The Sun.
London, England, 1870-01-12 00:00:00

CONGRESS.

THE SENATE.
Dec. 14.—The joint resolutions of the Ohio
Legislature, rescinding the ratification of the
Fifteenth Amendment, were presented. On the
inotiasn of Mr. Trumbull the Public Lands Com-
mittee were direct, d to inquire whether I,,nd offick s
may not be iispenstd with In Slates where no puolic
hinds are for sale. Mr. Cole introduced a bill for
semi-monthly mail service to China and Japan.
On the inoiion of Mr. iloaard, the Finance Corn -
mittee were in•trucred to irmire into the advisa-
bility of redueinv; inflitited by the
Inter ,al Rea euire Act of July, 1868. Mr. Cole
offered a re,olution looking to the levying of a tax of
$1 per gallon on distilled spirits, and the collection
of a tax according to the capacity of the stills.
The resolution ‘c as laid upon the table at his re-
quest. Mr. Morrill, of Maine, announced the
death of Senator Fessenden, and offered the cus-
tomary resolutions of respect. After the usual
eulogies and the adoption of the resolutions, the
Senate adjourned.
Dt.c. 15.—0 n motion of Mr. Kellogg, the Com-
merce Committee were directed to inquire into the
expediency of repealing the laws relating to the
dial ribution of customs. penalties, and forfeitures.
rite house resolution for a recess from December
22 to January 5 was agreed to. Mr. Osborn in-
troduced a resolution, which was referred, autho-
rising the Internal Revenue Commissioner to give
rewards for the detection of persons trying to mur-
der revenue officers. On the motion of Mr. Car-
penter, of Wisconsin, his resolution declaring that
in the opinion of the Senate the Spanish gunboats
should not be allowed to leave the country, was
taken up. It was advocated by Mr. Carpenter.
Mr. Sumner opposed it, and it was laid over. The
resolutim regulating the hours of labour of Go-
vernment employ6s, and the bill limiting the ap-
pellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, were
considered. After an Executive session, the Senate
adjourned.
Dec. 16.—The bill authorising the erection of a
bridge across the Delaware at Philadelphia was
reported favourably. Mr. Sherman offered a reso-
lntion inquiring whether any arrangement has been
made to turn the case of Yerger over to the civil
authorities in Mississippi should Congress restrict
the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, and if any
arrangement exists for delaying the proceedings on
the habeas corpus in that case. Mr. Sumner ob-
jected, and the resolution laid over. The Georgia
bill and the bill restricting appellate jurisdiction of
the Supreme Court were considered. Mr. Sherman
introduced a bill creating a Bureau of Customs
Revenue, and Mr. Sumner a bill declaring that
" the acts of the several departments shall not be
called in question by other departments," and de-
fining the limits of the judicial power. Bills relat-
ing to steamship lines to Europe were introduced by
Messrs. Rice and Ramsey.—Adjourned.
Dec. 17.—Bills were introduced to abolish the
office of Naval Officer, to reduce the number of
army officers, and to abolish franking, sulmtitutinc,
a distribution of postage stamps therefor. The'
Georgia bill was considered, the discussion being
continued at a night session, and was finally passed ;
yeas 45, nays 9, being amended to allow persons
who were forced into the rebel service by direct
physical force to bold seats in the Legislature.
Dec. 20.—The bill repealing the duties on r anned
and preserve.' fish was rep, rte.! lavoorably. Mr.
Schurz introduct d to reform be civil se v ,
which was referred. Mr. Trumbull, from the Judi-
ciary Cmaaittce, reported a Pia resolution, de-

daring Virginia entitled to representation in Con-
gress. On motion of Mr. Sumner, the Pr,sident
was requested to communicate copies of corre,p,;n-
deuce between the United States and Great. lira :,in
concerning pending questions since the rejection of
the Alabama Claims treaty. After an Executive
session the Senate adjourned.

Dec. 21. —The bill to execute the laws against
polygamy in Utah was reported favourably. Mr.
\Varner introduced a bill for the redistribution of
the National Banking Capital. The Home Census
Bill was reported favourably, but, after an expla-
nation by Mr. Conkling, was recommitted, and a
resolution suspending until February 1 all existing
census laws was adopted. The bill relating to tele-
.
L;rap,-te communication with foreign countries Was
r recommitted. A bill passed by ,he
at the lasi session to rennburNe owners of
v,,,ss,ts in loyal States for vessels taken by the Go-
vernment during the war was concurred in.—Ad-
journed.

22.—The House resolution extending the
recess to January 10th was concurred in. Mr.
Morton introduced a bill to allow the organization
of the Georgia militia, and Mr. Sumner a bill to
perfect the reconstruction of Virginia. Mr. Sum-
ner's bill impost s the test oath upon members of
the Legislatufe, and exacts certain fundamental
conditions previous to admission. Mr. Wilson
offered a resolution, which was adopted, dir.cting
the Military Committee to consider the expdiency
of creating two additional Lieutenant-Generals.
He explained that his resolution. was intended to
do justice to the eminent Generals, Meade and
Thomas. The House resolution relative to the
death of Mr. Peabody was concurred in. Corre-
spondence relating to the Alabama claims was pre-
sented. After an executive session the Senate ad-
journed for the Christmas holidays.