The New York herald., 1870-01-20
F0RTY-FIRsT CONGRESS.
Second Session.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1870

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1870.
ENCIoACu1ENTs UPON NEW YORK HARBoR.
Mr. C0NKLING, (rep.) Of N. " presented the me
mortal or the New York Chamber or Commerce, set
ing forth that the harbor OF New York is threatened
by nelghborng state with encroacnment, the
effect OF which would diminish by two square miles
the circuit OF the harbor, create impedments tC
the nux ana renux OF the tide, VIII lch itself served
as perpetual drainage. Referred to the Committee
on Commerce.
WEST POINT MILITARY ACAD DENY.
Mr.. SUMMER, Tep) OF Mass, presented the memo
rial OF citizens Of New York against tue proposed
enlargement Of the West Point Military Academy, al
not conducive to loyalty, security or economy. lse
fcrred TO the Committee on Military Affairs.
THE FRANKISG PRIVILEGE.
MIR. PATTERSON, rcp) OF n. H., presented petk
ton for the abolition of the franking privilege and
remarked that his information was that the Post
Oflco department had sent out the country al
the public expense, $4,000 blanks ana 5000 circu-
lars TO postmastcrs.
SMUGGLING ON THE MEXICAN FRONTIER
Mr.. PATTERSON presented u memorial intended to
call the attention OF Congress to violations OF the
revenue laws whereby large quantities OF mercnan-
disc were sinuggled into the United States, by
class Of swinders and horse thieves who infested
portion OF the Territory, which included the city or
TO tie war, WAS set apart BY the Mexican govern
meM. The loss Oi revenue to the United
s,s'es & ny tnis unlawful ia tranc IS estimated
three millions annually Of,lciai correspondence
had resulted ia the refusal by the Mexican govern
ment 10 abolish the 'frec bet,'' ana some remedy
for the evil was now imperative. In view OF ils
importance he moved the memorial De tabled ana
printed when was agreed 10.
WITNESSES IN UNiTKD STATES COURTS.
Mr.. TRuABuLL, trep.l OF Ill. from the Committee
on The Judiciary, reported adversely the bill allow
luz States 10 determine the qualifications OF wit
nesscs In United states courts, thc committee be-
ilevmg It would be dangerous TO give States TINS
power.
ADMISSION OF VIRGINIA.
The Virginia BIN was then taken up.
Sir. NORTON, rep Of Minn., continued his re-
marks, commenced Yesterday, In favor OF the bill.
Mr.. MonToS, rep) Of Ind, rose 10 correct state.
ment mace oy Mr. Norton, tnat a military commM-
SION was In session in Georgia to pass upon the
qualifications OF members elected 10 the Legislature
by the terms OF the act OF Congress the Military
ComIlander was commissioned 10 pass upon the
qualification Of those who were TO take seats In the
Legislature. General Terry had appointed certain
persons 30 take evidence and communicate 10 him
the success oi their Investigations. They were not
appointed 70 try any one. but simply to obtain in
formation Ia order 10 prevent persons not qualified
TO take the oatn required BY Congress IRON
hitting perjury
Mr.. NoRroN said his complaint was based upon
the interference Of the Military Commander with
the civil administration In the state OF Georgia,
and he believed that the teiegraphic dispatches
OF the press furnished sufficient reasons
for an oniclal inquiry by The President or
and Othef states IN the South. He thought IL unbe.
coming the Senate to discuss the imposition OF fun
damentai conditions upon 4 state while these IN.
fractions OF law were being daily perpetrated IN its
name. The newspapers this morning contained the
lHIOrInaLlOu THAI Gcflcral AUcS nan Oeeu elected
United States senator from Mississippi. Yet this
man vas not even q citizen OF that state, but by
virtue OF ms position as q general OF the United
States he was enabled to control and manipulate the
state elections ana its clvi AFFAIRS. In regard, the
imposition OF fundamental conditions he believed
the EFFORT now made was only calculated 10 enfeebc
the Union and postpone the day OF reconciliation,
aud he enreated senators 10 return tO their ancient
principles without adherence 10 which no free gov.
ernment could 1--we.
Mr.. WILSON, rep.) OF Mass SAID various memori-
ais mad been introduced during the present discus
sion which the Judiciary Committee had had no OPP
portunitY OF considering and that the House bill
mad never been before the committee and he there
fore moved TO refer the bill to that committee.
Mr. TRUMBuLL appealed TO the Senate 10 dispose OF
the Dill upon its merits, IN order to take other
important measures OF legislation upon which the
public interest urgently required prompt action. II
majority Of the senate had determined that
STATE which had complied with all the conditions
should not be admitted et them say directly. The
time VI the Senate had been consumed by the hour
IN discussing the character OF single individual
the Governor OF Virginia But II should not be for
gotten that the Senate had confirmed for once, not
only those who mad made speeches against tho
dominant party, but men VINO had shot down our
brothers In the neid II the understanding was that
no man should take part In the new State govern
ment who participated In the rebellion 1t was new
understanding, for all previous legislation had been
framed wnh view that rebels should take part "