The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-01-09
HOuSE-Orth from the Commit-

joint resolution, requesting the Presi-
dent to intercede with Great Britain,
10 secure the release OF the Reverend
John McMahon, a citizen of Indiana,
convicted as Fenian raiderIand now
confined at Kingston, Canada.
Permission was asked to make. an
aniendmeat Inserting also the name
Of John Lynch. of Milwaukee, who
was captured at the same time with
/ iMeMahon, and condemned i to the
same punishment. dLHi
Orth declined to permit the amend
ment to be offered, not wishing to
have McMahon's case complicated
with any other case.
h aCGuilum, who also was a member of
the Committee on Foreign Affairs,
spoke in support of the joint resolu-
ton. The time had come, he said,
when the American Government
must assert its rights and the rights
of its citizens; and maintain those
rights peaceably if possible, and by.
the power Of its armies and naviss if
necessary. American citizens con-
fined in British bastiles were calling
on their Goverpment for protection
not to be protected in the commits
sion Of crime, but to be secured in
their rights as American citizens. He
claimed that there, were no gradations
in the rights Of Ameri cani citizens.
All, whether native born. or adopted,
were entitled to the same and equal
rights. a1.
Orth proceeded to arguegtha Inter
national question of inalienable allie
glance, claiming the right of all men
to go where their interests may lead
them and become citizens of the
country ia which they may be resi-
dents. 80 3CK OMAN
Payne asked Orth whether he would
permit an amendment to be offered,
inserting the name of John Lynch.
The morning hour expiring during
the discussion, the joint resolution
went over. The Speaker presented
the resolutions of public meeting.
at New Haven on the 8th, concerning
American citizens abroad, and me-
mortal on the same subject, signed by
Gov. English, Mayor Sperry and sew
.eral thousand citizens. Referred to
the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Donelly presented petition from
citizens of Minnesota on the same
subject, which was similarly referred.
Schenck offered resolution instruct
ing the Committee on Military Af-
fairs to inquire into the expediency of
providing, by law, for the transfer of
the Soldiers Home at Washington to
the National Asylum for Disabled
Soldiers, and of changing the name
of that institution to q" National
Soldiers Home" Adopted
The Senate amendments to the cot
ton tax were taken from the Speakers ;
table and referred to the, Committee
on Ways and means.
The House proceeded to the con-
sideration of the report of the Elec-
tion Committee on contested cases of
the Sixth Congressional District of
Missouri, which closes with resolu-
tions that Birch, the contestant, is
not entitled to his seat, and that Van
Horn, the sitting member, is so en-
titled.
After debate, the resolutions were
adopted. aga
The Speaker presented message
from the President, with accompany
ing papers from the State Department,
under diplomatic and consular sys-
TEN, which were referred to the Com
m1Jtee on r Oro1gn AUalTS.
The Speaker also presented mes
sage from the President, with a re-
port from the Secretary of State, in
reference to alleged interference of
Russian naval vessels with whaling
vessels of the United States, which
was referred to the Commi ttee on
Foreign Affairs.
He also presented communication
from the Secretary of War al interim,
with reports from the Commander of
the Fifth Military District, relative to
swamp lands, and with it a report
from the Chief of Ordnance, relative
to the manufacture and repair of arms
at the Springfield ArmoIy for the
year ending June 30, 1867.
Broomall offered resolut ion di-
recting the Committee on Ways and
Means to inquire into tho expediency
| of Immediately abolishing the inter
nal revenue tax on manufactures of
| cotton, wool, iron and steel. Adopt
ed. He also asked leave to offer
resolution reciting that the vote re-
Gently given in the House on the
question of the impeachment of the
President was liable to be construed
| the curiosity ofthe Judiciary Commit
tee on the law of impeachment, and
be drawn into a precedent not sane
| toned by the judgment Of the House,
aud resolving that, In the opinion of
the House, the power of impeach-
ment of public officers for official mis-
conduct is limited to those otfenses
that are indictable under the laws of
hn En1 4A%n