The Sun.
London, England, 1870-04-19 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 19, 1870.

CONGRESS.

THE RATIFICATION OF THE FIFTEENTH
AMENDMENT.

SENATE, March 22.—Mr. Harlan, from the Com-
mittee on Indian Affairs, reported the bill to pro-
mote the civilization of the Indians. Mr. Sumner,
from the Foreign Committee, reported adversely
the resolution for consideration of foreign treaties
in open session. Mr. Sherman, from the Fivance
Committee, reported Mr. Sumner's bill for strength-
ening the bank resources and resuming specie pay-
ments, with a recemmeedation that it be indefi-
nitely postponed, which was agreed to. The report
of the Judiciary Committee declaring Gen. Ames
ineligible as Senator from Mississippi was discussed,
but the Senate adjourned without acting upon it.
March 23.—Joint resolutions of the New Mexic
. Legislature, asking to raise the cavalry regimen's
to operate aga nst the Indians, were presented and
referred. The bill to promote the civilization of the
Indians was passed, and a motion to reconsider it
was then entered by Mr. Stewart. The c ise of
Senator-elect Am s, of Mississippi, was considered,
and his admission was opposed by Mes -rs Carpenter
and Davis, and favoured by Messrs. Morton, Howe,
Scott, Cragin, and Corbett. The Senate adjourned
without disposing of the matter. March 24.—The
U. S. Senate went into executive Session immedi-
ately after assembling, and several hours afterwards
adjourned. The San Domingo treaty was under
consideration, Mr. Sumner speaking in opposition
to it, but no conclusion was arrived at. March
25—Mr. Cole, from the Post-office Committee, re-
ported the bill for increased mail service with China
and Japan, substituting the Pacific Mail Steamship,
Company. Mr. Sherman introduced a joint reso-
lution, providing a steamer and appropriating
$lOO,OOO for another Arctic voyage under Captain
Hall. Mr. Wilson introduced an army bill, reduc-
ing the number of the army to 25,000, regulating
its pay, &c. The bill fixing the junction of the.
Central and Union Pacific Roads was passed. At
one o'clock the Senate, on the motion of Mr. Sum-
ner, went into Executive session on the San Do-
mingo treaty. Mr. Morton spoke for several hours
in favour of its ratification, and at the conclusion of
his speech the Senate adjourned. March 26—The
Senate was not in session. On the 28th Mr. Howell
represented joint resolutions of the lowa Legisla-
ture, urging the recognition of Cuban belligerency.
Mr. Drake asked for information as to the cause of
delay in reporting the bill for the admission of
Texas. Mr. Trumbull, in reply, said that questions
of the highest privilege remained undisposed of
since the introduction of the Texas Bill ; also, that
the bill needed amendment on account of a clause
relating to the original conditions on which the
State was annexed, which allowed slavery, and
which was contrary to the Constitution of the
United States. Mr. Sherman offered a resolution
discharging the Judiciary Committee from consi-
dering the Texas Bill, which was objected to, and
laid over. The Senate went into Executive session
on the San Domingo treaty, and afterwards ad-
journed. March 29 Mr. Chandler, from the
Commerce Committee, reported the bill for the
better security of life on steam vessels. Mr. Conk-
ling introduced a bill to prevent election frauds,
which was referred. Mr. Sherman, from the
Finance Committee, reported a bill continuing the
present income tax of 3 per cent. after this year.
On the motion of Mr. Sherman the regular calendar
of resolutions was passed over, and the resolution
discharging the Judiciary Committee from the con-
sideration of the Texas Bill was adopted. The bill
was then read, and the proviso declaring that the
Act shall not affect the conditions under which Texas
was annexed being stricken out, it was passed by a
party vote. After an Executive session of two
hours, the bill allowing the United States Judge
for astern Texas to resign was passed, and the
Deficiency Bill was reported.—Adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.--March 22—Mr.
Brooks, of New York, from the Sub-Committee on
E'ections' made a report in the contested case from
the Fourth Virginia District, declaring Mr. Booker,
the sitting member, entitled to the seat. Mr.
Poland gave notice of a substitute declaring Booker
disqualified because of disloyalty. The Anti-
polygamy Bill came up as the special order, and a
motion to table it was defeated—yeas 40, nays 141.
The bill was opposed by Mr. Schenck, and advo-
cated by Mr. Butler. Pending its consideration
the House adjourned. March 23d—Mr. Scofield,
from the Naval Committee, reported a bill to remove
the Brooklyn Navy Yard ,which was ordered, printed,
and recommitted. Onmotion of Mr.Polaed,theCom-
