The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-02-18
THE F0RTIErH CONGRESS.
Second scssion.

WASHINGTON. Feb. IL, 1868.


rns Virginia CONVENTION TEE TOBACCO TAI.
The CuAR laid before the Senate . communication
from the Constitutional Convention Of Virginia praying
for modification OF the tax on tobacco, which Was 70.
fsrrsd 10 the Committee on Commerce.
PosrPoSEnysr or THE voIx CASE oE SENATOR
PETITIONS xExoRiALs, ETC
Mr.. DIXON rspl Of Conn.,, presented the memorial OF
several generals OF the army praying tina, the Secretary
OF War may BE- directed to appropriate large cannon to
erect monument to General Sedgwick, which WAS
fsrred to the COMMITTEES on Military Affairs
Mr.. CoxKLISo repl Of Y presented the resolutions
Of meeting Of citizens at Detroit on the subject o. the
rights OF American citizens abroad, which was referred
10 the Committee on Foreign Affairs
MIR. FRrlIscHCrsss, trep) Of n j.. presented the
that the harbor at Atlastic City and Absecom Inlet,
N j. are endangered from epcroachments by the saa,
from he Of New Jersey REFERRED
20 the Committee % Comnper%.
Aessra FREiiseEursEs and SUMNER trep.) Of Mass,
presented petitions Of the freedmen praying that they
may DO sent 70 Liberia . ~
Messrs SUMNER SHERMAN. trep) OF Ohio and sPRAGuE,
rep Of l., presented the protss; Of army officers
Communication for servants pay. Referred to the Com
mittee on Military Affairs.
Mr.. PoxERoY, (rep.) OF Kansas presented the me-
moral Of the Constitutional q invention OF South
Carolina praying for aid to the Port Royal Railroad
Company, which was referred to the Committee on
Commerce
Mt TRuxsuII, (repI OF H., presented the memorial of
citizens Of Illinois praying aid in The consruetion Of
the Mississippi river. Referred 10 the Committee on
Military Affairs.
citizens Of Stka praying the establishment Of civil
ornment in Alaska and municipal form OF government
for Sisks, which was referred to the COMMITTEES on
Territories.
PETITION FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE PRESIDENCY OF THE
srATEs
Mr. SUMNER presented memorial signed by Carl
HentZ German journalist and other German citizens,
praying abolition of the Presidency Of the Uni.ed
states on the ground that 1t is copy OF royalty and
DANGEROUS to republic The memorial referred
to the Committee ON the Judiciary
REDUCTION OF THE ARMY.
Mr.. WILSON trep.) OF Mass. from the Committee on
Military Affairs reported bill for tho gradual reduc-
ion of the and TO discontinue unnecessary grades
therein
ELEcrIoSs IN rHs SOUTH UNDER THs RECONSTRUCTION
ACTS.
Mr. TRUMBULI, from the Committee on Q Judiciary,
reported substitute for the House, bin referred 10 tho
COMMITTEES December 49, providing that hereafter any
election authorized by the Reconstruction act OF March
2S 1867 shall be decided by majority Of the votes
actually cast and at the election in which the question
Of the adoption or rejection OF any constitution SUB.
OF the State in which he shall have been registered
whore he may reside at the time OF said election. upon
presentation OF his certificate OF registration under such
regulations tho district commanders may prescribe
JURISDICTION OF UNITED STATES COURTS IN POLITICAL
QUESTIONS DEFINED.
MIR. TRUMBU1L also introduced OIL, which
ferred to Committee the Judiciary, defining tho
jursdcon of the courts Of the Unt,d states in certain
cases l, arms that repeated decisions of the Supreme
Court have decided that The judicial power OF the
United States does not embrace political power II
administration Of justice shall be bound by the decs
ions of tho political departments OF tho government
decide what government is the established one in
State II further declared that civil State govern
msnt republican in form, exists ia Tho States OF vir-
gnls North Carolina, South Carolina Georgia, Alabama
Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida Arkansas and Texas,
and that civil governments in either of said States
shah be recognized az valid or legal state government
either by the executive judicial power OF the United
States, until Congress shall so provide or unit, such
State is represented in Congress and i. Is
further affirmed that the Reconstruction act OF March
1867 and acts supplemental threto political in their
snssc'r sH. p'0pre.y VALIDITY Q. which
the Supreme Court or tho United States is
hereby prohibited from taking jurisdiction Of any
OF said States until such State shall DO represented in
Congress, until Congress shall recognize te State gov
pending in said court shall be dismissed, aud all acts
authorizing appeal writ OF error habeas corpus or
other proceeding TO bring before said Supreme Court FOR
arising out Of the execution Of said Reconstruction acts
authorizing appeal from Circuit Court In haoeas
corpus proceeding, TO the Supreme Court, or which an.
