Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-03-29
Congressional News.
WASHINGTON, MARCH %. 1870.

h;lls were intrOdnced

ilan Affairs, reported with an amendment
| bill for the civilization of the Indians and
o prepare them for the rights of citizen
ship. Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Sumner, from the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, presented bill for the re-
lief o. J. Ross Browne, late minister to
China, and an adverse report on the pro-
posed amendment TO the rules allowing
treaties tor annexation of the entire dOmin
ion Of any foreign power to be considered
IN open session.
A resolution was passed directing the
Secretary Of State to pay out of the Japan
Indemnity Fund for the damages to the
steamer Monitor, which was fired into by
the Mikado's batteries in Japan in 1864.
4 bill was reported from the Indian Com
mitt1e to promote the civilization of the
Indians, and prepare them for the rights
and duties of citizenship. 1t provides for
the appointment offive inspectors ofIndian
Affairs, who, with the Secretary Of the In
terror and the Indian Commissioner, shall
q board to supervise all expen-
dtures of money for the benefit of the In
dams, to visit them, inquire into their con-
dition, and see that the provisions, laws
and treaties relating to them are faithfully
executed, to hear complaints and decide
disputes in regard to the conduct of the
agents of the Indian Department, the Su-
pervisor to have the same salary as the In
dian Commissioner.
Mr. Sherman, from the Financial Com
mittee, reported Mr.. Summers bill to
strengthen the legal reserves of banks and
provide for the resumption of specie pay
ments January l, 1871, with recommen-
dation that it be Indefinitely postponed
The report Of the Committee was concur
red in.
Mr.. Buckingham called up the bill APP
propriatiug $4,000 to Mrs Fanny Kelley
for valuable services in 1861 in giving in
formation of the evil designs of hostile In
dams while held in captivity by them,
which was passed.
Mr.. Wilson called up joint resolution
relating to the construction of the Rock
Island railroad bridge between Rock Island
and the city Of Iowa. Passed
Mr.. Conkling, rising 0 aquestion of priv
ilege, moved that the Senate take up the
report of the Judiciary Committee in the
case of Gen. Ames, and the motion being
agreed to, Mr.. Conkling yielded the floor
to Mr.. Anthony, upon whose motion the
House resolution for printing II, 600 copies
of the report of the Special Committee of
the House on the decline of American
commerce was taken up.
After considerable debate. in which Mr.
Chandler strenuously opposed the conclu-
sions of the Committee, the resolution was
adopted
The case of Gen. Ames, as Senator elect
from Mississippi, was then taken up, and
the report of the Judiciary Committee was
discussed.
Mr.. Conkling explained at length anc
defended, mainly on legal and constitu
tional grounds, the report of the Judiciary
Committee. He said Mr.. Ames was inelig
ible. he not being legally an inhabitant o
Mississippi. He was followed by Mr. Rice
who advocated Mr. Ames admission, hold
ing that his residence as a military Officer
/ fulfilled the demands of the constitution
He claimed that soldier lost no rights O
citizenship, except such as were inconsist
+ ent with his military duties.
+ Mr.. Conkling replied that obeying mill
1 tary orders did not constitute residence
and said that Mr.. Ames. while at Yves
Point, did not forfeit his residence il
\ Maine
4 NJ. llDN dlu cA 5IG>Htu Il COulEdIN billl
I ion, remarking that the legitimate inhu
enCe of the argument of Mr.. Conkling wa
T that a military man was not only a mer
automaton i'll the hands of mis- superiOrs
but could not even express his intention a
to future residence Mr.. Howard die
not hold that Gen. Ames acquired citizen
ship by obeying the order to 90 to Missis
sippi, but he did claim that he should hav
tue benefit of the declaration while Their
that he intended to become a citizen.
Mr.. Thayer contended that an army Off
Ger must have legal habitation somewhere
and he could not be deprived of it by vir
tue Of his military occupation. His onl
objection to Gen. Ames was that he had n
wife. Having neither property nor famil
of his own in Maine, the declaration tina
he intended to become citizen of MissiS
sippi should be accepted as such.
After remarks by Mr.. Thurman in favo
of the report of the Senate Committee tn
Senate without action then adjourned
HOUSE.
The majority and minority reports ofth
Mining Committee on the Sutro Tunne
bill was considered.
A debate ensued between Messrs. Fitcl
Sargent, voorhees, and Others respectin
the relations existing between Sutro an
the miners on the Comstock lode, pendin
which the bill went over. Messrs. Fitc
and Sargent defended the miners, and a.
serted that they had been the victims
fraud and sharp practice by Sutro.
The Committee on Elections reporte
that Mr. Booker, member of the 4th vi
/ lal l.
seat, and March 81 was assigned for actio
on the resolution.
Mr.. Poland of Vermont gave notice of
substitute resolution against Booker on tt
ground that he was disqualified by actiy
participation in the rebellion.
A petition was presented from 5S3 ban
clerks of New York city for repeal of tt
income tax, and from citizens of New YoI
for the removal of duty on pig iron.
The special order-the bill abolishir
polygamy-was taken up, and Mr.. Wal
of New York, member of the Commit,
on Territories, who reported the bill, az
: dressed the House in support of the mea
, ure, and in reply to Mr.. Fitch's speed
, about a month since. He said he had e,
pected that the Representatives of the p
cific States and newspaper Bohemian
) would work against the bill, and went {
, to depict in the strongest language tt
eDOrmity of the immortality and publ
danger in polygamy. He denounced J,
: Smith as a vagabond, drunkard and THE
, and Brigham Young as a brigand, VIII
having become disguised with the honor
BILE occupation of digging potatoes, join,
g the Mormons and became their chief. T
9 urged immediate action, and the expeI
. ment whether the Church of the Latt
Day Saints" was to be supreme, and whet
er the dream of the Mormon prophet W
: to be realized, that the American matte
. was to be broken into fragments and Mo
. mOnism rule.
: Mr.. Schenck objected to the bill as t.
= comprehensive and too rigorous and har
a in all its details, and moveda postponme
Y in order to make way for the tariff bill.
! Mr.. Butler of Massachusetts favored Il
= immediate disposal of the bill as necessa
n for the safety and efficiency of the ne
/. Governor (Shaferl of Utah, and suggest
/, that the debate go on, and that vote
= taken today or tomorrow.
Mr.. Schenck of Ohio then withdrew /
S motion for postponement, and Mr.. Blair
# Michigan proceeded in support of the bi
8 condemning the one-arm power now S
= preme in Utah, and scouting at the id
e that the Mormons will make any serio
: resistance to the enforcement of the la
/. He also mentions the report of Brighs
Young's present visit to Arizona for t
:, purpose of selecting new locality for
!, saints rest. which was denied by N
n Hooper, the delegate from Utah: n
:. Hooper said Young would be home in