Evening star., 1869-02-04
FORTIETH CONGRESS.
This Aftefneen's Proceedings
THURSDAY. February q

THURSDAY, Februarya
SkhArs.-The usual number o: memorials
and petitions were presented and referred.
Mr.. Howe, from the Committee ON Claims.
reported favorabIy the bill 10 pay loyal citizens
o; the States lately in rebellion for services in
taking the census of l-6O.
Mr.. Chandler inIrod ueed lolnt resolution of
Michigan Legislature, askIIg their Senators
and Representatives 20 use their best efforts la
passing the River and Harbor Approximation
bill; which was read and laid on the table
The Chair presented the Credentials OF Thos.
w. Upton, Reelected Senator from Nebraska:
which were read and placed on the file.
VT. Nye presented credentials of w. NJ
Stewart, re elected senator from Nevada:
which were read and placed on the file.
Mr. Edmunds, from Committee or RetrenSh-
men,. reported bill 20 provide for the better
security OF the engraving and printing Of he
securities of the UNITED States.
MT. Caiteil introduced a bill 10 provide for
the conversion OF registered bonds INTO cou-
pon bonds. Referred 10 Finan e Gommiftee
Mr.. Van Wrinkle introduced a hill 20 incor-
pora'ed the Junction Railway OF Washington
Referred 10 Committee on District Of Colam-
bIa.
Mr. Pomeroy moved TO take mp he motion to
Reconsider he vote by which the bill relating
to the Central Branch linton Pacific Rnlroaf
was Teyecied-ayes, p; nays. -.
Mr. Patterson, OF New Hampshire, called up
me Dill 10 provide for the paving oi Pennsyl-
wanna avenue.
Mr. Morton thought the paving could not be
done at 81 per foot, as provided IN the bill
The pest stone or wood pavement could NOT he
done FOR less than So, and he moved TO amend
TO that effect.
Mr.. Harlsn and Mr.. Patterson. of N. H.. .aid
the estimates had teen made. aud ~ was appa-
rent that the work could be done the bes,
manner for 81.
The amendment of Mr.. Morton was rejected.
Mr.. FesseDden objected 10 the provision ln
the bill which imposed the proportion OF the
expense upon the property holders on the line
Of the avenue. The Improvement was n more
for their benefit than that of other citizens.
Citizens living in and owning property all
through the city walked and drove over Penn
sylvana avenue. The true principle, and the
one which prevailed IN other cities, was that
the cost OF these improvements was proper TO
be horne oy the corporation.
Without further action the bill went over
Mr.. Anthony introduced Joint resolut tion 10
pint the medical and surgical history of the
rebellion. Referred 10 the Committee on Print
ing.
The Chair announced as the commi,ttee 10
take into confederation the subject OF the next
census, Messrs. Conkling, Anthony, Howard
Sawyer, and Buckalew.
The Constitutional amendment relating to
the suffrage was taken up.
Mr.. Ferry, being entitled TO the floor, pro-
ceeded TO argue that great change had come
over the opponents OF negro suffrage since the
voice OF the people had been proclaimed last
fall.
HousR-The privileged motion made yester-
day by Mr.. Ingersoll, Of Illinois. TO allow the
recusant witness, Henry Johnson. to make a
"a
arely after The reading of the journal.
Mr.. Allison (lowa) moved TO lay the motion
Oh me table. Agreed 10.
The witness, Henry johnson, was here
brought TO the bar o. the House by the Ser
seaL--ar-Arms.
Nr. Lawrence (Ohio) offered the following.
R'soic'd, That Henry johnson, arrested by
ard Row IN custody OF the Sergeant-at-ATms
Tor refusing 10 appear before the committee TO
testify Ielarve 10 the New York election frauds
be, and be is hereby, discharged from custody.
Mr. Lawrence eNplaInrd that the witness bsd
not appeared before the commmitt-e through a
m'sapprehension as 10 where the e0mnittee
met.
Mr.. Brooks ~ ~ hoped the committee
VIC uld De more careful hereafter in arresiIng
citizens.
