The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-20
THE FORTIETH CONGRESS-
Tlird Session.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 49, 1868.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
The PRESIDENT presented the petition of 1,5Oo
poor people OF Stockholm, Sweden asking Congress
to adopt some means by which they can be enabled
to come TO this country.
Mr.. POMERoY, (rep) OF Kansas, presented petit
ton of certain ladies Of the state OF New York for
equal suffrage.
REISSUE or LAND SCRIP.
Mr. ABBOTT, rep.) OF n. c., introduced q bill TO
authorize and require reissue Of land scrip in
North Carolina. Referred to the Committee on Pub
MODIFICATION or THE REVENUE LAWS.
Mr.. RAMSEY, (rep) OF Minr presented the petition
or certain manufacturers asking the modfcation OF
the revenue laws relating to tobacco.
THE DEATH OF THAD STEVENS
Mr. KELLOGG, (rep.) OF La, presented resolutions
OF the Louisiana Legislature, passed last August in
relation to the death OF Mr.. I. stevens. Laid the
table and ordered printed.
REAssEMBIING OF THE GEORGIA CONVENTION.
Mr. P0MEROY introduced bill to provide for the
ana to amend e
ton as to place beyond the possibility OF doubt
the right OF every citizen OF the State, black or white
The bill requires the reassembng OF the Constitu-
tional Convention within thirty days Of It's passage,
and provides that this amendment shall become
part OF the constitution upon Its approval by Con-
gress The ground upon which the majority OF the
LEGISLATURE mas recently expelled the coiored mem
gard to qualifications for Office, the old State law
disqualilying colored men was still in force His bill
Mr.. EDMUNDs, (rep.) OF VT, asked MIN whether he
thought that correct construction OF the c0nsttu
tiOn
Mr. PoMERoY replied that he did not but that IL
was nevertheless, the construction adopted by the
majority OF the Legislature.
Mr.. DAVIS, dem.) OF KY, desired to be informed
where the Senate could get the right to pass any such
blu.
Mr.. PoMERoY put IL upon the ground that when
the rebeous states surrendered they surrendered
their state rights theory and everything that was IN
controversy.
Mr. DAVIS thought that the most extraordinary
explanation he had ever heard.
The bill was referred TO the Committee on the Ju-
dietary.
REApPoRTIoSMgsT or REPRESENTATION.
Mr.. HARLAN, lrep.l OF Iowa offered q resolution
for the reapportionment Of Representatives In Con-
gress In accordance with section second OF the four
teenth amendment. Adopted.
RENT PAID FOR THE LIBBY PRISON.
Mr.. HOWE, Hepl Of Wis.,, offered resolution,
which was adopted requesting the President TO in
form the Senate whether any rent has been paid for
the Libby Prison at Richmond, and 70 whom and by
NAVY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT..
Mr.. SUMNER, (rep) Of Mass, presented memorial
signed by the medical faculty OF the Howard Unlvcr-
sty expressing their approval OF the pending bill TO
reorganlze the medical department OF the navy.
Referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
DUTY ON FIREARMS.
Mr. SPRAGUE, (rep.l VI II. l., offered q resolution
which was adopted, directing the Committee on
Finance To inquire into the expediency OF allowing
the importation, free OF duty, of firearms imported
to he again exported after receiving the American
Improvement.
THE DUTY on COPPER.
Mr.. CHANDLER, (rep.l OF Mich, moved 10 take up
the House bin fixing the duty on "copper" &c.
Mr.. WHITE (dem.) OF Md, hoped it would not be
taken up, because the large interest to be affected
by II, which he In part represented. regarded IT rs
piece OF class legislation designed to benefit the few
ut the expense o the many, and he desired TO have
their objections to II presented. Ne mad been In
formed by the chairman Of the committee which
had had the bill In charge that II would not come be-
fore the senate until tle recess, and he hoped Ii
would not.
Mr.. HOWARD, (rep) OF Mich earnestly desired to
have the bill acted upon without delay ana said that
n II were not acted upon at once orders would 30 To
Europe by telegraph for large quantities of foreign
copper, which would come la al a low rate Of duty
and gut the market
Mr.. SHERMAN, (rep) OF Ohio, was In favor OF the
BILL but opposed TO taking up now, because he az
chairman Of the Finance COmmittce, had felt war
rHted In saying that II would not he acted upon be.
fore the holidays and he did not wish to have any
one 1niaed by that assurance
Mr.. vfCKERs, (dem.) Of Nd, thought the reason for
action given by MIR. Howard was not "a l
good one because even If orders sent to Europe
for foreign copper not much OF II could get into the
country during the Christmas holidays.
Mr.. MORRILL,, (rep) OF VT, did not think II passed.
TINS bill would give any real protection to the copper
Interests.
Mr. CHANDLER was anxious TO have the bill taken |
mp, feeling confident IL would be passed to-day.
Mr.. FERRY, trep.) OF Conn, said IL undoubtedly
might he passed to-day IL passed through the Senate
alter the whip and spur manner OF the previous
question In the House, but not otherwise lie read
ctter from "a gentleman IN Connecticut formerly
president OF the Detroit and Lake superior Copper
ainng COMPANY saving that The bhl, though |