New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-01-28

TERIAL.
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, jan a, 1869.
In the Senate to-day Mr.. Howe created considera-
Bile amusement by his facetiOus presentation of
memorial from deaf mute of Jackson County, Ca,
named T. j. Flournoy. The memorialist alludes to
the frauds and iniquties which have crept into the
Internal Revenue service, and means Of correct
ing the abuses he asks for the appointment of Gov
erument phrenOlOgist to whom all applicants for In
terna Revenue positions shall submit their heads for
examination, and all those whose organs of hon
esty reverence, and cOnscientOusness not
largely developed, shall be rejected. The
judiciary Committee cleared their docket
of large number of bills and memorials, by asking
for their indefinite postponement The President
in his mania for sending messages TO Congress,
favored the two Houses, last Spring, Immediately
after his acquittal, with document, recommending
sundry amendments to the Constitution. This was
among the matters postponed. When the morning
hour expired, Mr.. Sherman bad hard fight with the
Pacific Railroad subsidy people to get up his Funding
bill His success gave him the opportunity to
deliver his speech on the finances. 1t occupied
little more than an hour and attentively listened
TO by the Senate. Mr.. McCreery then obtained
the floor and IN true Kentucky style poured anathe
mas upon the Government because 1t had not paid
the Slaye-owners of the South for their property
and the wish being father to the thought expressed
his belief that the public debt would never be paid
When he concluded the friends of the bill to give
e. 100000 to the general branch of the Union Pacific
Railroad gained strength to retOrt on Mr.. Sherman
by pushing his bill aside, and again getting before
the Senate Despite all their efforts they were des
tined to como to grief at the end for when the bill
was put on its passage the Senate could not be screwed
quito up to the sticking point, and the bill was lost
for want of two votes. At this unexpected result
Gor rbo ho, haan xyarv N
advocating the bill looked rather blank, and the
emotions of four of the prominent officials of the
road who occupied front seat in the gallery, were
so great that they had TO retire to the lobby for relief
The Senate adjourned in the midst of O struggle be-
tween Mr.. Sherman and Mr.. Stewart, the former de-
string to take the Funding bill from the table once
more and the latter to get up the Constitutional
Suffrage amendment.
In the House to-day good deal was said, but little
was done. The wasting of yesterday with speech
making on Currency bill that has not the slightest
chance of being definitely acted this session, was
the occasion Of explanation to-day by the Speaker
regarding the state of the business before the House.
Ii appeared from this statement that there is already
sufficient business pending in the House to con-
sume the entire session. 1t was finally agreed
to hold night sessions for speech-making, as 1t
appeared to be the only way to secure
Constitutional amendment was brought up for the
purpose of allowing Mr. Eldridge, Wisconsin Dem
ocrat. 10 read and have printed in The Globe speech
on the subject. When he had finished the House
went into Committee and debated the Legislative
Appropriation bill. When this bill was under con-
sideration by the Committee on Appropriations Gen.
Butler discovered item providing so much per an
mum for the Superintendent of the Crypt
Not understanding what this meant, he sought
knowledge from his fellOw-members but they
were no wiser than he. He then consulted the
Appropriation bills for so years back and found the
same thing charged in each bill. After determined
search among the employees Of the Capitol the Super
intendent of the Crypt was found. He was brought
forward and made to relate his history 1t seems
shortly after Gen. Washington died an act was
passed by Congress providing for the building of
vault beneath the Capitol which was to hold the
remains of tho immortal statesman and warrior,
and TO be called the Crypt 1t was found necessary
10 have a man to watch the sacred spot and accord
ingly an officer was created to be called Superin-
tendent OF the Crypt The duties of the Superin-
tendent were to sit near the Crypt daily from a. M
until p. M. and see that only one gas burner was
used This the present occupant has done for the
last 40 years and now Gen. Butler cruelty proposes
to abolish the office
The House Committee on Foreign Relations is en-
gagged in giving the American claim TO the Island OF
Alta Yela a most thorough investigation. 1t is said
there is difference of opinion in the Committee as
TO the duty of this Government. The case is such
that it must be perfectly clear way the other
An early report is expected, when at last the pub
lie will learn the exact truth respecting this now
celebrated claim.
The Senate Judiciary Committee to-day agreed to
report Senator Stewards bill with an amendment
imposing heavy fine and imprisonment on any
person who performs the functions OF an office
TO which he is ineligible under the Fourteenth
Amendment TO the Constitution. Ii is alleged by the
people in the reconstructed States that this egisla-
ton is necessary and unless adopted persons will DO
elected TO various positions notwithstanding they
are debarred by the Fourteenth Amendment.
The Secretary of State again denies that there are
any negotiations going for the purchase of Cuba
It appears that six eight months ago over
lures were made through our Minister to the Spanish
Government relative to a purchase OF that island
The Spanish Government declined to entertain the
proposition, since which time our Government has
not renewed the overtures. The impression of those
in authority here is that if the revolutonists in
Cuba succeed, and from information in possession Of
tho Government 1t is believed they will succeed that
they will speedily ask to be annexed to the United
States The policy of our Government is to wait
events.
The postal telegraph scheme was again under con-
sideration to-day by the House Committee The ar
guments on the subject having closed the Commit
tee will now consider what action is to be taken in
tho matter. 1t is understood that majority of the
Committee will report against both Hubbards ana
Washburne's bills.
John w. Garrett President of the Baltimore anu
Ohio Railroad, made All argument to-day before Hle
Committee on Roads and Canals against the PROPOSE
ton Of making the spans of the bridges to be con-