The Sun.
London, England, 1870-02-15 00:00:00

CONGRESS.

SENATE.--Jan. 21.—Mr. Sherman, from the Fi-
nance Committee, reported, with a verbal amend-
ment, the bill to continue the income-tax law. Mr.
Patterson introduced a bill to abolish the Freed-
man's Bureau, providing a Bureau of Education.
Mr. Pomeroy introduced a constitutional amend-
ment establishing female suffrage. The Virginia
Bill was considered, and passed by a party vote,
with various amendments. The bill as amended
requires the Legislative officers to swear that they
never engaged in the rebellion after having taken
• the oath as officers of the- State or of the United
States, or to swear that they have been relieved of
their disabilities by Congress. It further provides
a penalty of fine and imprisonment for swearing
falsely, and exActs as fundamental conditions that
Virginia shall not deprive any class of citizens of
the right to vote, hold office, or share in the privi-
lEges of the schools. Adjourned till Monday.—
Jan. 24.—The credentials of Lot M. Morrill, of
Maine, were presented, and he was sworn in. ,7‘-1 r.
Norton offered a resolution of inquiry as io
e the,
M.litary Commission inv,tigating the eligibility of
the Georgia legislators, but its consideration was
objected to by Mr. Sumner. The bill to retire the
Three per Cents., and substitute coin notes, was
considered, and advocated by Mr. Sherman. On
the 25th a bill was passed authorising the Passport,
Clerk at the Departrnetit of State to administer
oaths on applications for passports. A bill was
reported relieving certain ex-rebels of political dis-
abilities. '1 he bill to retire the Three per CelVs•
was discussed. Mr. Sherman, from the Finance
Committee, reported a substitute for'the House
Bill relating to the Income Tax. On the 26th the
House Invalid Appropriation Bill was reported—
Mr. Buckingham introduced a supplementary Cur-
rency Bill. James B. Howell was sworn in as
Senator from lowa to succeed Mr. Grimes. Mr.
Sherman's Currency Bill was discussed. On the
27th the House resolution prohibiting collectious
from subordinate officials to make presents to their
superior officers was concurred in. The creden-
tials of Messrs. Lewis and Johnston, Senators elect
from Virginia, were read, and Mr. Lewis, who was
present, was sworn in. The Currency Bill wag
considered.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.—Jan.
Schenck asked and obtained leave for the WaYs
and Means Committee to sit during the sessions.
He said he expected to report the revised Tariff
Bill very early next week—probably on MOnday---
and that he would soon after move to take up the
revised Tax Bill. After some speech-making is
Committee of the Whole, the House adjourned.
Jan. 22—This day was devoted to debate, no other
business being done. Jan. 24—Bills were intro-
duced giving the letter carriers $1,200 salary
where the free delivery system is in opera-
tion ; increasing the number of Judges of the
Supreme Court ; regulating the mode of deterrain-
jug the ratification of Constitutional Amendments/
providing for health and safety in coal mines ; and
to establish postal telegraph lines. This last was
introduced by Mr. Washburn, who moved its refer-
ence to a special committee, which was agreed to.
The Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Appropria-
tion Bill was reported. It appropriates $19,203,091:
A report of the General of the Army, stating thst
the military officers inquiring into the eligibility of
the members of the Georgia Legislature were doing
so, as a Board outside of the Legislature, to assist
General Terry; was referred to the Reconstruction
Committee. The Senate substitute for the Virginia
Bill was taken up, and after discussion concurred
in by a strict party vote, all the Republicans voting
for it. It now goes to the President. On the 25(°,
Mr. Scofield, from the Naval Committee, reported
a bill to reorganise the navy, which was. reconr
mitted. The League Island Navy-yard Bill Iva!
discussed, and supported by Messrs. Myers, O'Neill,
and Reading. The report of last April on the con"
tested election case from the Fourth Congressional
District of South Carolina was taken up. It gives
the seat to A. S. Wallace. A minority report, de'
daring neither claimant entitled to the seat, was
adopted, and the whole matter was then referred to
the Election Committee. Oa the 26th, on motion
of Mr. Van Trump, the Secretary of the Tres'
sury was asked to state the interest paid by
the Government on the bonds of the Peale
Railroad Companies, why these bonds are omit'
ted in the public debt statement, &c. °J3ci
motion, the Mining Committee were directed
to investigate the Avondale mining disaster, and
report whether Congress has power to legislate for
the prevention of such oczurrences. The Leagn,e,
Island Navy Yard Bill was discussed. Mr. Randall
spoke in support of the bill, while Mr. Woodward
opposed it. After an argument by Mr. Scovell in
favour of the bill, Mr. Dawes moved to lay it uP°l3
the table, and his motion was agreed to by a vote
of 94 against 67. The House went into Committee
ou the legislative appropriations, and Mr. Butler,
of Massachusetts, read a speech defending the Ad"
ministration against the charges of rxtravagancei
recently made by Mr. Dawes. The latter replied
to Mr. Butler, after which the House adjoUrn".
On the 27th a hill was introduced by Mr. Gilfillae,
requiring National Banks going into liquidation to
deposit lawful money in place of their circulating
notes, and take up their bonds. Messrs. Platt
Ridgway, Miles, and Porter, Representatives elect
f torn Virginia, were sworn in. . The bill abolishing
the franking privilege was passed—yeas 174, naYe
14. Among the nays was Mr. Woodward, of Penn"
sylvauia. Mr. Churchill, from the Election Cour
Imittee, reported a resolution giving the seat from
the Twenty-first Pennsylvania district to Mr. CO'
vode, and said he would call it up on Tuesday. Mr'
Dawes made a speech in Committee of the Whole,
and Mr. Logan, from the Military Committee, re"
ported a bill reducing the number of army officers.