The New York herald., 1870-03-05
FoRTY-FIRsT CONGRESS.
Second Session.
ssssi,ss-~~~~-e-~s~e-<s4rs< :
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, March 4, 1870
THE TEST OATH.
Mr.. ROBERTSON, lrep.) OF S. c., from the Commit
tee on DISABILITIES, reported favorabiy the bill
recently introduced by Mr.. Ferry, repeating the
Test Oath act OF 1862. The bill was read and
ordered TO be placed on the calendar.
REMOVAL OF POLITICAL DISABILITIES.
Mr.. REyELs, rep.l Of MISS, presented resolution
from the Legislature OF Mississippi for speedy
mova OF the political disabilities or all the citizens
OF that State Referred TO the Committee on Dis.
bilities.
NATIONAL SCHOOL System.
Mr.. DRAKE, Tep.) OF Mo- presented memorial OF
the National Association OF state and City superin.
tendenis OF Public Instruction, adopted al meeting
IN Washington, d. G., yesterday, asking Congress 10
take measures 10 inaugurate system VI public
instruction by national schools similar TO :hat inau
guraled under the Freedmens IS Busan. Referred TO
Tue Committee on Educauon and Labor.
UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURTS.
On motion OF Mf. TKUMBULf4 repJ OF Ill, the blll
changing the circuits oil the Untteu states Supreme
Gourt was taken up. and Mr.. Trumbull concluded
his remarks III explanation Of the authority OF Con-
lresS 10 impose quaiiiicaLlonS on nominees OF the
President Tor supreme Court judgeships. lie claimed
tnat the Presidential power Q! appointment OF the
recently created circuit Judgeships derived nom
the act Of Congress creating the Offices
Mr DAVIS, tdetnl OF KY, argued mat the act OF
Congress merely regulated tile number OF Juages
and ibit The oice sed existed by authority OF the
constitution.
CLANS OF LoYALisrs FOR PROPERTY TAKEN BY THE
ARMY.
Mr Howf. W. ~ OF MIS-. called up the bill for the
settlement ~ s4e claims Tor quariermasters and
commissais y Fes furnished 10 or taken by the
tBiied states thin toe states IN rebellion during
the late war. lae bii was Eead referring AL claims
Ior coDmi.s4rF supplies and quariermaslersf stores
iuiDsbcd 10y o,al persons 10 Inc army Of the Un,ted
states 10 tne colnlussary and luartermaster gen.
erals 10 ue decided upon ny them as 10 the sum- no
claims 10 be paid until Congress appropriales the
money.
Mr. JOHNSON (dcm.) OF Va, offered an amend.
meht to include All claims for The rent OF buildings
and occupation Of lands.
Mr. HOWE, III the course OF some remarks. cx
pressed the opinion that the amount Of claims under
The bill would not exceed nve millions Of dollars,
and asserted his confidence Ia the Quarterinaste r
anu CoinmissaIy Generals
Mr.. RICE, trep) OF Ark favored lhe bni as m cans
OF enabling tue claimants to preserve in tine dep ART
meuts the perfected proof of their CLAIMS.
Mr.. CoNKLtNG, Vep.) OF n. u. believed the pro-
posed investigation would degenerate into mere
auditing OF accounts Thc main point Of MS objec.
JDn w The bill was that IN place or harness pro-
ceedng to prevent the disappearance of testimony.
the st pafte statements oi claimants were TO bc
taken without the government being represented,
and Congress was to be committed To . distinction
favor Of loyal residents OF the South during the
war in the matter OF compensation for vt injury
inflicted py the war; The conclusion that the govern
men, was not liable for such loss or injury was
shown Ia the case Of Miss sue Murphy, though the
LOYALTY OF the claimant was taen demonstrated the
question mad been decided adversely 10 all such cases
III botn houses.
Mr. Wilson, rep) OF Mass believed the sooner
all these claims were examined and settled the
better Tor. the Treasury. Tie favored the compensa
tion Of ali III the south who had been faithful TO the
government during the war upon requisite proof.
by deferrng the day OF settlement bogus claims
would be tfumped up Dy INSCRIPTIONS persons.
Mr.. COLE, rep) OF Cal, objected TO the amend
ment ~ opening The door 10 claims for trespass on
real estate winch had not heretofore been re-
cognized. hls would require payment for the lands
occupied by Sherman's army III It's 'smarcn 10 The
sea" and nv all our armies. He admitted that the
estimate ol i've mllons made by the chairman OF
the committee on Claims tMr. Howe) might cover
I've amount cf Just claims; but the just and unjust
ioiether would exceed that by many millions. he
he,u inai uiilHg the progress Of damage ne
cesaaliiy resulted f0f which there could De no re-
under this head.
Mr. JOHNSON then withdrew his amendment
MI. fRvA1uLL SAID all our legislation hitherto was