Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-12-20
FORTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
This Afternoons PROCEEDINGS
MONDAY, December %.


New Orleans, asking the establishment of a
nayy-yard at that point. Referred to Committee
on Naval Affairs.
| Mr.. Anthony, from Committee on Printing
reported r. solution to print 5000 copies of the
euIogies on the late Senator Fessenden, the por-
trait of the deceased Senator to accompany
them. Adopted.
Mr.. Patterson, srom Committee on Retrencb-
ment, reported bill to annul the leasing of the
iahd on which the custom-hOuse stands in San
Francisco.
Mr.. Patterson said the Committee were salts
ned that there was no ''put up job in this mat
ter, as had been charged, and that the amount
TO be paid tSl2,5OO year III gold) was not too
much, but there were doubts as to the power of
the Secretary of the Treasury to effect this lease
The Architect of the Treasury expresses the
opinion that it would not be expedient to build
on this ground, on account of the earthquakes
which affected that locality, but there had been
much worse earthquakes in New England, and
yet they did not hesitate to put mp handsome
buildings on the very spots which had been
shaken.
Mr.. Cole and others discussed the bill, and it
was then passed.
Mr.. Morrill, (Vt.) from Committee on Finance.
reported fayorably bill to exempt canned fish
from duties.
Mr.. Trumbull from Judiciary Committee, re-
ported joint resolution declaring Virginia enti-
tied to representation in Congress.
Mr.. Sumner introduced bill TO provide Tor the
adjustment and satisfaction OF the French spoil
alton claims. Referred to Committee on Foreign
Relations.
Mr.. Schurz introduced bill to reform the
civil service of the United States.
MIR. Schurz said that appointments TO office
are mostly made upon the recommendation of
politicians of high and low degree. and the
manner i'm which those recommendations are OBJ
tanned are well known. The President and
Heads of Departments are overwhelmed with
these recommendations, aud have no time TO
sift them properly. The system is not calculated
to excite the zeal of good officers; they know that
they are liable to be removed on every change
of administration, and the only incentive they
lS N Ena fhnir inu1 enrI oIo
Men. as soon as they get experienced, are made
to give way for those who are inexperienced. A
late Collector of Customs, in three years times
made 400 changes out of 2I0 officers. A system
should be inaugurated which should place an
officcr on probation for year, and then if he is
found honest and capable, he should not be sub
ject TO removal unless for a cause.
Mr.. Schurz explained that his bill provided
for an examination of all candidates for office
and for the appointment only of those who pos
sessed the requisite qualifications. The bill pro-
vides that Presidential offices shall be for a term
OF eight years, and Department employees for
five years. A Line Service Board is TO be APP
pointed to determine upon the applications of
candidates, and honorable acknowledgements of
their services are to be held out as incentives to
all honest and capable officers. That the civil
service called loudly for reform is universally
conceded. Whether anything can be done al
this Congress cannot he said; but it Is to he
hoped that the friends of reform will do their
duty in the matter.
Mr.. Sumner offered a resolution requesting
the President TO communicate copies of CORES
pondence between the United States and Great
Britain relative to the adjustment of claims be-
tween the two countries since the rejection of
the Alabama treaty to the Senate. Adopted.
HOUSE.-Cnder the call of States and Terri
tories for bills and resolutions for reference,
only the following were introduced and referred
TO the committees stated, viz:
BY MIR. Poland (Ntl: \ bill providing for n
ttSe sSstsm OF National BanLina-R Rankfna
BY Mr.. Tanner IN. W: Bill TO regulate the
taxing OF bail in civil and criminal cases and
Tor the examination OF oltenders-Kevision of
by Mr.. Stone (NId.): \ bill to established a
post route in Calvert cOuIuy, Md. Post Offices
and Post Roads.
BY. Mr.. Welker (Oho) A bill defining more
clearly the jurisdiction ard powers of the Su
preme Court of the District of Columbia Dis
trict of Columbia.
BY. Mr.. Williams Ind }: Joint resolution In
4ulring into the power of Congress- over railroad
companies running through two or more con-
nguous States. Judiciary.
by Mr. Niblack (Ind) Bill to SUSPEND the
provisions Of the act to strengthen the puhJic
credit, approved March -. Is,9, until the re-
sumption OF payment in coins OF all the obiiga
nons OF the Government. Ways and Means.
Also, a bill to regulate the apprais ement and
inspection OF imports, and to extend the same TO
Cincinnati, St Louis, Portland, Philadelnbia
New Orleans, Evansville and other cities. Com,
mcrce.
By Mr.. Coburn (Ind.): Bill to incorporate the
University for the Blind of the District of Co.
lumba. District OF Columbia.
By Mr.. Hay (Ill.): Bill to distribute the num
Der and rank OF Government EMPLOYEES among
the States and Territories. Public Expendie
lures.
Also, bill to repeal so much of the internal
revenue laws as requires agricultural societies
to take out licenses to hold fairs and paw tar
on gross receipts. Ways and Means.
By MIR. Van Horn MOI: Bill allowing duties
on foreign merchandise received at Kansas Citv
to be paid at that port. Commerce.
By Mr.. Burdett (MO.): Bill to regulate labor
contracts with emigrants to the United States.
Education and Labor.
BY Mr.. FInkelburg (Me.) Bill to re-establisb
an assay ONCE at ST. Louis. Coinage, Weights
and Measures.
By Mr.. McCrary Qowa): Bill to amend the
act providing for revision of the statute laws
OF the United States. Revision OF the Laws
Also, a bill making an appropriation of S6j 900
10 complete the payment of the expenses of the
election held in virginia in July, 1869, and ex-
penses OF registration in said district. Appro-
priatiOns.
0By Mr.. Mccormick (Arizona) Bill autboriz-
ing the acceptance of volunteers rendered by
the Governor OF Arizona. Military Affairs
In addition to the above, large number of
private bills for pensions, post routes, to relieve
disabliities, &c, were presented and appropri-
ately referred.
The call having been completed the House
resumed the consideration OF the resolution Of
fered last Monday by MIR. Cox, OF New York
but which then was objected to and went over
under the rules, aud which declared that among
the evils of the late civil war that q an une
redeemable paper currency, and that it was the
highest duty of the Government to supply n
proper medium Of exchange Of fixed value as
soon as possible.
Mr.. Cox withdraw the demand for the previous
question, which was pending when the morning
hour expired last Monday, and the resolution
was referred to the Committee Oh Banking and
Currency.
Mr.. Moore IN. J.) introduced a joint resolu-
ton to suppress p0lygamy in Utah. Referred to
Committee on Territories.
Mr.. Getz (Pa.) introduced q resolution recit-
ing that the Postmaster General had I'm his
message expressed the opinion that the Post
Ohce Department can forego all receipts of
postage ON papers and pamphlets provided the
frauds inseparable from the franking privilege
are avoided, and offering resolution directing
the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads
TO incorporate in any bill they may prepare for
the abolition of the frankihg privilege, q provi-
sion allowing all papers published in the United
states, and going from the office Of publication
te bona fde subscribers shall be carried free
Referred to Committee on Post Office and Post
Roads.
THB SPANISH GUNBoATs.-Eighteen of the
Spanish gunboats left New York yesterday, in
the wake Of the Spanish war steamer Pizarro.
They were unmolested and departed very quiet
ly. Twelve more gunboats, unfinished, remain
atf ftan nalo nv I M