The New York herald., 1868-06-21
THE F0RTIETH CONGRESS.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, June 20, 1865.

MEMORIALS AND PETITIONS
The CHAIR laid before the Senate memorial from
citizens Of Georgia expressing disappointment that
Congress has imposed upon them the necessity OF
amending their constitution by striking out the pro-
vision to discharge the people Of that State from GER
tain debts and praying that bill before the House
to amend the Bankrupt law be enacted into q law.
oS On .Sat motion 1S Of Of Mr. L. rep OF Ill., who
reported upon by the Committee on the Judiciary,
the memorial was laid on the table.
Francis Hart and other printers and bookbinders
representing that much OF the prevailing distress
that failed last session. and praying that its consde-
ration be resumed. Referred to the Committee on
Mr.. BAYARp (dem) Of Del, presented petition Of
citizens Of Delaware on the same subject.
Messrs Sumner Wiley Conkng, Patterson,
diers Of 1872 praying to be included pension rolls.
Referred to the Committee on Pensions
5 o eGn
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
-, CLAIMS OF % KANSAS MILITIA: IA: c,,,....
on Military Affairs, reported with amendment, the
joint resolution to settle the claims Of the State mill
General Sterling Price.
Mr: HARLAN rep:l Sf Iowa moved , to take up the
Several Senators objected on account Of the sparse
attendance, to-day having been set aside for the con-
sideratlon Of pension bills.
ILLINOIS JUDICIAL DISTRICTS.
MI. TRuMBULL called up the bill to amend an act
to divide the State OF Illinois into two judicial dis
ing terms OF the United States District Court at Cairo
commencing In March and october, In addition to
those held at Springfield The amendment was
adopted and the bill passed.
COLORADO.
Mr.. YATES endeavOred to call up the bill to admit
Colorado saying the committee had reported 1t with
amendments, to which nobody could object, to send
the matter back to the people, with the condition at
before admission. Objection was again made on the
grounds above mentioned, and he withdrew the mo-
tion.
DISTILLED SPIRITS FOR ARMY HOSPITALS.
Mr.. WILSON called up the joint resolution author
izing the turning over Of certain distilled spirits to
the Surgeon General Tor the use OF the army hos
pitalS which was passed.
TREATMENT OF CoLORED PERSONS ON RAILROADS.
Mr.. SUMNER, tep) OF Mass, called up the resOlu-
on in relation to the treatment Of colored persons
on the railroad from Washington to Baltimore, in
structing the Committee on the District OF Columbia
to consider II any further legislation needed in that
connection. He said:-When offered that resolu-
tion had in my hand great deal OF evidence show
both sexes and very respectable had been treated
very badly on the road between Washington and
Baltimore, to which felt 1t my duty to call the at
tention Of the Senate. The consideration OF the
resolution was objected to by the Senator from
Since then am happy to say change has taken
place on that road, and am not aware now
By way Of confirmation OF this statement beg to
read letter from one Of the former compainants,
who has been formerly very badly treated on that
road. Mr. Sumner read letter from George Down.
ing. formerly OF New York, keeper OF the restau
rant under the House OF Representatives informing
him MR. Sumner) that the managers OF that road
have yielded to the progressive spirit OF the age and
have concluded to treat all persons alike when
travelling on their road regardless OF color that the
managers have assured him (Downng) that they
will punish by dismissal any OF their employees who
disregard this rule. Mr.. Sumner continued-Under
these circumstances, considering that the managers
have come to this explicit understanding with Mr..
Downing, who is a representative OF the colored
further, and therefore, ask leave to withdraw the
resolution
CLAIMS OF BRITISH SUBJECTS VS.. THE RIGHTS OF
AMERICAN CITIZENS ABROAD.
Mr.. SUMNER called up the joint resolution to carry
into effect decree OF the southern Dstrct Court OF
New York in the case of the British steamer Labaun
appropriatng $13122 81 as value OF the vessel and
$4,000 and upwards for the cargo, to the respective
owners illegally captured during the war.
Mr.. CONFESS, (rep.) OF Cai.-My friend the chair.
man OF the Committee on Foreign Affairs, always
shows great promptness in reporting bills for pay
ment Of British ships. but he does not always show
equal prompness In reporting bills for the protection
Of the rights Of American citizens abroad: There
when the rights Of man commanded protection
quite as much as the property OF men. My friend
as contradistingushed from the rights ofman. Some
manor man Of the the Commitsee on Foreign Affairs when
| we might expect report on the House
bill hen Se 1ne mo fe h nm az m
| meeting. Since that time 1t has been stated in the
public press hope not correctly that the commit.
tee had agreed to lay that bill over and consider 1t
| the next session Of Congress 1t does not become
| me to critcise the action OF committee OF this
body particularly upon such statements; but will
| say that 1t is not scarcely the thing, as it ap-
peared TO me, upon an important subject that the
without submitting that question @ to the body which
had referred IL to them. In my Judgment there IL
| but opinion In the American law as q basis Of
action for our government upon the subject which
have referred TO, and which is comprehended in the
bill before the Committee Foreign Relations. rise
| of the country to It, and to give notice that
| will move to discharge the committee from
| the further consideration and call the yeas and
nays on that question. want privilege OF voting
that American citizens, being abroad upon their own
business, shall not be subject to interference, inter
| ruption arrest or imprisonment by any foreign
Power; and upon that proposition intend TO have IN
one way or another an early vote. IL was stated In
the newspapers that the action was taken to some
extent in Difference the diplomatic representatives
| of the foreign Powers at Washington. That cannot
| Mr. SuxxER-And Of Mr.. Seward.
| Mr. CoNNEss-And OF Mr.. Seward. That can
scarcely be true either. viii not undertake to dis
\ the question on THIS OCCASION, because don't
Mr. SUMNER was understood to say, "Quite
Mr. CoNNEss-But do say, as a Senator here, and
as one citizen feeling deep interest in this subject
but not claiming exclusive interest in IT, az was int
mated by the Senator on another occasion, that II
| demands attention, and that the tone OF public
feeling upon this subject is sound and true 1t s not
epheera asserted at this time for local political
eect but sir the opinion Is made up In the face OF
the arrest OF our citizens abroad and their incarcera
ton In foreign prisons from which they are gradu
ally being discharged by the grace Of her Majesty the
queen of Great Britain and ireland, II not other po
tentates of Europe ! said on another occasion If
this government Is not 1T, and able, and willing, and
determined TO support its citizens abroad IL must be
held TO have abdcated one Of ts most essential func
tions and intend to ascertain how many Senators
there are who will hesitate to give earnest effect TO
this opinion. I do not intend TO occupy
my seat here and vote for the payment OF damages
to British ships While American citizens are in Brit
ish PRISONS and hope there will be an end to It,
We are constantly engaged in acts or courtesy
civility and comfy towards foreign nations, and es
pecally towards that nation which never makes nor
never has made any ceremony In putting its strong
arm upon our people whenever II suited It's policy
would like to know how long the honorable chair
man OF the Committee on Foreign Relations is to
give precedence to bills for the payment OF British
ships and neglect and postpone fIom one session OF
Congress TO another, the important question that
have referred tor
dresses q question practically TO me, apparently
holding me responsible for the order Of business and