Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-01-07
CONGRESSIONAL.
Proceedings in the Senate

WASHINGTON, Jan. G.-Several execu=
tive communications read and referred.
Mr.. Williams offered a resolution Dis
recting the committee on agriculture to
inquire into the expediency of re-organ'
izinS the department of agriculture so as
to provide for the election of one person
from each State familiar with the agri-
cultural wants and interests of such
State to occupy semisofficial position in
the department. Adopted.
Mr.. Sherman presented petition from
citizens of Ohio, asking Congress to pass
laws to guard against fraudulent naturali-
zatiOn. Referred to committee on Judi
ciary.
Mr.. Edmunds, FROM judiciary commits
tee, reported the following substitute for
the bill introduced by him on the 18th Of
December to prevent the holding of
civil offices by military officers and to
prevent the holding of more than one
office at the same time:
Be it enacted, etc., That no person
shall hold, nor shall he receive salary or
compensation for performing the duties
Of more than one Office, or place of trust
or profit under the constitution or laws
Of the United States at the same time,
whether such Office or place be civil, nils
itary or naval, and any person holding any
such Office or place, who shall accept or
hold any other Office or place of trust or
profit under the Constitution and laws Of
the United States, shall be deemed to
have vacated the office or place which
he held at the time of such acceptance.
The Senate took up the bill to promote
commerce between the States, ETC., en-
bracing the Air Line Railroad bill, which
was read at Senate.
Mr.. Sherman said the committee had
not thought it necessary to make a writ
ten report in favor of this bill, because
member of the House from IlIinois, (Mr.
Washburn,) had already made q report
upon the subject, discussing fully the
legal questions involved in the bill, which'
he said, proposed the charter for three
railroads-one from Washington to New
York, one from Washington to Pittsburg,
and one from Washington to Cincinnati.
Mr.. Sherman made an elaborate argu-
ment in favor of the airline railroad bill,
showing, first, the necessity for new
roads, and, second, the right Of Congress
to authorize the construction Of them by
virtue of its right to regulate commerce
between the States. On his motion it
was then postponed till Monday.
The Senate resumed the consideration
of the bill for the relief Of Sue Murphy,
of Decatur, Ala, which was discussed
without action until 3 O'Clock, when the
Senate adjourned.
Proceedings ip the House.
The bill removing the disabilities of
John S. Stokes, Of Alabama, passed.
The Secretary Of War was instructed
to state how many citizens or residents
of Southern States, during the war, and
ex-confederate soldiers, ara now in the |
Union army, in Texas, Mississippi and
Virginia.
Roberts, of Arkansas, has been ap-
pointed on the Committee on Education. |
The House then went into Committee |
Of the Whole on the pension appropria-
ton bill. Mr.. Allison in the chair, and |
Mr.. Washburne Of Illinois, speaking.
Mr.. Washburne spoke at considerable
length.
Mr.. Wood said the House always list
ened to the gentleman from Illinois with
pleasure, but his remarks had now an ad-
ditional importance. In view Of the sup
posed connection between that gentleman
and the incoming administration, his
speech might be termed as an introduc-
tory message laying the foundation for
the policy Of the next administration
The pension bill which appropriates
13,250000 was ordered to be reported
to the house and was subsequently re-
ported and passed.
Stevens, New Hampshire, from the ma
val committee, reported bill increasing
the efficiency Of the medical department
Of the navy. 1t was briefly discussed and
went over till Tomorrow.
Mr.. Washburn reported the naval
appropriation bill Of Sl,527, 3S2, which
was ordered printed.
The consular and diplomatic bill was
taken up. Amendment providing for
but one Minister to Nicaragua, HOndu~
ras, San Salvador and Costa Rica, and
but one Minister to New Grenada, Vene-
zuela and Ecuador, were agreed to, and
the third, fourth and fifth sections, were
struck out. The bill was then reported
10 the House and its further considera>
lion postponed.
The Secretary of the Treasury was
ordered to furnish a statement Of gold
sales since January, 1868.