Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-01-16
FORTIETH CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Proceedings.
THpRspAN. Jan. lf-

SkNArE-Mr. sherman moved TO modify the
rules 20 a. 10 extend the privilege of the floor
10 the Commissioner and Assistant Commis-
sionrr of Internal Revenue, when bills relating
10 their department were under consideration,
which was agreed TO unanimously.
The Chair pressn a Communication from
Hon. T. NJ. Stanton, Secretary OF War enclos-
ing last of volunteer officers now in th'.
military service, which was referred 70 the
Committee on Military Affairs.
The ball suspending the tax on cotton WAS.
as received from The House. with the refusal AZ
The Houce TO agree 10 the Senate amendments.
was read.
Mr.. sherman, from the Committee on
Finance, reported IN favor OF the S-uai- r.
ceding from it, amendments. but Inserting th..
proyiso that imported raw cotton shall ~.
exempt from duty on and after July 4, lSSss
Mr.. Sherman asked for immediate vote.
but on motion of Mr.. Trumbull, IL was agv.s.d
10 take the vote ut O'Clock.
Mr.. Trumbull presented a memorial Of sew
ersl citizens with Indian affairs, setting forth
the bad results of our present Indian policy
and asking that the Indians be Incorporated
INTO the United States. and ne made SUBJECT 10
our laws, &c. Referred 10 Committee on In
dian Affairs
Mr.. Fessenden introduced a bill TO reorganize
the Treasury Department.
Mr.. Fessenden said it had been the custom 10
vote an extra appropriation TO enable the Sec
rrtaTy of the Treasury TO Increase the compen-
satlon, and tins had been objectionable 10 MANY.
and was TO hun, If a remedy could to found,
and be believed ~ could. II certain that
the Government would not bs abb. 10 retain
the services OF competent men i'm the Depart
ment M the present rates, and the object of his
bill was TO perfect some system which would
accomplish the desired objects.
The bill was then referred TO the Financ.
Committee
Mr. Williams. from the Committee on Fi-
nance, reported back the bill relating to United
State notes, and moved To lay IL ON the table.
which Ma agreed TO. ~zs
Dir. Chandler called up the bill pending for
the appointment OF line officers of TIA. navy to
consular positions, and asked Tor a ON his
motion To ref u to TO the COMMITTEE ON Com
merce, which led TO some discussion.
Mr. Stewart moved TO postpone the pending
business and take up bill on which hr pro-
pos q 10 make some remarks. and he would
ask that the bill he read a. a part OF his argn-
ment.
Mr. wil>on OBJECTED, a. il was not in order.
the floor.
The Chair.-One at a time, gentlem-n.
Mr.. Hendricks said the Senator from Nevada
(hIr. Stewart) had right to make an argument
on his motion 10 take up.
Mr.. Trumbull called for the reading OF th-
bill.
Mr. Stewart said hr desired the bin 20 hr rad
part OF his argument
The Clerk then commenced the reading or
the bill, the title being "a hill TO establish ma
tIonaf school OF mines, bui after several src-
tions had been read. Mr.. Stewart iskrd thr
Clerk 10 suspend. and >aId Ia. would proce-,l
with hi~ argument.
Mr.. Wilson insisted upon the bill beng rad
through.
Mr.. Stewart denied that the Senator MIR.
Wilsonl had a right 10 regulate hi> speech.
Mr.. Doolittl- hoped the Senator from Ne
vada would not be- further mot-Sied: bat "A
number of other Senators attempting 10 speak
the Chair raped loudly to order.
Mr.. Stewart thought il rather hard thar
he should be interrupted IN this manner. Has
speech would not br a political one and. h,.
would promise, would not occupy NOR. Than
three quarters of an hour.
Mr.. Hendricks said the subject proposed 40
bs discussed by the Senator from Nevada yya>
one of vast importance, and he hoped the :>,'n-
ate would hear him.
The morning hour here expired when Mr..
