New-York tribune., 1868-02-06
XLrn CONGREss-srcovp srssro>
SENATE. wAsmSGIoN. Feb. 8.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM CABINET OFFICERS.
Communications were laid before the senate
with exhibit OF the contracts made 10y IN" ordnance
Department aud the Quarterma'er's Department; from
the Secretary Of the Treasury In regard Ia the acts OF the
Quarermasters Department. from the secretary of the
from Auditor relative 10 the disbursements to
the Indians during 1867.
rLuItoNs pRTsESTrn.
Mr.. CRAGIN nIep.. y. HlOf . citizen ~ Mssis,ippi
for the removal Of his disabilities Judiciary Com
Mr.. EDNUNDs 12ep vtl-Of the Haytian Consul at
NewYork praying for subsidy for line Of steamships
Mr.. HENDERSON Rcp, Mol-of the 81. Louis Board
praying subsidy for railroad. as nov granted to
the Union Pacific Railroad
BILLS INTRODUcrp.
Mr.. MORTON Rep., Ind TO remove the disabilities
OF Thomas j. Swami. Judiciary Committee Aso Y"
constitute san Antonio, Texas. IA port Of delivery com
mittee on Commerce.
Mr. POMROY rep. Kansas introduceda bin to eNtcnd
TIC ana daS nSt h line a." OF tbe Union
Pacific Road which have been Withdrawn for the benefit
of said road and It's branches, and to c"urn All entries
herctoior. made on even hunnrlen IL 49, az 81
communications Of lands made prior to thrf Wthdr'S a.
whether even or odd numbered sections k'iecd u"
the Committee on Public Lands
RILIEF or NAVAL CONTKi' TORS.
Mr.. DRAKE n'ep, MOI offered Joint resolution. which
referred 10 the Committee Naval Arlirs. for the
relief Of naval contractors referring their claims To the
Court Of Claims which s given jurisdiction to Investigate
GOV. JrSTIxs vs.. crNs MEADE ,Np srorR
Mr.. HOWARD GIep.. MichD-AuthouHngt the Secretary
OF War 10 employ counsel IN certain eases 10 defend
Gems. Meade aud Ruscr or any Other officer against
Nv UESDRICKs Dem. IndJ asked whether any ne
cessity exists for any such resolution.
Mr.. HOWARD presented letter from The Secretary OF
War saving that these generals had applied Tor ronnsrl O
defend them against the proceedings commenced by Mr.
1oh' 80 nc resoiution (ir Ilov.ard added that tbe
Attorney General whose duty 1t j. to defend the War De
n he snurcne Cont he had thu. solcmny prejudced
the whole case-a very remarkable proceediDg-before
Judgment had been pronounced by The supreme 'Ourt
that the Congressional legislation was nhr">uut"na
SIN we'd ia tisauisTn
Mr.. SHERMAN Rep Ohio thought that an Attorney.
General who had openly committed himself as against
the constitutonaty of law should not becaed upon
in any under IT, and he should not he censuTed be-
he had been required 10 advise the frsden' III MS
judicial capacity IN regard 10 this law.
Mr. JOHNSON dem. Md fully agreed with the Sen
atOr from Ohio lIr sherman. The President any
Department had night 10 call npon the AttorneyGe'
eral who had acted honestly IN giving ms opinion,
whether mistaken not; and doubtless the senator
from Michigan (Mr. Howard would have acted IN the
Mr. HOWARD said that II the Attorney.G eneraI
conscientiousy Of the opinion that the Reconstruction
laws unconstitutional the simple remedy Tor nm
Mr.. DAVIS DEM Ky) here rected the circumstances
OF the McArde case defended the Attorney
Mr. HENDRICKS argued that neither the Attorney
General any other lawyer should SINK his convictions
for purpose and asked whether the Senator Thought
that gentleman should appear before court or cabi-
net In any whatever and maintain an act oCongess
the law when he believed the Constitution 10 DC he
Mr. HOWARD said that the Attorney Generals opinion
was given when the hl before the President and
before il had passed by twOthirds vote; ana ne again
condemned the course OF the Attorney y-Genefa ..
Mr. HENDRICKS asked whether the passage of the mn
by n two.thirds vote made IL constitutional
MIR HOWARD-I think II does.
Mr. HENDRICKS continued, instnnclng the employ
eut of by the Department heretofore when the
authorized counsel In court. He believed this was
smpy an effort o make parade before Congress anu
the country when proceedings had yet been Instituted
against the Generals 4, =, ,,,,,,, 4, ,,u,
The morning hour having expired. Mr.. BuChAl-EW
Dem Pcnn objected 10 the further consideration OF me
subject hut motion of Mr. CONNl1SS Ntcp Cal the
special order was postponed for 20 minutes and
Mr. CONNESS cited "a in Mississippi, last year, NJ
sttued by Mississippi against the Presdch where the
Attorney General appeared and ~ an able argument
convinced the Court that II had no jurisdiction ana pro-
cured "A dismissal Of the proceedings
Mr. BICKALEW condemned the RESOLUTION "ohiefrIng
power without limit -.,.-
After further discussion the resolution was adopted
TIE ToRMosA ISLAND MAssNRE
resolution offered hy MIR CONKLING Rep, " W
was adopted nsrcting the Committee on the District
Of Columbia TO inquire whether any Ilhfr cglsaoh 10
necessary the safety OF PASSENGERS IN the street
ears in the District Also resolution ny tue same cali
Ing upon the President for copies OF any ocal CORR
sp0ndence regard 70 the massacre OF inc crew o tbe
hark Rover, wrecked on FOrmosa Island
VACANCIES IN THE BxEcufisE D,fAhlhtNi; =,
Mr. FESsENDEN fsep., Mel offered resolution di'
recting Judiciary Committee 10 inquire INTO he expe
,ency OF repeating modifying the act OF February
IeSs 10 supply vacancies in the Executive Department III
certain cases .,,,sor..
Br. TBAYER rep, Neb) iDFoduecaa VII 10 'meho