Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-02-05
WASHINGTON.

WARRINGTON, reDruary 4-lne Som
mittes on Reconstruction to-day have de-
cided definitely as to the restoration oil
Mississippi to the Union, but postponed
their action in consequences of the infor-
nation that another delegation is now on
the way to Washington.
The committee has decided to report
bill removing the political disabilities OF
q number of persons in the South.
The Committee on Ways and Means
have agreed 10 report the bill introduced
by Mr.. schenck on the goth of January,
to strengthen the public credit"
The Indian appropriation bill was
then taken up and acted on by the House.
After an excited discussion the bill
passed.
The President has directed the Attor-
ney General to make report in the
case of DR.. Mudd, as preliminary to
his pardon. Tie friends of Mudd say
they have no doubt that be will soon be
set at liberty, and this belief is based
upon what the President told them.
Mr.. Holbrook, the delegate from Idaho,
having, in his remarks on the Indian APP
preparation bill, termed the assertions of
B. Butler, of Massachusetts, "unquali-
fiedly false" and refusing to retract the
same, the House ordered him to be
brought before the bar, when the Speaker
administered the censure.
HOP. E. B. Wsshburn, who has been
detained at home by severe sickness for
several days, has 80 far recovered that
he expects soon to resume his seat in the
House.
In the Senate the Chair presented the
credentials of 7. W. Upton, Senator elect
from Nebraska.
Mr.. Nye presented the credentials of
W. Stewart, Senator elect from Nevada.
The constitutional amendment came
up after the expiration of the morning
hour. The pending amendment was that
moved by Stewart, to substitute for the
joint resolution as it passed the House
the report of the Judiciary Committee of
the Senate, viz: that the right of all citi-
zens of the United States to vote and hold
office shall not be denied or abridged by
the United States, or any State, on &C.
count of race, color and previous con-
dition of servitude.
Mr.. Schenck said he was instructed by
the Committee on Ways and Means to
propose that there be no action tonight
on the Fox bill, for the payment of coin,
and pledging the faith of the United
States to the payment of the bonds in
coin.
Mr.. Cattell introduced bill to provide
for conversion of the registered bonds
of the United States into coupon bonds,
which was referred to the Commute on
Finance
1t authorizes the Secretary Of the
Treasury to issue upon such terms and
under such regulations as he may from
time to time prescribe, coupon bonds in
exchange for and in lieu of the registered
bonds, which have been or may hereafter
be lawfully issued; such bonds to be sim
liar in all respects to the coupon bonds
issued under the acts authorizing the
issue of the registered bonds offered for
exchange.
Mr.. Howe, from the Committee on
Claims, reported favorably on the bill to
pay the loyal citizens of the States re-
Gently in rebellion, for their services in
taking the census of 1860.
Mr.. Morton said he preferred, there
fore, an affirmative amendment, declar
ing who shall have the right of suffrage,
making it uniform and leaving nothing
on the subject open to forced construc-
ton, or to the construction of any State.
Mr.. Warner read an argument in favor
of an affirmative amendment.
The Senate then took up and passed
the bill to provide for the expenses of
the Patent Office for January and Feb
ruary, 1869.
Mr.. Williams offered the following
amendment, upon which he will speak
tomorrow:
Resolued, That Congress shall have
power to abolish or modify any restric-
ton Of the right to vote or hold Office, as
prescribed by the Constitution or laws of
any State. And the Senate at 1910
PM, took a recess until pm.
In the House, after the reading of the
journal, the Sergeant-at-Arms appeared
at the bar Of the House with Henry John
son, the witness Committed yesterday to
his keeping, but he having testified be-
fore the committee on the New York cleo
ton frauds, was released from custody.
Mr.. Florence Scanned was also brought
to the bar Of the House and discharged.
Mr.. Schenck offered the following pri
vilege resolution:
Resolred, ETC., That James F. Wilson,
of Iowa, and John V. Pruyn, Of New
York, be appointed tellers of the House
Of Representatives to count the electoral
votes for President aud Vice President Of
the, United States.
The Speaker stated that, for obvious
reasons, the Chair desired the House to
take the responsibility Of making those
appointments, instead Of himself, and
the resolution was agreed to.
The Senate's Joint resolution. directing