New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-12-09

INGTON CITY ELECTROMAGNETIC RAILROAD.
WASHINGTON, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 1863.
In the Senate to-day, Mr.. Wilson presented petit
tons from numerous army officers, asking an in
crease of pay. communication was received from
the Clerk of the Court of Claims, covering detailed
exhibit of the various cotton and other claims, aris
ing ont of the Rebellion that had been adudicated
upon by that Court with the names of the attorneys
prosecuting the same. Several bills for the removal
of political disabilities were introduced. Several
hundred names are included in these bills, but few
if any being of men who were prominent in the Re-
beon. Mr.. Sumner asked for the immediate con-
sderation of the bill to the disabilities of
Chief-Justice Moses of South Carolina, but
Mr.. Edmunds objected to this until after
its consideration by the IJudiciary Committee.
resolution from Mr.. Sumner was adopted,
which will bring out Minister Washburnes cores
pondence with the State Department relative TO the
recent troubles with Paraguay, and the arrest by
Lopez of American citizens. Mr.. Drake endeayored
to press his resolution Of last session providing for
the consideration of Indian treaties in open session
but after brief discussion il was laid with the
understanding that the Committee on Indian Afairs
shall first consider its propriety. The Senate then
adjourned, after session of so minutes. Mr. Miller,
the colleague Of Mr.. Hill of Georgia, on the floor
during the session, this morning, His credentials
have not yet been presented.
the purpose being discuss the proposed revision of
the Senate Committees and to organize the business
of the session. After short consultation, Messrs.
Edmunds Chairman Conkling. Ramsey, Trumbun,
Rice, Sherman, and Pomeroy were chosen conf
mittee to report suggestions TO the caucus, which
meets again tomorrow. 1t is probable that material
changes may be made in the Committees rs now con-
stituted There are Is new Southern Sena-
tors and six others who have TO place
on the Committees 1t is the desire OF
many of the Senators to replace Mr. Henderson as
Chairman of the Indian Committee and Mr. Ross as
Chairman of the Joint Committee on Enrolled Bills,
and to make other material changes. 1t is thought
that Mr. Grimes may resign theiChaiTmanship of the
Naval Committee. There does not appear TO be
much desire on the part of Senators to remove Mr..
Tumbull from the head of the Judiciary Committee;
but there appears to be much opposition to Mr..
Fowler although his Committee-EngrossedB Bills
is unimportant Many Western members believe
that the Senate will make few changes.
Gen. Grant is expected at his headquarters on
Thursday: his STAY however, will be short rs he de-
parts the 18th inst for Chicago to attend tho re-
uniOn of the officers of the Western armies on the
18th and 10th inst.
The House was in session over three hours to-day
a disposition to 80 directly with business being
manifest among the members. The only important
measure acted upon was Mr. Garlelds bill providing
for the transfer of the Indian Bureau from the Interior
to the War Department. An hOurior more was spent
in debate on tho bill, but it evident from the
start that an overwhelming majority was in
favor of the change. Messrs. Garfield, Schenck,
and Sidney Clarke advocated the transfer.
while Window and Highly favored the retention
of the Bureuu with the Interior Department. The
bill OF last session providing for increase of tariff
on copper was passed without serious opposition.
M Butler got in his bill to repeal the Civil Tenure
Of Office act He was at first disposed to deliver
speech but finally gave way. and 1t was referred to
the Judiciary. After listening TO carefully-pre-
pared speech from Mr.. Robinson on Foreign Affairs,
the House adjourned. The case of j. Willis Meyard.
the colored member from Louisiana, Will not come
up in the House before next week.
Nothing was done in either House to-day regarding
! the cases Of the Georgia Senators and Representa-
| tives The House Reconstruction Committee, how
| ever. will meet tomorrow TO take some action
! in the matter An avalanche of documents
and testimony ini reference to the expulsion
Of the Georgia colored Assemblymen Is in
the hands of tho Committee and they may
recommend some action which will relieve the exist
ina objections TO the State delegation in Congress
Tic Committee will consider the subject OF the
reconstruction Of Virginia, Mississippi, and Texas as
soon a. il can be reached.
The Ways and Means Committee were in session
TODAY and after instructng their Chairman Gen.
scbcnk 70 call up and urge the passage OF the bill to
impose duty of three cents per pound on oil I'M
nortcd eOpper. agreed to have special meeting on
Thursday next 10 consider the Tariff bill. The
members Of the committee who opposed the
measure at the last session now favor Judiclous
hin that will eyeTprotection TO such articles as
require it.
Mr.. Washburn, Chairman Of the Committee on
,ron,iotions has called ameeting Of his committee
for tomorrow.
Hill is shortly to be introduced in Congress pro
hibitng the transportation of petroleum III ihiahu
Messenger vessels which, If passed. is intended by
it's projectors to prevent recurrence OF such acc-
1cnts "a recently happened the Ohio River by the
collision and burning OF the steamers United otaieS
and America. -. r.
Senator Sumner has received from the President OIL
the limited States Peoples League at New ioik no
tice Of vote of thanks recently accorded MN ior
| his efforts TO reGstabsh specie payments.
Commissioner Rollins expects to make the ho'ni'"
tio, for tl,e Superyisorshp in Southern oh'o tni9
weoL The Congressman from ONO hoI oe'ns
aoreed upon any one person, Mr. Rollins VIII ne0''
| sarily make his own selection Co.. g..
Among tbe cases of interest on the supreme oo"i'
,londar 70 be argued this term is that o1 nnitn Z"
| IVosson. and Rollins White. agt. Ethan Ahan ioi
v;oIation of plaintiffs patent formaking revoiVhg
i..ols which las been ordered Tor rearRuihch''
rho Sn,rcme Court was occupied to-day III nearing
| ,ho rearonment OF number OF cases lnVOVlhg Tue
so,st;trtionality of the Legal Tender act ahd inc
nrIicoton Of the act TO trusts and contracts nauc
hfore its massage The Hon. is. X. Curtis argued III
favor Of the validity of the act, and the Hon. Ciaik
| -. NJ pottar against IL