Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-02-16
WASHINGTON.

Chase delivered an opinion ueciuiuk
that gold contracts must be satisfied with
coin. Where the kind of currency is
not mentioned, then legal tenders are
lawful. In such conviction, Messrs.
Davis and Swsyne gave their qualified
consent, but Miller dissented in q great
measure from the opinion.
As preliminary to the argument on the
application to issue a writ Of prohibition
against Judge Underwood, the Court
ordered certified copy Of proceedings
in the case of Peter Phillips to be pro-
duced.
The application for writ Of habsas
corpus in the case of Spsngler and Ar
mold, Dry Tortugas prisoners, is to be
argued
The President to-day sent to the Sem
ate the treaty recently negotiated by
Gen. Cushing for the Istbmus canal.
In the Senate several petitions were
presented, including one from the citi-
Gems of New York for the Canadian
reciprocity treaty.
Mr.. Morton, from the Joint Select Com.
mittee, reported the ful6llment Of the
mission to notify the President and Vice
President elect of their election and sub
mitted their replies.
Mr. Cragin, from the Committee on
Contingent Expenses, reported adversely
and moved for an indefinite postpone
ment of the resolution providing for the
payment, during recess, Of messengers
and clerks of the Senate. Mr.. CONFESS
objected to the present consideration OF
the motion.
Mr.. Howard, from the Joint Commit
tee on Ordnance, made long report, &C.
companied by bill to abolish the Ord
nance Commission, aud consolidate the
ordnance department with the artillery.
Mr.. Morton offered a joint resolution,
requiring parties who applied for the
removal of political disabilities to make
application TO Congress in writing, over
their own signatures, setting forth the
grounds upon which relief is asked. Re-
ferred.
Mr.. Welsh introduced bill to provide
for the removal of the Spanish archives
at San Augustine, Florida, to the United
States Land Office.
On motion of Mr.. Sawyer, the Senate
took up the bill to authorize the pay
ment of officers appointed in Southern
States by the Secretary of the Treasury
and who could not take the test oath.
On motion of Mr.. Morrill, the bill was
postponed, aud the Senate took up the
Indian Appropriation bill, which was
read. The numerous amendments re-
ported by the committee we're agreed to.
and also an. amendment offered by Mr..
Ramsay, extending the appropriation
for the Indian war of 1862, in Minnesota,
to expenditures for the same purpose in
1863.
Mr.. Harlan said the committee had
other amendments before them which
they we're ready to report, and on his
motion The bill was laid over until to-
morrow.
Several private bills we're passed.
Mr.. Drake, from the Committee of
Conference, made report upon the bill
10 amend certain acts in relation to the
navy, which was tabled and ordered to
be printed.
At four o'clock the Senate took re-
cess.
In the House, several bills we're intro
duced and referred to appropriate com
mittees, including the following: One
that women employed in the Govern
ment service be paid the same as men ;
also, that the Secretary Of the Treasury
sell thirty million surplus coin one pro.
posing an amendment to the Constitu.
ton concerning electoral votes; one pro.
posing that no subsidies be granted rail.
ways or other corporations, so long as
the national debt exceeds FIVE hundred
millions one preventing restrictions on
trade by the laws Of any State between
the citizens of the different States; suG
a supplemental bill to the National Bank
ing act
Mr.. Hunter introduced a joint resolu-
ton giving the consent of Congress Il
the Northern railroad company to ISSUE
bonds, aud to secure the same by mort
gage on its railroad and telegraph lines
for the purpose Of raising funds will
which 10 construct line between LAX
Superior and Puget Sound, also on 1t
branch to a point at or near Portland
Oregon. The Puget Sound TO apply Il
all matters connected with the Straits @
joan De Fuca within the territory Of th
United States. The House seconde
the previous question, and under its OF
GRAFTON the joint resolution was res'
three times aud was passed, call 70
the yeas ard nays being refused.
The joint resolution, introduced las
Monday by Julian, to prevent furths
"a