The New York herald., 1870-03-26
United states supreme Court.
F0RTY-FIRsr CONGRESS.
second Session.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, March IS, 1870.

WASHINGTON, March rs, 1870.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
Mr.. CoSKLING, (rep.) OF N. Y, presented memo
mai from the Mercantile Insurance Company and
other frms IN New York city asking for commis-
sion ascertain the amount OF the Alabama claims
and to give to the holders certificates which shall
be evidence in their hands OF the existence and the
amount OF said claims
REDUCTION OF THE ARMY.
Mr.. WILSON, nep) Of Mass. introduced bll 10
reduce the number OF o1icers and enlisted men in
the army, and TO fix their pay.
The bill reduces army 70 900 men, authorizes the
Pesdsa. 70 any other applying Tor such discharge
man ave ana les than
years one years pay Ao auhorzes retire on their
allows the retired be increased to 800 sSSI:hs:
the onSes Of general and heutsnant general when
major generals to three and Srssdsr generals
ss the 81
Sen,s; .Oolishes reslmsn.al commssary Of cavalry.
sHa Sss.ri.sTy surgeons: sasSor1ss the appoint
s. os . 3: Sa St TO sm % the Of
for ineneeAcy their Of dspartmsn.
ass a. g
: sn :nf 1
or Ensusers and adopts The House pa1 Si' with srRs
modincaons BY the b, the enlisted men, now numbering
ber which will reduce the Of the army several mil
lions OF dollars.
The House bill, which Mr. Wilson adopts instead
OF red ducng tine expea OF the army, increases It,
1t is believed several hundred thousand dollars.
THE CHINA AND Japan MAIL SERVICE.
Mr.. COLE, lrep.) Of Cal, from she Committee on
Post Of1ces reported, with an amendment, Dill TO
increase the mail steamship service between the
Anited States and China and Japan. The bill as re-
fprted authorizes the Postmaster General TO con-
nct for increase OF ocean mail steamship SER
LbetTeen San Francisco and ports in China and
y semi.monthly service by steamships OF
and tonnage prescribed by the act Of Febru-
afS III 1896, and OF March g. 1857 establishing said
servtco upon the terms and conditions therein pre-.
scribed and Dy the contracts made 10 pursuance
snreor: provided that all steamships hereafter &C.
cebted for such service between San Francisco and
Japan snail be constructed OF iron but the contract
required for the construction OF said new iron vessels
eiEbloy other ships built Of wood, according to the
requirements Of said acts Of Congress-
PROMOTIONS IN THE NAVY.
Mr.. CgA6fN, rep.} OF n. H., from the Naval Com
mittee, reported favoraby the pll for the appoint
ment OF Q board to examine into the cases OF sucn
officers may deem themselves unjustly passed
over oy promotions made under the act Of July 70,
1865.
ARCTIC EXPLORATIONS.
Mr.. SHERMAN, trepl or ONO introduced a JOINT
Resolution authorizing the President to furnish
steamer for voyage into the Arctic regions, under
the control Of Captain Q. +. Hall, and appropratng
tloo 900 TO pay the necessary expenses therefor ke
fefred to the committee on Foreign Relations.
DAcoTAH LAND DISTRICT.
Mr.. RAMSEY, trep.) OF MIMI, called up the bill to
create an additional land district in the Territory Of
Dacotah. Passed.
THs HOMESTEAD LAW.
Mr. OsD0Rf, ,rep.t OF Fla, called up the bill ex.
tending the Homestead and Presumption laws 10 the
public lands IN Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and
arkansas.
Pending the consideration Of the bill the morning
bonr expired, ana The senak ~ one O'Clock, on mo