New-York tribune., 1868-01-07

rrpNING CONsTRUCTIoN-PER NAT
TIERS.
M rEIs TIE TRIBUNE
WAsHINGTON, Monday Jan. 6, 1901
Tho Senate was in session today from IL to about
. o'clock. A large number of bills resolution
memorials &C. was presented. As was expected, the
time however was principally occupied in the discus
s;on of the case of Senator Thomas of Maryland 1he
,eDort of the Judiciary Committee had been placed
unon the desk of each Senator and Senator Johnson
argued at some length TO show why Mr.. thomas
should not he excluded from his seat. lie urged
that there was no act of Mr. Thomas while Secretary
of the Treasury to show his sympathy OF aid III the
Rebellion and explained his connection with the IN
terest on the public debt, which matured JAN ],
1861 He also alluded TO the son of Mr.. Thomas
entering the Rebel Army in 1868, and urged
that the father was in no way responsible LOT
IL. Messrs. Howard and Edmunds spoke against
the admission of Thomas. Mr.. Howe, who spoke III
favor of admission stated in reply to question from
Mr. Howard that he woud be in favor OF admitting
Jeff. Davis or John c. Breckenridge to seat In the
Senate if they should be elected, arguing that the
Senate would have TO right to exclude them because
they had been rebels and traitors. The discussion
throughout was listened to with great interest on the
floor and in the galleries, since 1t IS generally
supposed that the Kentucky cases In the House
will take the same phase of argument, Mr.
Trumbu spoke in reply 10 Mr.. Howe on the
duties of Senators under the Constitution, but
declined TO express any opinion on the case
under consideration, his speech being more like
an effective charge to jury. The galleries were
about quarter full.
From indications in the Senate to-day it would ap
pear to be doubtful about the admission of Senator
Thomas of Maryland to his seat in that body. Here
tofore it has been regarded certain that he would
be allowed 70 take his seat whenever his case should
come before the Senate regularly upon ITS merits but
many now believe he will be rejected
In the House to-day there was scarcely quorum
present a number of members not having returned
from their holiday recreation. The galleries were
filed with spectators, who evidently anticipated
that some important matter was to take place Moth
ing of particular interest was accomplished, except
ing the passage of Mr. BoutwePs resolution instruct
ing the Reconstruction Committee TO inquire into the
expediency of uniting all the Military Districts OF the
South into one District under comIadnd of the Cen
eral of the army. and the passage of bill making
eight hours legal days work in all Government
workshops The Democrats, with two or three ex-
ceptions, voted against the last mentioned measure.
Another resolution of thanks to Gen. Hancock came
from the Democracy, but was tabled. Its mover
refusing to allow any amendment to include thanks
to Gems. Grant and Sheridan, and vote OF censure
on acting President Johnson for removing Sheridan,
considerable time wasted in calling the Yeas and
Nays. The latter part of the days session was de-
voted to debating the report of Mr. II. ID. Washburn
authorizing the employment of an additional number
of clerks in the Second Auditors Office in order to IA
cilitate the payment of soldiers bounties,
AS some doubt has been expressed in newspapers
as to the real condition of the BuTlingame matter,
your correspondent has made inquiry about the facts
and from official sources learns that Mr.. Burngame
has notified the State Department that he has &C
cepted the commission of the Emperor of China TO
oct as his agent to modify treaties with European
Powers. Mr. Burlingame has not however, rendered
his resignation as United States Minister to China,
but of course he cannot be permitted TO enter upon
the service the Emperor and at the same time hold
his position minister. successor to Mr.. Bur
hngame as Minister TO China, will. in due time be
appointed
Owing to the absence of portion of the Senate
Military Committee no action was taken on the re-
port of Senator Howard in the Stanton matter to-day
further than hearing it read A special meeting Of
the Committee is called for tomorrow, when the
matter will be formally considered. Those who
heard the report read regard it as document of
great power completely refuting the positions as
sumed by the President. twill probably be adopted
by the Committee without any material alteration.
Senator Morton introduced in the Senate to-day
important resolution. which he intends to press TO
vote early period prohibiting the Secretary OF
the Treasury any other officer of the Government
from compromising with parties guilty OF violating
the Internal Revenue laws The present law is re-
garded as one of the most fruitful of defraud
ing the Government, as officers allowed TO com
promise and settle with those engaged in stealing
from the Government and cheating the revenue
Mr. Wells the special Revenue Commissioner has
completed his report and has notified the Ways and
Means Committee that it will be transmitted to them
in day two by the Secretary of the Treasury. AS
coon as the document is received the Committee will
be ready TO 90 on with their work, and will present
the first part of their report to the House in short
time.
The various reports that have recently been
published as TO the intended action of the House
Military Committee respecting further reduction
Of the army are all premature. The Committee has
not even had a consultation on the subject as yet.
The Ordnance Committee has nearly completed
the examination of the proectle business and expect
to make partial report at an early date 1t is
expected that they will recommend some radical
changes in the organization of the Ordnance Bureau
Senator Henderson's Financial BILL printed some
days ago, is being commented on favorably among
the Senators. IL will be introduced as substitute
TO the bill Of Senator Sherman.
The Indian Commission held another meeting to-
day and finally agreed upon a report which they will
submit TO the President tomorrow or next day. and
by him it will be presented to Congress.
The b-Committee of Ways and Means to which
was assigned the investigation Of the whisky tax,
have nearly completed their labors, and will be
ready to report in few days. No statement has yet
been made and it is impossible to tell the conclusions
arrived at. Mr. Allison Of the Committee left for
the West tonight