Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-01-13
FORTIETH CONGRESS,
This Afternoons Proceedings,
WBDN ReDAY, January 13, 1869

SENATE.-Mr. Sumner presented memorial
OF Mahlon Loomis, M. ID. of District OF Colum.
bla, noting that he has invented a ne W mode el
telegraphing, and asking an appropriation OF
SJO,CtO to complete his experiments. He pro-
poses TO dispense with wires and batteries
The memorial was, after some discussion re-
ferred TO Committee on Patents.
MIR. Buckalew introduced q bill to amend
The representation OF people in Congress, and
urged that il be referred TO a select committee
OF seven; which was agreed to.
MIR. Pomeroy introduced a bill TO incorpo.
rate the Washington General Hospita and
Asylum of the District OF Columbia. Referred
10 Committee on District of Columbia.
Mr.. Abbott introduced bill TO aid in the
construction of a railroad and telegraph from
the Rio Grande TO the Pacific. Referred to
Committee on Pacific Railroad.
MIR. Thayer introduced a bill TO provide for
the payment of certain services rendered 10 the
Government in he eInsurrectionary States du-
ring the rebellion. Referred 10 COMMITTEE on
Finance.
Mr.. Sumner called up the bill appropriatlug 2
= 100 10 remove the remains OF III Cogswell
late u. =. Minister to Ecuador.
MIR. Sumner explained the merits of the case,
claiming that II was entirely exceptional, and
the bill was then passed.
MIR. Cameron called up the bill amending the
ect relating TO the habeas corpus and 70 regu-
late judicial proceedings.
Mr.: Williams asked for an explanation OF
the bill.
Dir. Conkling said that there were cases oc.
curing In the Southern States, particularly
Georgia, where the Northern stockholders of
express and steamboat companies We're sued
for property taken by the pubic enamy, and
The object OF this bill Is TO enable dsfendants to
transfer these cases TO the u. s. Courts, to the
end that they might go to the Supreme Court
and have decision, whether the principle is
the same as in the prize cases, and this princi.
pie, as question OF law, they are not able to
get ruhDg upon in the State Courts. A com
mon carrier, to defend himself technically,
must prove that the loss ofthe goods was either
oeeasioned BY the act Of God, or OF the public
enemy, and in the cases that had arisen the de-
PENDANTS were met by Instructions from the
Judges OF the State Courts, which deprived the
jury from giving any decision uron this point.
Mr.; Ecmunds expressed doubts as to the
Copsulutionai power OF Congress 10 pass such
a bill.
Mr. Cameron hoped the bill would pass, as
many OF his constituents were deeply interest.
ed in its pas sage.
Mr.. Edmunds regretted that the constituents
OF the Senator We're put 10 Inconvenience, and
nad no doubt that much systematic injury was
done in these Southern courts, but ne could
not be satisfied that 1t was right or proper to
pass this bill
After further disc ion the bill was passed.
The bill for the relief of Sue Murphy was
then taken up, and Mr.. Williams proceeded to
address the Senate thereon.
HoUsK.-The Speaker announced the first
business before the House to be tue unfinished
business OF yesterday, to-wit; the joint resolu-
uon reported from the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, proposing 10 extend the protection OF
the United States to the Government Of Hayti
and San Domingo.
, Mt. Banks, who was entitled to the floor on
the resolution, yielded to Mr.. Butler. Mass. }
who desired to take up and put on its passage
the bill appropriating money for the POOR OF
the District Of Columbia.
Mr.. Mckee (Pa.) objected.
The Speaker laid before the House a CON-
munication from the Secretary OF the Interior,
enclosing q letter from the Commissioners of
Indian Affairs, relative to Indian affairs In
Dako,ab, and asking for an appropriation for
supplies. Referred TO the Committee on Ap.
propriatsone,