The Sun.
London, England, 1870-03-03 00:00:00

CONGRESS.

SENATE.—Feb. I—A communication was received
from the Attorney-General, stating that he had
given no official opinion in writing upon Georgia
affairs, but had once informally read a private me-
morandum of his views to the General of the Army.
Mr. Morrill, from the Appropriation Committee, re-
ported the bill authorizing transfers to the Bureau
of Construction and Steam Engineering in the Navy
Department. The bill was laid over. Mr. Ram-
sey offered a resolution directing the Foreign Com-
mittee to consider the expediency of the Govern-
ment mediating between the Red River insurgents
and the Dominion of Canada, with a view to estab-
lishing a responsible Government in Central Bri-
tish America, &c. It was referred to the Foreign
Committee. Mr. Ramsey introduced a bill to re-
gulate public printing, and discontinue the publi-
cation of books by the Government. Mr. Conkling
introduced a resolution for the admission of Mis-
siasippi to representation in Congress. The Cur-
rency Bill was considered, and Mr. Morton's Amend-
ment, fur the distribution of $13,000,000 of the cir-
culation among the States and Territories having
less th in their share, the demand to be made first
on banks having made more than $1,000,000 capi-
tal, was adopted. The Senate adjourned, postpon-
ing the final disposition of the bill for another day.
Feb. 2.—The bill in regard to the resignation of
Judges in certain cases was reported from the Judi-
ciary Committee, with a recommendation that it
be indefinitely postponed. The Currency Bill was
taken up and passed, with amendments, by a vote
of 39 to 23. As amended, it provides for the issue
of $45,000,000 additional banking circulation, and
the retirement of an equal amount of Tbree per
Cent. Certificates. The additional issue is to be
given to those sections having less than their pro-
portion of currency, and when the $45,000,000
issue is exhausted a transfer of $20,000,000 is autho-
rized from the States having an excess, to those
having a deficiency. The removal of banks from
States having an excess of circulation to those hav-
ing an insufficiency is authorized, and the amount
of their circulation is not to be deducted from the
amount of new issue. The fourth, fifth, and sixth
sections of the bill provide for banking on a coin
basis. The bill authorizing transfers to enable a
resumption of work in the navy yards was taken
up, and opposed by Mr. Trumbull, who favoured
separate appropriations. It was then laid aside,
and Mr. Howe spoke in support of his bill to repeal
so much of the neutrality laws as prevents Americans
from enlisting in a foreign army, and American
ship builders from furnishing vessels to cruise
againstfriendlyforeign Powers. Adjourned. Feb. 3.
—Mr.Chandler introduced a bill,which was referred,
reorganizing the Marine Hospital service. On the
motion of Mr. Abbott, the Judiciary Committee
were directed to report what legislation is required
for the protection of citizens in the South, and to
inquire into the constitutionality and expediency of
establishing a national police force. On the motion
of Mr. Kellogg, the Commerce Committee were
directed to inquire into the expediency of abolishing
unnecessary ports of delivery. Mr. Sherman, from
the Finance Committee, reported his Funding Bill.
It provides for the issue of $1,200,000,000 in bonds,
in three classes of $400,000,000 each. The first
class is redeemable in ten years, bearing 5 per cent.
interest ; the second in fifteen years, bearing 44
per cent., and the third in twenty years, bearing 4
per cent. The joint resolutioh authorizing transfers
in Naval Appropriations for the relief of Navy-yard
workmen was taken up, and an amendment, offered
by Mr. Morrill, of Vermont, was adopted, yeas 29,
nays 22, which provides that no higher wages shall
be paid the workmen than is paid by private citi-
zens. The bill was then laid aside, and after a
speech of Mr. Carpenter, in favour of Mr. Howe's
resolution repealing part of the neutrality laws, the
Senate adjourned. Feb. 4.—A bill passed autho-
rizing the Secretary of the Treasury to withhold
moneys due to States which have not paid interest
on any of their bonds held in trust by the United
States. The bill abolishing franking was taken up,
and amendments were offered, continuing present
provisions in relation to newspapers and periodicals.
The morning hour having expired, the Census Bill
came up in order, when Mr. Ramsey moved to pro-
ceed with the bill to abolish franking. His motion
was lost—yeas, 22 ; nays, 34. On the motion of Mr.
Carpenter, a resolution asking the President forinfor-
mation in regard to affairs in Georgia, was adopted.
The joint resolution authorizing meteorological
observations to give warning of approaching storms
was agreed to. The bill authorizing officers in the
Executive Departments to administer oathsin certain
cases was passed. A bill relieving the political dis-
abilities of a large number of ex-rebels was taken up.
Pending its consideration the Senate adjourned.
Feb. 7.—The resolutions of the Georgia Legisla-
ture, accepting the resolutions imposed by Congress
and ratifying the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amend-
ments, were presented. Mr. Edmunds, from the
Pension Committee, made a report, stating that the
Government would not be justified in enlarging the
pension list for men not disabled. Mr. Trumbull
introduced a bill to protect owners of trade marks.
Mr. M'Donald, from the Post-office Committee,
reported the bill for the conveyance of mails to
European and Asiatic ports, &c. Mr. Cole intro-
duced a bill providing for mail steamship service to
Australia. Mr. Stewart introduced a bill to en-
force the Suffrage Amendment, which was referred
to the Judiciary Committee. The bill prohibiting
recommendations to office by Congressmen and
the Census Bill were considered. The death of
Mr. Hoag of Ohio being announced, the Senate
adjourned. Feb. 9.—On motion of Mr. Pomeroy, the
President was asked for information regarding
action relating to a claim of the Central Pacific
Railroad for lands and bonds of the United States.
On the motion of Mr. Ferry, the Judiciary Com-
mittee were directed to report whether the Georgia
Legislature has been organized in accordance with
the provisions of Congress. Mr. Trumbull, from
the same Committee, reported a substitute for the
House Bill admitting Mississippi, omitting the con-
ditions ; also the bill changing the Judicial Circuits,
with amendments, one of which provides that the
Justices shall be residents of their respective circuits.
Mr. Wilson introduced a bill increasing the num-
ber of the Supreme and Circuit Judges to eleven,
which was referred. Mr. Morton spoke in advocacy
of the bill to prevent the furnishing of vessels and
war material to foreign powers, to be used against
insurgent colonies or districts. His bill and that of
Mr. Howe relative to neutrality were then re-
ferred to the Foreign Committee. The Census
question was considered, and on the motion of
Mr. Conkling the House Bill was laid upon the
table by a vote of 46 to 9. Mr. Chandler, on leave,
introduced the bill " to promote commerce among
the States," which provides for the construction of
a railroad from Washington to New York, and rail-
road and telegraph lines from Washington to Pitts-
burg and Cincinnati. The Senate then adjourned.
Feb. 10.—Mr. Schurz introduced a resolution pro-
viding that no State shall in future receive lands for
agricultural and mechanical colleges, unless such
colleges are open, to all without distinction or colour.
Mr. Chandler, from the Naval Committee, reported
the bill reorganizing the Marine Hospital service.
Mr. Ramsey, from the Post-office Committee, re-
ported the House Post Route Bill. The bill mak-
ing transfers in navy appropriations was passed.
The Mississippi Bill was discussed, but the Senate
adjourned without acting upon it.
_ --

