Evening star., 1870-01-12


hxed determination that IL shall be main
tanned at all hazards Nobody can exagger.te
the value OF this determination, which is the
cornerstone Of financial reconstruction. ON
the reduction Of taxation there is Is at present
more difference Of opinion; but / cannot doubt
that here, too, there will be Q speedy harmony.
The country Is uneasy under the heavy burden.
Willingly, gladly, patriotically il submitted TO
this burden. while the Republic was in peril
but now there IL a yearning for relief. War
taxes should not be peace taxes; and 80 long as
the present system continues, there is a con-
stant and painful memento of war, while buSi-
ness halts in chains and life bends under the
load
The national credit being safe. relief from the
pressure of existing taxation il the first practical
object in our finances. But 50 entirely natural
and consistent is this object that il harmonizes
with all other proper objects, especially with
specie payments. As the people feel easy in
their affairs they will be ready for the work of
reconstruction. Therefore, do l say, rs an
the taxes."
After an exhaustive argument on the
points thus presented, Mr.. Sumner closed by
saying: 81 never have doubted, cannot doubt,
the ease with which the transition to specie
payments can be accomplished, especially as
compared with the ominous fears which this
SIMPLE proposition seems to excite i'm certain
quarters. We are gravely warned against il as
period of crisis. i do not believe there will be
anything TO which this term can be reasonably
applied. Like every measure of essential JUS
the community, and people will be astonished
at the long postponement of an act so truly
beneficent in all its influences, 50 important 20
the national character, and 50 congenal with
the business interests of the country"
The bill was referred to the Committee on
Finance.
The joint resolution for the admission Of yir-
glnia was then taken up, the question being on
Mr.. Conkling took the floor, and argued i'm
favor OF the immediate admission OF the State,
arguing that it would be unfair, unwise and
unjustihable to exact the test oath OF the mem
bers Of the Virginia Legislature, when IL had
not been required of the members OF any other
Legislature in the reconstructed States. He
press the opinion that the views of General Can
by on this subject were entitlee to more weight
than those of the Attorney General.
Mr.. Conkling further adverted TO certain Sem
haste for the passage of the act under which
Virginia had been reconstructed; and now when
she had done all that was asked of her, these
same Senators are protesting and delaying
HOUSE.-Mr. Wood (N. Y.) presented joint
resolutions Of the Legislature Of New York, re-
pealing and resembling the resolution previously
adopted giving the assent Of New York to the
adoption of the fifteenth amendment TO the Con-
stitution. Laid on the table.
MI Woodward (Pa.) rose to a personal eYpla-
nation, and explained some remarks made by
nm before the recess, pending the discussion of
Mr.. Wilson (Minn.) introduced bill making
grant OF lands for railroad from the western
boundary of Minnesota TO the Red river of the
North. Referred TO Committee on Public
Lands.
Mr.. Garfield (Ohio) introduced a bin to amend
the act establishing Department Of Education
and repeating the bill establishing Bureau of
Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands
Referred to Committee ON Education and
Labor. Au
Mr.. McCrary 1owa) offered bill to repeal
the act of August, 1876, declaring the Des
Maiges river a public highway. Passed.
MI Ferrlss, IN. f.,) from the Committee on
act granting the right of way TO railroads and
and recommitted.
On motion of AIr. Upson, (ohio,) the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury was directed To take into
consideration the erection of an addition to the
Custom House at Cleveland TO accommodate
offices.
Mr.. Kerr (Ind.) offered a resolution, which
was agreed TO, directing the Committee on the
Judiciary TO inquire into the expediency of re-
pealing the act defining an additional oath TO be
taken by grand and petit jurors, approved June
Mr.. Kerr also introduced bill for the pur-
pose, and 1t was referred TO the Judiciary Com
The House resumed the consideration OF the
bill reported yesterday from the Committee on
Naval Afairs, for the sale Of the Navy Yard at
Philadelphia and its transfer to League Island
Mr.: Scofeld (Pa-) said it seemed to him that
the bill was opposed yesterday because il was
not fully understood, and he averred that il
would not cost the Government any such
amount Of money as some members supposed
MI Washburne lwis.l proposed to amend the
bill SO as TO provide that as fast as the ward "a
vacated the lots shall be sold at public auction
Tor cash, and the proceeds applied to the fitting
up OF the new navy yard; and that before such
sale 1t shall be advertised In the papers Of New
York and Philadelphia.
Mr.. Kelly (Pa) suggested a modification OF
Amendment Is IN vnalra fba al,
to the ground rent system prevailing in Phila-
Mr.. O'NeiIl (Pa.) moved to further modify the
amendment SO as to make the surveys OF the
new lots conform with other land surveys in
Philadelphia.
Mr.. washburn (wis.) spoke against the bill,
ana argued that II would involve future sp-
navy yard. He read the act under which League
Island was sold to the United States, and argued
that the purchase was originally wrong.
chase.
Mr.. welker (Ohio) wanted to know whether IL
was not the intention, If the bin passed, to fol.
low low IL up ny asking for an appropriation to erect
Mr.. Scofeid said the fact or the passage of
this bill would not affect the League Island mat
ter in the least, because it had already been ac-
cepted by the Government.
MT. O'Neill argued in favor Of the bill, and
Mr.. Randall (Pa.) also advocated the passage
Pending further consideration the morning
hour expired, and the bill went over under the
rule.
Mr.. Judd (nl.) offered bill to refund certain
duties paid upon a bill by the Church of the
Holy Family, Of Chicago, Ill. Referred TO
Ways and Means Committee.
Mr.. Negley (Pa.) introduced q bin recitinc
that the House OF Representatives is necessarily
more interested in the conduct OF the Public
Printing than the Senate, and that II should
have at least an equal voice i'm declaring who
should have charge Of that printing, and there
fore enacting bill repeating the act yestine
the election Of Congressional Printer Ia the
Senate, and declaring that that officer shall be
elected by resolution Of both Houses. Referred
70 Committee on Printing.
MI Farnsworth, Cn.,) as question Of priyi-
iege, called W the bin for the admission Of the
State Of Virginia.
The bill was read in full.
MI. Farnsworth then took the floor. and stated
the history OF the progress OF reconstruction I'm
Virginia down to the last act, under which the
recent Legislature Was elected. Referring 70
the late election, he said Il was as fair q
one rs could have been expected. He re-
viewed the course Of the Legislature Just
elected, and argued that if had done
all to insure i0 immediate admission.
With regard TO the pending bin, he was free 10
confess that It was q sortof Q acompromise meas
ure, because he was in favor of passing 4 bin
which did not impose any additional conditions
and he reserved the right TO vote aoainsf ths}
clause Of the bill which imposed certsin osfhs
He had no doubt there were nemben of fhis
House who would desire 70 exaef fhe go