The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-02-18

, the right Of way over the military reservation at
Fort Gratiot Michigan. Passed.
Mr. Dodge, from the Committee on Oommercei
reported a bill 20 refund to the Winona and ST.
Peters Railway Company S3424 in gold for addi-
tiona duties paid on railroad iron Referred TO the
Committee on claims.
Also, the Senate bill relative to collection dis
tricts in North Carolina, establishing four oolleo-
tion districts at Albemare with the port OF entry at
Plymouth; Pamlico, with the port Of entry at New
bern; Beaufort with the port of entry at Beaufort
the Secretary of the Treasury being authorized 70
change IL TO Moorhead city, and Wilmington N.
O., with the port Of entry at Wilmington Passed
Mr. ELIOT reported back adversely the Senate
bill repeating certain provisions of the law OF June
%, 1864, cotcerning seamen on board public ana
private vessels ofthe United States. Laid on the
table.
Also bill to authorize changes in the location Of
lights and other aids TO navigation on the southern
coast of the United States Passed.
Also the Senate bill to change certain collection
districts in Maryland and Virginia Passed Win
amendments. ,
of Camden, N. j., to the collection district OF PHI
ladelphia, with an Assistant Collector to reside In
Camden. Passed.
Also, adversely bill to facilitate the establish
ment of naval and marine depot on the east
ern shore Of New Jersey. Laid on the table,
Mr.. EGGLESTON, from the same committee,
reported the River and Harbor Appropriation bill.
The aggregate amount appropriated in the Dill is
Several members appealed to Mr.. Eggleston TO
let them offer mendments but he declined and
the bill passed under the previous question
and without division.
TThe Pennsylvania delegation requests the re-
porter to state that they voted yesterday against
the Bounty bill on the same ground as that on
which the New York members based their action,
the delegations from other States pursuing that
course generally, and without regard TO their poli-
tlcal complexion. The reporter is also requested
to state that the Committee of Ways and Means
intend 10 report the Tariff bill next Monday morn
Mr. O'NEILL presented the petition of the
officers of the "AthenDum," of Philadelphia, ask
ing that books, &c, intended for libraries be con-
tinued on the free list
The House, at haIf.past four, took recess till
halfpas seven, when session Is to be held for de-
bate on the Presidents message.
Evening Session.
The House resumed its session at 7.30 p NJ, MIR.
Benjamin in the chair, as the Speaker pro tenn.
The proceedings were confined TO debate on the
Presidents annual message.
Mr.. MERCUR, of Pennsylvania, addressed the
House in defence OF the action OF Congress on the
subject of reconstruction.
Mr.. DUMONT, of Indiana, followed Mr. Mer-
cur, sending up to the Clerks desk and having
read as the text ofhis discourse the following news
paper paragraph
IAN old hotel-keeper in Washington once pasted
his dining room door the following notice:
members of Congress will go to the table first,
and then the gentlemen Rowdies and blackguards
must not mix with the congressman, as IL is hard
to tell one from another"
Referring to the decision of the Supreme Court
in the Indiana conspiracy case, and on the ques-
ton of the consttntionality OF the t'iTon- clad"
OATH he characterized it as the "Popes bull against
the comet and related number of amusing an
ecdotes calculated to show that the holding of a
judicial office does not necessarily prevent the
Judge from being an ignoramus and an ass. A man
VINO mad received commission as justice OF the
peace went to the clerk of the court and said he
came to file his official bond and become qualified
"Hold Hp your hand" said the gruf old clerk,
"and I'll swear you (laughter)i all hell couldn't
qualify you"
Mr.. TAYLOR, Of Tennessee, next addressed the
House on the question of reconstruction, claiming
that the course of the President consistent
with truth, consistent with patriotism and consist
ent with the former policy Of the Republican party.
The bill passed by the House the other day would
plant over one-third of the republic a military
despotism as crushing as any that the victorious
Alexander ever planted any of his conquered
provinces 1t would be an iniquity and an outrage
burying forever all hope of republican government
on the earth.
He was ready and anxious to cooperate with
every member of the House in going to the very
verge of the Constitution in the effort to protect
the Union men of the south in their persons and
property and rights but there was no warrant
any where for breaking down the local civil gov
ernments OF the south, and substituting for them
a military despotism. He paid an eloquent tribute
to the patriotism of the Union men OF Tennessee,
and upbraided the House for its neglect of their
claims.
The House, at 1890 p. M, adjourned.