, 1869-02-12

alone. The Committee had reported an
amendment to that effect
Mr. Morton favored the total repeal Of
the law. He thought the public service had
never been benefited by it, but thought the
law had been pasaed to put thieves in office
and throw on the Senate the odium Of keep
ing them there.
Mr.. Howe opposed excepting the Cabinet
officers from the general provision Of the law
He saw no, reason why the President should
be allowed to dismiss the Cabinet officers at
pleasure. He did not agree With MIR. Nor
ton upon the effect of the bill upon the pub
lie service.
Mr.. Thayer favored passing the bill as 1t
came from the House, Internationally repeal
ing the Law. W r ma nfr 81 "a
The morning hour having expired, the
Senate resumed the consideration Of the con-
stitutionaf amendment Mr.. Davis was entit-
led to the floor, but being unable to speak,
yielded 10 Mr.. Doolittle. Mr. DOolittle
made a speech against the amendment, and
denied the right or power of the genera
government to control the question of suffrage
in the States. To put such a provision 10
the constitution, shows design to destroy
the State governnentS, and if adopted the
States would lose the republican form Of
government, as they could not govern them
selves. The amendment was 10 fact revolu-
ti0nary.
Mr.. Bayard followed, taking the same
grounds as Mr.. Dooitlle
Mr. Corbett advocated his amendment,
excluding Chinaman and Indians, which he
had introduced on the ground that it is un.
wise to admit to citizenship class of pagaus,
who, if allowed to vote, would come from
China in vast numbers and take possession OF
the whole Pacific coast.
Mr.. Wilson submitted an amendment that
there shall be no discrimination in the rights
of suffrage qualifications for or on account Of
race, color, birth, religion or property.
Mr.. Howard, from the Committee on
Pacific Railroad, reported bill to aid the
Northern and Southern Pacific, the Atlanti C
aud Pacific, the Little Rock Arkansas Val>
ley and Eastern Division, and the Oregon
Branch Rallrcad Companies. by guarantee
ing the interest on the bonds. Ordered
printed. arE>
Mr. Morgan made aminority report against
the bill The Senate adjourned
House.-The House, during the morning
hour was wholly occupied in disposing Of
private bills.
MIR. Shanks, from the Committee on the
Treatment of Union Prisoners, obtained leave
to make report
The Senate bill, to give additional terms
to the Court of the eastern district of Ark
ansas, passed.
A number of bills we're reported from the
COMMITTEES but not acted upon.
The House went into Committee of the
Whole and resumed consi ieration of the
f army appropriation bill. .
Mr.. Blaine said that in view of the senti.
ment of the House, expressed in the discus
sion yesterday, he had been authorized to
prepare amendments reducing the amount
to ten million dollars.
A debate arose between Blaine and Ed.
, ridge in relation to taking possession oil
Ford's Theater by the Secretary of War
Other members participated in the discus
, sion, which was 6nally terminated by the
Speaker ruling the whole subject out oil
order
Mr.. Window moved to reduce The quar-.
Ter master appropriation frou five million tC
; three million, After considerable discussion
it was rejected
Mr.. Window moved to reduce the appro
priation for the Quarter, masters Depart
menl from FIVE to three millions, charging
great waste, extravaganee and corruption OF
the oart of the members at different points
He expressly excepted the department a
Washington. The amendment was rejected
Mr.. Carbide, from the Committee OF
Military Affairs, reported au amendment fo
the re uctiou of the army by 10000 mer
and 670 oficers-the latter by gradual ad
Q option. Also consolidating the Ordnance
! Commissary, aud pay departments aud arti
lery ana ordnance corps.
Mr.. Butler offered another amendment
proposing direct mastering out of superuu-
Inerary officers.