mittee on Rules were instructed to report on the ex-
pediency of a provision that the previous qte scion
shall not be sectorled on any hill until alter two
hours' cor sAera• ion, except by a three-fourths vote.
&Aro Twine]. lii 1 was tabled by a vote of 126 to 41.
The Diplomatic Appropriation Bill was reported,
and made the order for Tto sday next. It eppro-
priates $983,047, being $127,687 less than last 3 ear.
A special message was presented from the President
on the decline of American commerce, and recom-
mending the passage of two bills recently reported.
The bill to punish polygamy in Utah was passed,
several sections being s ruck out ; among them one
providing for confiscation, and another authorising
the President to send troops to Utah, and call out
40,000 volunteers if necessary. Mr. Butler,. of
Massachusetts, introduced a bill, which was re-
ferred, authorising the President to accept the resig-
nation of any judge of any United States Circuit
Court. The Tariff was debated at an evening session.
March 24.—Mr. Logan, from the Military Com-
mittee, made a final report on the Cadetship Inves-
tigation, with a bill and three resolutions. The bill,
which made it necessary for the cadet to have been
two years resident in the Congressional district
from which appointed, was passed, being so amended
as to make the time one year. The resolutions which
request a court-martial for the trial of Commander
Upshur, recommend the dismissal of Grett. Schoepf,
and direct the exclusion from the floor of all persons
who have beer or may be guilty of trying to cor-
rupt Congressmen, were then adopted. The Tariff
Bill was diacrt.sed; Mr. Allison, a member of the
Ways and Means Committee, favouring a reduction
of the tariff and taxes. Debate was continued in
evening session. March 25.—Mr. Poland sub-
mitted a resolution admitting Adolph Bailey to a
seat as Representative from the Third Louisiana
District. Mr. Paine objected, the subject having
been referred to the Election Committee, and the
resolution was not received. Mr. Hall introduced
a bill compensating the officers and crew of the
Kearsage for the destruction of the Alabama. On
the motion of Mr. Cox, the Judiciary Committee
were directed to inquire into the expediency of
allowing writs of error in criminal cases in the
United States Courts, and permitting defendants
to testify. Mr. Randall introduced a bill to regu-
late the mode of paying pensions. The Tariff Bill
was discussed in committee. Mr. Allison con-
tinuing his argument in favour of a reduction of
the Tariff, and Mr. Kelley speaking in advocacy
of the bill. March 26.—The House met for debate
only, and adjourned after several members had
made speeches on the Tariff. On the 28th bills were
introduced by Mr. Hale, to prevent collection of
State taxes on passengers •, Mr. Boyd, to reorganize
the Navy ; Mr. Loughbridge, for payment of pen-
sions in gold ; Mr. Fitch, to regulate Indian affairs;
and Mr. haves, authorising the raising of two
volunteer regiments for preeection against the In-
dians in New Mexico. On the motion of Mr.
Prosser, the Secretary of the Treasury was asked
for information regarding the payment of interest
by the Pacific Railroad Companies on bonds issued
to them by the Government. Mr. Arnell offered a
resolution declaiing the Christian religion part of
the common law of the land, and approving the
use of the Bible in public schools. The previous
question was moved, but not seconded, and the re-
solution went over. On the motion of Mr. Mungen,
the President was called upon for information re-
garding the San Domingo Treaty, the persons to
be benefited by it, the amount paid under it, &c.
On the motion of Mr. Banks, the resolutions re-
lating to Cuba were made the order for April 6th.
The l'atiff was discussed at an evening session.
March 29—Mr. Paine, from the Election Commit-
tee, r.-ported adversely on the claim of Mr. Segar
to a seat as Representative at large from Virginia.
Mr. Cessna, front the same Committee, reported that
Caleb N. Taylor is entitled to the seat from the
Fifth Pennsylvania District, instead of Reading,
the sitting member. Mr. Logan made a "personal
explana. ion," criticising General Sherman's letter
on ti e Army Bill. He said that the bill had been
su' mitt( d to Generale Belknap and Sherhian, and
that Sherman made but two'objectious and Bella-nap
one, and the latter's maggestion was placed in the
bill as an amendment. General Sherman's objec-
tion " was to the muster out of general (dicers, and
another which he (Logan) would not mention.'
On the motion of Mr. Schenckeit was ordered that
the general debate on the Tariff close next day an
hour and a half afier going into Committee of the
Whole. The House then went into Committee,
and the debate on the Tariff was resumed, and
continued in evening session.

