The New York herald., 1868-03-31
THE F0RTIETH CONGRESS.
SENATE,


WASHINGTON. March so, 1868.
The Senate reassembled at eleven O'Clock. The
Chaplain asked blessing upon the Senator's the
Executive, the Ministers OF State the onicers and
privates OF the army and all to whom public trusts
are committed or who have assumed responsibilities
In reference to the nation especially in regard to the
great trial. He prayed that God would give grace
TO his servant presiding over this High Court, wis.,
dom to those managing this important case and
spirit OF justice and righteousness to those with
whom rests the issue.
Mr.. EDMUNDs, (rep.) Of Vt, called up the bill to
regulate appeals to the Court Of Claims, which was
amended and postponed until tomorrow.
THE CASE OF Mr.. BUTLER, OF TENNESSEE.
Mr.. TRUMBULL, (rep Of ILL.,, called up the bill pend
ing on the adjournment on Saturday to relieve Rode
rick r. Butler OF Tennessee, from political dsabili-
ties The question was on Mr.. Buckalew's amend
ment to strike out the word constitution" from the
clause proposing to relieve the disabilities imposed
by the constitution and reconstruction laws.
Mr.. BUCKALEw, (dem.) OF Pa, resumed the floor.
he argued that the reconstruction laws having no
application to Tennessee, Mr. Butler could not
properly be relieved from the disabilities imposed by
them. He quoted the testimony taken in behalf OF
Mr. Butler and discussed his record at length claim
ing thai he had rendered any actual military
service.
THE MANUFACTURERS BILL.
A BuCkaleW
way at the suggestion OF MI. SHERMAN, Tep) OF
OHIO, who presented the report OF the Committee OF
Conference on the bill TO relieve certain manufac-
lures from internal tax.
Mr.. HENDRICKS, tdem.) OF Ind, moved that the re-
port be laid over and printed.
Mr. SHERMAN urged immediate action, saying
everything Objectionable to the Senate had been
stricken out and the BILL SO important to the country
Several Senators opposed acting on the report i'm
mediately, and Mr. Sherman consented TO have it 20
over giving notice that he would press as early as
Mr.. HOWE, (rep.) OF Wis, explained that he had
only learned this morning that he had been appointed
notice to attend its meetings, and that Mr.. Howard
had attended instead.
Mr.. STEWART, 0ep.l Of Nevada, said he had been
notified to attend and had therefore signed the re-
port.
Mr. SHERMAN said he, as Chairman had msappre-
therefore, notified Mr.. Howard instead Of Mr. Howe.
Mr. Hendricks motion was modified as to order
's sp Mexe a1G cock MSs sSe 10 tenn
vacated the chair and the Senate assumed the func-
ons OF OF Court Of impeachment for the trial Of the
After the adjournment OF the Court OF Impeach-
ment the PRESIDENT pro tem pir. Wade) called the
Senate to order.
CONSIDERATION OF THR MANUFACTURERS BILL RE.
SUMED.
On motion Of Mr.. SHERMAN the Senate again took
up the report Of the conference committee on the
bill relative to exempung certain manufactures
Mr.. GRIMES, lrep.l Of Iowa, asked the chairman Of
the committee lMr sherman) why they had exempt
ed hour and lumberi
his opinion why these articles should not pay the
tax. To say that hour could not bear tax OF two
yielded rather than peril the bill. He explained the
various changes in the amendments In reply to
queries from Messrs Hendricks, Frelinghuysen and
Mr. MORRILL, (rep.l OF Vt, expressed surprise that
the Senator should call 1t humbug TO exempt lumber
and -four, which had been exempted from the begin
ming. II would be humbug to tax them now.
Mr.. SHERMAN retorted that an equally strong argu-
ment could be made for exemption on cOthing.
They well knew that lumber was consumed mostly
by the rich
Mr. MORRILL, said it was desirable TO exempt lum-
ber because it affected building, and that very little
profit was made on Hour.
Mr.. GRIMEs said the Senator from Vermont (Mr.
Morril) had repeated exactly the arguments used by
himself last year against the tariff on exported
lumber. The lumbermen and millers were among
the richest in the country, and this would simply
place them on the footing with other manufacturers.
Mr.. CoNNEss, trep.l OF CAL, denied that two or
three dollars Of tariff were added TO the prices Of
Mr.. GRIMES said it was in his section.
Mr.. CoNKLING, trep.l OF N. u, condemned the pro-
vision in regard 10 whiskey frauds liable to
abuse than any previous one. The Attorney General
would act upon the representations Of the District
Attorney, the very officer against whose malfea-
sance IL was intended to provide. SO with the
Secretary OF the Treasury and his subordnates. lie
alluded to the @ New York system Of recurring , note
could be heard and reasons shown. He feared they
would he hoisted with their own petard In thus al
lowing to be done by some clerk OF the Treasury De-
partment in closet what was not allowed to be done
by court They should keep I'm the proper channels OF
Justice He did not feel like moving TO send this re-
port back, but hoped IL would not be taken as pre-
ceden and that II would be arranged better in sub
scquent bill.
Mr.. HOWARD (rep.) of Mich, reminded the Senator
that II has always been In the power OF District At
torncy TO enter nOe p0SeQuf and discontinue case,
which one OF the greatest sources OF corruption
and abuse under the administration OF our laws
Mr.. CoNKLrSG asked whether the Attorney General
was not as likely TO be Influenced bv the representa-
ton OF the District Attorney as a court would bef
Mr.. HOWARD replied that the court had nothing to
do with II. The District Attorney had the power
himself without asking the court and then, if the
court had the power II was generally Influenced by
the District Attorney.
Mr.. MORTON uep.l OF Ind, said this did not
change existing local laws, but simply required in
addition, the supervision of the Attorney General
and the Secretary OF the Treasury. He. a. menu
Der OF the committee, had agreed 10 this the best
means he could obtain for the punishment OF
whiskey frauds.
Mr.. CoNKLING dissentcd, holding that this allowed
every question to be decided by the ipSe dru OF two
officials, hut az II was dut Cesar 0W nus he sup.
posed they must acquesce
Mr.. HENDRICKS (deml Of Ind, said he would vote
against the report because OF the NTH and last sec
tions. He claimed that its effect would be TO water
The responsibility until there was none. and that
public opinion than by this mode. He also held that
punishment by both fine and imprisonment would
work unustly in many cases.
The report was then agreed to, and ~ Ave minutes
past nvc O'Clock the Senate ADJOURNED.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.