The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-01-14
CONGRESSIONAL.
xtl,t eoSesEsB-sEoOSB SESSION

N1OlneS River. Iowa. paSSCus
4 petition was presented from y
Ross Browne, asking the payment or
S12, 900 for extraordinary expenses
while Minister TO China
Bills we're introduced and reported
by Howard, TO prevent the collection
of taxes on property exempt from tax,
By Edmunds, prescribing rules OF eV'
idence in certain cases; BY Schurtz,
to remove political disabilities from
persons therein named, In the State
of Texas by Thayer, to aid IN the
construction of a Railroad from
Omaha to 1t. Berthoid, Dakota.
Drake called up the resolution to
amend the rules so as to require the
consideration Of the Indian treaties
in omen Senate. The subject had
previously been discussed, and IN
Difference to its importance TO the IN
terests OF the country, definite action
should now be taken.
Ferry offered an amendment to re-
-quire that all treaties for the acqulsI-
ton of Territory Of foreign Govern
ments be also considered in open
session.
The resolution was then laid over
on motion OF Drake, and Pratt ad-
dressed the Senate IN support Of the
bill giving to State Courts concur
rent jurisdiction with United States
Courts in marine cases or forts on
navigable rivers, above The ebb and
flow Of tide.
Ramsey, from the Committee on
Postofiee, reported, with amendments,
a joint resolution deelaratory and
4 Al
1868, TO provide for an American line
of steamers between New York and
Europe.
The Postofioe Department is to pay
$500, 900 as interest on the bonds OF
the Company, which sum shall be IN
full payment for the transportation
of mails.
Carpenter, from the Committee on
Judiciary, reported, with amend
meuts, bill to provide remedy for
the loss or obstruction of judgment
records or DEGREES appertaining to
proceedings ia the United States
Courts.
Rice introduced a bill to change
the judicial Circuits. Referred to
the Committee on judiciary.
Kellogg introduced Dill granting
righA of way and sections of public
lands, per mile, TO aid 10 the con
str, elton Of a railroad aud telegraph
lin from Marshall, Texas, to San
Di o. California. with branches and
co lections. Referred to the Com
nj zee on Public Lands
he consideration of the Virginia
bill was resumed. Mr.. Wilson S
amendment having been withdrawn,
the Senate voted on the amendment
offered by Mr.. Drake, which was re-
ieeted. Ayes, II nays, 10.
Edmunds resumed his amendment,
providing that before the measure
goes into effect, each member and Off
Ger Of the Legislature shall subscribe
an oath, as follows
l do soiemnly swear that [ have
never taken an oath as a member Of
Congress or officer of the United
| States, or member Of any State leg
Islature, or any executive or judicial
Office cf any State to support the Con
stitution Of the nited States, aud
afterwards engaged in insurrecti0n or
rebellion against the same.
Such Ders0n shall take aR oath that
the disabilities imposed upon him by
the Fourteenth Amendment have
been removed by act of Congress. In
the event of a person swearing falsely,
the amendment specifies a penalty OF
fine and imprisonment; and further,
that III all cases Of failure TO take the
oath, the office Of the person thus
offending by neglect, shall be deemed
( to have been vacated.
/ Nye opposed the amendment, be
Il
/ iZe the Legislature.
Edmunds advocated it as the most
/ efficient means of ridding the Legis
lature of those who had no right to be
/ there under the Fourteenth Amend
ment.
Morton and TrumbulI expressed
their opposition to it because it pro-
I vjded that before the bill went into
effect the oath prescribed should be
/ taken. and by the refusal of any
1 of the members to take the oath the
pending legislation would be rem
dered abortiye.
Trumbull earnestly advocated i'm
mediate admission as the means OF
restoring the South to prosperous
commercial relations with the North,
and as Indispensable to the preserv-
ing of the faith Of Congress with the
/ States.
After further debate a very ami
mated personal collOquy took place
between Trumbull and Sumner. The
former called attention to the pres
ence, near Sumner, Of an outsider, ad
visiBg and influencing his action.
Sumner said it was G. B. Porter, o
member elect, from Richmond, who
represented the loyal men of Virginia.
Trumbull said Who made Mr..
Sumner an infallible judge Of loyalty?
and he then read the proceedings OF
a court martial, which found Porter
guilty of seditious language. drunk
enness, &c. He further commented
on Summers attack Of Gov. Walker,
and showed that he had the privilege
OF the floor which Porter had not
Personalities were INDUCED in, and
considerable bitterness Of feeling was
manifested on both sides.
Sumner said that while pretending
to ignore personalities. Mr. Trumbull
was ever willing to follow his own
lucllnatl0ns IN that respect. For
himself, he had supposed the Senator
was capable OF being Influenced by
reason. but he could no longer. enter
tain the s0pposition; but be would
award him all the merit of an attack
upon enc who could not reply on the
floor OF the Senate The tenderness
which that Senator had shown for the
remnants OF the rebellion in his
efforts to aid In reconstruction, only
showed him TO be true to the WayWaTd
course he had seen fit to pursue since
the Initiation of fh haf poiiov
Trumbuli replied that his record
as Chairman Of the Judiciary Com
mittee, from which the reconstruc