Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-12-18
FORTIETH CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Proceedings,
FRIDAY, December Is.

ant petitions were presented aud reterred
MI Ramsey, from Committee on Post Office
reported The bill to abolish the franking priv
Ilege.
Mr.. TrumbuIl, from Committee ON Judici-
ary, reported in favor OF tue indefiuits post
ponement of the joint resolution declaring cer.
tain guarantees of reconstruction. Also to be
discharged from the further consideration of
memorials asking that the election of President
and Vice President be directly by the people
both Of which were agreed to.
Mr.. Morton introduced a bill in regard to a
site for the Executive Mansion. Referred 10
Committee on Public Buildings.
Mr.. Williams introduced a bill to provide for
the better administration of justice in the Tet-
ritories Of the United States. Referred to Com
mittee on Territories.
MIR. Abbott introduced a bill to provide for
the payment of claims OF loyal citizens of the
States lately in rebellion.
Mr.. Edmunds introduced bill to repeal the
representation In Congress; to provide a pro-
visloHal government therefore, and Tor otbes
purposes.
AtI2i5 p. m, on motion of Mr.. Sherman. the
Senate went into Executive Session, and IL
few minutes The doors were reopened.
Mr.. Chandler asked TO take up the bill rela-
tive to the duties on copper and ores.
Mr.. Snmner stated that he desired TO discus
the bill, but not thinking Ii would come up to-
day, had left his memoranda at home.
MIR. Sherman said the Finance Committee
had not at first intended to report this bill
until after the holidays, aud had so informed
the parties interested, bBt had afterwards de-
termlned 10 report the bill. So far as he Mr.
So was concerned, he did not desire TO take up
the cilI Tor action until after the recess.
MI. Chandier then said he would call the bill
up tomorrow.
Mr.. Harlan introduced a bill to provide for
the appointment Of q Recorder OF Deeds ard
Warden OF Jail in District of Columbia. R.
ferreo to Committee on District OF Columbia
Also bill relative to the Metropolitan Raj
road Company.
The bill was read three times and passed
On molten OF Mr.. Warner, the Judiciary
COMMITTEE was instructed to inquire whether
the bills to remove political disabilities, which
were passed prior to the adoption of the con-
stiiutional amendment, are now valid and of
effect
Mr.. Sumner called up the ;olnt resolution
rendering the the thanks OF the United States 10
the people OF Spain.
Mr.. Davis had watched with great interest
the course of the Spanish revolution, aud
garded 1t as piece Of of1cious meddlpg on
our part TO offer our advice TO Spain as TO her
Institutions. 1t was time enough to give our
advice when IL was asked for.
Mr.. Salisbury said there was q good piera
OF ad vice somewhere: physician heal thy. elf"
and If Spain was to send this com mmu nj alton
back to us with this reply, it would be perfect
ly right We had portion OF oar own terrl-
tory, twice as large as Spain. where these
lii sral principles which we were now to nm
press ON Spain had no abiding place.
nays 5-Messrs Davis, McCreery, Salisbury.
Njckers, and Whyte.
At Up. m message was received from the
House, announcing its resolution on the death
Oi Mr.. Stevens. The resolutions were rald.
Mr. Cameron took the floor, aud proceeded to
read from manuscript a eulOgy on the lifa,
character, and public services OF the deceased
HOUSE OF REPRFsEsTATIvEs.-The Spease
laid beiole the Hou.e .everal Executive CON
murlc-tons, which were appropriately re
ieri d.
MI Peters (Me.) ci.ercd a resolution provi.
d'og Tor printing .O,CJO Of Inc eulogies on
Ibsdeus 7v,rs. Referred to the Committee
MIR. Kelley pa; desired to make report
have II printed aud rocommitted.
Mr.. GetZ pa object ID.
Mr.. Wrshbul ne, (Ill,) from the COMMITTEES
on Appropriations, report ID the annual PEN
ZION appropriation bi. Referred TO the Com
oroer for the 5th Of January
Mr MOI rill (Pa.) offered a resolution calling
upon the Commits of Agriculture for a
statement OF The cost Of the new agricultural
building for the Department Of Agriculture
how much deficiency there is in the appro-
p ALTON for hat purpose, &c. Passed.
Mr Scofield Pa introduced bill giving to
offlce IN the milittIy and naval service of he
United States, who are enlisted but not mus
ter d into the service, pay according TO Their
rank. Referred to the Committee on Military
AT RS.
Mr.. Sypber (Ll.) presented the or, ientia.s of
]. Willis Menard, (colored,) claiming to be a
representative from louisiana. Referred TO the
COmTltt;e e on Elections.
MI. Schenck (Ohic) asked 10 take up the Sen
ATE bill for the relief of Jas. Morehe ld Taken
Gp and passed.
Mr.. Maynard (Tenu.) offered a resolution
creating a select on rhittee OF seven 10 visit
Louisiana and investigate the late election
there. Objected 10.
Mr.. Baker (Ill.) asked to have the report of
the Commissioner of Education r-ferrt d TO the
Committee on Education and Labor. So re-
ferred.
Mr.. Boutwell, (Mass, asked to have Ssna.,
bill relieving certain parties from political
disabilities referred to the Committee on Re-
construction. Agreed TO.
/. Mr.. Wilson Qowa) offered resolution d.
rectIng the COMMITTEE on the Revision OF tue
Laws to inquire into the expediency of ap-
pointing commission. to be composed of Uni
ted States district attorneys, to make cert hin
changes in the bankrupt law, so to make it
operations uniform. Agreed TO.
resolution setting forth that ths Bank of the
Metropolis, at Washington, had gone into vol
untary lq uidaton last October, and that, eing
a Government depository, the Controller Of
the Currency be requested 10 j n rorm the House
what legislation Is necessary to enable him 10
wind up its affairs. Agreed to.
Mr.. S'arkwelther (Conu.) offered q re e'olu-
tion directing The Com mittee on CoInmsrce to
inquire and report what legislation il neces-
sdry to protect fur seals in Alaska. Agreed 10
Mr.. Churchill IN. ~ introduced bill TO
regulate the taking Of testimony in Courts of
the United States.
Also, bill to oregulate peremptory challenges
in Courts Of the United Stat :. Referred 10
the Committee on the judiciary.
Mr.. Scheme (Ohio) offered a resolution call
ing upon the Secretary OF war for information
ss TO the number of officers Of the army de.
tailed in the Quartermaster's, Navy, and other
Departments at New York: also, the number OF
ellisted men 80 de3ailed, and whether their
number could not be reduced. Pas ID.
Mr.. Van Wyck IN. Y. asked TO present the
report of the Committee oa Retrenchment next
Monday, for the purpoee Of having il printed
md recommitted. Agresd to.
Mr.. Julian, (Ind..) from the Committee on
Public Lands, reported a bill granting the
privilege Of the homestead law to children of
soldiers, under 21 years OF age, which was
pas.ed
The Speaker announced that he had selected
Mr.. Z. Il. Weshburl to act as Speaker on
Monday, when he (Mr. Coifax,) would be
absent
Mr.. Pettis (Pa.) announced the death OF his
PR deces-or, Darwin A. F,rney, and pro.
noupced a enlogy on his lie and character
He was followed by Me ssrs. O'NeiII, r ludall
and Woodward, OF Pennsylvania, efter which
the House adiourned until Moadly.
RAILROAD OPRNING.-The I'D day Of Dccem.
bef (Tus sday nexs) has e:sn fl ycd upon for the
formal ODa niH of the Orau AleY8r dria and