Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-02-04
MIDNIGHT DISPATCHES.
WASHINGTON.

the political disabilities have been re-
moved by Congress from about Que hun-
bred persens. Three or four hundred
applications ere pending in the Recon
struction committee, one-third OF which
are from Virginia.
In the House, Mr.. Beck introduced
bill providing for holding an election In
Mississippi. Referred to the Reconstruc'
ton COMMITTEES.
ss Mr.. Ella, from he Committee on Print
ing, reported d joint resolution in refer
ence to the stationery contract of the In
terror Department with Demprey q
Atool. 1t directs the Secretary not to
receive or make payment-for failure
to comply with their contract. Passed.
Mr.. Ella also reported bill to provide
stationery for Congress and the several
departments. The bill provides that the
head of each of the executive and judi
cial departments at Washington, and
Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the
House shall have estimates made quar-
terly, and at each succeeding session OF
Congress, OF the stationery required for
the year, and that the same is to be sup
piled by the Congressional printer, under
contract. Passed. q
Florence Scannell, the wityess who had
refused to answer certain questions put
by the committee on the New York cleo
ton frauds, was brought before the House
in the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms.
Mr.. Scannell professed his readiness to
answer all questions, and be remains in
custody until he can be examined.
Henry Johnson, another witness, also
subpsnaed, and who had not attended,
was brought before the House, and stated
that he had not intended to commit any
contempt. and was ready to testify. He
also remains in custody to be examined.
Mr.. Poland introduced bill providing
for uniform system Of naturalization.
Referred to the Committee on Revision
of the Laws. The bill proposes that
aliens may obtain citizenship under a
continuous residence in the United States
of four years and six months. Proceed
ings for naturalization are to be restricted
to the Circuit and District coarts of the
United States, and the court of highest
Jurisdiction in each State and Territory
which holds stated sessions in each coun-
ty for the trial Of civil cases. 1t also re-
quires notice OF intention to be fled
and sworn to one year and half before
naturalization, and also notice of thirty
days before the application, stating name,
age, residence, occupation, etc.
Mr.. Pile introduced joint .Tesolution
relating to steamboats, and other boats
owned by persons in the loyal States.
Referred to the Judiciary Committee.
The Senate resumed the consideration
of the consular appropriation bill.
Mr.. Buckalew moved to strike out the
appropriation of $4,000 to carry into
effect the treaty for the suppression of
the African slave trade. Lost.
Mr.. White moved en- amendment re-
questing the President to ask Great
Britain to put an end TO that part
part of the treaty which requires
each Government to keep up vexed
courts, and providing that if that
Government consents, the salaries of the
officers of the United States connected
with such courts shall cease, which was
adopted, and the bill passed.
Mr.. Tru mbul, from the Committee on
the Judiciary, reported back with amend
ments, the bill recently introduced by
him to amend the Judiciary system of the
United States. As amended by the com.
mittee, it reads as follows:
Be il enacted, That the Supreme Court
of the United States shall hereafter con-
sist of Chief Justice aud eight Assoc
ciate Justices, any six of whom shall con-
stilute a quorum, aud for the psrpose
there shall be appointed an additional
Justice of said Court
Sec. g That for each Of the nine exist |
ing circuiis there shall be appointed
Circuit Judge, who shall reside In his cir |
cult aud shall possess the same power |
aud Jurisdiction therein as the Justices of |
the Supreme Court allotted to the circuit, |
and the Circuit Court in each circuit shall |
be held by the Justice of the Supreme |
Court allotted TO the circuit, or by the |
d strict Judge Of the district, sitting |
alone, or by any two of them sitting to-
gether; and such courts may be held at
the same time in different districts Of the
same circuit, and more than one such
court may be held at the same time in
the same district, and the Circuit Judges
shall each receive an annual salary of
$4,000.
Sec 2 Be IL further enacted, etc
That nothing in this act shall affect the
power of the Justices of the Supreme
Court, as Judges of Circuit Court, ex-
cept in the sppointmer- of clerks in the |
Circuit courts, which ia each circuit |
shall be appointed by the Circuit Judge
Of that court, and the clerks of the Dis
trict Courts shall be appointed by the
judges thereof respectively.
Sec 4. Be ii further enacted, That it
shall be the duty Of each Justice of the
Supreme Court to cit in each district of
his circuit during every period OF two
years.
Mr.. Warner introduced joint resolu-
ton proposing the following amendment
to the Constitution Of the United States:
ARTIcLE XV.-Tbe right OF citizens
of the United States to hold Office shall
not be denied or abridged by the United