Daily national Republican. (Washington City [D.C.]) 1870-1872, 1870-01-29
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
Forly.Flnl Congressional Regular s,ul0u



Mr.. Edmonds suggested that there might
be some further legislation necessary. He
had been informed that the disabilities Of
this gentleman had not been removed. ne
Understood that the disabilities OF q Mr..
johnson bad been removed, but whether Il
was this Mr.. John W. johnson he was not
certain, and the Identity Of course ought 10
be established.
Mr.. Wiley road from one OF the acts 70
moving political disabilities where the name
Of John W. johnson, Of Washington county
occurred, aud this was the gentleman that
was here present. ....
Mr.. Sumner said there would be no objsc-
ton, Of course, II this was the fact.
The Senator-elect then advanced, and the
oath was then administered 10 him.
The House bill allowing such Virginia on
cials as are unable, from cousciencs sake,
TO take an oath, 10 make affirmation In as
suming the duties Of their offices was passed.
Tho House bill to abolish the franking
privilege was read twice, and
Mr.. Pomeroy moved lta immediate con-
slderatlon, but objection was made by Mr..
Drake and Mr.. Vlckers, and II was referred
10 the Committee on Post Ofloes.
Mr.. Cragin presented memorial OF ADM.
raj Farragut, Vice Admiral Porter, aud
other officers Of the navy, asking that the
reserved list Of the navy shall DO divided
Into two classes. Referred TO Committee
on Naval Affairs. ....
Mr.. Conkling presented memorial Of the
New York Chamber Of Commerce, urging
more frequent mall Communication between
San Francisco, China, and Japan, and urg-
Ing proper Congressional action to arrest
the decay Of American commerce. Re-
ferrod to Committee on Commerce.
Mr.. Wilson, from Committee on Appro-
! priatlous, reported with amendments the
West Point appropriation bill.
Also, introduced bill TO authorize the set
Element OF accounts Of officers Of tho army
and navy. Referred to COMMITTEES on Mill
tary Affairs.
Mr.. Sherman offered aresolutIon. which
was agreed 70, directing the Committee on
Appropriations TO inquire into the expe-
dieney OF transferring to the surplus fund
all balances OF appropriations remaining
uueXpended on the LIST day OF July next, eI-
cept the permanent and indefinite appropria-
lions, and 10 report such permanent and In
definite appropriations as may be repealed
without injury to the public service.
Mr.. HAmlin, from the Committee on the
District OF Columbia, reported without
amendment the bill extending the tlmo for
the completion Of the lateral branch Of the
Baltimore and Potomac railroad, and to
change the location 10 the city Of Washing
ton along the bank Of the canal.
Mr.. Hamlln introduced . bill to incorpo-
rate the Washington Association for the
improvement Of the Condition OF the Poor
Of the District OF Columbia. ....
On motion Of Mr.. Edmunds, the commit
tee on the Judiciary were instructed TO In
qulre whether any additional legislation Is
necessary In reference to the organization Of
the provisional Legislature OF Georgia.
Mr.. Ferry called up the bill extending the
patent OF Rollln White for Improvement In
pistols, returned by the President with his
objections at the last session.
Mr.. Ferry said this bill at the last session
had passed both Houses without being
printed and withou. debate, but Il was not
signed by the President, In the meantime
> other parties went to work and invested
money In the manufacture Of the arms af-
fected by this patent, and they were sur
prlsed to hear Of this bill for the renewal OF
this patent being brought forward at this
session and passed. These matters should
be decided by the Commissioner Of Patents,
and II was setting dangerous precedent for
Congress TO interfere. Mr.. White, AZ an ex-
cuse for coming TO Congress, asserted that
he had not had fair hearing before the
Commissioner that his counsel was not
present, aud portion Of his evidence had
been stolen. He Mr.. T. had addressed .
letter TO Mr.. Foote, the then Commissioner
Of Patents, In regard TO this matter.
The morning hour here expired, and the
unfinished business, being the currency bill,
came up.
Mr.. Hamlln said to-day had been set apart
by special order for the consideration OF GER
tain business. He desired 10 bring up some
District Of Columbia bills, among others the
bill for the relief Of the poor. Senators did
not lnoW the great destitution and distress
gress doing something.
Mr.. Sherman would have no objection TO
the currency bill going over to-day, II II
was understood that II should come up to-
morrow.
Mr.. Stewart alluded to the census bill
as measure which should DO acted on at
once. ...... ..
Mr.. ConklIng was glad the census bin had
been spoken Of The committee were anx-
ious for action on tnls matter at once. IL
would meet their views II the Senate would
refuse TO take IL up at all, rs the committee
were under the impression that the act Of
1850 wRi amply sufficient, and IL no further
Ecri6n was taken BY Congress the census
would be taken under that act.
Mr.. sumner, as q member Of the commit
tee expressed his dissent from the remarks
of Mr.. Ooukllng, thought the compensation
provided by the act Of 1850 was not enough,
and he did not like 10 table unceremonously
the elaborate bill upon which the House had
expended so much time,
AMER some further discussion, the bill ap'
propriating ESQ, 900 for the relief OF the poor
Of the District Of Columbia was taken up.
Mr.. Pomeroy moved an amendment, that
the parties having In charge the distribution
Of the fund, use portion Of the appropria
ton In furnishing labor and the mAterialI
for labor.
Mr.. Pomeroy knew that there were mani
sick and aged people, proper object. O
charity, who are not able 10 labori but their
are many who are able to work, and thest
arc the ones who, being the most clamorous
will get the larger share Of the AppropTiA'
ton. He should prefer that the who'll
amount should be devoted to furnishing
work he should like to see an appropria
ton made sufnclent to pave all the streeti
aud avenues Of the city, and set these PEG
pie at It.
Mr.. Davis said great many people Of n,
means, but who were able to work, wer
allowed here from all partA Of the country
and then they were dependent on charity 70
support. What he would suggest Is TO dc
wise some means by which these people cal
be sent away from here.
Mr.. Thurman expressed his great prefer
unee for q territorial form OF government
which would be great blessing TO the tar
payers, but which was opposed by all thos
now In offlce. He alluded To the great infu
OF colored people, and said that they geneI
ally remained about here at the time cleo
lions were to come of, and the parties VIII
could feed them out Of q huge soup bow
were the onos who would be apt to get thel
SURFACES. This money was to be under Oh
control Of these politicians, and would b
used as an electioneeTlng fund. The cit
authorities here and the police did not pre-
tect those who were opposed to them, nc
even Of their own party. colored ma
was nearly torn to pieces for voting II
Democratic ticket.
Mr.. Hamlln said there were uome tWelV
or hieen hundred former slaves here, RAM
ing from 90 10 1l5 years Of age, PHYSICAL
helpless, and totally dependent. Then the
were three or four thousand others here,
both sexes and colors, one thousand prob
bly, OF them women with children, and Q
dependent. The Government has over OF
hundred millions Of property here, on Whi'
i pays no taxes, and u ought TO- do som
thing. He regretted the Senator Mr.. Thu
man had brought politics into this MATE
Who were 10 be the almoneTs OF this FUND
Thu Mayer NJ WashInRton n Rspubllca