Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-01-11
FORTIETH CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Proceedings.
SATURDAY, January II.

SENATE.-Mr. Pomeryy presented the peti-
Ton OF Mrs. Jessie Benton Fremont, wifi OF
General John G. Fremont, asking the restora-
non 10 her OF certain property in San Francis
co taken possession OF by the Uni;.-d States
Al Ihtary authorities. Referred 20 Committee
on Private Land Claims.
Mr.. Sumner presented petitions from colored
people of Randolph and Fulton Counties,
Geo gia, setting forth their miserable condition
and asking relief.
Mr.. Morton present petition of I73 mechan-
les and workingmen of Washington, asking the
passage OF an eight hour law. Also a number
ofpetitions ofa similar character from different
parts oi the country; which were referred 10
Finance Committee.
Mr.. Sumner introduced a Joint resolution de-
claring the adoption of the amendment 10 the
constitution, known As article Ia.
The resolution sets forth that the amend
ment proposed to the Constitution by the Thir-
ty-ninth Congress. TO be known as article four
tfen. has been ratified by the Legislatures OF
twenty-five States, sufficient number, and
mat II is now valid, and n part of the Consti;u-
ton
Mr.. Sumner said there was no doubt in his
mind of the validity of the amendment, and
moved that the resolution ne referred to the Ju-
dietary Committee, which he appealed 70 make
an carly report 1t had been the custom here
tofore, he knew, 10 leave such matters in the
bands OF the secretary OF State, but he though;
1t was peculiarly the province of Congress to
pass upon it.
The bill was then referred 10 the Judiciary
Committee.
a
the Secretary of the Navy TO susp pend, until
further action of Congress, the pay of officers
of the navy on the retired and reserved lis.
Mr. Harlan called up the act relating 10 the
formation of corporations in the District of Cos
lumbia. which was discussed until o'clock,
when the Senate went into executive session.
HoUsE-The Speaker laid before the House
the acts passed at the last session of the Terri
tory of Arizona. Referred 10 Committee on
In accordance with the order of the House
yesterday. no business could be transacted to-
day, and Immediately after the reading Of We.
teIday's journal, the House resolved itself into
Committee OF the Whole, Mr.. Dawes OF Mas
i'm the chair.
Mr.. Baldwin (Mass.,) proceeded 10 address
the House upon the subject of according 20 ual-
ify under the law, TO all classes and conditions
ofpeople. He replied at some length TO the ar
gumsnts submitted some time ago by Mr. Brooks
OF New York, and denied the assumption that
the negro had never exercised influence
upon the world.
Mr.. Barnes IN. Y next addressed the House
upon the causes that led TO the present dcpres-
sion in the financial condition of the country:
its effect upon labor: and then proceeded 10
present the remedies which, in his opinion,
were demanded to secure a return TO a basis of
specie payments, and a conseq nent return of
prosperity to the whole country.
MI. Barnes contended, howe ver thai the return
10 specie payments could not and should not h..
done hastily He was for the present in favor
of leaving the currency where il was-yiUhout
either further contraction or further q y pans ION
and he had no doubt but that natural causes
would speedily work out good and proper
results.
Mr. Barnes concluded his speech by
giving notice that upon tine first
opportunity when he could call the previous
question and secure a vote he would present
in due form the following resolution
Whereas the interests of this nation demand
as early a return to the specie standard OF The
world as can be consistently done: and whereas
among the principles now retarding that d-si-
rable end are the following: list instability in
the amount of currency furnished -.le people:
I'd The low price of United States bonds affect
ing certain portion of the currency: and Sd
The inadequate security furnished by the Ne.
tional Banks: Therefore,
ResoIred. That the Committee on Banking
and Currency be, and If Is hereby, directed 10
inquire into the expediency Of fixing the cur
rency at its present nominal amount for a
period OF years; and, also, how the franchises
OF the national banks can be so changed a. to
furnish the bill-holders ample security when
resumption of specie payment shall occur, or
how the bills OF the said national banks NAV be
converted into legal tenders. with other recon-
mendatiops thereto pertaining, and report by
bill or otherwise.
Mr.. Ward IN. " next obtained the floor,
and commenced his speech by referring 10 the
practice SO much in vogue OF rushing measures
through the House under the operation Of the
previous question, and without permitting de-
bate. He conference.-the practice. and said its
evil was sensibly felt when the subject of i'm
peachment was before the House.
Mr.. Ward was speaking when our report
closed.