New-York tribune., 1870-12-21
WASHINGTON.

AMENDMENTS TO TIE FUNDING BILL--DEBATE
IN THE SENATE ON TIE SAN DOMINGO oUEs-
TIoN-BUTLER's AMNESTY BILL BEFORE THE
HoUsE-PROPosED AMENDMENTS TO THE
BANKRUPT LAw-ExPERIMENTs WITH THE
GATTLNG GUN.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THB TRIBusRI
WASHINGTON Tuesday, Dee. 20, 1870.
In the Senate to-day Mr. Sherman reported from the
Finance Committee in accordance with Secretary Bout
wells recommendation bill to authorize the Issue OF
Of the five per cent bonds. There
some discussion over the House Dill 10 amend the
Tax law the subject Of There is some oppos
ton to the BILL which seems to come principally from
Baltimore sugar importing houses, which are most
effected, but notwithstanding the exertons OF the Mary
land Senator'S the bill will certainly pass An extended
debate took place on the San Domingo matter, in con-
nection with Mr.. Mortons resolution for the appoint
ment OF a commission TO visit the Island. MI Sumner
led the opposition the resolution and debate at times
was quite spirited. The Democratic Senators who spoke
attacked the President ercey for his continued per
sstence," they styled IL, In endeavorng to force
through his pet scheme for annexation Mr. Sumner was
several times called 10 order by Mr. Morton and more
than once In the excitement Of the discussion, the
secrets of executive session were on the point OF being
disclosed Such votes taken, to-day, seemed TO
indicate very clearly that large majority OF the Senate
favor of annexng the island by Joint resolution
which, IL contended by those who opposed it, would
necesstate its immediate admission as an equal State
When the Senate adjourned the pending question was
Mr. Buckinghams motion 10 refer the resolution TO the
Committee on Foreign Relations. II this Ia not done
which is not probable the debate the subject will ex
tend over the holidays.
The House passed resolution to-day 10 devote the
sion Thursday 10 speeches and In Committee OF the
Whole the State OF the Union. The result OF this will
be that OF the members win home tomorrow for
the holiday recess and that the few who have buncombe
speeches for their constituents will waste their elo-
quence on empty benches Both Houses will adjourn on
Thursday, In accordance with previous resolution.
In the House, to-day, Mr. Ingerso Of Illinois made
personal explanation In relation to attack made on
him by The Nep- York Etenino Post He charged that
John II. Bryan brother OF the editor OF The Post was
his Qngersolls) enemy, owing TO being removed from
the Internal Revenue Colectorship OF hs District In
the OF his remarks Mr. Ingerso charged that j.
H. Bryant was bad man. unworthy OF trust, and de-
fauter the Government. Afterward, he modified this
declaration by saying he charged with being in de-
fault This attack Mr. Bryant brought Messrs.
Dawes Farnsworh and Judd to their feet in defense OF
the gentleman each declaring Mr. j. H. Bryant to be his
personal friend, and man worthy OF confidence ana
esteem To Mr.. Dawes, Mr. Ingerso retored that Bry-
ant had probably changed since he had left Massachu-
setts while Mr. Farnsworth Mr.. gersol said, showed
himself msinformed to Bryants original politics, and
that his Farnsworth's) Endorsement had no special
value Mr.. Ingersolls reply to Mr.. Judd was undig-
nihed, and will probably be excluded from the report
After providing for the employment of sundry Com
mtee clerks and other routine business the House pro-
ceeded to the order Of the day, Mr. Buffers Amnesty
bill. The General 4" farmed" out the floor, and the
debate, a rule, quite spirited. Mr.. Degener OF
Texas made strong appeal for general amnesty. he
followed by Judge Bingham in characteristic
speech. He favored policy like that embodied in the
resolutions offered by Mr.. Beck OF Kentucky, which
would exclude from amnesty only those who held
national. executive, or legislative offices, or were
graduated from either the naval military academies,
and left the army navy TO enter the Rebel service.
Members always gather about the eloquent Ohio Repre-
sentative when speaking, and there than the
usual attention paid!to him to-day The rencounter SO
common between him and Butler when any
measure OF the latter Is under discussion, was
not wanting, ald Mr. Bingham dissected the
provisions Of this measure in most caustic
manner There was a brief but sharp passage between
him and Mr.. Butler After spirited and earnest effort
by Mr.. Fitch Of Nevada number OF briefer speeches
were made mostly by Southern Republicans, pro and
con- Hamilton OF Florida Prosser OF Tennessee, Mckee
and Barry OF Mississippi HOge OF South Carolina and
Cobb Of North Carolina spoke in opposition to amnesty,
urging that the constitutional amendments not
spected life not SAFE opinions not free respected
that loyal men in daily peril and that the disqual
flied Rebels scornfuy declared that they would never
ask for amnesty. Mr. Cobb, who was listened to with
attention, made effective speech on that side The
majority OF the Southern Representatives speaking to-
day took the view. Mr. Hogc described the dis
order In his district with considerable power and made
an appeal for protection before amnesty was granted.
The debate run against the pending BILL and mainly
opposition TO amnesty OF in favor Of more generous
measure Mr. Butler resumed the floor shortly after g.
but gave way for adjournment. lie will deliver his
closing argument after the morning hour Tomorrow.
Gen Buffers bill TO amend the Bankrupt act provides
that nothing in the act establishing uniform system OF
bankruptcy or any act amendatory thereof, shall be
held to dvest the wife OF any bankrupt Of her right of
dover in her husbands estate. Gen. Butler thinks such
legislation necessary on OF the decision
OF court I'm Pennsylvania which put an opposite
Interpretation upOn the law The second section Of the
bill provides that the words "busness and trading
poratons" wherever they occur In said act shall be
construed and held TO include all railroad corporations.
In two States decisions have been made by the courts
that railroads be put into bankruptcy the same as
other corporations but in three other States the courts
have put directly opposite construction upon the law
hence the necessity for legislation 10 declare explicitly
the meaning Of the statute.
The inventor of the Gattng gun which IL Is claimed Is
the original mreuse, has been conducting in this city
some experimental firing on vacant lot near the
CAPITOL in presence OF Members OF Congress and Army
and Navy officers This morning the Naval Committee
Of the House witnessed the firing which conducted
with gun of a model similar to that adopted by the
Russian Government The target was so arranged as TO
show Ithe effect OF the gun upon line OF men, the
automatic toscilating motion OF the piece throwing
stream of balls which swept space OF 80 or 40 yards in
length Mr. Gattling claims that his gun, with the
recent improvements he has made, is superior to the
mtraieuse no cessation OF firing being required for
the purpose Of putting in the cartridges.
All reports about the organization OF the Committees OF
the next House mere gossip and guess-work. The
only prediction that be made is that the nearly equal
strength Of the Proeconists and Revenue Reiormers"
in the next Congress will make IL necessary for the
Speaker To make up the Ways and Means Committee no
that II cannot be controlled by OF extreme views In
either direction order to preserve the harmony among
the Republicans in the house. The Chairmansbip WILL
therefore, ia all probability be given 10 man OF mod
crate Protectionst views, who would not be highly OBJ
he IN reasonable men OF either wing OF the party