New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-01-14

WASHINGTON Thursday. Jan. IS, 1870
In the Senate today j. Ross Browne, late Minister TO
China presented through Mr.. Williams request for the
trnng OF $4,000 for services claimed to have been
performed by him during his few months soourn In the
Celestial Empire The resolution of Mr.. Drake looking
to the consideration Of Indian treaties in open session
called up and Mr.. Ferry in Offering amendment
that all treaties for the acquisition of foreign territory
shall also be considered in open session. took occasion to
express his dissent TO the late treaty said to have been
negotiated with San Domingo and remarked that any
money had really been paid in account Of the purchase
1t was without authority OF law Tho matter was laid
over to enable Mr. Pratt Of Indiana to make speech in
support his bill giving admiralty Jurisdiction to the
State Courts. The Virginia bill then taken up,
and at o'clock, after an unusually animated and at
times acrimonious debate the Senate vent into Execu
tive session. apparently far from the conclusion as
ever. Mr.. brakes amendment received only eleven
votes. included in which three Of the Southern
senators-Brownow. Osborn. and Spencer No vote was
taken Edmunds's amendment requiring tho members
OF the Legislature TO take the oath prescribed in tho third
section OF the XVIII Amendment Strong arguments
made by Messrs. Williams and Trumbull against
any conditions being imposed. Mr.. Edmunds how
stuck to his proposition and asserted the author
ity Of Virginia gentleman, that the Judiciary Com
mttee had refused to take proof which submitted
TO them Of the nelgby OF the members Of the Legis
lature. This statement the Of scene which
for intensity Of interest has not had parallel since the
days OF Impeachment. -Four members OF the Judici-
airy Committee Immediately pronounced the statement
unfounded and declared that had approached
them on the subject Mr. Trumbull, laborng under evil
dent excitement in his seat and said the Committee
had refused listen facts but they would not
allow their time to be taken up with suggestions from
those who improperly holding seats on the floor and
squirting tho Senator from Massachusetts,. This
manifest allusion Mr. Chas H. Porter OF the Rep
resentatyes elect from who has for several
days past monopozed the seat Of Senator Nye so tho
moro readily TO get the car OF Mr. Sumner, produced
small sensation and considerably Disconnected that gen.
tleman who had in the time retired to sofa In one
Of the Mr.. Sumner evidently angered and an
noyed at the insult offered his friend got up, and casting
his eyes the Chamber IN the direction OF Mr. T. W.
Walker Of Virginia. who the opposite sde insisted
that II Mr. Porter had right on the floor neither had
Mr. Trumbulls Democratic friend, Mr.. Walker. Mr.
Trumbu read from record the charges under which
Mr. Porter was tried by military commission, ordered
by Gen Butler commenting in scahng terms as he pro-
ceeded and than excited laughter by his keen
SATIRE when ensued remarkable war OF words, cTimn-
alton and recriminaton, between the Illinois and Massa-
chusets Senators, in which deal Of bad temper was
displayed each accusing the other Of party nconsis-
tency and ukewarmness 70 the great delight and enjoy
ment Of the Democratic Senators and the galleries.
In the House, to-day, resolution looking with dsfavor
on the proposed treaty OF annexation with the Domni
can Republic was introduced and referred Tho bill to
prohibit the taxation Of Government employees for the
purpose Of making gifts and presents to officials was
passed without reference 10 committee IL is estimated
that the passage OF this resolution equivalent to In
crease OF two per year the salaries Of the clerks
the Departments here The Virginia bill was taken
up Mt o'clock. Lawrence OF Ohio Logan and Fernando
Wood, made speeches. No vote reached. The news
received here Of the the Democracy OF Georgia
pursuing has had great effect on many members, aud
the friends OF the admission OF Virginia fear the result
The bill prepared by Gen. Sherman for a reduction of
the army the subject Of the meeting Of tho House
Military Committee to-day. 1t appears on an examlna-
ton OF the BILL that 1t is increase instead Of reduc
ton, it adds companies to each regiment now in
existence which is equivalent to increasing the army
five additional regiments and adding some three four
hundred lieutenauts thei service bill prepared by
Gen. Logan Chairman OF the Committee, which was
also considered provides for bona de reduction Of tho
army, much Of the the officers. The men,
bers Of the Committee not to be very fayorably inn
pressed with Gen. Sherman's BILL and will probably
adopt o measure that viii out OF service the
large surplus Of officers whose services not required
Gen Banks having returned the House Foreign Affairs
Committee held their first meeting Of the session to-day
deal OF routine business was disposed Of but the
greater part OF the session was consumed discussion
OF the situation OF affairs Cuba, and the relations be-
tween that country and Gen. Banks does not place
much trust the stories In circulation that the nsurrec
ton IN Cuba Is at end. He Informed the Committee
Trustworthy in the island that the reyoutoniss
were as capable of carrying the as they had been
at any time during the last year No definite action
taken on the subject. The report which Judge Orth
preparing Oh Paraguay will be submitted at the next
meeting
Tho House Commerce Committee had under considera-
ton at their meeting to-day, bill introduced III the
House last Monday to establish Board Of Warens for
the port Of NewYork composed Of nine citizens Of the
State OF York. to be selected and appointed by the
Secretary Of the Treasury Its object to facilitate the
adjustment of controversies between parties interested
in maritime adventures and contracts at that port II is
probable that tho Committee, before taking definite
action will communicate with the Secretary Of the Treas
ury concerning his views Of the propriety of such
measure.
The bill providing for an American line OF mail steam
shps between New-YOrk and the ports OF Northern
Europe which passed Congress about two years ago,
but which was rendered imperative by Postmaster
General Randall, reported to-day from the Senate
Post. Office Committee, Invested OF its Objectionable
features The bill presented reenacts the Old bill, but
provides that the Government shall not be liable for the
bonds OF the company or for any other account that
the ships are to built OF iron, ard 10 he finished
within year. and that the hostages TO the Com
pauy are be retained by the Government as Trustee
in payment Of the Compauy's bonds.
Representative Wells IT Missouri has prepared blll
which he viii present tomorrow which provides that all
manuscripts and correspondence to and from authors to
newspapers aud periodicals. shall be transported through
the mails the rates Of postage printed matter
Judge Churchill submitted his report IN the contested
election case OF Covode Foster, to the Elections
Committee to-day. lie iinds after fun examination Of
the case that Coyode elected by upward of 200 ma
iorty Ele Committee also examined five witnesses in
the contested case Of Van wyck versus Greene The
South Carolina caee Of Wallace Simpson, will be
the first submitted TO the House.
In consequence OF a storm prevailing in the West
last night telographio communication with Cincinnati
Chicago and other Western cities almost entirely