Evening star., 1870-01-13
F0RTY-FlRST CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Proceedings.
THURSDAY, January l3.

SENATE.-Mr. Williams presented memo
rial Of j. Ross Brown, late Minister to China,
stating that he has not received his salary for
three months, and twenty-three days Of the
time be was employed, and that on account Of
extraordinary expenses which he incurred, his
losses in all amounted to about S12 O00 for which
he asks reimbursement. Referred to Committee
on Foreign Relations.
Mr. Conkling presented memorial of Mrs
Eleanor Wren, of Brooklyn, N. ", stating that
she and her four sons had enlisted i'm the army
she rendered she asks for An appropriation Of
SIC. 900. Referred to Committee on Claims.
Mr.. Scott presented a number of petitions
asking the abolition of the franking privilege.
Also, memorial or the Medical Society of the
District of Columbia, setting forth the injus-
tice to which medical officers in the Navy are
subjected by the regulations of the naval SER
mttee on Naval Affairs.
Mr.. POmeroy, from Committee on Post Offices,
reported, with amendments, bill to establish n
line of steamers from New York to one or more
European ports.
Mr.. Edmunds introduced bill to prescribe
the rules Of evidence in certain cases Referred
to Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr.. SchurZ introduced bill to remove politi-
cal disabilities from certain citizens of Texas.
Referred to Committee on Disabilities.
Mr.. Ross introduced bill to encourage the
growth of fruit trees. Referred to Committee
on Public Lands.
Mr.. Drake called up his resolution providing
that Indian treaties shall be considered in open
session.
Nr. Ferry moved an amendment, that treaties
for the acquisition of foreign territory shall also
be considered in open session.
Mr.. Ferry alluded TO the reports in the public
press that the Administration had concluded "A
treaty for the acquisition OF San Domingo, and
he said that if it was true that any money had
been paid IT was without authority OF law. He
thought the American people had a right to
know all that was said on this subject and all
the information that was to be obtained.
The resolution was then laid over until to-
morrow.
Mr.. Pratt called up the bill giving the State
courts concurrent jurisdiction with the Fedora!
courts in maritime causes on nayigable rivers
above the ebb and hOw OF the tide, and pro-
ceeded to make an argument i'm support of il.
The bill for the admission Of Virginia was
then taken up, and Mr.. brakes amendment to
exclude Virginia from representation i'm Con-
gress # she hereafter attempts to withdraw her
assent to the Fifteenth Amendment, was reject
ed by vote of As to 11-Brownlow, Cameron,
Drake, Howe, Morton, Osborn, POmeroy, Pratt
Spencer, and Thayer i'm the affirmative.
The question was then taken on the amend
ment OF Mr.. Edmonds, prescribing an oath for
Sd section of the Fourteenth Amendment, and
prescribing the penalties Of perjury for any one
falsely taking the oath.
Mr.. Thurman understood that all OF the mem
bers were able to take this, and il would there
fore be a useless ceremony.
MIR. Edmunds believed that a good many of
them would be unable to take the oath.
Mr.. Williams said if these people intended to
violate the reconstruction acts they wOald fnd
some way to do it, despite any action Of Con-
and letting them in Internationally.
Mr.. Trumbull would like to know when this
thing was to stop. The faith OF Congress was
pledged to admit Virginia, no matter what Sena-
tors may say.
HOUsE-Mr. Bingham (ohio) introduced
bill to provide for publishing the reports OF
cases decided in the U. s. Court of Claims
Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
On motion ofMr. Van Horn, (MO.) the Secre-
the expediency of erecting a building at Kansas
City, missouri, for Post Office, Custom House
and Internal Revenue offices.
On motion Of Mr.. Mccormick, Mo- } the Com
m tee on Territories were directed to inquir
into the expediency Of establishing a Territorial
government over the Indian Territory, in order
TO insure the Indians inhabiting that country
greater protection, and to insure them a repub
lican form OF gOvernn ent.
Mr.. Willard (vt.) offered a resolution declar
ing that while the United States debt is Ove
o0,OOO,eO0 and the people are burdened wit.
taxation the most rigid economy is of the frs
Importance, and is demanded by the good faitli
OF the Government, which is pledged to the pay
ment OF its debt; and is also demanded by the
people, Whose necessaries of life are taxed. 20
Resolving that the lowest taxation possible j.
,manded; and that propositions to fund the
debt should be insisted upon, and never lost
sight OF. 3D. Resolving that any acquisition OF
foreign territory by the United States is an in
crease OF the expenses Of the United States, AMI
entails prospective increase Of the same; is al
war with true principles of economy; is an as
sault upon the public credit, and is not justifes;
by any present demands Of the country. Tn,
resolutions Int % were referred to the Committee o.
Mr. Morrill, (Me.) introduced bill to protect
hcials in Government employ. Itprovides that
Subscribe or solicit subscriptions for gift to b.
Presented to any Official receiving larger sala-
ry; nor shall any Official under any circumstance
For violation of this act the party violatin.
shall be subjected to dismissal, and shall not
again hold office under the Government for the
Mr.. Benjamin (Mo.) moved to Law the bill or
the table. Not agreed tO-yeas 2, nays 158.
Mr.. Bingham fOhio) moved the reference OF
the eili to the Committee on Judiciary. He
doubted the constitutional power of the House
to afiix the penalty. The bill was not referred
yeas 50, nays 102.
Mr.. Morrill, then modified his bill by striking
out the penalty, and I'm that form it passed.
Mr.. Garfield (Ohio) offered a resolution pre-
viding for an amendment to the rules so as t.
allow the Assistant Secretaries of the Dep art
ments admission to the floor of the House. Re
feIred to the Committee on Rules.
Mr.. Farnsworth (Ill) introduced bill to pun
ish certain abuses of the Post Office establish
msns mfiss and OF s to Com
On motion Of Mr.. Schenck (OhiO) the Archi-
tect of the Capitol was directed to inquire and
report whether the bronze doors now in the pas
sage leading from the old Hall to the House o.
Representatives cannot be placed at the en-
trance Of the south wing more advantageously
az 10 ornament.
Mr.. Townsend (Pa.) offered a bin bin t.
provide compensation for the Surveyor of the
Port Of Chester, Pa. Referred to Committee on
Commerce.
The Speaker laid before the House commu-
nication from the Postmaster of the House.
representing that the resolution recently
adopted changing the location OF the House
post office would cause great embarrassment, as
the room assigned to the post Office was inad-
equate.
In view of this communication, Mr. Poland
(Vt.) offered a resolution suspending the former
order until the matter can be investigated by a
committee Of the House.
After good deal Of discussion, In the course
Of which the Postmaster Of the House was ac-
cused OF disposition to embarrass the order of
the House, the resolution was adopted.
The Speaker laid before the House Q large
number OF Executive communications, among
which were the following, which were referred
to the committees named.
THH COLoRED REPUBLICANS OF MARYLAND.
At q convention of colored Republicans Of Bal
t.more city, on Tuesday evening, resolutions
we're passed endorsing the administration of
President Grant; advocating the union OF All
colored Republicans throughout Maryland: re-
commencing that they be given Representation
upon the State Central Committee OF that partv.
and urging that measures be ct once taken for
the erection Of school houses and the thorough
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