Morrill,, of Maine. moved To take up the 5iii
supplying d"ficienc.s in the appropriation for
the proper execution OF III" Reconstruction
acts. and in The service OF IN. QuarteIma-trr
Generals department, which was the unlin-
ishcd business, hut after some discussion thp
bill wac laid over informally. and the bill q,
establish National School Of Mines was pro-
creded with.
Mr.. Stewart then took the floor in advocacy
of the bill. rradlng from printed slips aud mr.
described. AT some length. the immense wealth
of the mlnela al regions of the United Stai..S
which were superior to those of any country i,i
the world. and il MAS a rrproach 10 this couu-
try that it depended upon foreigners for ihr
proper management and development OF its
mining Interests.
HoUsE.-Mr. Arnell Tenn offered r.solu-
tion directing the Committee on Library TO In-
quire into the subject OF an International copy
right, and TO report such acrlon NAV b.,
deemed best 10 secure cheap literature.
Adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Eliot, Mas. the Secre-
tary of the Treasury waS directed inform
the House concerning the contract made i'm sd.
with H =. Wells for the removal of ui,~truc-
tions in the savannah river. and 10 report
whether the contract has been fulfilled.
Mr.. Banks Mass presented memorials OF
public meetings held AT North AndoNcr and al
Lawrence. Mas in relation to the rights oi
American citizens abroad. Referred TO Com
miIiee on Foreign Affair.".
Mr.. Beaman Mich, from the Committee. ON
Appropriations. submitted rrport that ia"
committee had considered the estimates sub
mItted for additional appropriations TO meet
Deficiencies IN the appropriation for the AgTi-
cultural Department.. and they fonnd that tn.
sum asked tor wac not properly To meet a dcii-
cheney. but IL WIS to pay claims against tn.
Department under contracts made without sti-
thoriry of law. The committee had no ,vidsnc.
of the Justice of the expenses thGs contracted.
except from what appeared upon TIA. fac. of
TN. hill. and have no evidence of their validity.
The committee therefore a. krd TO he DISCHARGED
from the further consideration of much Of
the bill a. relates 10 the Agricultural D..nart-
ment and that the unpaid bills for which air,
money is asked he referred To the Committee on
Claims.
The order asked for nv t.e COMMITTEES. ON
Appropriations vas made.
The House resumed. as the regular order the
consideration OF the bill appropraiing land aud
10 extend the time for the COM struction of tl,.
Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad
Mes II. Hubbard Iowa. and Hopkins tWi-.)
addressed ih" House in favor of the hill: after
which the previous question was seconded.
MIR. Hopkins. who IL managing the bill iu tll,.
House yi.lded twenty minutes
MIR. Washhurne (Ill.) who said twenty min
Etes was not long enough 10 discuss n me.Sur,.
of 80 much importance as thi> He want.,d To
call thu attention of this House To the manner
in which business was forced through this
House under the gag of the previous question
i he most important measures Were hurried
through without debate, and this Hou-.. vas
fart losing it, character as a delibers,ye bodv
Ii only the other day that am inraens.
grant of the peoples lands We're made TO the
State of Michigan for a purpose similar 10 this,
and scarcely five men IN this House knew What
they were voting for or what sort of a bill fh,y
Were passing. IL WAS all done under the ol,.r-
afion of the pre- vious question and without D.r-
mi,iing proper dei:iie and explanation ~.
had seen enough of this gag system and M.
would wam gentlemen on the Republican side
of the Hou~s that they could not maintain th,.i,
standing If this course WAS pursued. He then
pro csrd with his argument in opposition 10 the
gag law and 10 the bill nndcr consideration
AT he conclusion of his remarks the hill w.as
further discussed by Messrs. Washburn.. ~
Illinois; Peters. of Maine; Wilson aud Pric,. ,T
Iowa, and others.
Mr.. WashbuIne then moved TO Law the hin On
he table, which motion WAS disagreed to-yeaS
-. nays Io5.
number of mmateriai amendments pr,
posed 10y the committee were agreed to- arr
Wasbhurne I'm every instance insisting upon a
division of The House upon the question
Some parliamentary sharp practice herr in
tefNened. The next question was upon order.
ing the hill 10 be engrossed and read a third 1