Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-02-14
FORTIETH CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Proceedings
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY t4th.

SENATE-hr. Trumbuil presented a memo
rial OF certain officers of volunteers reno astral
ing against the oiil OF Mr.. Wilson denying them
conmutation Tor servants.
MIR. Conkiing presented a similar remon-
STRANGE, and both were referred 70 the Commit
tee on Military Affairs.
MI Morgan presented a rnems-ial Of mo-
chants OF New \ ork asking thr legalizine OF ali
contracts made pay able in gold.
Mr.. Anthony, from the Committee on Naval
Affairs. reported the bill 10 restore Lieutenant
Commander Abbot 10 the active list OF thp navy.
which was passed.
Mr.. Buckalew presented the memorial OF c,l-
izens OF Pennsylvania setting forth that the
present mode OF guacing pet olsum oil is unra-
liable, and pray that \ thod OF weighing
b. adopted Referred 10 Finance Commitice
On motion of Mr.. Trumbull, the bill TO m I'd
lfy the ACT TO temporarily supply vacancles IN
the executive departments was taken up
MIR. Trnmbull said the object of the bill was
10 limit the time which the President can
make appoi ntments to vacancies occasioned by
death or resignation. The committee had not
thought II necessary to limit the time in whIc n
vacancies occurring by reason of sickness or
absence may be filled. The law of 1868 made
The time SIX months, but the committee though
that thirty days WAS long enough in which 70
give the President power TO fll a vacancy oc-
curing through death or resignation, and had
therefore name d that time in the bill The fur
ther object of the bill, As provided in the sec
ond section, was TO repeal all other acts re-
latlng To the temporary supplying of vacancies.
MI Fessenden asked If thirty days was not
too long time.
Mr.. Trumbull did not know but that IL was,
but the committee had agreed upon that time
Mr.. Fessenden moved to make the limit ten
days instead OF thirty. and also moved 10 re-
STRICT the limit TO vacancies occurring by eason
of death or resignation; which was agreed to-
Mr.. Howe moved 10 amend that no additional
compensation shall be received by the sfficer
appointed to temporarily fulfill the duties of
another office; which was agreed TO.
The bill was then passed.
MI. Wilson. from the Committee on Military
Affairs, reported Joint resolution TO redue.
the expenses Of the War Department, and tor
other purposes
Mr.. Wilson gave notice af resolution re-.
Questing the President 10 inform the Senate
whether he has ordered the formation OF new
military department with the headquarters at
Washington, and If so, by what authority
Mr.. Frelinghuysen introduced a bill 10 pre-
vent and punish the unlawful use of public
money and property. Referred TO the Com
mittee on the judiciary.
The case of Mr.. Thomas, Senator elect from
the State of Mary land, was then taken mp.
Mr.. Bnekalew said much Injustice had been
done Mr.. Thomas in the violent personal
assaults which had been made upon him, and
II was but for the purpose OF repelling these
assaults that he Mr.. b. spoke Mr Thomas
had not come here as ot her Gentlemen who Vyer.
ambitious of seats in Congress, and plea his
canse in person; bat, with a decorum and dig
nifty that was worthy OF all praise, lac had
abstained from any personal action i'm the mat
ters. All the circumstances connected with
the career OF Mr.. Thomas had been fully silted
by the Judiciary Committee, aud that commit
tee. able and intelligent, had failed TO discover
anything TO substantiate the charges against
him, except the bare fact OF giving Si0 to hts
HoUsE OF REPREsENTArIvEs.-On melton
OF Mr.. Wood. IN. " the General of the Army
was directed 10 transmit TO the House any cor
rtspondence by telegraph or otherwise between
himself and Major Gen. Hancock in relation 10
the removal by the latter OF the councilmen in
New Orleans.
Mr. Spalding (o) introduced a resolution
directing the Committee on Appropriations to
inquire into the expediency of making an ap-
preparation FOR the next fiscal year Of Sl00Dg
for the benefit of the National Soldiers and
sailors Orphan Home in the city Of Washing
ion.
Mr. Harding (Ill) objected, unless the reso
lntIon was referred 10 the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs.
Mr Logan (IlI.) introduced a resolution d.
claring that from and after the Isl day of June.
ls6s, all United STATES bonds shall pay an inter
nal tax tax OF two per cent. per annum. 10 10.
deducted from the coupons W hen presented for
pay menf at the rate of one per cent. every six
months. Referred TO Committee on Ways and
Means.
Also, asked. but failed to obtain. leave to on r
resolution TO prohibit officers of the army from
receiving pay, royalty, allowance for any
patent for fire arms while they are in tn SER
vice.
Mr.. Van Horn (Mo.) introduced a bill in re-
laiion to bureau of steam engineering iu the
Navy Department. Referred TO Committee on
Naval AffaIs.
Mr.. Clarke (Kansas) introduced a bill to
abolish and forever prohibit Indian slavery in
New Mexico and other portions of the United
States. Referred TO Committee on Judiciary
Mr.. Myers PA } from the Committee on Pat
ents- reported a bill directing the Commission
er Of Patents 10 examine the claim OF James q
Page, OF Washington, for patent for an in
junction of the induction coil used in telegraph
ing, and if he found that Mr.. Page was the
original inventor 10, issue patent TO him.
Mr., Myers stated in explanation of the bill
= .l I'M. hNa
and a patent had been issued TO him by a for
eign government Mr.. Page, howeye who is
an examiner in the Patent Office claims that he
mas proof 10 show that he Is the original in
ventor and il is to ascertain this fact. and NJ the
same time TO do act of Justice 10 an American
citizen, that this bill is offered.
The bill Was passed.
Mr.. Bromwell, (Ill,) from Committee on
Patents, reported back a bill to extend to he
heirs QI Thomas W. Harvey patent tor a ma
chine for turning wood screws.
This application tor extension has been before
Congress for the last two or three sessions, and
IL WAS earnestly opposed.
Mr.. Bromwell urged the passage of the bill.
on the ground that although the patent had
been once extended, neither Mr.. Harvey or hi,
family had ever obtained any benefit from A.
IL was an act OF simple justice to pass tbis
bill.
MI Schoi, Id (Pa.) said when he was boy
IN Western New York he knew Thomas W
Harvey. He was a hard working blacksmith
and an honest man, and withal an ingenious
one, and devoted himself TO inventions. His in-
y,ntions would sometimes benefit himself but
instead OF say ing what he made such was his
dey otion TO invention and improvement that he
WOULD invest all his earnings in something new
and the result was thai while he benefited
the world by his inventions, he realized but
little for himself He died poor, aud his child
rem are now also poor and IL was but inst that
they should be benefited by the labors Of their
father. He would vote for the bill.
Mr.. Schofield' remarks had an immediate ef-
feet, for sever al members indicated at once their
purpose of voting for the bill; and taking ad-
vantages of the feeling, MI. Bromwell demand
ed the previous question, which was seconded.
Mr.. Farnsworth (lll) moved 10 lay the bill
upon the table. Not agreed to-yeas, a.: nays,
~.
Mr.. Boutwell, then proceeded TO urge the rea-
son why the bill should pass.
Mr.. Bromwell (Ill.) closed the debate, earnest.
ly advocating the passage of the bill
The question upon the passage Of the bill was
then taken by yeas and nays, and il was reject
ed-yeas So, nays 20.
PLENTY OF MONEY BUT LITTLE BRKAp.-