Evening star., 1869-03-11
F0RTY-FIRST CONGRESS-,
This Afternoons Proceedings
THuRsDAY, March m.

SkNATk-Mr sumner presented a memorial
from loyal citizens of Texas, setting forth tina,
II the State 10 reorganized under the constitu.
ton to be presented the state will be haudsa
over TO rebel sympathizers. and asking acton
by Congress TO prevent IL. Referred 10 Com
mittee on Judiciary.
Mr.: Howard presented Joint resolution of
Michigan Legislature ask king an appropriation
of S50.00O 10 complete the St. Marie Canal Re
ferred TO Committee on Commerce.
Mr.. Grimes, from Committee on Naval AZ
falrs, reported bill to recrganize the navy.
Mr.. Corbet- from Committee on Commerce
reported bill to provide for the better security
OF tne lives OF passengers on vessels propelled
Nh. Wilson introduced bill granting 1000, eco
acres OF public lands to public schools in the
District OF Columbia. Referred to COMMITTEE
on Public Lands.
Mr. Chandler, from Committee on Commerce
reported bill TO prevent encroachments on the
navigable rivers and harbors of the United
States.
Mr. Pool introduced a bill 70 promota tho
efficiency of the postal service BY dispensing
with the test oath in certain cases Referred IN
Committee en- Post Offices.
Mr.. Corbett introduced a bill TO establish a
Department of Indian Affairs. Referred 4,
Committee on Indian Affairs.
Mr. Cole introduced bill to encourage and
facilitate telegraphie communication.
MI Sumner introduced bill relative TO tele-
graphic communication between the United
States and Europe. Referred to Committee on
Foreign Relations.
provisions of the fourteenth ame mendment to the
Constitution. Referred 10 Committee on the
Judiciary.
Mr.. Harlan called up the bill TO supply an
omission IN the enrolment of the ci vii appro-
pration bill.
Mr.. Morton offered a resolution inou,r,ne Of
Venezuela has paid the first inst tai N snt due 10
American citizens under the award recently
made by the mixed commission of the two
Governments. Adopted.
led m m IN
tne public credit, and relating 10 contracts for
the payment Of coin.
Mr.. Sumner moved to stri ke out the second
section, legaliZing coin contracts.
Mr.. Sumner said he had at the last session
voted for the bill with this sectisn m 1T He
was in favor Of legalizing coin contracts, but
be thought In view Of the recent decision OF the
Supreme Court no further legislation on the
subject was necessary. All that was of good in
tins section was superb nous, and the remain.
der of the section would be productive Of pos
tive Embarrassment. Let the decision OF the
Supreme Court stand in all its breadth and
amplitude, it was sufficient for the OCCASION
Mr.. Sherman said TO strike out this section
would endanger the passage Of the bill IN the
House He had examined the decision of the
Supreme Court referred to by Mr.. Sumner and
1t only decided that a contract made in coin
prior 10 the passage OF the legal -tender act as
valid. He thought the Senator had given too
much latitude 10 the decision; he did not think
this section would do any harm, and it ought
10 stanS.
Mr.. Cole thou ght the section would do a great
deal OF BARN. Ii would interfere very ma,eri-
ally with existing contracts on the Pacific
coast.
Mr.. Williams said this section was too indsd-
mite 10 satisfy him, but the Finance Committee
mad thought II better to report the bill exactly
as IL passed at the last session. While he did
not think this section would do any good he
did not see how it would be prod ucti We of any
harm. He thought the Senator Mr.. C1leD wa.
IN error In imagining that A. would make
invalid coin contracts heretofore made
Al one O'Clock and fve minutes Col. Porter
appeared with sundry messages from the Pres
ldent.
Mr.. Howard sand the question of contracts
oelon ged TO the State Legislatures. lie offered
proyiso TO the section that the contract shall
be made In writing and expressly state that il
is 10 be paid In com.
The Senate, AT lilo p. m, went into executive
session, and then adjourned.