The New York herald., 1869-02-17

ton OF the business before Congress so far behind at
this stage OF the session. and he though it
now chiefly because the ordinary rules of the Sem
had dsregarded, and private bills had beel
allowed to occupy the time to the exclusion Of
sures OF great public interest He was IN fagor OF dis
posing Of frst the bill repeating the Tenure OF Office
act which he thought had operated njuriousy 70 the
public service, by preventing the collection OF the
revenue, and being great fncltement to frauds He
wished to IL Internationally repealed, and then
he would be in favor OF perecting the constitutional
Mr. EDMUNps reminded him that some days age
he had voted against his (Mr. Edmundsp motion to
take up the bill to repea the Tenure OF once act
Mr. SHERMAN said he had voted against taxing II
up IN the morning hour, when II taken up u could
not have been considered.
After some discussion as to the order OF business,
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Mr. FEssENDEN, (rep.) OF Me-, desparing OF get
ting any business done to-day, moved TO adjourn,
but afterwards substituted a motion to proceed to
executive business, which carried, and at forty
ive minutes past two O'Clock the Senate went into
executive session and soon alter took recess until
seven O'Clock.
Evening Session.
The Senate reassembled at seven O'Clock. The first
part OF the session was devoted 10 the consideration
Of business reported from the Committee on Pen
sions. large number OF bills granting pensions
PENSIONS TO SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 1872.
as Of the s who ervsS at ss
months was rejected by vote Of yeas 19, nays 20.
REA0vAL OF DISABILITIES.
On motion OF Mr.. STEWART the Senate took up
the House bill removing political disabilities from
great many persons named in the bin in the South.
Mr.. BUcKALEw, (dem.) OF Pa, objected to the bill
because no ground had been shown for the removal
OF disablites from the persons named that would
not DC an equally good reason for removing all poll
ucal disabilities In those States. He did not know
why the persons were selected unless 1t because
they were persons VINO could be used to serve the
purposes or the dominant party. He Thought that
legislation Of removing adisabities ought as
rule, to apply not 70 individuals bat to classes.
Mr.. STEWART replied that there not more
systematic way OF removing disabilities, but the rule
should be to relieve only persons who would re-
spect the law and sustain the government Of the
United States In the communities in which they live
Mr. ROBERTSON, (dem.) OF Sc, said that the gentle
menSn South Carolina relieved in the bill were all
Mr. BUcKALEw moved to strike out the name OF
Foster Botcnett man who had held federal ONCE
now appeared in this bill as rebel resting under
the political disabilities imposed by the rebellion
Mr. PoMERoY, rep.) OF KAN, said that Mr.. Blodgett
had never been suspended from office by any Ofcer
having authority to suspend him. and that the In
diciment for perjury which had been assigned as
the reason for his suspension from Office had not
been and would not be prosecuted.
Blcdaett had not sworn, in the test oath, that he
had never given aid and comfort to the rebellion, II
80, how he came TO need this relief
Mr.. STEWART explained that Mr. Blodgett had
voluntary aid; but during the war he had been CO.
creed INTO doing some things which he feared might
disqualiiy him under the fourteenth constitutional
amendment. This was Mr. Blodgetts own explana-
ton of the matter.
Mr.. BucEAIEw did not believe a word OF Mr.. Blod-
geits explanation.
Mr. TKuMBuLL said that the persons who, relieved
by tins bill had been recommended for such relief
by the Legislatures OF their respective States and by
representatives OF those states IN Congress was the
best possible evidence that they were deserving per-
sons. lie, too IN favor OF renewing the dIsran
chised people IN classes so far az possible; but he
hoped u would be long before DAVIS and Mason and
sieii woulc be reevcd-rnen who had gone from
the senate Chamber TO organize rebellion
Mr.. Inckaew's amendment was lost.
the bill then p1St,el by unanimous vote
Mr. BrCKALEw remarSng that as opposition would
merely delay. not change, the result, he thought IL
useless TO make any.
NEW YORK AND OswEGo RAILROAD.
on motion OF Mr.. CoNKLING the House resolution
authorizing the Secretary Of War 10 allow the New
YORK and oswcgo Raiifoad Company 10 lay their
rails over certain lands belonging 10 the United
States was taken up and passed.
WASHINGTON ACCIDENT INSURANCE COMPANY.
On motion of Mr. DKAKE the bin to incorporate
the United States Accident and LIFE Insurance Com
paDy OF Washington was taken up.
After discussion OF the bill the senate at ten
O'clock adtOurlcu.