The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-17
THE FORTIETH CONGRESS.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16, 1868.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16, 1868.
REDEMPTION OF LEGAL TENDER NOTES.
Mr.. SHERMAN, rep) of Ohio, from the Finance
Committee, reported back the House bill fixing the
duties on copper, &C.; and also the following reso
luton which, on his motion, was laid on the table
to be called up at an early day.
Resolved by Senate That neither public policy the
good faith the nation will allow the redemption Of the Ave
duty q paying is notes in coin making equivalent
thereto and should be adopted by Congress to
as practicable.
PAYMENT OF BONDS IN COIN.
Mr.. SHERMAN also reported back from the same
ton introduced by Mr.. Edmunds, In November, 1857,
which reads as foows:-
JOINT nnsoLuTIoss rLEDeIse THE FAITH OF PIT, THE
DEBT IN COIN OR ITs EeyIyALE 7IS,;.. r,
ne credit Of the United States sha. the
wSsras have
Inc 81
s s ynS ssS p Il. he
the same provision wa;
United hereby soemniy pledged TO its pay
ment accordingly.
JUDGE uNpRRwooD's DECISION.
Mr.. WILLIAMS, trep) OF oregon, offered res0lu-
ton instructing the Judiciary Committee to inquire
mediate legislation TO prevent the discharge OF per-
convicted Of crime by the extraordinary de-
cisons OF the United States district Judge OF vr-
Rinia.
Mr.. FERRY, Crep) Of Conn.,, moved to strike ont the
word extraordinarily" He knew little about Judge
Underwood's decisions, and therefore he was not
willing to vote for resolution rejecting upon them
Mr.. HOWARD, (rep) OF Mich. inquired what there
was extraordinary In those decisions.
Mr. WILLIAMS said that he understood the Judge
to have decided that because certain judges OF local
courts in Virginia were not judges de Jure, being
disqualified by the fourteenth amendment, their acts
as Judges de tdco IN criminal cases were void, and
therefore that persons convicted before them should
be discharged; and he was Informed that several
nvipt tmiu n dtaCnarQp0.
Mr. HOWARD said that Judge Underwoods deci-
sion there seemed TO involve very grave question,
Opinion-the question OF the validity Of the four
teenth amendment-and he suggested; therefore
that the resolution be modified SO as 10 direct an IN
Mr.. WILLIAMS said he was willing to modify, but
he did not think in Its original form It necessarily re-
ected on the Judge; and as 70 the use OF the word
extraordinary the extraordinary character of the
decisions the only reason for calling the atten-
ton Of the Judiciary Committee to them at all
luton then passed. -
Mr.. MORTON, (rep.) OF Ind, offered q resolution d.
rectnQ the Secretary of the Senate to paw the Sen
ators from North Carolina South Carolina, Florida,
Alabama, Arkansas and Louisiana the legal compen-
sation OF Senator's
Mr.. FERRY objected.
MONUMENT TO GENERAL KEARSY.
Mr.. WILLIAMS, from the Committee on Military
Affairs reported the joint resolution donating con-
demned cannon to erect monument to Major Gen.
S'" RELIEF FROM POLITICAL DISABILITIES.
Mr. OSBORNE, (rep.l OF Fla, introduced a bill to
relieve sundry citizens OF Florida from political dis
abilities which, his notion was laid on the table,
NAVAL RENDEZVOUS IN THE PACIFIC.
Mr. CONFESS, trep) OF CAL, introduced resolution
he making the Medsay
In the Pacific, rendezvous Ior tho united states
vessels Adopted.
Mr. COLE, (rep) OF CAL, introduced bill to pro.
vide temporary government for Alaska. Referred
to the Committee on Territories and ordered TO be
The bill proposes government v nearly all re-
spects like the other Territorial governments
THE POOR OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Mr. VIcKERs. ldem.l OF Nd, from the Committee
on the District OF Columbia reported Joint resou,
tlon approprlating $4,000 &c: the temporary relief
Of the poor Of 10 Distrlct. Adopted. u, ~,
4. PAYMENT OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.
Mr.. CONFESS moved to take up MS bill TO NIX the
compensation for labor performed Ior .he n
pay on account OF the reduction OF tue hours "
bill could pass without debate he was mistaken.
Mr. CoHNEss replied that he would be pleased to
have Mr. Sherman debate 1t and give good reason
Mr. SHERMAN was not willing to,begin the discus
sion so near the hour Of one O'Clock when Mr. Nor
ton was to address the Senate. ,,,.
Mr. CONFESS said the bill, though OF little impor-
lance to the United States was OF great importance
to those whose pay had been, under an unjust con-
structon OF the laws reduced and he called for the
yeas and nays upon his motion to take II up, which
was lost-yeas %, nays 3s.
CONDITION OF THE PACIFIC RAILROAD.
The PRESIDENT presented communication from
the secretary OF the Interior transmitting the report
OF the government director OF the Pacic Railroad In
regard to the condition OF the road, dated August
49, 1868.
COST or THE FRACTIONAL CURRENCY.
Mr. CORBETT, (rep.l OF oregon, offered resolution
requesting the Secretary Of the Treasury TO inform
the Senate OF the total cost Of the issue OF the United
States fractional. currency up to this time Adopted
RESOLUTIONS REFERRED AND POSTPONED.
On motion OF Mr.. FERRY the resolution offered by
Mr.. Morton In regard to the pay OF southern Senar
tors was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
On motion OF Mr.. SHERMAN the consideration OF
his Railroad bill was postponed until after the
recess.
RESUMPTION OF SPECIE PAyMENT-sPEEcH OF Mr..
NORTON
TIE Senate then, on motion OF Mr.. MORTON, took
up his bill for the resumption Of specie payments.
Mr. MORTON said:-Mr President among the