The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-13
Military Frauds at Fort
ress Monroe.
New Movement i'm Favor of st.
Domingo.
REVENUE REFOUMERS 0UTGsNEaALLED.
Abolition Of the Internal Rev
enue System.

WASHINGTON, Dec. IL, 1870.
Strange Scene In the House-The Coiored
Member from South CaroIinn.
For the first time In the history Of the government
negro was sworn in to-day member of the
House Of Representatives. The fortunate individual
is J. w. Ralney, ana succeeds B. F. whittemore, OF
cadetship selling notorlety, from South Carolina.
Rainey was elected to serve out the balance OF
Whlttemore's term in the present Congress. On the
opening day OF the session, about week ago. there
were numerous inquiries fer the negro member"
ana today, when he put In an appearance for the
nrst time, he was the centre OF attraction on the
moor as well as in the galleries. light mulatto,
with long, dark, straight, glossy hair, bushy side
whiskers and decidedly Caucasian features, he
looks more like Cuban than negro. In this re-
spect he is quite unlike the negro Senator from Mis-
slsslppi, Reyels, who has the African features as
well as the woody hair. Rainey came forward at
the request OF the Speaker after his credentials had
been presented, and amid perfect silence took the
iron-clad oath. He did not meet with as warm
reception on the part OF the memte Revels did
In the Senate when he took his seat In that body.
AS he passed towards his seat in the rear
OF the Hal-the southeast corner-the only mem.
Der who thought 1t worth while to shake hands with
him was Horace Maynard, Of Tennessee. When he
had reached his place two or three of the South
Carolina members came over to congratulate him.
He evidently felt good deal out of place, and no
little disappointment at the freezing reception he
received from his republican brethren OF the white
persuasion. The negro members first vote was
given in favor OF General Banks' st. Domingo reso-
luton He was born In Georgetown, District OF
Columbia, where his father and mother were both
slaves, and Is about thirty mine years Of age.
The Bill Abolishin9 the Rank Of Admiral In
the Navy-P0rter's Nomination Hangs Fire.
There was an exciting scene in the House this
afternoon pending the passage OF General Logans
bill TO abolish the rank OF admiral IN the navy
from this time, as vacancy exists by the death OF
Farragut, and providing that the rank OF vice ad-
miral shall cease with the death OF resignation OF
the present incumbent. General Logan commanded
the attention OF members while he explained his rea
SONS for bringing In the bill, the immediate passage
Of which ne urged upon the grounds OF economy
and principle. An allusion OF Mr.. Hail. OF Maine,
to recently published letter, written by Admiral
Porter to Gideon Welles, containing expressions re.
nectnR against General Grant and Ben Butler called
forth rebuke from Logan, who dlsclalmed being
Influenced by any personal feelings against Vice
Admiral Porter in pressing the adoption or The
measure. Ben Butler improved this occasion to
make severe attack upon Porter on account OF
that unfortunate letter. The whole House listened
with fixed attention to the speech OF Rn,er
when he made his opposition TO the Vice Admiral q
personal matter. Logan insisted on the suspension
OF the rules which requires a two-thirds VOTE and
after Butler concluded his remarks the Bill was
passed by very large majority of all the members
present. Logan and Butler were jubllant over tho
celebrity with which they had carried their point and
they walked arm in arm rejoicing with each other.
The nomination OF Admiral Porter was afterwards
called up in executive session Of the Senate by sena
tor Drake, member Of the Committee on Naval A.
fairs In view OF the action or the House and the
circumstances which have transpired since he was
appointed Admiral by the President Drake found It
impossible to bring the Senate to q vote upon tile
nomination without some discussion. Senator Ed
munds, OF Vermont objected to the confirmation
and led or In opposition to Porter He referred to
the fact that the House had almost unani-
mousy passed a bill to abolish the rank
in the navy for which Porter was nominated. The
unfortunate letter OF the Admiral also came In for
share Of the Senator's criticism. He did not think
that man who was capable OF writing such a let
ter as that was fit to be at the head Of the American
navy. Senator Nye, member OF the Committee on
Naval Affairs, defended Porter against the assault
OF Senator Edmunds lie referred in an eloauent
manner to P0rter's services during the war and said
that the Admiral was not the first man who had
written an imprudent and foolish letter. Porter
head OF the American navy, and 1t was nothing
mere than right, now that Farragut was dead, to
promote him, as Sherman had been promoted In the
army when Grant was elected President. Senator
Morrill,, Of Vermont, was also against Porter. He
was in favor Of laying the nomination aside and In
concurring In the bill which has just passed the House.
This would dispose OF the whole matter without
bringing the nomination to the vote and riskng
rejection OF 1t by the Senate. Senator Sawyer, CT
South Carolina defended Porter as did also Senator
Drake In the course OF the discussion there was a
sentiment developed in favor OF the House
bill abolishing the rank OF admiral and
vice admiral In the navy, but with
cut coming to any conclusion the Senate
adjourned The impression among Senators IS that
the vote on Porters nomination Will be close. II is
impossible to predict whether he Will be rejected or
confirmed. Very much depends upon whether the
President makes point in favor oil his confirmation
II he signifies to such men In the Senate as Merton
that he wishes Porter confirmed, and makes per-
sonal matter OF 1t, the nomination will 20 through
Otherwise the indications are that 1t is doubtful
Secretary BoutweIps Amendment TO the
Funding Act.
Secretary Boutwell, made IN argument before the
Ways and Means Committee to-day in favor of the
proposition to issue $780, 100000 additional OF five
per cent bonds. 1t will be remembered that in his
recent report the Secretary referred to this matter
and gave 1t as his opinion that owing to the existing
war in Europe 10 would be impossible to negotiate
the four and four and hall per cent bonds author
lied by the Funding act, which passed at the last
session. The Secretary has prepared bill, in the
shape OF supplement to the Funding act, which
he has submitted to the Ways and Means
Committee. 1t simply provides that he shall
have authority to issue and negotiate $500, 600 600
Of bonds at i've per cent interest, the In
ierest payable quarterly instead OF semi-annually
Mr.. Boutwell, informed the committee that he thinks
he can negotiate these bonds at home-that is,
provided the rate OF interest and the manner OF
paying 1t which he proposes Is allowed. The Fund
ing act, already a law, provides for the issue Of
OF these bonds but the interest IS made
payable scm-annuaily. The present condition OF
the money market, the Secretary stated, Is not
favorable to the negotiations OF loan, especially
when the necessities OF both France and Prussia