Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-02-20
F0RTIETH CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Prooeedin IS.
THURSDAY, February 20.

10 2u,lu0 men, and the expenditures 10 ~30.uOl :
U0 Referred 10 Committee on Finance
Mr.. Buckaiew presented memorial Of Dr
Thomas Antisell, Of the District of Columb a
suggesting certain changes in the ventilation OF
tne senate chamber. Referred to Committee on
Mr.. Sumner, from the Committee on Appro-
prfatlons, reported. with amendments the West
Point appropriation bill.
MI. Stewart from the Committee OF Mines
and Mining, reported, with Amendments the
bill TO establish National School of Mines.
Mr. Conkling presented a remonstrance
against the admission Of Colorado.
On motion of Mr.. Trumbull, the House hill
10 amend the Supplementary Reconstruction
acts was taken up.
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill to facilitate the
settlement of Paymaster's accounts.
Also, ball 10 provide for the retirement of Off
GERS OF Volunteers wounded in the late war
ooth OF which Were referred TO the Committee
The bill indicated by Mr.. Trumbull was then
taken up, and the amendment of the Judiciary
Committee that the adoption Of the Constitution
snail De decided by majority Of the vote ac-
tually cast was read
Mr.. Trumbull said considerable comment
nad been excited in some quarters by the action
OF the Senate on these bills, and read a news
paper paragraph on the subject, after which he
gave an account of the circumstances attending
Inc adoption OF the clause req quiring a majority
OF all those registered TO vote the ratification
Mr.. Trumbull then referred to a paragraph
In Chicago paper, that he was endayoring TO
stifie this bill. and that Senator Morton would
make an attack on him for IL. He then read
from the proceedings and the votes upon the
reconstruction bills now under discussion 10
prove that he had always been in favor of the
principle that the majority Of those voting
should decide the question.
A further amendment reported by the Jud,-
clary Committee was, all those who are duly
registered can vote in the district where they
reside at the time of the election.
Mr.. Buckalew moved TO amend this proyi-
SION by inserting that the party must reside in
the election district in which he offers 10 vote
ten days before the election.
Mr.. DAVIS moved an amendment TO the
bill the instructions 10 the committee to report
in favor of the repeal Of all the reconstruction
acts.
HOUSE OF RRPRRsENTATIvRs-M Dawes
Mass offered a resolution TO extend the time
for taking testimony in the New Mexico con-
tested election case. Adopted.
Mr.. Hopkins Wis., introduced a bill to reg
Mate the disposition of public lands granted
for railroad and telegraph lines Referred to
Committee on Public Lands.
Mr. Ashley (Ney) offered resolution in
curing into the management of the United
States Branch Mint al San Francisco, Califor-
10 have been perpetrated thereon. Adopted
Mr.. Hulburd IN. Y. offered a resolution di-
rectng II. A. Smythe, Collector of the port of
New York, TO report the receipts received by
him in his official capacity, and from what
sources his receipts came. Adopted.
The House proceeded 10 the consideration of
mittee on Accounts in relation the charges pre-
ferred against N. q. Ordway, Sergeant-at-
Arms: the resolution reported recommending
the discharge of the committee from the further
consideration of the subject. and exonerating
Mr.. Ordway from all charges.
Mr.. Eroomall Pal said there was, no ma
teriai difference OF opinion among the individ-
ual members OF the committee, and unless some
gentleman asked an explanation, he would call
th e previous question.
Mr.. Mccullough. md from the minority of
l.-.l l,nl.
whether to make a minority report or not; but
as he desired time for further thought upon the
subject, he had asked the chairman of the COM
mlttee 10 defer making the report, as he saw no
necessity for haste in bringing the subject before
the House. He might not deem il necessary to
submit report, after a further examination of
the case; and whatever his report might be. it
would not differ materially with the report of
the aJorlty, except as to the argument
Mr.. Broomall said he had not made the report
10 the House because he was disposed TO be dis
courteous toward his colleague on the COM
mittee, but as Mr.. Mccullough did not differ
materially from the majority, he did not deem
il necessary to keep the subject from the House
any longer.
Mr.. Mccullough admitted that he agreed
with the majority in nearly all particulars. but
there was one item that he did not think the
testimony had fully cleared. he did not be-
heNe there was any wilful purpose or intention
on the part of the Sergeant-at-Arms 10 defraud
the Government, nor did he believe the Ser
geant-at-Arms had received more money than
Culieugh's mind was with regard to the charg-
ing OF constructive mileage. The law of 1859
deprived, in his view, the Sergeant-at-A Arms of
the right to charge for constructive mileage
While he did not charge that the Sergeant-at-
Arms had paid 10 him more money than he was
entitled TO for the work actually performed by
him. for he was called to travel considerably
and 10 send messages to various points at the
call of committees of the House. 1t was ONLY
with view of fully satisfying his own mind
upon this subject that he had asked for further
rlyna A<,.rr
constructive mileage. He might conclude not
TO sui init report after a further examination
of the subject.
Mr.. Broomall did not suppose there would he
any objection TO the gentlemans submitting a
minority report TO go with the ma iority report
and other papers. The difference of the gen.
tleman with the majority committee was only
difference as to the regularity of certain pro-
ceeding. The charge against Mr.. Ordway was
one of fraud. and of that charge the whole COM
mittee agreed that he should be exonerated.
The resolution discharging the committee was
then passed, with the understanding that Mr.
Mccullough may submit a minority report.
On motion of Mr.. Clarke (kansas) the Post
master General was directed TO furnish the
House with copies of all contracts made with
Benjamin Holladay for the transportation of
the overland mail; the amount of money paid
for; and also that the Postmaster General in
form the House with regard TO the transporta-
ton of the mail by Wells, Fargo & Co.; the
carrying OF the mail by express; the sale of
Mr.. Banks, mass. from the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, reported a bill in relation 10
the rights of American citizens abroad. Or
deIed 10 be printed and recommitted.
Mr.. McClurg (Mo.), from the Committee on
southern Railroads, submitted a report. setting
forth that pending the investigation of the az
fairs OF southern railroads, the committee had
incidentally elected testimony which would
seem TO show fraud IN the giving out of con-
tracts from the Post Office Department: but the
committee had po authority TO investigate this
subject. The committee report at length the
testimony indicating the fraud referred to- and
report a resolution directing the committee 10
examine the subject of contracts made with the
Post Once Department for the Transportation of
The United States mails, and to report such
facts as may be deemed OF importance as show.
ing evidence OF fraud; and that the commrttas
nave power to send for persons and papers
MI. Van Wyck moved to fill The blank by ,u.
serting the Committee on Southern Railroads
Mr.. Kelley (Pa.) moved the Committee on
Expenditures OF the Post Once DEPARTMENT
Mr.. Farnsworth (ln) moved the COMMITTEE
on Post Offices and Post Roads.
Alter considerable discussion relative TO the
most appropriate committee, the subject was
referred TO the Committee on Expenditures of
the Post Cmce Department
Mr.. Phelps (Md.) presented joint resolutions
OF the General Assembly Of Maryland in r.la-
pon TO the protection OF naturalized citizens
abroad. which was referred to the Com mittee
on Foreign Relations, and ordered 70 be printed
Mr.. Paine (Wis.) rising to q personal expla-
ms n v1or a h h.A