The Sun.
London, England, 1869-02-18 00:00:00

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CONGRESS.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

On the 22d January Mr. Griswold, of New York,
introduced a bill, which was referred, " to diminish
fluctuations in gold, and provide for a return to
specie payment." It provides for the issue of gold
notes, not exceeding three hundred and fifty mil-
lions, redeemable in coin and receivable for Go-
;_. vernment dues. The surplus gold in the Treasury
• not required for the public debt interest to be used
in redeeming greenbacks at the average gold value.
The Denver Pacific Railway Bill was considered.
The Speaker gave notice that Mr. Boutwell would
call up his Universal Suffrage Amendment to-day.
Thedeath of Mr. Hinds, of Arkansas,wasannounced,
and the customary speeches delivered. On the 23d,
Mr. Ke chew, of New York, introduced a bill to pro-
tect inventors of new kinds of fruit. Mr. Boutwell
called up the thliversalSuffrage tar endmentond it was
debated at length. Mr. Brooks, •of New York,
offered an amendment so as to include everybody
in the United States as voters, and Mr. Robinson
also proposed an amendment including all persons
resident in the country.—On the 25th bills were in-
troduced by Mr. Kelsey, of New York, to fund the
publicdebt; by Mr. Pierce, of Alabama, toprovile for
the representation of the freed race ; by Mr. Cor-
ley, of South Carolina, for the protection of loyal
men at the South ; by Mr. Eliot, of Massachusetts,
to create a Department of Indian Affairs ; and by
Mr. Kee, of KentUcky, in relation to civil rights.
Mr.Boutwell's SuffragcAmendment came up in order,
but, at his suggestion, was postponed until Wednes-
day. TheDenverPacific Railway Bill was considered,
and finally referred to the Committee on Public Lands.
Mr. Paine, of Wisconsin, offered a resolution direct.
ing the Reconstruction Committee to report what
action ought to be taken in regard to the represen-
tation of Georgia. Mr. Ross objected, and Mr.
Paine moved to suspend the rules. The yeas and
nays were called on this motion, pending which the
House adjourned.
On the 26th the petition of Mrs. Lincoln for a
pension was presented. Mr. Heaton, of North
Carolina, introduced a bill to suspend the collection
of certain direct taxes in the Southern States. Mr.
Perham, from the Pension Committee, reported a
bill amendatory of the Pension Law. Mr. Lynch,
of Maine, spoke in favour of his Resumption Bill.
On the 27th, Mr. Lynch's bill was discussed. Messrs.
Bingham, Shellabarger, and Ward offered substitutes
for the Suffrage Amendment. Mr. Perham's Pension
Bill was discussed ; also the Suffrage Amendment
and bill. The Legislative appropriations were con-
sidered. An evening session was held for general
debate.—On the 28th the Army Appropriation
Bill was reported. Mr. Paine, from the Recon-
struction Committee, reported the resolution di-
recting that committee to inquire whether Georgia
was entitled to representation, which was adopted.
The contested case of " Wimpy v. Christy," of
Georgia, was taken up, and postponed until the
third Tuesday of next month. Mr Perham's Pen-
sion Bill was considered. The Indian Appropria-
tion Bill was taken up, but not disposed of. Mr.
Boutwell's Constitutional Amendment and Bill re-
lating to Suffrage were discussed.