To the Senate and House of Representatives—
It is unusual to notify the two Houses of Congress
by a Mess ige, of the promulga. ion by a Proclatna-
tion of the Secretary of State of the ratification of a
constitutional amendment. In view, however, of
the vast importance of the Fifteenth Amendment
of the constitution, this day declared a part of that
revel% d ins rutnenr, I deem a departure from the
usual custom justifiable. A measure which makes
at oleo four millions of people vot...rs, who were
heretofore declared by the highest tribunal in the
land not citizens of the United Slates, nor eligible
to b come so, with the assertion tbat at the time of
the Declaratioa of Indei eirdenee the opinion was
fixed au I universal in the civilized portion of the
world, and the white race regarded as an axiom in
morals, as well as in polities, that black men had
no ri hts which white men were bound to respect,
is indeed a measure of grander importance than
any other one act of the kind from the foundation
of our free Government to the present time.
Institutions like ours, in which all power is de-
rived directly from the people, must depend upon
their intelligence and industry. I call the attention,
therefore, of the newly enfranchised race to the
importance of their striving in every honourable
manner to make themselves worthy of their new
privileges. I would say withhold no legal privilege
of advancement from new citizens. The framers of
the Constitution firmly believed that a Republican
form of Government could not endure without in-
telligence and education, morally diffused among
the people. The father of his country, in his fare-
well address, uses the language :—" Promote, then,
as a matter of primary importance institutions for
the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion
as the structure of the Government gives force to
public opinion, it is essential that public opinion
should be enlightened." In his first annual mes-
sage to Congress the same views were forcibly pre-
sented, and are again urged in his eighth message.
I repeat that the adoption of the fifteenth amend-
ment to the constitution completes the greatest
civil change, and constitutes the most important
event that has occurred since the nation came into
life. The change will be beneficial in proportion to
the heed that is given to the urgent recommenda-
tions of Washington. If these recommendations
were important then, with a population of but a
few millions, how much more important now, with
a population of 40,000,000,and increasing in a rapid
ratio. I would therefore call upon Congress to take
all the means within their constitutional power to
promote and encourage popular education through-
out the country, and upon the people.everyw here to
see to it that all who poszess and exercise political
rights shall have an opportunity to acquire know-
ledge, which will make their share in the govern-
or a blessing and not a danger. By such means
only can the benefits contemplated by this amend-
m-nt to the constitution be secured. U. S. GRANT.
Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State of the United
States:

8,009 men. We drew from the merchant marine,
which had cost the Government nothing, but which
had been a source of national wealth, 600 vessels,
exceeding 1,000,000 tons, and about 70,000 men, to
aid in the suppression of the rebellion. This state-
ment demonstrates the value of the merchant marine
as a means of national defence in time of war.
The Committee on the Cause of the Reduction of
American Tonnage, after tracing the cause of its
decline, submit two bills, which, if adopted, they
believe will res• ore to tht,s nation its maritlme power.
Their report shows with gee Lt minuteness the
actual an I cmnpara'ive Ain mic to tonnage at the
time Of its greatest prosuerity, the actual and com-
parative decline since, together with the causes, and
exhibits offer s-atistics of material interest in re-
ference to tIL.; subject. As the r..port is before Con-
gress, I will not recapitulate any of its statistics,
but refer only to the metho Is recommended by the
Com nittce to give back to us our lost commerce.
As a general rule it can be adopted. I believe a
direct money subsidy is less liable to abuse than in-
direct aid given to the same enterprise. In this
case, however, my opinion is, that subsidies, while
they may be given to specific lines of steamers or
other vessels, should not be exclusively adopted,
but in addition to subsidizing very desirable lines
of ocean traffic, a general assistance should be given
in an effective way, and therefore commend to
your favourable consideration the two bills proposed
by the committee and referred to in this Message.
" 11. S. GRANT.
" Executive Mansion, Washington,
March 23, 1870."