The New York herald., 1869-01-30
THE FORTIETH CONGRESS.
Third Session.


MEMORIALS AND PETITIONS.
Mr. FRELINGHuYsEN, t(rep) OF N. j., presented o
memorial from Rev. Dr.. McCosb, President OF Prince
ton College, and the professors OF that institution,
asking Congress to make an appropriation to enable
them to take observations Of the total eclipse Of the
sun In August next and stating that such observa-
tions can be best made in the southern part OF the
United States.
Mr. SUMNER, rep.) OF Mass, presented the petition
Of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society for the
repeal Of the duty on plants and seeds.
Boson agsns e ne ' treaty FOR the set
tlement OF the Alabama claims "a unjust to himself
and other American claimants inasmuch as 1t pto-
poses put upon the same footing claims OF British
Subjects which have arisen out OF disagreements In
regard general questions OF neutrality and claims
by British built, British manned and British armed
vessels which left British ports under the protection
OF the British nag and burned American ships with.
without any action being taken by the British gov
ernment, when the matter was brought before them,
TO prevent the same. Referred 10 the Committee on
Foreign Relations.
Mr. SUMNER said he had hesitated as to whether
he should present the memorial in open or secret
session. but considering that the subject to which It
related had received such wide publicity on both
sides OF the water he had decided to lay before the
Mr. SUMNER also presented the petition q the
the Homestead law to certain lands In the lately re-
beious states for the benefit OF colored persons
Referred to the Committee on Public Lands.
THE M'GARRAHAN CASE.
The PRESIDENT laid before the senate message
from the House OF Representatives transmitting tie
papers In relation to the McGarrahan case.
Mr.. MORTON, gepl Of Ind, moved to refer the bin
for the relief OF Mr. McGarrahan, with the accompa-
nying papers, TO the judiciary Committee.
Senator rom Indiana tMr. MortcnI ala not ' mean
any reelection upon the Committee on Private Land
Claims, which had already examined the case and
reported upon IL; but his motion implied such re-
lection.
nection on the Committee on Private Land Claims.
He had moved to refer the claim to the Judiciary
Committee because he believed 1t involved Qucs-
mitiee than any other.
MI. TausBuLI, lrep.l OF H., hoped tnat /. would
not be referred TO the judiciary Committee but
would be left with the committee that had already
examined ii In part.
Mr.. MoRTos repeated that he meant no dsrespect
to the Committee on Private Land Claims. The bill
had been considered by the Judiciary Committee Of
the House and ought TO have been referred az first 10
involved Question Of law He was s surprised I'a nat
the gentleman from Connecticut should wish 10 have
the cain again referred 20 the Committee on Private
Land Claims especially as that Senator had already
committed himself upon II.
ar. FERRY said he did not understand what was
meant by the remark that he had committed himself
upon the bill, lie still thought that the bill ought
to go to the Committee on Private Land Claims.
Involved any question recurring inyestiaat;on by the
Judiciary Committee, and Insisted that IL belonged
properly 70 the Committee on Private Land Claims.
OF this claim the other day, had referred letter
TO the Commissioners Of the General Land once
signed by him (Nlr. Connessl G. the secret OF his
action on this bill. lie wished 70 have II understood
that there were no secrets connected with his action
on public affairs, cid added very emphaticay,
that whoever said or implied the contrary
said or implied what was false. The claim Was one
OF class peculiar TO the part OF the country which
he IN part ropresen.isvu class OF claims which had
emharrasssd-and delayed the development OF the
resources OF the state and caused much III feeling
among the citizens, and he had voted for the report
Of the committee because he believed II would pe the
propef vsyy y disppcslKs 81 Tie cIalii.
.ar. FkssESDEN, trep.l Of Me-, read nom the Giooe
to show he had used the word aseeret' In another
CONNECTION than tnat IN which the senator from Cal
ifornia Mr. Cunness) had understood him 10 use H.
and had not intended to cast any reflections upon
tnat senator. lie could not see what occasion the SEN
with SO much heat, and he could only attpbute II
70 n very sensitive state OF mind. The letter OF the
Senator to the Commissioner OF the General Land
ONCE had not struck him mr. Fessendenl as q docu-
ment OF which Its signers should feel ashamed but
II they took different view he could not help II.
Mr.. CoNNBss did not seek the appreciation OF the
Senator nom Maine for hls conduct. He had said
what ne thought II right TO say In view OF tde pre-
vious remark Of the Senator from Maine, and he was
now willing to let the matter fest
After further discussion Mr.. MORTON Withdrew his
notion and the bill anu papers were referred To tie
Committee ON Private Land Claims.
THE DREW THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
the relief OF the Drew Theological seminary. Re
ferrcd TO the Committee on Finance.
MEMPHIS AND EL PAsO PACIFIC RAiLRoAp.
Also bill, NJ the request OF its friends, anu WIN
out committing himself TO Its support, to aid me
memphis and NJ Pss0 Pacific railroad Company VI