The Sun.
London, England, 1870-01-31 00:00:00

CONGRESS.

Congress reassembled on the 10th Jan. On that
day in the
Senate, Mr. Cattell introduced a resolution far
vouring the including of the annexation of British
Columbia among the subjec's of negotiation with
Great Britain. Bills were introduced by Mr. Har-
lan to prohibit sales of public lands except to actual
settlers; by Mr. Stewart, ex,ending the protection
of the Civil Rights Act to the Chinese ; also abo-
lishing franking, and establishing a Govern-
ment telegraph system; by Mr. Morton, declar-
ing that no State has power to tax passengers
travelling through its limits ; also to prevent
the furnishing of war vessels t) foreign' powers
to. be used again-st insurgent districts ; by Mr.
Williams, to provide for the redemption of green-
backs in coin, at the rate of $1 in coin for $1 20 in
greenbacks. On the motion of Mr. Corbett, the
Finance Committee were directed to consider the
expediency of compelling the National Banks to
make annual returns of the gold:interest paid them
by the Government upon bonds held to secure their
circulation, until the amount reach the sum required
as their legal reserve, and it may be held as a.re-
serve instead of Legal 'fenders, with a view' ti re-
suming specie payments. Mr. Corbett also offered
a resolution directing the Secretary of State to make
propositions to Great Britain for the annexation of
British Columbia. Referred to the Foreign Com-
mittee. lhe bill for the admission of Virginia was
considered, and after an executive session the Senate
adjourned.
J.ln. 11.—Mr. Sumner gave notice of a bill to
fund the public debt, extend banking facilities, and
establish specie payments. The bill exempting
canned and preserved fish from internal tax was
passed. Mr. Sherman, from the Finance Com-
mittee, reported a bill " to provide a national cur-
rency of coin notes and equalise the distribution of
circulating notes." The Virginia bill was con-
sidered. A message was received from the Presi-
dent, vetoing a bill for the relief of Rollin White.
After an executive session the Senate adjourned.
Jan. 12.--The resolutions of the Legislature of
New York, withdrawing the ratification of the
Fifteenth Amendment, were presented. Mr. Drake
offered a resolution that Indian treaties shall -be
considered in open session. Mr. Sumner introduced
a bill to fund the National Debt, to extend banking
facilities, and establish specie payments. The Vir-
ginia Bill was discussed, pending which the Senate
adjourned.
Jan. 13.—A bill was reported amendatory to the
Act providing for an AMerican steamship line be-
tween New York and Europe. It directs the Post-
master-General to contract with the campany
named in the Act for the conveyance of the mails,
paying $500,000 interest on the company's bonds.
The consideration of the Virginia Bill was resumed,
and Mr. Drake's amendment was rejected, the yeas
being 11 and the nays 45. Other amendments were
offered, peliding which the Senate adjourned.

House of Representatives, Jan. 10.—Bills weremeeting introduced by Mr. Morrill, changing the of
the second and third sessions of Congress to the
first Monday in January, also to protect American
citizens ; by Mr. Dickey, to exempt farmers and
gardeners from paying brokers' tax on their sales ;
by Mr. Beck, to repeal the tariff on animals im-
ported for breeding purposes ; by Mr. Lawrence, to
amend the Homestead law in favour of soldiers; by
Mr. Asper, to extend the privileges of the National
Banking Act ; by Mr. , Wells, to repeal the bank-
ruptcy laws; buy Mr. Palmer, to establish free
banking; by AI r.Paine, to apportion representatives,
making the number 300, and for the almission of
Virginia ; and by Mr. Johnson, declaring the right
of States to protect themselves against the evil
effects of Chinese. immigration. Mr. Bingham
offered a joint resolution, declaring Virginia entitled
to representation in Congress, and moved the pre-
vious question, which was seconded. The main
question was then ordered—yeas, 68; nays, 58.
Mr. Benjamin, of Mobile, moved to reconsider the
vote ordering the main question. On this motion
there was a tie vote, and the Speaker giving his
vote in the negative, the motion was rejected. Sub-
sequently, Mr. Paine said there was an error in
making up the result, Mr. Hoar having voted yea,
and his vote not having been recorded. . The vote
was counted accordingly, and on the recurrence of
the question, shall the main question be ordered,
the vote stood, yeas, 66 ; nays, 80 ; and the bill was
laid over. Eighteen Republicans voted yea. After
some further business the House adjourned.
Jan. 11.—Mr. Farnsworth, from the Reconstruc-
tion Committee, reported a bill for the admission
of Virginia upon certain fundamental conditions,
among them that no one shall hold any office in the
State without taking test oaths, and that the State
Constitution shall never be so amended as to de-
prive any clais of citizens of the right to vote and
hold office, except in punishment of crime.. Mr.
Bingham offered his bill as a substitute, and both
were ordered to be printed. Mr. Scofield, from the
Naval Committee, reported a bra transferring the
Philadelphia Navy Yard to League Island. 'I he
House then went into Committee of the Whole, and
Mr. Kelley made a speech severely criticising the
Hon. D. A. Wells' Report.
-Jan. 12.—The rrsolutiot-s of the New York
Legislature rescinding the ratification of the Suf-
frage Amendment were presented. Mr. Gartieki
introduced a bill to abolish the Bureau of refugees,
freednien, and abandoned lauds. The League Island
Bill was discussed. The Virginia Bill was con-
sidered, and Mr. Farnsworth, who had reported it
from the Reconstruction Committee, spoke against
its test oath clauses. Mr. Paine spoke in support
of the bill, and Mr. Morgan against it, when the
House adjourned.
Jan. 13.—Mr. M'Cormick offered. a resolution
looking to the establishment of a Territorial Go-
vernment over the Indian Territory. Mr. Willard
offered resolutions, which were referred, declaring
the necessity for administrative economy, and the
funding of the debt at a lower interest, and oppos-
ing any acquisition of territory involving the ex-
penditure of money or increase of the public
debt. Mr. Morrill introduced a bill, which was
passed, to prevent the giving of contributions
or presents from persons employed by the Go-
vernment to their official superiors. The Vir-
ginia Bill was considered,
a night session being
held. In the State Senate yesterday the Me-
tropolitan Police Bill was reported back front
the committee, alsl the bill for better security
against fires in Phihk.lelaia. Bills were introduced
allowing husbands andwives to testify in divorce
cases, and to prevent the overloading of city passen-
ger cars. A petition was received from Somerset,
contesting the seat of Mr. Fi i
ndlay, n behalf of
Scull, and it was agreed to drew a committee on
Mr. Graham. contesting
uesday. in the 1-loose,
the seat of John F. Mooney, was allowed to with-
draw, and the committee in the case was, dissolved.
A new petition contesting the scat was presented,
with a resolution for another committee, but, after
some discussion,: the matter was indefinitely post-
poned. The Senate Bill raising the Governor's
salary to V,OOO was called up, but the House, by
a vote Of 52 to 45, refused to consider it. Both
Houses of the Legislature have adjourned until
Tuesday. - --