New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-01-27

COMhlI1EE-THE FRAMING ABUSE.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUERl
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, jan 26 1870.
The proceedings IN the Senate to-day, uninterest
Ing. Mr. Grlmes's successor. James b. Howell OF Iowa,
The joint resolutions Of the Kansas Iegis
laure recommending the removal Of the Capital 10 the
Fort Levenworth military reservation, presented by the
WcePresdent, excited much laughter. Mr. Buckingham
introduced a bill authorizing free banking, which was
referred to the Finance Committee The Currency bill
taken up at O'Clock. debated by Mcssrs. Cor
bett Sumner, Sherman, Thurman and Morrill, Of Maine,
without developing anything The Western sena-
regard 1t a grievance that New.Eugland has
undue share OF bank circulation. and the New England
Senators determined not to surrender that
they help it. A httle after adjournment took
place without vote being reached any Of the amend
ments.
The House finally disposed Of the League Island bill
to-day tabng it by large vote two hours OF the
sion were spent IN debate. however, before vote
reached Afterward Mr. Batter got the floor. and spoke
for nearly hours In reply to the late speech Of Mr.
Dawes the expenditures OF the Government Tho
speech was exhaustive with facts and figures, Mr. Butler
claiming that Mr. had made many in
his statements IL was listened to with close attention,
and aside from its personalities considered as
complete vindicatlon OF the Executive Departments It
was after o'clock when Mr. Butler finished, and few
expected that Mr.. Dawes would reply. He did, how
ever, but only briefly, and tomorrow viii reply
at length, and defend his former speech on
effect In the course OF his remarks to-day, and in reply
to the personalities OF Gen. Butler, and the abusive
articles Forney's Chronicle acting the organ OF tho
various departments here he said the subject matter OF
his speech had gone past personality, and personal mat
ter ought influence good bad. II his state
true it did not matter what he was, and II
they erroneous his good name could not eX'
cuse them. The praise blame Of Mr.. Forneys paper
could be bought pleasure and he did not seek the one,
other. He referred to his fourteen years
service in Congress, and that it matter between
himself and his constituents.
The Ways and Means Committee made but little pro-
gress to-day on the Tariff bill They agreed reduce the
duty on opium to 81 per pound, refined opium, so
per pound No action had on the coal question, al
though the Committee strongly urged by the Mary
other interests impose the duty that is IN the
present Tariffaw.
The House Postal Committee to-day discussed at great
length the proposition OF Mr.. Hill Of New-Jersey to
abolish the ranking privilege. The Committee unanL
mously agreed report bill prohibiting the passage
through the mails Of any matter without prepayment
thereon the law to take effect on and after the lst OK
July next This only abolshes the franking pryi-
ege VIII prohibit papers circulating free throughout
the mails the counties where they are printed, which
under the present law is allowed
special meeting OF the House Military Committee was
held to-day for the purpose Of considering the bill for tho
reduction OF army The Committee have almost COM
pleted bill 1t provides for mastering out the 800 or 900
Generals to six aud Major to three, aud aboshcs
entirely the brevet rank The Committee also agreed TO
report OF transferring the Indian Bureau TO the
War Department.
The Committee on Banking and Currency received a
letter this morning from Mr.. COrbn, informing them
that his health permitted he would appear before them
on Thursday or Friday Immediately receipt OF this
letter. messenger was dispatched with peremptory in
structions to bring him before the Committee No de-
cson has been reached in regard to the summoning oi
Mrs Cor1in and Mrs. Grant.
An important feature the forthcoming Tax bill viii
be the proposition for the creation Of Revenue Depart
ment This matter considered by the last Congress
and had 1t not been for the differences between that
body aud the Executive, the measure would doubtless
have been carried at that time. IL Is now manifest thai
growing Importance and magnitude Of the Internal
Revenue system will render necessary the adoption Of
project looking to the establishment OF this branch
OF the separate department.
President Grant directed attention in his message to this
subject and recommended the organization OF this DE.
partment in accordance with which the Committee II
Ways and Means contemplate making report In the
last report Of exCommssioner Rollins the necessity for
organizing the Bureau into Department was urged as
conducive TO Governmental interest Since the
present Administration there has been increase oi
responsibility upon the Commissioner Of Internal Rev
enue, consequent upon numerous changes among tie
1000 officers under his direction, which naturally
sons delay the transaction Of important business.
D
eve the Secretary and Commissioner from the response
bity attaching to minor details the consideration Of
which at times prevents them giving attention to mat
tiers of greater consequence.
The House Committee on Elections will be much
eved by the resolution adopted last evening declaring
that Committee judicial body. TIN. reduces the labOrs
Of the Committee fully one-halt To such extent has
its work been increased by OF irrelevant and
merely political and partisan questions, that the mem.
bers had almost despared Of concluding the nyestiga-
tons already in hand to say nothing Of the constant
accumulation Of new cases. There are over 50
contested election now pending, ~eside several
references as legal disquallhcatons
distractions taking OF seats By members Loot
The Committee propose dispose Of the latter class
OF cases. and then proceed 10 the difficult and cum
bersome OF the plain simple class that OF the
With District OF North Carolina is fair specimen. Tho
Hon T. f. Shober elected over his competitor By
majority OF lls9 He is not disqualified by the
Fourteenth Amendment but cannot take the test oath,
as he was a member Of the Legislature Of his state
during the war. He bore against the United
States and during his in the North Carolina Legs
lature OF the minority Of that body which, though
powerless to CONTROL was enabled In some degree TO
check the extreme secessionists, and he OPP
posed the secession movement lie carried his
comfy for the Union in the Convention OF his
state. and accepted tho results OF the war
when II was concluded All these facts are before the
Committee and are not conroverted He has the eertf
cate Of election and the Clerk OF the House has placed
bs name upon the rolls as member All that ~ u"
ouired 10 enable take his seat Is the passage OF an
act proyidng that shall not be required to take the
test oath and precedent for this has been established
by the House in the case Of Mr. shobers immediate
whose political record Identical and also
in the case OF Mr. Butler Tennessee In both these IN
stances a resolution passed relieving the gentlemen
from the test oath Simple shobers case Is yet lie mas
been waiting for the action Of the Committee since last