The New York herald., 1869-01-16
Defeat of the Niagara Ship Canal Bill
In the House.
The Delegation Of Virginians in Consultation
with the Judiciary Committee.
Proposed Readmission of Virginia
on Modified Terms.
General Amnesty Bill in
Prospect.
WASHINGTON, Jan. is, 1869.
Constitnfionalify of the Income Tax.

WASHINGTON, Jan. is, 1869.
Constitntionalify Of the Income Tax.
The Pacific Insurance Company OF san Francisco.
some time ago brought suit against Frank Soule,
Collector OF Internal Revenue, TO recover the sum OF
$1,000 paid by the plaintiff under protest. Under
the Internal Revenue laws the company made
turns according to their values in coin, that being
the currency received by them. The assistant as
SCISSOR added to the amount returned the difference
between legal tenders and coin, and demanded the
tax on the whole which was at first refused by
the company, but subsequently paid under protest,
In consequence Of their property being seized and
advertised for sale. Subsequently they commenced
suit in the Circuit Court for the district OF California
and upon the hearing the judges being divided in
opinion certified to the Supreme Court the various
questions on which they differed. The case has
been argued here this week, plainti's counsel
tending that the government is under obligations TO
receive legal tender money as equivalent for coin,
and arguing against the constituonality OF the law.
The government holds the action OF the assessor TO
be legal and proper and maintains the constitution
aty Of the law. The case has excited interest,"
the general opinion being that the existing practice
OF the government viii not be disturbed by the decl-
sion 10 be made
Another Constitutional Amendment.
Mr. Stewart reported in the Senate to-day from
fhe Judiciary Committee joint resolution proposing
an amendment to the constitution Of the United
States TO be known as article fifteen. The origna
of this was introduced In March, 1867, by Senator
Henderson, enacting in a few lines that mo State
shall deny abrdge the right Of its citizens
and hold ONCE account OF race, color or previous
condition. The substitute brought in to-day is
equally brief, but skilfuly worded-"The
right Of citizens OF the United States to vote and
hold once shall not be denied or abridged by the
United states or any State account Of race color
or previous condition OF servitude.n This amend
ment to be submitted to the States for ratification,
did not receive q unanimous vote in committee,
the chairman, Mr.. Trumbull being in opposition,
Aessrs. Hendricks and Frelinghuysen absent at the
time and the vote Its adoption confined to Messrs.
Stewart Conkling Edmunds and Rice.
Admiral Farraguf ON n Visit 10 General Grant.
Admiral Farragut Is stopping here at the Ebbitt
House. He paid General Grant visit this morning
but owing to the incessant rain both had to remain
indoors, when they would otherwise have had . long
ride behind one OF the Generals fast teams The
Admiral win remain until next week. when he and
General Grant win start for the dinner and confer
ence OF the Peabody educational fund trustees after
which the Admiral viii start directly for New York,
having to decline invitations to dinner extended to
him here BY several Of the foreign Ministers.
The Minnesota Senatorship.
despatch from Minnesota, received here to-day
states that Ramsey On the first ballot was nominated
by twentyeight votes against twenty-five for wilkin
son, four counted as scattering.
Basis Of the Reconstruction OF Virginia.
After many conferences between the Virginia COM
mittee and its individual members with the Judi
ciary Committee Of the Senate and members OF
the Senate and House. II seems to be pretty
well understood that the following definite
arrangement has been substantially agreed
to:-Following the precedent in the Missouri
compromise, and the proceedings upon the ad-
mission OF oregon. Kansas and Nebraska, q bill
viii be prepared authorizing the admission OF
Virginia upon the adoption OF the proposed consttu-
tion, with the obnoxious clauses in regard to dis
franchisement. the test oath and probably
some other Objectionable features stricken
out When this bin shall be passed 1t Ia believed it
will be followed by an amnesty BILL either universal or
with some few exceptions, 70 take effect the rat
cation OF the constitution II is said that this ad
justment meets the appreciation OF General Grant,
Secretary Schoneld and large number OF the most
prominent members Of both Houses OF Congress.
The Impeachment Investigation Committee.
AT the last session OF Congress special committee
consisting OF Messrs. Buckalew. Morrill,, OF Maine
Chandler, Stewart and Thayer was appointed 10 in
qure whether improper means were used TO in
nuence Senators In voting impeachment. The
same committee was reappointed this session. more
ever having an investigation instituted. They have
never he'd fheeiing yet, and majority Of the
committee are known to De adverse % an lnyssiiga-
fiOn as i would impcsle certain freEs. .~S- s.-
who Voted for mpeSchi1ent- setator Ross, however,
win not permit this committee to die quietly out Of
existence without having done anything
towards the exposure sustaining Of these charges
which we're SO freely advanced against him imme-
N fha rhuQ trio
intends TO call for a report before the session ends
and win force one, II necessary, rather than permit
the committee TO remain in passive existence as
standing reproach 10 his reputation.
The Niagara ship Canal.
The Niagara Ship Canal project took up pretty
much the whole session to-day again. The result o
the final vote on committing the bill to the Commit
tee Of the Whole the State Of the Union virtually
kills the measure. II excited, perhaps, more In
terest than any measure before Congress this session
and broke up the party organizations OF the Hous,
pretty thoroughly. Some republicans voted for ant
some against 1t. Some democrats voted for an,
some against it but out Of the whole discussion on
feature developed ITSELF and that was that notwith
standing the measure voted down. s,il
there II majority OF members even in the House a
nj present constituted who favor the principle Of
structing q ship canal around Niagara Falls by tn
federal government. The chief obstacle TO the mea
sure seemed 60 be that put forward by Z. B. WASH
burne and spalding Of Ohio, 10 wit-Tne necessIt
OF retrenchment I'm order 10 avoid the dangers Of r.
pudiation ana national dsgrace. Israel J. Hatch,
Buralo. was ON the moor during the discussion an
IA believed TO have contributed to the defeat Of III
measure.
New Treaty with Prussia.
Baron Cerols Prussian Minister and secretar
Howard are at present engaged framing treaty .
tween this country and Prussia for the benent
emiprants coming here from that part OF Europe.
r intended to have Prussian official locased IN Ne
York, who, In conjunction with DESIGNATED ono
az hrs government, and IN correspondence with
hoard Of commissioners shall after the interes
Of Prussian subjects and save them from many dal
gers 10 which they might otherwise beexposed.
Transatlantic Telegraph Cables.
The senate Committee on Foreign Relations WI