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Feb. I.—Mr.
Booker, member elect from the Fourth Virginia
district, was sworn in. Mr. Farnsworth, from the
Post-office Committee, reported a bill to prevent
improper matter being sent by mail, and a.,:led its
passage, but Mr. Wood objected. Mr. Schenck,
Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, re-
ported the Tariff Bill, and moved its ;eference to
Committee of the Whole, and that it be made the
special order for Thursday, the 10th instant, and
until disposed of. He said the bill was amenda-
tory, and not a general revision. Mr. Allison, of
lowa, a member of the committee, suggested a
postponement for at least two weeks, to allow a
proper examination of the bill, and declared that it
was in the interest of manufacturers, not of con-
sumers. Mr. Schenck said that the committee had
endeavoured to keep in mind, revenue, protection,
and consumption. Mr. Brooks quoted from the
bill to show that reductions had been made in mere
revenue articles, such as tea, coffee, sugar, liquors,
&c., in order to have an excuse for raising the duty
on iron, steel, jute, carpeting, and even old type ;
while the objectionable duties stood on coal, salt,
leadflumber, hides, and other articles. Mr. Schenck
said that a reduction on pig iron had been re-
ported, and while tanners and dealers in hides
favoured their being put upon the free list, there
were other interests to be consulted.—Feb. 2.
Mr. Swann, from the Foreign Committee, reported
a resolution requesting the President to communi-
cate information in regard to American citizens
confined in British prions for political offences, and
the treatment they receive. it was discussed until
the expiration of the morning hour. On the motion of
;Mr. Logan,the Foreign Committee were directed to in-
quire if there arc any reasons why the Republic of
Cuba should not be recognized as a belligerent power.
r.Paine offered ajoint reso:ution, which was passed,
providing for meteorological observations at themili-
tary stations and other points to give notice cf
storms. The Judiciary Committee reported the
Naturalization Bill, which was recommitted. Mr.
Clarke presented a memorial from the Kansas Le-
gislature, asking the removal of the Capitol to Fort
Leaven Worth. In reply to an inquiry by Mr.
Banks, Mr. Dawes said that a bill to relieve the
navy yard workmen would probably be reported
to-morrow, after consulting with the Secretary
of the Navy. The bill to relieve the poor of the