The New York herald., 1869-03-04

that even II II were admiteu q claim of Massachn-
founded 1t did not necessar NJ rollow that she was
entitled TO interest upon ~ but on the contrary,
was strongly against IT and ne cited legal authori
ties TO show that in 81 h case az this there could
not be legitimate eAsn for interest, because BY the
acceptance OF the principal the claim for interest," in
be allowed wnIs barred.
by the spteoh OF the Senator from New York tMr.
Conkling), had convinced him that he should vote
Eprand against the aspersions upon ner conduct in
tine war OF 1912. New England had suffered and
done more in that war than any other section. aud
the ofence OF Massachusetts, was simply that she
kept her soldiers at home, where there was danger,
and refused to let them 60 where there there was
none.
The amendment was then rejected. Yeas ls,
nays rs.
The Army Appropriation bill was then passed.
On motion OF Mr.. HARLAN the joint resolution re-
lating TO the claim or W. w. Corcoran was then
taken up and passed, Yeas a. nays 5.
Mr.. NYR. (rep) OF New, proposed to call up the Dill
for the relief OF Norman Wizard, but
Mr.. GRIMES objected. and said that the bill could
not be properly considered before recess
rise to debate.
Nj. GRIMES said he was entirely familiar with the
Mr.. NYE was unable to soc how that altered the
nature OF the claim
Al quarter past iour O'clock on Eotion OF Mr..
CoNELING, the Senate went into executive session.
Evening Session.
DEcREEs OF UNITED STATES CorRTs.
Mr.. SUMNER called up the joint resolution TO carry
into effect the decree OF the United States Coar Of
New York in relation to British steamer Passed.
Mr.. SUMNER moved TO take up q ioint reso-
luton to carry into effect the DEGREES OF the
United States District Court or Louisiana in
rela tion TO certain other British steamer; but
M Mr. STEWART, rep.l oi Nev:, objected and SAID ne
losses incurred, matter under what circun-
stances. during the late war, until Great Britain
the Alabama claims.
The Civil ana Miscellaneous Appropriation bill was
then taken up.
SITE FOR THE NEW YORK POST oFrICr.
Mr.. CoNKLING offered an amendment. which was
agreed 10, to enable the secretary Of the Treasury
and the postmaster General to exchange tne land
bought by the United States for the site OF the
post Office in New York city for the same or greater
quantity OF land further up in the CITY Hal. PARK.
THE CHARLESTON, y c., SISTERS or MERCY.
The amendment reported by the Committee on
Appropriations giving the Sisters OF Mercy OF
Charleston 5. c., twenty thousand dollars IN recog-
milton OF their services to Union prisoners during
the late rebellion, gave rlse TO some discussion.
Mr.. DRAKE opposed II, because 1t was the pro-
fessed business OF these ladies to be charitable, and
they ought nos To be paid fori
Mr.. HOWARD, trep.l OF Mich. opposed II, because
he did not think il right To single OFT any particu
lar Class of benevolent ladies' TO lie specially re-
warded for their service TO the Union soldiers and
If he were to discriminate In favor OF any class II
would not be In favor Of members OF the Carhohc
Church. lie rememoered alAd tue people renein-
beeG, the circular letter addressed by the Pope 70
Catholic bishops OF the United Staues, urging them 10
bring about peace, mean that II should be brought
about by Lhe recognition the Independence Of the
Southern confcderacy He remembered too, thai
a!er that letter there were few enStmentS OF Cath
olcs In the army, so that large bounties had to he
onered TO recruit the armies With few brilliant
ana honorable exceptions the influence OF the Ro-
man Catholic clergy had been against the Union. not
10 sag In favor OF the reoe.lion.
Mr. HENDRICKS was surprised that the Senator
from Michigan ttiowa-d) should make such an al
TO the best his know ledge, the statements the
senator 10 the few enllstnents OF Catholics IN the
e n q s who ad ensed
in the United States army very large Neither
Was II true tnat the Catholic clergy had cast their
Influence against the Union. Livery one reIneM-
Oered tnat the most distinguished preate Of the
Catholic Church-Arcaoisnop Hugnes-had gone to
Europe 10 nis influence IN behalf OF the Union at
the call OF President Lincoln, aud had there, with
alother distinguished Bishop OF another church
Bishop Mcllvaine-done much for the cause oi the
onion.
Mr.. SAWYER. trcp.) OF $. c., advocated the appro-
pration. and called attention TO the testimony OF
Generals sherman, Sckles and Gilmore III regard 10
the great services Of the sisters Charity OF Charles
ton to the suffering Union soldiers.
Mr.. BUCSALEw, (dem.) OF Pa said that the Pope,
In the letter criticised by the Senator from Michigan
tdoward had expressed no opinion on either side OF
our civil war but had, IN accordance with his eccle
slas;ica character urged the clergy Of his Church TO
seek the restoration OF peace
DR.. CoSKLisG, from the committee on conference
on the Post ONCE Appropriation BILL at this point
made report, which was concurIed IN.
MI. SHERMAN said that this was not a legal claim,
but an appeal 10 the generosity or Congress. II the
case were not an extraordinary one ne would not
advocate IT. but he believed that every Senator
woud read the letters from Union Officers IN regard
the services OF these ladies' would feel it his duty
TO vote Tor the appropriation He then read several
ness ana beneyoence or the Sisters OF Chariry~ser
wees which were none the less assduous after tile
letter OF the Pope spoken OF by the Senator from
Mr.. DRAKE objected to giving the sisters any aid
TO rebuild their institution, because they were bound
by their VOWS 10 do charitable worke, and also be-
cause there proof OF their loyalty.
After further discussion the amendment was
jected-yeas 2, nays -.
RESOLUTION COMPLIMENTARY TO THE PRESIDING
Mr.. DAvIs-The present Congress will close to-
morrow at noon, Before we separate ] feel that
personally and the Senate. have debt to pay
presiding ofilcer therefore ask leave 10 present
with much real satisfaction the following resolution
which hope the Senate will receive with the same
reeiing that prompted Inc to offer IT.
Resolved That the thanks OF the Senate due they
and 1 1e cs men ~e he a sr s
the duties Of presiding officer OF the Senate during the time
The resolution was adopted by unanimous vote
The amendment reported by the committee to the
Civil Appropriation bill providing for the purchase
OF portrait OF President Lincoln, to be placed IN
the White House, was agreed to.
Mr.. HARLAN offered an amendment to reimburse
Iowa for expenses IN the war OF the rebellion
Mr. EDMUsDs, repJ Of Vt, raised the point OF
order that the amendment had not been reported
from any committee.
The PRESIDENT overrued the point OF order.
The amendment was agreed TO.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
Mr. CHANDLER offered an amendment appropriate
Ing $50 coo for the Improvement Of the mouth OF the
MISSISSIPPI. Agreed 10.
Mr. MORRILL,, (rcp1 OF VI, offered an amendment
repeating the charter OF the Washington Gas Light
Company. Adopted
Mr. WILSON. from the Committee on Conference
on the Army Appropriation bill, made a report,
which was concurred in
The civil appropriation bill was then reported 10
the senate and passed.
At hafpast twelve A. NJ, on motion OF Mr.. CoNx-
LiNs, the senate went into executive session.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,