tho9izss the supreme Court 70 issue writ of habeas
corpus bring before II tor review any judgment OF
lower court in habeas corpus cases are hereby repealed
SURVEY NORTHERN LAxss.
Mr. CEAsDLSs. (repi Of Mich, offered joint resol,-
ton exempng the appropriation for the survey Of ,he
Northern and North lakes from tue provisions
Of the second section OF the act relating 10 torrca-
tiops &C., approved March 2, 1861 Referred 70 the
rnsyEsr,oy OF ABUSE "A Tue ysAvKrse PRIVILEGE
Mr. RAnszy trep) OF MINI, introduced Bill to prevent
the COMMITTEES on Post oaces. II provides that the
privilege shall be exercised except by the written
sa0S S 81 se s Sssa Of
ments the President OF the Senate and tho Speaker OF
the Ho. Of as many frankna clerks as may be neces-
sary for the transaction Of their Official business
MILITARY MATTERS N TIE DisrEICT or COLUMBIA
Mr.. MORRILL,. trsn) OF Me. offered resolution, which
adopted, that the Secretary OF War oe directed 10
communicate to the Senate the numbsr OF military dis.
ucts headquarters established IN the District OF
Columbia; the number, name rank snc duty Of each
nj f~ayl M n
OF the same. and whether officers OF the army are
detailed FOR duties other than military, aud for what and
by whom detailed tho name rank OF sGch oicsr and
BY vhal law army regulation the same 10 athorizod
rHE FERMENTATION OF BILLS TO THE PRESIDENT AND iu'aR
Mr.. Epsuyps. repl or w. from tho Judiciary Iom-
rittse reported bill to regulate the presentation OF
e to the rss dn ana '1s .s
within which tho President Is required By the constiiu
ton return bills not approved By him shall be dssmed
tho calendar days, Sundays excepted, nsxt after
their receipts: and shall b computed by excluding the
day which he receives them and Including the tenth
day thereafter. rbe adjournment Of Congress which
snail prevent the return BY the President
OF any such bill " the house in which
msns or session. s In case Of me adjournment Of
either House to particular day snail be lawful for the
Prssdsat TO return bin With objections, or send
secretary OF tho Senate the CLERK OF the House.
the may be- and such return sending OF message
House in which the bill originated were In session
CONDEMNED PROPERTY.
indian Affairs, reported favorabiy a bill appropriang
condemned property to the use Of indians
usURy LAWS
bill TO amend the usury laws OF The District Of Co.
lumbs introduced by Mr. HARLAN, trepl Of Iowa,
and referred TO the judiciary Committee.
AND rHs LATE INvAsIor.
Mr.. srxsgs offered resolution, which Was adopted
requesting the President to communicate any informa-
ton subject of the alleged interference OF our
Consul al Rome, with the late difficulties IN Italy,
especially with the invasion OF Rome.
ALLEGED ABUSE oF ANOTHER coLoREp PRISON
Mr.. SussER offered q resolution instructng the Com.
mtes OF the District Of Columbia TO inquire into the
treatment OF colored person on Tho railroad from
Washington TO Baltimore, and TO consider whether
further legislation s needed proven such abuses and
10 equal righta
Mr. BrcKALEw, dsml Of Pa, Directing, tho resolution
went over
THE DEByfsrouH COTTON
Mr. STEWART, trep) Of Nevada called ~ n resolution
asking Information IRON the secretary OF the Treasury
in regard TO The abandonment Of tho pennisoun cotton
CAGES, which adopted.
egrAroR THOMAS.
The Senate then took up the resolution 10 admit Mr..
Thomas senator elect from Maryland, and Mr. Cotg,