The New York herald., 1868-01-30

msrce was instructed 70 inquire into the expedency Of
making appropriation tor tho purpose oi rsmovins
the distractions a. He'll Gate and Tor the
Of tho eastern harbor Of New York.
PURCHASE OF GOLD NrEREsr BEARING BONDS :, :,
On motion Of Mr. IscEnso, srep Of H. the OH ad 70.
troduced by him some days since providing or tne su
ditiona issue OF the forty five millions OF dollars N
legal tender notes which are 10 be applied exclusively
to the purchase Of gold interest bearing ponds' was
ordered printed.
REMOVAL or POLITICAL p,ssnliIligs
Mr LYscn rep Of Ne introduced bill 70 remove
political disability from Luke Biackmer, OF salisbury, n
{. Referred to Committee on Reconstruction
RIGHTS AND POWERS OF TaE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERN
AESTs
Mr. JOHNSON introduced JOINT resolution aeclaraory
OF the rights and powers OF the federal and State govern
monts and the rights OF citizenship. Referred to the
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THs SECRETARY OF rus TREASURY
AND SECRETARY OF WAR. ;.
The SPEAKER presented Communication ffQp the
Secretary 0. the Treasury with report OF the amount
Of United states tenorty bonds issued et disposed Ct
the Treasury Department since ,hs lst Of October
Also communication from the secretary OF War; with
report Of the Chief OF Engineers relating TO the survey
OF Port Clinton, OHIO Referred TO the Committee on
Commerce.
Mr. JUDI lrep.l Of H. introduced a bill to regulate
the appraisement and inspection Of imports Referred
TO the Committee on Commerce
FoRFsiruRE SOUTHERN RAILROAD fANDs
The House then proceeded 10 the consideration OF the
bill which up yesterday TO declare forfeited to the
United States certain lands granted TO aid in the con-
sructlon OF railroads in the states OF Alabama Misss.
Tue bill discussed for and against by Messrs Pile.
Taber, PruyD, AxeIl Cary, Donnciiy, Washburne OF
H., Mullins. B;ar and Coburn.
Mr. BLAIR (rep) OF Mich fought strenuously against
tho BILL contendng that the land grants proposed TO be
forfeited for the benefit OF rebels, but Tor the
beaet OF the States at arge that the mon who built
railroads under the land grants did not grow rich but
poor that those lands to bo opened up for home
stead purposes they would be most likely to fall into
the hands or the worst rebsis OF the South the
poor whites; and that at all events, nothing should be
done In the matter until the states concerned were re-
presented in Congress
Mr.. ARNEIL, rspi Of Tenn, sent to the Clerks desk
ONCE showing that in the five States named in the Dill
there were fortysx millions Of acres Of pubic
lands open TO homestead settlement-seyen millions IN
Alabama four millions IN Mississippi, seven millions n
Louisiana, eleven millions In Arkansas and seventeen
millions in Florida
Mr. BLAIR thanked Mr. Arnell for bringing that state
ment TO the support Of his argument that the passage
Of the bill not required IN the in erest Of actual
settlers the lands proposed to be forfeited did not
amount to one-ninth of the public lands now open 10
those states to actual settlers,
Mr. LAWRENCE, rep.) of Ohio gave notice OF an amend
ment restricting the sale Of lands by railroad companies
TO quarter sections actual settlers alone and for
more than dollar and twenty 1--we cents per acre.
Mr.. CoEuRN rep OF Ind, argued in favor Of the bill
declaring that would rather the lands would enure to
the benefit rebel soldiers than OF tho leading classes
in the South men OF the leading classes who
had plunged the people into rebellion and who were now
instigatng General Hancock in his course OF opposition
and which Congress intended to enforce
Mr. DoNxELY. Tep.l Of MINI, sustained the bill in the
interest OF the lawless classes OF tho South
Mr.. CARY took similar view OF the question. With
coming to vote the bill went until morrow
and then at hafpas four O'Clock the House adjourned