Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-12-12
FROM WAsHINGTON.

WASHINGTON December 8, 1857.
In the Senate Mr Wilson gave notice
Of bill to relieve 2Si citizens Of Ala
bama, therein named, from the disabili-
ties Of the Reconstruction bill. The list
includes Gov. Patton and Gen. Long
street, and is indoFsed by Gems. Pope
and Swayne.
Mr.. Chandler called up his resolution
Of neutrality between Great Britain and
| Abyssinia He was surprised, he said,
/ to see it stated in the newspapers that he
intended this as a joke. 1t was a very
| serious matter.
/ Mr.. Reverdy johnson, in the course Of
| the debate, said he considered England
/ in honor bound to pay every dollar Of
I the Alabama claims. Mr.. Nye and Mr..
| Sumner also took part in the discussion
the former in favor, and the latter
against the resolution. No action was
taken on it.
Mr.. BrOOmall, of Illinois, introduced q
joint resolution, authorizing the Secre-
Jary Of the Treasury 10 use four millions
Of greenbacks TO purchase bonds and to
destroy the same amount. IL was re-
ferred to the Committee on Ways and
Means.
Mr.. WashbuTne, of Wisconsin, intro
duced s bill to prevent the granting Of
more lands and subsidies to railroads,
and to regulate the rate OF freight over
the Pacific railroad.
Mr.. Hooper, of Massachusetts,, offered
q resolution declaring that in the opinion
Of the House the amount of reveuve to
be collected from taxes ought not to ex-
ceed 500, 900 000 and instructing the
Committee on Ways and Means to re-
port a bill so amending the Internal
Revenue bill as to reduce taxation to
$500, 600, 600, and instructing the Com
mittee on Appropriations not TO exceed
that amount in making their appropris-
tiOns.
After a ten minutes speech from Mr..
Hooper, sustaining the resolution by fig
ures from Secretary McCullOch's report,
the resolution was laid over.
The House had half an hours debate
as to which committee should take
charge Of an appropriation to pay for
Alaska. The question Of the treaty was
discussed, and Mr.. WashburBe, OF Hi
nois, said he would oppose the payment
for this worthless Territory, and Mr..
Butler announced q similar purpose. 1t
was eontended that the treaty Of the
Senate did not make it the law of the
land, and that the House could refuse to
grant an appropriation.
Mr.. Thad. Stevens took the opposite
view, and finally the question OF the
payment was referred TO the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, which fsvOTs it.
The House then passed by a strict |
party vote, the Senate bill allowing ne |
groes to hold effice End act as jurors in /
this District. 1t goes to the President, /
where it will receive a veto.
The Indian Commissioners and Lieut. |
Gen. Sherman had brief meeting in |
the Indian Commission room at the
Capitol to-day. The session was with
closed doors.
1t is understood that on Saturday |
Judge Theaker, Commissioner Of Pat
ents, was notified by the Secretary OF the
Interior, under the direction Of the Pres
ident, that his resignation would be
acceptable. 1t is said to be the intention
Of Commissioner Theaker not to resign,
but await removal
The Senate Finance Committee meets
tomorrow to consider the bill for the
repeal nf the cotton tax.
Mr.. Drakeis resolution to eensuTe the
President for the terms in which he
speaks Of the Reconstruction bill in his
message, comes up tomorrow in the
engthy debate.
The Senate, in executive session to-
lay found that through the Industry Of
he Secretary of State it hsd no less than
our important treaties of commerce and
purchase before it, the fourth, q treaty
with Madagascar OF commercial char
.cter, having been submitted by the
President this day. The prospect for the
atiticatiOn Of the treaty for the purchase
# the islands Of St. ThOmas and st.
John in the Danish West Indies is very
JOOr.
The special Committee on Assassina-
ion, of which Gen. Butler was chairman,
md that on the treatment Of Union
prisoners in the hands Of the rebels, Of
which Gen. Shanks was chsirmsn, are
10Th extinct, having died with the close
# the first session of this Congress.
There is some talk of reviving them,
,ut no action to that effect has been
AIKEN.
THE RECONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE.