Evening star., 1870-02-09
FORTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
This Afternoons PROCEEDINGS.
WEDNESDAY, February 9.

SENATE.-Mr. Wilson introduced a bill to
increase the number Of Supreme and Circuit
Justices of the Courts of the United States, and
to establish the boundaries of Circuits. Re-
ferred to Committee on the Judiciary
On motion of Mr.. POmeroy, the President was
requested to communicate any information
relative to the action OF any of the Departments
concerning the claim of the Central Branch
Union Pacific railroad for lands or bonds on ac-
count Of the extension of their road.
Mr.. Ferry called up his order directing the
Judiciary Committee to ascertain whether the
Legislature Of Georgia, as at present consti-
tuted, is legal body, which was passed.
On motion of Mr.. Sherman, the Funding bill
was mace the special order for TUESDAY, next.
On motion OF Mr.. Sherman, the Attorney GEN
eral was directed to inform the Senate of arv
claim set up by the late postmaster at Augusta
georgia, ior compensation during his suspension
reality eligible to said Office.
MIR. Morton called up his bill making it mis-
demeanor to iit out or equip ships OF war, or to
intent that they shall be employed in the ser
vice of any foreign prince or State, to commit
hostilities against the people of any province,
insurrection against such foreign prince or State
and providing for the forfeiture Of such ship or
vessel.
Mr.. Morton stated that he proposed in his re-
marks on this bill to address himself particular
ly to the case Of Cuba. He held, first, that
where any remote province of any government,
and not an integral part Of the empire, was ca
pable of maintaining itself and had no voice in
the control Of affairs, it had the perfect right to
sever its connection with the mother country. If
an insurrection should break out in Caledonia,
the Spanish Government would have the right
to subdue, as essential to self preservation, Just
as in the case of the rebellion Of our Southern
States. The colonies of Spain had never been
treated as integral parts of the empire, they
were allowed no share in the Government, they
were reigned over by military despots, from
whose rulings there was appeal. This wa,
the case of Cuba. 1t was folly for the Spanish
Government to claim Cuba as an integral part
of the empire. He would not now discuss
whether the insurrection in Cuba had attained
to such proportions as TO cnttle ii to recognition
as bellgerents, but it was certain that the
whole force Of the Spanish army and navy had
as yet made but little progress against the in
surgents. As il now stands, we are the allies OF
Spain. our citizens furnish Spain with gunboats
and arms; but any attempt to do the same for
the Cubans is strictly stopped and punished.
We should tell Spain that We cannot help her i'm
this struggle. Consider how bloody and revolt
ing is the war carried on by Spain, without any
regard to the dictates of humanity Here AR,
our neighbOrs and friends in Cuba, ,20o. 900 OF
them. allied to us by the tics of sympathy and
business, there they are governed by Vice
roy whose only object is to plumber them
execute, and transport them without trial:
not one word OF sympathy or encouragement,
have We manifested TO the struggling Cubans:
we have never treated ally other people as We
have treated her. Cuba belongs to this country.
She comes as clearly within the Monroe doctrin,
as if she was part OF the mainland; and We
should not assist, directly or indirectly, any
claim OF a foreign government to hold an Amer
lean colony. II Spain claims the right of nations
to draw her supplies from us, we should reply
that this is departure from the Monroe doc
time. Morally, we have a perfect right to assist
Cuba by arms, but as it is better that we should
avoid entangling alliances, We should aid Spain
in not the slightest degree, however.
When Mr.. Morton cencluded, the bill was
referred to the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions.
Mr.. Anthony took the. floor in reference to the
bill lately introduced by him, to reform the
tribution of books by the Government. He
said the printing of Congress had of late years
diminished, while that of the Departments had
increased: The Congressional printing last year
cost $3.50 ,4S6 much of which was for documents
supplied to the Departments. The Department
printing cost s6i6,O45. The whole system OF
printing documents for gratuitous distribution
gave them to the public. Mr.. Anthony spoke
against the practice of publishing the laws and
Government advertisements in papers of limited
circulation. He advocated his bill, asserting
that it would save hundreds of thousands OF
dollars annually, and win relieve the Post Office
great burthen. 1t should espe-
cially be dene now, when economy is so desir-
able.
The bill of Mr.. Anthony was then referred to
the Committee on Printing.
Mr.. Trumbull, from the Committee on the
judiciary, reported with amendment House bill
to admit the State of Mississippi to representa-
ton in Congress.
Also, with amendment, bill to change the ju-
dicial circuits.
The Census bill came up as unfinished busi-
ness.
HOUSE-Mr. Buffinton (Mass.) presented
resolutions of the Legislature of Massachusetts
in relation to the duty on coal. Referred to
Committee Of Ways and Means.
The House resumed the consideration of the
Foster-COvode contested election case in the
3lst district Of Pennsylvania, and Mr.. Randall
(Pa.) concluded his remarks on behalf of Mr..
Fosters right to the seat.
Mr.. Burr (Pa.) followed Mr.. Randall on the
same side.
Mr.. Stiles (Pa.) also spoke for Mr.. Foster, and
at the conclusion of his remarks, Mr.. Churchill
who has charge Of the bill, demanded the pre-
vious question, which was seconded, and he
then yielded the hour allowed him, first to Mr.
Cessna, who spoke for Mr.. CovOde and the re-
port Of the committee,