motion was agreed to; and the Senate, as in Committee of the Whole, resumed the consideration of the bill (S. No. 428) for the relief of the sureties of Israel T. Canby, late receiver of public moneys at Crawfordsville, Indiana.

Mr. MORTON. I know something about the character of this application, and I think the bill ought to pass. The liability of these parties has been suffered to slumber for full forty years until nearly all the bondsmen are dead, and I think it would be a matter of gross injustice now to press the collection of this money upon two old men, one of whom is a paralytic and cannot raise his hand, as I am told, and the other is an old man living in the town where I reside who has but a few days before him. It occurs to me where the Government has suffered a liability of this kind to sleep for forty years that there is no equity or justice in attempting to collect it after that time, and especially under the circumstances that surround these parties.

The bill was reported to the Senate without amendment, ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, read the third time, and passed.

NAVY-YARD BRIDGE.

Mr. HARLAN. I move that the Senate take up for consideration a resolution introduced some time since by mne in relation to a survey for a bridge across the Eastern Branch. There will be no objection to it, I am sure, and it is necessary to be passed now in order

that we may obtain the information for the consideration of a bill that has been referred to the District Committee.

The motion was agreed to; and the Senate proceeded to consider the following resolution submitted by Mr. HARLAN on the 28th of May last:

Resolved, That the Commissioner of Publie Buildings and Grounds be directed to make a survey of the lower bridge, known as the navy-yard bridge, across the Anacostia, and report a plan for a perma nent structure across the same at or near the present site capable of sustaining a railway track and cars, with a footing on each side of the carriage track, with an estimate of the cost of the same.

Mr. HARLAN. Perhaps the resolution ought to be amended so as to read, "the officer acting as Commissioner of Public Buildings and Grounds."

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. That modi fication will be made.

The resolution, as modified, was adopted.

CHANGE OF REFERENCE.

Mr. POMEROY. With the leave of the Senate I ask that the Committee on the Pacific Railroad be discharged from the further consideration of the bill (S. No. 557) for complet ing a direct and continuous line of railroad from Washington city to Mobile and other points South, creating a post route from Washington city to Mobile and New Orleans, thereby securing a more certain, speedy, and economical transportation of the United States mails, military stores, and munitions of war, which Í had referred by mistake to that committee a day or two ago. I desire to have it referred to the select committee on the subject of national railways, of which the Senator from Ohio [Mr. SHERMAN] is chairman.

The PRESIDENT pro tempore. That order will be made if there be no objection.

DISTILLED SPIRITS FOR ARMY HOSPITALS Mr. WILSON. I move to take up House joint resolution No. 262.

The motion was agreed to; and the Senate, as in Committee of the Whole, proceeded to authorizing certain distilled spirits to be turned consider the joint resolution (H. R. No. 262) over to the Surgeon General for the use of the Army hospitals. It authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to deliver to the Surgeon Gen eral of the Army all the distilled spirits produced during the experiments made by the late commission for testing meters for the internal revenue service, to be used for the Army hos pitals, and to be paid for at a reasonable cost out of any moneys appropriated for the purchase of Army hospital stores, the amount received to be applied toward the expenses of the commission.

The joint resolution was reported to the Senate without amendment, ordered to a third reading, read the third time, and passed.

HYGEIA HOTEL AT FORTRESS MONROE.

Mr. WILSON. I now move to take up House joint resolution No. 266.

The motion was agreed to; and the Senate, as in Committee of the Whole, proceeded to consider the joint resolution (H. R. No. 266) to authorize the enlargement of the Hygeia Hotel at Fortress Monroe, Virginia. It pro poses to authorize the Secretary of War to grant permission to Henry Clark, proprietor of the Hygeia Hotel at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, to enlarge the hotel in such a manner as may be compatible with the interests of the United States; but such enlargement, or any building hereafter erected by any person or persons upon the lands of the United States at Fortress Monroe, are to be at once removed, at the expense of the respective owners, whenever the Secretary of War shall deem such removal necessary; and no claim for damages therefor is to be made upon the Government of the United States; and the building so to be enlarged is to be subject to taxation under State and national authority the same as other property.

The joint resolution was reported to the Senate without amendment, ordered to a third reading, read the third time, and passed,