The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-12-11
Passage In the House Of the Bill Designating
the 4th Of March as the Time
for tho Meeting Of Congress-
The Bill Regulating the Tenure or
0flce Reported in the Senate.
Protracted Senatorial Debate on the Dis
trict Of Columbia Franchise Bill.
Correspondents Relating to the Discovery
and Arrest Of John II. Surratt.
"a. &c. 60.
wAsHrSeros, Dec. 10, 1896.

WARRINGTON, Dec ~, 1900
The F0rticth Congress.
The adoption by the House Of act for the assembling
Of the Fortisth Congress the 4h OF March will throw
cut Of representation loyal States unless otherwise
arranged for by special act:nameiy, New Hampshire,
which for Representatives In March, Rhode Island
ana Connecticut, In April; California In September
Kentucky and Tennessee in August
Tsr.>tsviai Governments for the South.
Thsre evident determination on the part OF the
dc2s yush their reconstruction policy to the point
a bsnxBa the States lately in rebellion down to the
condition of Territories, and organize them anew into
State gov wnments. This may not be accomplished i'm
msdistaly u averred, but that the movement will thus
end tho confident opinion Of those high radical posi-
loA
The Test Oath Decision.
In the United States Supreme Court to-day the OF
the Missouri test oath resumed. There was some
expectation that decision would be rendered in this
this morning, but Lorenzo Sherwood OF Texas. ad
drcssed TO the Court motion for reargument Of the
case stating In substance, that II matter In which
tho loyal people Of the South took deep interest," and
that himself and General A. J. Hamilton, Of Texas,
Of the opinion that the behalf Of the gov
ernmen In support Of the Of the oath,
had not been fully presented II was therefore, do
sired that the Court would hear further argument before
rendering an opinion In the The Chief Justice
suggested counsel that his motion be put in writing
II is not true, as has been teegnphed North and
Bouth, that the Supreme Court OF the United States
has recently made new rule admitting members 10
~ bar without taking the test OATH The old oath 10
administered to applicants in open court, and the ap-
Dlicant then required to retire Of the adjoining
eces and there subscribe the test OATH This nfor
NATION is derived from Mr. Middleton, the Clerk OF the
Court
JET Davis to Remain In Confinement.
10 ha hast ant arty far hat he
Dent has positively determined not interfere in the
csss Of JEFF Davis by ordering his release parole but
1hat he will remain where he ID until arrangements
b made for hts trial some time during the ensuing
spring
Thad Stevens does not believe Jen Davis bs
a1juSgcd guilty completely In the assassination Of Lin
eeln He thinks he had no hand In It Stevens was
savtsd By The Secretary Of state dine with him
esrday bat declined account OF III health.
General Grant and Indy Give q Grand Fancy
Dress Masquerade 20 Juveniles.
grand fancy dross masquerade was given tonight
BY General and Mrs. General Grant TO juveniles at their
residence on l. street. Among the distinguished par.
ss present members Of the Cabinet, the principal
army and navy onncers foreign diplomats members Of
Congress and number Of tho most prominent citi-
sens, who present by special invitation
~ spectators, while the young gentlemen and
ladies' friends Of the Generals children, enjoyed
Frederick Grant, the Generals eldest son. appeared At
the beginning Of the masquerade West Point cadet
snd afterwards assumed tho character OF q cavalier
General u. H. Rockers appeared Pizaro. Other
young gentlemen sustained the characters Of General
Washington, Sir Peter Tcaze, knights, troubadours.
pagcs peasants and Italian brigands The young ladies
appeared fairies. queens and gypsies II was most
enjoyable affair throughout and may be regarded the
Inauguration Of the season Of festivities commencing
with the Christmas holidays.
The safety Of Human Life on shipboard.
The Secretary Of the Treasury has addressed the fol-
lswing circular TO Inspectors OF steamboats,
hR-On the 9th ut. circular letter addressed to
ebs supervising inspectors OF steamboats, IN the sevel
uon OF the Of July IS 1896 and directing them
- nj once that all passenger vessels, propelled
wholly or In part by stcam equipped with suitable
alssncsging apparatus, ~ required by the above
nen,oned section; and that certificate Of license be
granted unless vessels are thus provided Numerous In
Suiriss having been made by inspectors and Others
hcther under said act IL required that all vessels OF
$40 clsss referred 70 shall provided with dsengsgng
or may defer The same until the expiration Of
eher present certihcates Of license hereby In
ssmod, ~ sapansuS1 " sne m,cu,s. ol No'smoe1
pesssnger vessels whether bearing unexpired certificates
81 oense not and that the penalty for noncompliance
% nxed by section 81 the OF July 1858. and
section OF The act Of August 80 1852 beng nne OF
$500 for each offence The act Of July rs 1885 contsm
Dates duty responsible than that OF providing
u efficient possibe for the safety OF
human lives shipboard and any refusal neglect 10
object DO Wis ted with the full penalties prescribed
Sy law II. MoCULLocH Secretary Of the Treasury.
Payment Of state Debss Incurred During the
War.
The memorial OF Comptroller Hiiihouse OF New York,
urges Congress lengthy 10 provide for the
payment Of the State debts incurred Ia the proscu,on
sf the war The object for which they incurred
ne declares be less national than the preservation
Of the government and that weakness in the members
of tho Union would have been incompatible with vigor
tho head and therefore policy. less than justice,
calls for payment OF those debts He deems Il doubtful
whether with the currency in normal condition, State
tAre., levied real personal property viii more
tnan suffice for ordinary state expcnscs-tascs which
bear snequay on land and tend 20 op~css the farming
interests which prosperity Of all others depends
He therefore proposes tina, the general government shall
relinqulsh particular OF 90 tho
several states be In tho liquidation 81 debts,
ami suggests that the tar incomes be thus ren-
aahed as an ample and proper for such purpose
especially Il ~ questionable whethern within
the meaning Of word indrecp' the constitutional
clause concerning taxation.
Wholesale Communication by the President.
Presid Johnson has To- cay ssied an order, com
plance with the suggestion o. a memorial presented 20
Aim by Dr. J. H. Griscom behalf Of the New York
Poison Assocsaton srantng the privileges or tho
rna,ation system OF the state Of Now York 10 all
vcis under sentence of the civ and military courts Of
thc United states extending 20 them the same clcmcncy
and abatement Of tme upon tho same terms provided
for the under sentence Of the courts % the
STATE a. nduccncnt and consideration for good con
duo, asd fshfai dgcn attention u ne consicts
IN the oservance OF the regulations Of he prisons and
in the performance Of the work imposed upon them
THIS bcnes oeat 50 question received the promp. and
cordial assent o. The President and In accordance there
with the Attorney General requested Immediately 70
pregase suitable document for the execution o. the
Aeslgn-a movement which will undoubtedly increase
ths good order q tho prisoners and encourage the
formation Of those from whom the benefits Of tho law
have heretofore been withheld. A law ~ similar pur-
port spr'pcabs 10 al the States IN the unon was 70.
a. 'auedssca IN Congress BY ssns.or Harris, which viii