New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-02-02
WASHINGTON.

TIE BANKRUPT BILL BEFORE THE SENATE iiN ~
uUE-oF-oFTICE BILL IN THE HoUsE-IMrhAOh
AENT-PRosPECT FOR THE TARIFF BllI-sho9loN
oE THE RECONSTRUCTION CoMNITTEE-THE COM
porSn INTEREST OTEs-APPOINTMENTs CON
FlRMEp AND REJECTED - NETWORK NAVAL
OFFICE.
~ fELE0RAPH TBE TRIBUNE o.-
wAsHINGToS. Friday, Feb. l, 1867.
The Senate sat until o'clock to-day Dut Trans
acted no business of importance, except the pasSaSo
Of the bill to regulate the duties OF the CIeriN u %
House which has been pending for some avs, anu
been postponed from time 70 time TO alo" INC Do"i
ccrots m onnortunity TO examine it. Carrot DAVIS
devoted an hours speech to 1t this morning. anu -
vas then passed under call of the yeas and nays
NJ Johnson voted for it, Messrs. Dixon and Norton
were both IN their seats but did not vote. Three
hours were spent in discussing the Bankrupt DILL
Tho nending motion was to strike from the House
hill clause exempting from sale under the law that
marion of a debtors property exempted under the
Homestead laws of the several States 1t is evident
com the tenor of the discussion that the bill cannot
mass the Senate if this is stricken ont.
To.dav was private bin day in the House num-
horof private bills were acted upon up to o'clock,
when Mr. Hale called up the Senate bill regulating
the tenure of civil offices. This BILL as It passed the
Senate contains nine sections The first section pro
vids that every person. except Cabinet 0hcers mold
ING civil office by and with the advice and consent OF
The Senate and also every person hereafter appointed
To office and duly qualified to act therein shall hold
said office until successor is appointed by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate. Section
second provides that any officer of the United
States executing Cabinet officers and Judges OF
the United States Courts, who, during the recess
of the Senate may be found guilty OF any
misconduct in office, the President may sus-
pend said officer and designate person to act
in his place until the Senate meets and takes action
In the matter 1t further provides that the President
shall make known such suspension, ETC., TO the Sen
ate within 20 days after the first days session. In
case the Senate refuses to concur III the SUSPENSION
the officer so suspended shall resume the duties of
his office, the salary and emoluments OF SAID oitce
during the suspension of an officer going TO the off
Ger performing the duties during the time of suspen-
sion. Sections third and fourth provide that the
President shall have power to fill all vacancies which
nav happen during a of the Senate by reason
Of death resignation, by granting commission
which shall expire at the end of the next
session thereafter, and if no appointment by
and with the advice and consent of the Senate shall
he made to such offices so vacant or temporarily
filed as aforesaid, during such next session of the
Senate such office shall remain in Allowance without
any salary, fees emOluments attached thereto
until the same shall be filled by appointment thereto,
by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,
and during such time all powers and duties belong
ing to such office shall be exercised by such officer
as nav by law, exercise such powers and duties in
ease of vacancy in such office. Nothing in this
act contained shall be construed to extend the term
Of office the duration of which is limited by law.
Section fifth provides that any person accepting Of
or Getting in, Government office contrary to the
provisions of this act SHALL on being found guilty,
be fined to an amount not over $4,000 or imprisOn
ment not exceeding five years or both. Section six
declares msdemeanOTs, and provides punishment for
the for every removal, appointment, or employ
ment made had exercised contrary to the provis
Ions of this act and making signing sealing,
issuing Of any commission or letter
of authority for in respect to any such appoint
meIt or employment. Section seven provides that
the Secretary of the Senate shall, at the end of
each session thereof, deliver to the Secretary
of the Treasury and each of his Assistants
list of all persons who shall have been nominated to-
and rejected by the Senate during such session. and
like list of all offices to which nominations shall
have been made and not confirmed. and filled at
such session. Section eighth provides for the Presi
dent reporting to United States disbursng agents all
persons holding office without advice and consent of
the Senate Section ninth provides for the non-pay
ment of any person holding office in violation of any
provisions of this act.
Two hours were consumed in debating the subject.
Speeches were made against the bill by Hise and
Finek both Democrats. Williams, Stevens, and Dom
nelly each offered amendment, and advocated the
adoption thereof. Willams's amendment was to in
elude within the provisions of the act Cabinet Off
GERS. Stevenss amendment was TO render ineligible
80 office Tor period of year. any man once re-
lected for the office by the Senate DOnnelly's
amendment was to provide for where the Presi
re. 1,,v.,
of Congress, and dates his commission back to some
period during the recess. Hale spoke against all
amendments, principally because he was afraid, if
the bill had to go back to the Senate, it would not
pass this session. vote taken first on WI
liamss amendment, which was rejected by the close
vote of 10 Yeas to IS Nays. Stevens's amendment
was rejected by 81 to 11S. DOnnely's amendment
was also rejected. While the voting on these amend
ments was going on, great deal of canyassing was
being done by members. 1t was evident that a ma
jority favored the amendments offered By Williams
and Donnelly, but voted against them on the state
ment of Hale that amending the bill would be apt
10 kill it, Just before the House adjourned, motion
was made to reconsider the vote rejecting WilGamss
amendment, and on vote to lay this motion on the
table the Yeas CO. and the Nays7 Y. This showed
change of sentiment, and leaves the bill open for
amendment tomorrow.
Gen. Ashley is busily engaged working up the inn
parchment business. II is said he has just come into
possession of some very important facts, which will
be exceedingly damaging to the President. The Ju |
dietary Committee, in the mean time are doing moth
ing specially the subject and viii not begin active
operations until Gen. Ashley makes out his The
Committee, however are going ahead with the other
portion of their investigation in regard to the imp
cation of jeff Davis in the assassination Of President
Lincoln They expect to get some important facts