Evening star., 1870-02-10
F0RTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Proceedings.
THURSDAY, February 10.

the Marine hospital service.
Mr.. Schurz introduced a joint resolution con-
cerning colleges for the benefit of the agricul-
ture and the mechanic arts 1t provides that
no State that has not heretofore received the
grants of land donated by the United States for
agricultural and mechanical colleges shall IN
the future receive such lands, unless the col
leges TO be established provide facilities of in
struction for all without regard to race or colorl
The bill was referred to Committee on Eiu-
cation.
Mr.. Scott made some remarks. taking excep-
ton to the statements of the Special Comms-
sioner of the Revenue relative to the cost Of
manufacturing pig-lron in the northern dis
triets of Pennsylvania, and alluded TO the me-
mortal OF the iron manufacturers OF Pennsylva-
MA, asking an examination into the cost of such
manufacture, advocating that the petition
should be granted.
Mr.. Sumner was excused. at his own request,
from further service on the Committee on the
Revision of the Laws.
The bill making appropriations TO supply de-
hclencies in the appropriations for the naval
service was taken up, and the amendments of
the Committee on appropriations were agreed
Mr.. Cragin offered an amendment that the
money appropriated shall be expended only TO
supply material for and paw the employees OF
those Bureaus for which il is appropriated
which was adopted.
isted that the - 900 coo appropriated would be
absolutely necessary for the service of the Ba-
reau to which it is distributed for this fiscal
year. Ii is the least possible sum with which
they can get along.
The bill was then passed.
Mr.. Trumbull called up the bin to admit the
State OF Mississippi 10 representation in the Con-
gress of the United States; the question being
on the amendment of the Judiciary Committee
to strike out the proviso imposing conditions of
admission.
Mr.. Trumbull gave brief account of the elec-
ton in Mississippi, and the rejection of three
clauses of the Constitution, giving the votes,
&C., which has heretofore been published. He
then said it was a perfect evidence of the libe-
raity of the people OF Mississippi that they voted
down the proscriptiye clauses in their constitu-
ton. The opinion of the Judiciary Committee
is that Congress has no power TO impose these
conditions of admission; that they are futile and
can only be productive OF evil. No conditions
ought to be attached to the admission OF any
State. The people Of Mississippi had acted in
good faith, and there was nothing showing in
the slightest degree and desire, or intention. on
the part of Mississippi to undo anything she had
done. He did not wish to argue this question;
he had given his views when the case of Vir-
gnla was up, that IT was improper to have
Union of unequal States.
Mr.. Edmunds. as one of the Judiciary Com
mittee, regretted that the majority of tie COM
mittee had seen ft to reopen this question. He
thought it had been clearly demonstrated that
they had the power to impose conditions before
readmittng these rebellious States. The nation
had the power to secure liberty forever. He
did not see how exacting these securities. i'm
making compact with State, had any effect
to render her an unequal member of the Union
All we want is to have security for all in those
States, and guarantee of good faith.
Mr.. Chandler, from Committee on Commerce.
reported bill to promote commerce among the
States. 1t provides for railroads running from
Washington to New York, TO Pittsburg, and 70
Mr.. Norton then argued that Mississippi was
entitled to admission without conditions: that
she was State in the Union now. He was tired
of hearing these continued iteratlons here that
conditions must be imposed that the dominant
party may be consistent with its record on re-
construction. He said that General Ames had
been elected Senator, as he was informed by a
letter received to-day, under a threat that
nfh hnrt SfSGfrar n
Mr.. PomerOy said there was one thing that was
little curious to him in the case of Mississippi,
They had voted down that clause of their
constitution which prescribes an oath to each
voter that he recognizes the social and political
equality of all men. This was voted down by a
large majority although it is the gist OF the 15.h
the 18th amendment, by voting down this clause
they reject the very principle which il contains
and hence there should be some hesitation about
admitting that State without conditions. And
at any rate, why should Mississippi be admitted
without conditions, when conditions had been
imposed upon Virginia?
HOUSE.-Mr. Roots (Ark.) introduced a bin
to encourage tine establishment OF line steam
ers to European ports, and to the ports of India,
China and Japan, and to promote emigration to
the Southern States. Referred to special COM
mittee on cause of decline of American COM
merce and ship building.
On motion OF Mr.. Smith (Iowa) the Secretary
of Interior was directed to communicate TO the
House the last report of Gen. q. NJ. Dodge as
Chief Engineer ofthe Union Pacific railroad.
Mr. Trmble (ky.l asked leave TO offer a reso-
inquire into the expediency OF erecting a conrf
house, &e., at Paduca, Ky.
Mr.. Farnsworth Qll.) objected, and said he
felt it his duty to object in future to all such
Mr.. Wood IN. " asked leave to offer a reso-
luton directing the Committee on Appropria-
lion of dollars by New York for the Union Relief
Fund in the beginning OF the war, and after in
yestigation to report bin to reimburse New
York.
objected to, and the regular order was de-
manded.
The House resumed the consideration of the
resolution reported from the Foreign Affairs |
Committee i'm relation to the imprisonment of
American citizens i'm Great Britain. |
Mr.. Wood then spoke to the resolution and |
specially replied to the remarks of Mr.. Willard,
OF Vermont. Mr.. Wizards remarks, he said
were i'm accordance with the intolerant fanati-
cal and puritanical views Of the people he rep
resented; not only of that people, but also he
believed of the administration, for he thought
Mr.. Willard reflected the sentiment of the ad-
ministration, and therefore his utterances be-
came important. In the first place, Mr.. Wood
imprisoned solely for violating British laws.
There was no proof of that fact. and he thought
the zeal cause of imprisonment could be found
in the claim set up by Great Britain OF ''once a
citizen always a citiZen.". MIR. Wood then re-
ferred to the conduct Of Great Beitain toward
this country, and contended that We were under
referred to the legislation of Congress upon the
subject, and argued that we had a law now
upon the statute book which made IL compul-
sorry upon the Executive to demand the release
of Americans imprisoned abroad, and to enforce
the demand. This law, he said, had not only
not been enforced as to Americans in British
prisons, but IL had not been enforced as to Cuba
The promises Of the President in this behalf
were all fair, but they were all promises, and
he doubted whether their fulfillment was ever
intended.
Mr.. Haight On. j. addressed the House i'm
favor OF the resolution as reported and was fol-
lowed by Mr.. Schumaker, Of New York |
Mr.. Dawes hoped the gentleman from Indiana,
INF. Orth, who next had the floor, would call Il
the previous question on the resolution.
Mr.. Orth refused to do 20. He thought the /
resolution was one of Importance, and should /
be discussed. He then made brief speech on /
the subject in favor of the resolution.
Mr.. wilkinson Mimi then addressed the /
House. He contended that every principle O. /
Justice and right demanded that we should sym. |
patlize with these prisoners.
Pending further consideration, the morning
hour expired, and the bill went over.
Mr.. Logan, from the committee of conference
on the disagreeing votes OF the two Houses on
the bill for the relief Of the poor of the Dstricr
of Columbia, submitted q report, which VA.
agreed to. The bill rs agreed to BY the confer
ence committee, as amended by the House. con-
tains additional section allowing the Secre
far War to contract for suDx,lvf,,r a.