Mr. Woodward PA, said the refusal OF the
gentleman frem Onio Mr.. Laurence) 10 allow
that witness 10 make a statement 10 the House
yesterday led 10 the disgraceful Incarceration
OF a ci'iZrn over night.
Mr.. Robinson IN. Y.) made the point Of or.
der that the wors "dlgraceful" used by the
gentleman from Pennsylvania WOOD ward
was not parliamentary.
The Speaker sustained the point OF order
Mr.. Woodward (Pa) said he would with
draw the word II il was offensive.
Mr. Lawrence (Uhiol saId be had N apology
10 make. he reiterated the statement OF ye>-
ielday that the witness did not appear before
the committee when summoned. He demanded
the previous question on the resolutiJ IN: aud it
was agreed 10.
The Sergeant-at-Arms then produced the
other recusant-florence Scannell-at the bar
of the House.
Mr.. Lawrence (Ohio) offered the following:
Rcsotced, That the witness Florence Scanned,
arres ed by, and now in custody OF the Ser.
geant-at- Arms, Tor refusing 10 appear before
the committee and TESTIFY relative TO the New
York election frauds be, and he is hereby dis
charged from custody upon payment Of the
costs of his arrest.
MIR. Ross IIl) hoped he would be let of
without paving costs. He understood the wit
ness had refused to answer merely because ne
cid not want TO crIminate a Leading Republican
of New York. [LaughterI
MIR. Lawrence tOhiol was OF opinion that
under the circumstances the witness should
pay The costs.
Mr. Kerr lind said the contempt of which
the witness was charged was OF a TECHNICAL
character. He understood that the witness was
poor man, and if made 10 pay the costs OF ms
arrest would have difficulty IA getting home 20
New York. He moved TO strike out the words
in the resoiutlon-'upon payment Of costs Of
his arrest
Mr.. Lawrence Cohio,) said he had no ob,ec
tion If this was the sense OF the House.
Mr.. Dawes Mass said be hoped the House
would not 40 anything OF the kind. IL this
witness was let Of without any punishment,
II would be equivalent 10 q proclamation that
witnesses called upon 10 testify 10 material
points of evidence 10 .ght safely shield them
selves behind another party and refused TO
Eswer.
Mr.. Lawrence (Ohio) said he did not unaer.
stand that the WITNESS was a poor man. as al
legged by the gentleman from Indiana, Mr.
Kerr He was informed thar he had been a
member Of the Common Council of New York
(l.aughter.]
The yeas and nays were ordered ON the
amendment proposed by Mr.. Kerr, and il was
defe ated; yeas Is, nays iU1.
Mr.. Lawrence (OhAo, demanded the previous
question on the resolution, on which
Mr.. Eldridge Wis., called for the yeas and
nays, and they were ordered. The vote stood
yeas ia, nays 36. so the witness was dis
charged with costs.
Mr.. Woodward Pa offered a Joint resoiu.
uon changing the name of Wyoming Terri
tory. Referred to the Committee on Terrific.
ries.
Mr. Eliot, (Mass.,) from the Committee on
Commerce, reported the bill TO repeal tonnage
duties on Spanish vessels. Passed.
Nr. Archer (Md.) presented the petition OF
l3l leading Arms OF Baltimore, praying for the
reduction Of the tariff on salt. Referred to the
Committee Of Ways and Means.
MI. Ferry Mich presented the joint reso.
lutlon of the Legislature of Michigan instruct.
ing the Senators and Representatives from
that State 70 urge the passage Of the river and
harbor appropriation bill. Referred to the
Committee on Commerce.
Mr.. Nicholson Dell offered q resolution
calling upon the SECRETARY Of the Treasury 10
inlSrm the House whether any suryey had
been made IN Delaware Bay at the Break vafer.
win view 70 the erection Of piers. Agreed
o.
Mr.. ScheLck (Ohio) stated thar as the sueud.
ments TO the tax bill were not yet printed he
would ask that the copsderation OF the tan
bill al the session this evening be disposed
with, ana that the session be devoted To 1ener~I
. 49,