The New York herald., 1870-03-31
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WASHINGTON, March 80. 1870.
RESOLUTIONS on THE DEATH OF GENERAL THOMAS
Immediately after the reading Of the journal Mr..
RANDALL, tdem.) OF Pa offered concurrent resou.
lions declaring that the senate and House Of Repre-
sentatves have heard, with deep regret OF the sud-
den decease OF Major General George H. Thomas,
who was endeared to the country by series OF I'M
broken patriotic services during period OF thirty
years. tnat his distinguished In the defence OF
the country against foreign and domestic enemies;
his iaterng faith and zeal In the maintenance
OF the Union and the integrity OF the government,
and his stern execution Of every trust cOnfided to
him constituted record in life made memorable in
death; and authorizing the President or the Senate
and the Speaker Of the House to make such arrange
connection with his obsequ les Will attest
the sympathy OF Congress IN this alonal bereave-
ment
Mr.. RANDALL remarked that having In the early
part OF the war served as a nOn-cOmmi5siOned Of
ncer under General Thomas he had felt 1t his duty
TO offer the resolutions. No words OF his could add
lustre 10 General Thomas record OF heroic deeds,
which were inseparaby interviewer IN the history OF
the country.
ihe question was taken and the SPEAKER an.
nOunced the resolutions as having been ADOPTED
unanimously.
PUBLIC LANDS IN ALASKA.
Mr.. JULIAN, rep.) OF Ind, introduced resolution
extending the land laws OF the United States over
the Territory OF Alaska. Referred.
AMENDMENT TO THE TEXAS BILL.
Mr.. BUTLER rep.) OF Mass, from the Rcconstruc-
ton Committee, reported back the Senate amend
presentation in the Union with recommendation
that the amendment be concurred In.
notnna in the hin snail aect the @ cdnIfos sna, n
which Texas was originally annexed to the Unlon
Mr. BUTLER explained the amendment showing
that the construction put upon the proviso IN the
Senate was that a. one OF the original conditions
was that Texas might be divided into four States
wherein slavery should exist would establish sla
very there. lie protested against that construction
II the bill contained direct proviso establishing
slavery IN Texas il would De simply void and Of no
n
the conclusion that provis0 in bill saying that
nothing IN 1t would Affect that question would
establish slavery, which was prohibited by the con-
stltutony He was not surprised, after such an
opinion being given by the chairman OF the Judi.
ciary COMMITTEE IN the Senate, That the considera-
ton OF the Texas question had been taken away
from that committee.
Mr.. WOoD, (dem.) or N Y member OF the Re-
construction Committee, expressed his surprise at
the facility with which the gentleman from Massa-
cnusetts changed mis- position. Tnat gentleman had
deemed the prOvisO OF such Importance that he had
drawn It with his own hands and presented TO Jhe
Reconstruction Committee, where 1t was agreed to
without dissenting voice. For himself, he adhered
to the opinion which he then had, that the proviso
was matter m Of grave Importance ana ought to be
Mr.. PAINE, lrepj or Wis, another member or the
Reconstruction Committee, repudiated tne absurd
construction put upon the proviso IN the other END
Of the Capitol. lie was. willing, however, to have
the pr0vlso struck out believing that the law would
not be affected whether It was In or out.
Mr.. BROOKS, (dem.) OF N. Y, remarked thas there
were three guarantees given to Texas In the original
annexation bill and he asked Mr.. Butler whether
GOsc utTc6 8udruuteebs except Oh course a. 10
slavery, would stand IN the new compact.
Mr.. BUTLER gave II as his opinion tnat the striking
ont OF the provis0 would not alter or affect any
way the original guarantees.
Mr. BROOKS said he was glad to hear that and suR-
gested the proprety OF nconcnrrng In the Senate
amendment and having committee OF conference.
Mr.. BUTLER did not concur that suggestion az
tne matter really was OF too little importance and
AS Texas was waiting for admission to representa-
ton. The idea OF revivng slavery under the pro-
yisO he regarded rs too prepOsterOus to lind lOdg.
ment In this side OF the Capitol The prOviso had
only been suggested by MIN as matter OF extreme
caution, lest 1t might be said the bill affected in any
way the rights OF private citizens In Texas under
ihese guarantees, AS TO the public lands, the debt,
&c.
Mr.. wNANs, trep.) OF Ohio inquired OF Mr.. Butler
whether Texas having bv reoellOn forfeited all
privileges, could now come In with the original
conditioner
Mr.. BUTLER regarded that as judicial question:
NOT legislative one ana this bill dad not affect II i'll
one way or another.
Nj. LAWRENCE, (rep.l OF Ohio another member OF
sne accommodation Committee, argued that the pro-
Siso was totally unnecessary inasmuch rs therr
nothing In the bill which, In terms BY implication,
proposed TO take away any Of the rights Of Texas
guaranteed under the original resolution OF annexl-
lion. The Immediate admission OF Texas was de-
slraoe IN order that the proclamation announcing
znent might be Immediately issued.
Iae Senate amendment was concurred In yeas
l3z nays 60-A party vote
NATIONAL EDUCATION.
NJ. HoAR TeC.) Of Mass, from the Committee On
Eoucaton and Labor, reported bill TO establish .
sSs1eae ~ Rational odpcaupn. He said It Was only