The New York herald., 1869-04-06
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WASHINGTON, April 5, 1s'

WASHINGTON, April s, 1862
BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS.
Under the Call of States bills and joint resolutions
were introduced, read twice and referred as FOL
lows
BY Mr. JENcKEs, repD Of r. Ito establish de.
partment Of justice.
BY Mr. NEGLEY, (rep.) of Pa.-To reduce the num-
ber OF officers OF the army.
By Mr. LAWRENCE, (rep.) Of Ohi0-To establish
law department; also to preserve the purity Of cleo
tons and the right Of free discussion in the unrecon
structed States
BY Mr.. JUDD, rep.) OF In.-To amend the Bank
by Mr.. STEVENSON, lrep.) of Oho-Providing that
the law constituting eight hours days work shall
DC By Mr RrSyEs sS rs dem of Y@Aowng prize
money to the officers and Of the Monitor for the
fight with the Merrimac in Hampton Roads;
BY Mr.. HOOPER, (rep. OF Mass.-TO authorize the
transfer Of the revenue cutter 5. p. Chase from the
lakes to the seab0ard.
funSina nS the funded SeS; also to amend the third
section of the act Of July 90 1868, imposing tax on
Mr.. JONES, (dem.) OF Ky offered resolution In
structing the Committee on Appropriations to in
appropriation for The coast survey to enable the
director OF the coast survey to cooperate with COM
missfoners operating on the OHIO and Mississippi
rivers, for the purpose OF obtaining an accurate
geological survey. &c. Adopted.
Mr. JONES also offered resolution instructng the
Judiciary Committee to inquire into the propriety OF
restoring to Mrs. Mary Custs bee the Mount Vernon
rencs taken from her home at Arlington during the
! war and now in the Patent ONCE. Adopted.
Mr.. JULIAN, from the Committee on Public Lands,
reported Joint resolution to annul and declare void
SO much OF the Cherokee Indian treaties or August,
1866 andsJune, 1868, as authorize the sale Of their
lands and all contracts, &C., purportng to be made
hereunder such lands to be subject to settlement
entry and sale at 81 % per acre. The joint resou-
tion was passed-yeas SO, nays So.
Mr.. SHANKs rep.l Of Ind, offered resolution
against AGAINST Richard Bnsseea Dstrct Judge dye Of sSe
United States for Alabama, and the testimony here
toore taken, with instructions to continue the in
vestigation and with power to act through sub
committee during the recess and to send for persons
and papers.
Mr.. scOFIELD, rep) Of Pa moved to lay the reso-
luton on the table. Negatived-yeas so, nays 81.
The resolution was then adoped-e7 to A.
To the act Of s sup
While it was being read the morning hour expired
and the bill went over till Monday next.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The House then, at quarter past one O'Clock,
proceeded to the business on the Speakers table and
disposed thereof as foEows:-
The Senate Joint resolution for printing Of the
agricultural report Of 10000 copies for the Senate
100000 for the House and $4,000 for the Commits
sioner Of Agriculture was referred to the Committee
on Printing.
The Senate bill to carry into effect the convention
Of July 4, 1865, between the United States and
Mexico for the adjustment OF claims. Passed.
The Senate joint resolution to drop IRON the rolls
OF the army certain officers absent without leave
was referred to the Committee on Military Aflairs.
SOUTH CAROLINA ELECTION INVESTIGATION
Mr.. PAINE, Crep.) OF Wis, from the Committee on
of a select committee to investigate the charges
made by the Board Of State Canvassers OF South
scriptions and assassinatlons &C., which prevented
fair canvass In the Third and Fourth Congressional
districts Of South Carolina at the last election to sit
at such times and places AZ 1t may determine, IN
Washington and South Carolina, with power TO send
for PERSONS papers, &c.
After brief discussion Mr. Paine withdrew the
resolution for the present.
THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONTESTED ELECTION CASE.
Mr.. BURDErr, lrep.) OF Mo-, presented the report
al
ti0n from the Fourth District Of South Carolina
declaring A. s. Wallace entitled pri,na acie to the
seat and gave notice that he would call IL up for
action Tomorrow.
Mr.. RANDALL. (dem.) OF Pa, presented minority
report on the same case.
THE TENURE OF OFFICE BILL SIGNED BY THE PREsI-
DENT.
A message from the President announced that he
had approved and signed the Tenure OF Onlce bill.
BUSINESS ON THE srEAKER's TABLE.
The House again went to the business on the
Speakers table and disposed thereof as follows
The senate bill to revive the grant OF lands for q
railroad IN Alabama from Selma 10 Gadsden and to
confirm 1t to the selma, Rome and Dalton Railroad
Company. Referred to the Committee on Public
Lands.
The Senate Joint resolution authorizing the Com
missioner Of Indian Affairs TO appoint guardians
trustees for minor Indian children who may be en-
titled TO pensions or bountes. Referred to the Com
mttee on Indian Affairs.
rhe Senate joint resolution relating to certain
breyet appointments. Referred to the Committee
The senate joint resolution recurring parties de.
siring relief from political disabilities to make APP
plication 10 Congress IN writing their sig-
nature, setting forth the grounds on which relief Is
asked, and on which. shall be TO. Referred to
the Reconstruction Committee.
The senate JOINT resolution enabling actual settlers
TO purchase certain lands OF the Great and Little
Usage Indians. Passed with amendment IN the
nature OF q substitute.
AMERICAN VESSELS DESTROYED BY REBEL PRIvA-
TIERS.
The SPEAKER laid before the House q message
rom the President, transmitting q report OF the
secretary of state, with tabular statements TO the
destruction OF American merchant vessels during
the war. Referred 10 the Committee on Commerce.
SUBMISSION or THE VIRGINIA CONSTITUTION.
Mr. FARNswoRTH, rep.) or ILL.,. introduced joint
resolution authorizing the submission OF the Vir-
gina constitution to vote OF the people, and
th0rizng the election OF state officers provided by
that constitution and OF members Of Congress. Re-
ferred 10 the Reconstruction Committee.
The House then, at halfpast four. took q recess
unti nai-past seven, the evening session TO be for
general DEBATE only
Evening Session.
The House met again at halr-past seven O'Clock
MT. BLAIR oi Michigan, in the chair-for general
debate.
Mr. JENCKEs addressed the House on the necessity
OF reform In the civil service. lie said that while
every one admitted the necessity Of reform no one
had brought forward any measures to accomplish II.
He, therefore, pressed his although at ali times
willing 10 accept better HIS bill, dressed
the machinery OF new department. and simply
proposed board OF examiners who would be The