The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-12-11
Passage In the House Of the Eill Designating
the 4lh Of March as the Time
for the Meeting Of Congress.
The Bill Regulating the Tenure OF
Gflce Reported in the Senate.
Protracted Senatorial Debate on the Dis
trict of Columbia Franchise Bill.
correspondence Relating to the Discovery
and Arrest Of John II. Surratt.
10. &c. 90.

F@.N WASHINGTON, Dec ~, 1885,
The Fortieth Congress.
The adoption by the House Of act for the assembling
Of tho Forsth Congress- the 4th Of March will throw
representation loyal States unless otherwise
arranged for by special act:-namely, New Hampshire
which for Representatives in March, Rhode Island
ana Connecticut, in April; California, In September
Kentucky and Tennosses, in August.
Territorial Governments for the South.
There an evident determination the part Of the
radicals push their reconstruction policy the point
Of bringing the States, lately in rebellion the
condition of Territories and organize them into
State governments This may not be accomplished i'm
mediatey, is averred, but that the will thus
tho confident opinion Of those high radical posi-
tion.
The Test Oath Decision.
In the United States Supreme Court to-day the OF
she Missouri teet oath was resumed. There was some
expectation that decision would be rendered this
this morning, but Lorenzo Sherwood OF Texas ad.
dressed TO the Court motion for reargument Of the
case stating, in substance that 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 tho behalf Of the gov
srnment In support Of the Of the oath,
had not been fully presented II was therefore, de-
sired that the Court would hear further argument before
rendering opinion In the The Chief Justice
suggested counsel that his motion be put In writing
and filed, stating that II would then be considered.
II is not true, as has been telegraphed North and
South that the Supreme Court OF the United States
has recently made rule admitting members 10
~ bar without taking the oath. The old oath 10
administered to applicants in open court and the APP
pcant is then required TO retire of the adjoining
eces and there subscribe the oath. This infor
nation is derived from Mr. Middleton, the Clerk of the
Court
JeH Davis Remain In Confinement.
There is the best authority for saying that the Presi
Dent has positively determined interfere in the
Of JEFF Davis by ordering his release parole, but
that he will remain where he 10 until arrangements
b made for hts trial some time during the ensuing
spring.
Thad Stevens does not believe that Jen Davis be
sdjudged guilty ofcompcy the assassination OF Lin
colin. He thinks he had no hand In it Stevens was
lnvited by the Secretary Of dine with him yes
serday, bat declined on account or III health
General Grant and Indy Give a Grand Fancy
Dress Masquerade 10 Juveniles.
grand fancy drcss masquerade given tonight
BY General Mrs General Grant Juveniles at their
residence, on l. street Among the distinguished par
present members Of the Cabinet, the principal
army and navy oncers foreign diplomats, members Of
Congress and Q number OF the most prominent citi-
sens, who were present by special invitation
spectators while the young gentlemen and
ladies, friends Of the Generals children, enjoyed
themselves in dancing music and other entertainments
Frederick Grant, the Generals eldest son. appeared at
the beginning Of the masquerade West Point cadet
and afterwards assumed tho character Of cavalier
General n. II. Fuckers appeared Pzaro. Other
young gentlemen sustained the characters OF General
Washington Sir Peter Tcazle, knights, iroubadours.
pages, peasants and Italian brgands The young ladies
appenred fairies queens and gypsies 1t was most
enjoyable affair throughout and he regarded the
Inauguration Of Of festivities commencing
with the Christmas holidays
The safety Of Human Life shipboard.
The Secretary OF the Treasury has addressed the fol-
lswing circular TO inspectors OF steamboais:-
sR-On the 9th ult. circular letter addressed to
the supervising inspectors OF steamboats, In The several
zion ten Of the act OF July IS 1885 and directing them
- SEQ NJ once that all passenger vessels, propelled
wholly or In part by steam, are equipped with suitable
Aisengagng apparatus, M required by the above
neniioned section and that certificate OF license be
grained unless vessels thus provided Numerous in
Quiries having been made by Inspectors and Others
Whether under said act is required that all vessels Of
40 class referred 70 shall be provided with dsengsgng
apparatus, may defer the until the expiration OF
eher present cer6cates Of license, hereby In
Sermod In explanation OF the circular Of November O.
eAat the provisions Of the Law apply at To all steam
passsngcr vessels whether bearing certificates
~ license not and thai the penalty for noncompliance
% nxed by section two Of the act OF July 1855. and
section OF the act OF August 80 1852, beng ne OF
$500 for each offence The OF July rs, 1855 conem
plates duty responsible than that Of providing
u The most ecent manner possible for the safety o.
human lives shpboard and any refusal neglect to
comply with the requirements deemed essential to this
object win be Wis ted with the full penalties prescribed
Sy Law. n. McCULLoCH, Secretary Of the Treasury.
Payment Of State Debts Incurred During the
War.
The memorial OF Comptroller Hihousc, OF New York
urges Congress In lengthy TO provide for the
payment OF the State in the prosecution
81 the war The objec, for which they incurred
ne declares be less national than the preservation
OF the government. and that tho members
of the Union would have been Incompatible with vigor
IN tho head and therefore policy than justice,
whether, with the currency a normal condition. State
tAxe., levied real personal property, will
than suffice for ordinary State expcnses-taxcs which
bear gnequaly land and tend opp~ess the farming
Interests on which tho prosperity Of all others depends
He therefore proposes that the general shall
relinqush some particular Of revenue the
several States be In the liquidation of war debts
and suggests that the incomes be thus relin-
qu..hed ample and proper for such purpose
especially a. Il is Questionable whether Il comes within
the meaning Of the word 'ndirec the constitutional
clause concerning taxation
Wholesale Communication bv the President.
rreid johnson has to- cay issacd order in CON-
p'lance with the suggestion Of memorial presented 70
Aim by Dr. II. Crscom, behalf Of the New York
Poison Ass ocaiion granting the privileges or the
rnu,afion system or the State Of New York MI con-
under sentence Of the civil and military courts or
the United siates extending them the clemcncy
and abatement Of time. upon tho terms provided
for convicta under sentence OF the OF the
State, Involvement and consideration Tor good con
duct and fsAfai aud dgcn, attention of tho convcts
In the oervance the regulations o. The psons and
IN lhe performance Of the work imposed upon them.
TITS benescieat suzsosicr received the prompt and
cordial heni o. tho President and 10 accordance there
with the Attorney Gesarai requested Immediately 70
prepare suitable docunens for tho execution OF tho
lessn--a movement which viii undoubtedly increase
ths good order o. tho prisoners and encourage
formation Of those from whom tho benefits Of the law
bsvc berstofcrc been withheld. A law or similar pur
port, nrp'scabIs 20 al the States The unon was
d. nttpasord congrcss by sensAor Harris which vii,