New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-03

fit from private competition Ethan from a Govern
ment monopoly of the telegraph system. Thereport,
when made, will give rise to very animated debate
in the House, as it is known that Mr.. Washburne
and others are prepared with speeches to conrovert
the positions assumed by the Committee.
Mr. Shellabarger to-day submitted report to the
Committee on Elections, in the case of Hamilton Of
Tennessee, who was elected to Congress in Novem-
Der last from that State as Member at Large under
joint resolution of the Tennessee Legislature on the
ground that the State was entitled to ninth men,
Der, on account of the number of slaves made cti-
zens and voters Tennessee claims that her case is
distinguishable from other reconstructed States her
emancipation having been in 1865 and the voluntary
act other people, while other slaves were emanci-
pated later, and by Federal coercion. The Commit
tee hold that the Constitution itself makes all ap-
portionments both in substance and detail leaving
to Congress no discretionary powers except as to
aggregate the membership of the House, and in dis
posing of inevitable fractions in States. Congress
cannot grant Mr.. Hamilton a seat, while it denies
similar representation to other freed people, because
the Constitution and the practice Of Congress fix the
following laws of apportOnment:
FIRST That appointments must be such that each OF
the several states shall have assigned 10 IL all representa-
tves is entitled TO- Second That this assignment Of
representation be based on numbers alone Third
That If Congress could distinguish the Of Ten
tatiye because the abolition Of Slavery was voluntary in
that aud YOuutary others, vet the Committee
fail TO find the historic fact Gas claimed by TENNESSEE that
her was unqdeq by the forces of Federal
act throughout tho nation.
The Secretary Of the Interior, in reply to resou
ton of the Senate, SAYS the aggregate quantity Of
lands certified under existing laws for railroads and
wagon roads to States Territories and corporations
up to JAN so 1867 is q SCI 600 acres for canals nearly
100000 acres. The quantity certified TO the follow
ing-naned States since that date is as follows Min
nesota for railroads C7OOOO acres; California, rail
roads, $1,000 acres; Wisconsin, wagon roads, 1900
acres; Oregon wagon roads, 1900 acres; Michigan,
canals 2SOO0o making grand total 900 acres
There is movement backed by some of the best
men in the country. ana including many of the
heavy business men in New-YoTk, to urge upon Gen.
Grant the necessity of having honest and inoOr-
rupuble officer in The position of Collector Of the
Port Of New-York. Those best acquainted with the
business capacity and honest Hntecedents Of Gen.
Spinner believe that he would be a suitable cand-
date Tor the Office and lis friends viii urge his ap.
pointment under the next administration. 1t is
feared however thar the General would not accept
the place if offered
Gen. Grant viii not require written report from
Gems Porter and Babcock, who returned on Satur
day from their extended tour through the Southern
States The object Of the tour to ascertain the
real condition and wants Of the Southern people and
testimony Of these officers, heretofore submitted.
The special committee on tho New-Yolll election
frauds continue hold daily sessions, and several
witnesses have been lately examined in reference 10
the subject. Mc5srz Blair and Ross have been ap-
pointed a subcommittee and departed for Orange
and Sullivan Counties tonight. They will look into
the charges Of fraud and corruption in representa-
tive Van Wyck's district and will return during the
latter part of the week.
The Secretary of the Navy is continuing tho Teduc
tonsin the forces Of the various NavyYmds through
ont the country. One hundred men were discharged
from the Nayy-Yard at this point yesterday.
The House Military Committee to-day instructed
their Chairman TO report certain amendments 10 the
= -gy lllThith ately passed tho 5late, ard is
now ON the Speakers table. The section which dis
pcn5es with parades inspections, &c, on Sunday, is
10 be stricken ont. The two vacant brigadicTships
arc not to be filed When vacancies occur in the
offices Of AdulautGanemL Chief Of STAFF TO the Cen
e1al OF tho Armies, mspectorGencIa, Commssary
General Of Subsistence, PaymasterGeneral, Chigi
of Engineers, or Chief Of Ordnance, the officers to
ill such vacancies shall rank only as oolonels Ow-
ing to the short period loft Of the present session
there is little probability that the bill viii be reached
during the present Congress.
It is currently reported that the Committee onTor-
eiga Relations o. tho nv-o VI. e9gei9 bring tho
Hi;-tt Of the annexation of the island Of llayt be-
fore that body and they are confident that the reso-
luton will yet be passed
Several Senators have expressed themselves in
favor of erecting the Revenue Bureau into District
Department Of the Government, and Riyingits CHIEF
a seat in the Cabinet. movement in that direction
will be made shortly.
Postmaster General Randall has made awards on
proposals submitted under advertisement to supply
the Department for the ensuing year, at the follow
ing rates: Letter balances 81 for the large ones and
20 cents for the small szc-from 1900 to 800 may be
ryquired Eighteen thousand reams Of wrapping
paper-22 pounds to the ream 50 IS per ream for the
larpe-szed paper IS pounds to the ream, s. 4j per
ream. One hundred and twenty thousand pounds Of
cotton 81 cents per pound. Twenty-Five thousand |
pounds coarse hemp Irvine, 20 cents per pound.
In reference 20 the statements which have ap- !
peared in the papers during tue last lew days TO inc
effect that Gen. lianc0CSs name has been mentioned
bv portion Of the press Of Pennsylvania rs cand
date Tor Governor Of that State at the next election,
it may be stated that it has been well known here
for several months that Gen. Hancock has per |
sistently refused TO become a candidate Tor that
Office or to interfere with the local politics OF hls
State so long as nc may remain IN the Army.
The amount Of mutilated fractional currency ana !
United States notes being received at the Redemption
Bureau Of the Treasury Department for exchange Is
now greater than ever before 100000 were received
to-day aud larger amount yesterday. 49,
The public debt statement showing the condition |
Of the debt on the 1st inst, will be- issued about
Friday. At present there is no indication of the ex
act increase which will be made. The heayy as
burscments during the month, augmented by tne
payments Of the interest the debt will probably
make the increase very heavy.
m The President nominated to the Senate to-day,
Thomas 5. Wilson Of California, to be Consul at
Copenhagen.
A telegram received to-day from Santa Fe says
mat j. r. Chayes is the unanimous nominee OF tho
Republican Convention as Delegate 10 Congress.
Mr.. ChaYes is now here cOntestng the seat occupied