Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-02-23
CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.-Mr. Yickers pre-
scented memorial from the National Board
| of Trade for the passage of the marine ap-
| prentice law. Referred to the Committee
on Commerce.
Mr.. Stewart presented the credentials of
Messrs. Farrow and Whitley, Senators elect
from Georgia, and asked their reference to
the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Drake said the papers were simply
commissions from the Governor of Georgia
It did not appear from the paper when the
party was elected, nor was his election GER
titled to by the President of the State
Senate as required by law. He thought
the paper ought not to be received
Mr. Pomeroy said the Constitution re-
quired each House to be the Judge of the
qualification of the election of its members,
therefore he favored reference to the facts
that it might be investigated.
Mr.. Drake insisted on his objection, and
Mr.. Stewart withdrew the papers for the
present.
Mr. Howard, from the Committee on the
Pacific Railroad, reported joint resolution,
authorizing the Northern Pacific railroad
to issue mortgage bonds, with an amend
ment, providing that the company may
arising from previous disposition of lands
along its line, by taking in equal quantity
with an additional limit Of miles.
Mr.. Schurz, from the Joint Committee
on Retrenchment, reported with amend
ment bill introduced by himself in last
December, TO reform the civil service 1t
provides for the appointment by the Presi-
dent, by and with the consent of the SEN
ate, of civil service board of commits
sioners, who shall prescribe qualifications
requisite for the appointment into each
branch and grade of civil service, and ex-
anime applicants for such positions, ex-
cepting Judges and Clerks of United States
Courts, members Of the Cabinet Minis
ters to foreign countries, and officers of
the Senate and House of Representatives,
and hereafter all appointments of civil
officers shall be made from persons who
have been found disqualified under regula-
tons of this Board. Appointments by heads
of departments, are to be made in order Of
seniority and merit. The Board may call
to its assistance such officers of the Gov
eminent and men as it deems fit. Officers
now in the Civil Service, may be required
by the President to submit to the test Of
examination2 and if not found qualified
shall be dismissed. Otherwise, the present
officers slaN hold their positions for five
years from the date of their commissions 1
Officers appointed on the recommendation
of the board are to be appointed for twelve
years, but of the first nine appointed, three
shall go out every four years. Their sala-
ries are fixed at Sc, 900 per annum, to be
equally eligible with men for examination
and appointment to all Offices they can fill
equally as well.
Mr. Conkling from the Committee on
Revision Of the Laws, recommended the
indefinite postponement of the cOnsidera-
ton of the resolutions of the New York
Legislature resembling the ratification of
th Fifteenth Amendment.
Mr. Conkling rose and spoke at some
length, showing the effect this amend
ment would have throughout the country;
extending the right of suffrage to hundreds
of thousands of the down trodden race, and
claiming there was no more fitting time
for rejoicing over this great accomplished
reform than on the birth day Of Washing
ton.
Mr., Davis delivered an argument to
show that the power to reject a constit1l-
tutional amendment existed in the State by
implication as a necessary consequence of
a power to ratify.
Mr. Pomeroy moved, as tribute of re-
spect for the day that the Senate, now
o'clock, adjourn.
Before putting the motion the chair
called attention to the invitation from the
Maryland Legislature to visit Annapolis,
near which city the British ship Monarch
is now lying.
Adjourned