New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-01-23


made to 60 into executive session, but the motion
was voted down.
The proceedings in the House to-day were devoid
of special interest. Matters relating to the District
of Columbia occupied large portion of the session.
Sidney Clarke made speech favorable to the East
em Division Pacific Railway, after which the death
of Mr. Hinds late member from Arkansas, was an
nounced Mr. Roots delivered awell-prepared eulogy
on the character Of the deceased, after which the
House adjourned.
The Supreme Court having adjourned over until
Monday next the Judges went into consultation at
an early hour to-day for the purpose is understood
of deciding upon the constitutonallty of the Legal
Tender Act Notwithstanding all the reports in cir
cuaton as to how the Judges stand on this question:
not one of them has indicated his position to any
person Some time will elapse before the opinion OF
the Court will be delivered.
The contested election case of the Second District
of Louisiana was argued before the Elections Com
mittee to-day. Mr. J. Willis Menard, cOlored man,
one of the contestants for the seat appeared before
the Committee and made u long speech in his own
behalf There appeared to be much curiosity to hear
Menard, and full meeting of the Committee was
secured. He had prepared n careful account of all
the facts attending the election in his District and
stated them with force and eloquence, leaving good
impression on the Committeeman. There is much
speculation as to the result of this contest account
of the ght of cOored man TO sit in Congress being
involved. The impression prevails that the Com
mittee will not reach the main issue, bat will find
themselves compelled TO report against both claim
ants on account of an illegal election.
The question of prohibiting bank officers from
certifying checks unless the whole amount is in the
possession of the bank, in accordance With the
recommendation of the Controller of the Currency,
has been under consideration by the House Banking
Committee, and they have determined TO report a
bill according TO the Controllers recommendation.
The Senate Finance Committee have also discussed
the subject, and are opposed 10 it. The bill which
was agreed upon by the Banking Committee. against
allowing National banks TO loan money and take
greenbacks as collateral security, although it was
objected to this morning, will again be brought
before the House tomorrow, and it is believed will
pass. The Committees of both Houses who have the
matter in charge are strongly urged by leading
financial men to secure the adoption Of legislation
that will put stop to the practice Of oaning money
greenback collaterals, in order to break up the
combinations of spectators.
The notorious Martin was examined before the
Alaska Committee of the House to-day in regard to
the charges made by him that certain Congressman
and newspaper correspondents had received money TO
aid the passage of the appropriation. His testimony
evinced the fact that he knew absolutely nothing of
the charges except what he had heard from third
parties and he named clerk in the State Depart
ment, who, as he said had given him information.
The clerk has been summoned and viii be tworn
tomorrow.
The Secretary of War has sent to Congress the
report Of Gen. Harvey, TO whom committed the
charge of the Sioux Indians on the Upper Missouri
From tho report it appears that Gen. Harvey has
pended $454 q in excess of the 100000 placed at
his disposal relying on Congress TO make up the def
cheney lottor from Gen. Sherman accompanies
the report in which the action of Gen. Harvey is
approved, Gen. Sherman recommends that Harvey
be permitted to come TO Washington 10 advocate the
justice of his and to procure an appropriation
to cover his past OUTLAWS and to carry into full effect
his plan Of putting those Indians to work in the
Spring.
Secretary Schofeld has submitted to Congress
plans and estimates for the new War Department
building to be erected in this city The plan selected
by the Military Board, Of which Gen.
Meigs is President, is that Of John Crump
of Philadelphia The second prize was
given TO Wilcox d Porter of Buffalo, and
the third to Schulz & Sheen of New-York. The estl-
mates for the plan of Crump, place the cost of the
building at a million and half of dollars.
The House Committee on Appropriations is making
rapid progress with the work before it. To-day Mr.
Blaine reported the Army Deficiency bill for the
present fiscal year. The amount asked for is $4,000
OOO and it is noteworthy fact that this expenditure
is caused wholly by the Indian war; Mr. Blaine
will report the regular Army Appropriation bill next
week
Ex-Gov. Dennson of Ohio and ex- Representative
Rice of Maine made arguments before the House
Military Committee to-day in favor of completing
the European and North American Railroad in
Canada and paying to it certain claims alleged TO be
due from the United States. QuartermasterGenera
Meigs, Paymaster-Gene Brice, and Commissary-
General Eaton, Of the United States Army.
will appear before the Committee tomorrow,
for the purpose Of consulting with the members on the
advisability of retrenchment in the army expenses
by consolidating the staff corps of the army The
beauties of the brevet system in the army well
set forth in a communication TO Congress to-day
from the Secretary of War The Secretary asks that
Congress repeal the sxty-frst article Of war, which
allows officers precedence on courts-martal, &c in
command Of detachments in different corps accord
ing to their breyet rank The Secretary also trans
mits list of breyet Major-Generals now in the
United States service which reaches the astonishing
number of 1873. Some of these officers are merely
captains in the line.
Mr. Corcoran the millionaire banker of Washington,
says he has made no claim to Congress for rent for
his art building for the made of it during the
war; He has made a claim however upon the Quar-
termasierGeneral for rent Of the building from Au
gust, 1861 at the rate of 1880 per aDnum, making
total of about 100000.
This evening the reception Of Speaker and Mrs.
Colfax took place and also that of Secretary aud
Mrs. McCuoch They were each attended by large
numbers of ladies and gentlemen, including members
of the Cabinet, Foreign Ministers Congressman. aud
officers Of the Army and Navy. These receptions
were among the most brilliant OF the season.
The American branch Of the Universal Peace Union
is hOldinR its sessiOns in tins city. The following