Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-03-31
f0RTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Proceedings,
THURSDAY, March 81, $50.

an extended discussion took nlace o., q. -
Of Mr.. Trumbull, so as To set forth tia, he M
IT, moved, when the Senate was in executj,,
- sson yesterday, that the doors be opene,l to
tceise the message OF the PresideEt in refeT,
Il ce 20 the fifteenth amendment. Mr. n. then
ithd ew his motion, stating that he had accom-
lishI d his object.
Mr.. Drake presented the credentials of Nor
an &. Hamilton and y. w. Flanagan Sena-
Tors from the State of Texas for the terms end
ing respectively March 4, ISL, and March 4
1876; which were read.
The Vice President requested the Senators
elect to come forward and take the OATH OF Of
ice; and they came forward and were sworn in.
The House resolutions OF respect for General
Geo. III. Thomas were passed unanimously.
Joint resolution allowing retired ori6 GERS 20
he assigned TO duty at the Soldiers Home was
passed.
Mr.. Cattell presented a bundle of memorials
from citizens of New Jersey, asking the aboli-
tion OF the franking privilege.
Mr.. Cole offered a bill authorizing the estab-
lshment of ocean mail service between The
United States and Australia. Referred TO Com
mittee on Post Offices.
Mr.. Patterson introduced a bill to establish a
national asylum of applied science. Referred
to Committee on District of Columbia
Mr.. salisbury offered a resolution requesting
the Secretary OF State TO communicate the date
Of the ratification of the 18th amendment by the
different States; but ii went over under the OBJ
lection OF Mr.. Stewart.
Mississippi,was then taken up; and Mr.Nickers,
Of Maryland, being entitled to the tioor, pro-
ceeded to read a. aspeech in opposition.
HOUSE.-Immediately after the reading of
the Journal the regular order of business was
demanded, and the House resumed considera-
ton Of the bill reported by Mr.. Arnell, from the
Committee on Education and Labor, in relation
TO the office of education, and TO transfer certain
funds Of the Freedmen's Bureau to the educa-
Mr.. McNeely (In.) addressed the House in on
position to the bill, on rhe ground that while IN
professed to be bill TO discontinue the Freed
mems Bureau il was really intended TO perpetu-
ate it. He denounced ii, therefore, as a fraud
upon the people, and as intended to interfere
with the rights of the people in the several
States. To perpetuate the Bureau was 10 exer-
else and perpetuste an unconstitutional power.
Mr.. McNeely, in continuation, argued that an
necessity for these laws had passed away with
the legislation of Congress which made the
negro a voter. Now let the negro take care of
himself, as other voters and freemen had 20 do
Mr.. Dockery IN. CO urged that the property
of the Freedmens Bureau should be divided
among the reconstructed States for the educa-
ton of the freedmen, in accordance with the
original provisions Of the law.
Mr.. Winans (O.) offered an amendment TO
section two providing that the proceeds should
be expended for the instruction OF colored chill
dren and the establishment OF common schools
Mr.. Lawrence (O.) was in favor OF the educa-
ton of all the children of the country. but he
transfer Of money for such a purpose Implied
that new appropriations might be made for the
same purpose. The House should pause before
they taxed the people Of one State for purposes
of education in another. He would have the
children of each State educated at the expense
Of their own State.
Mr.. Shanks Ind.) replied to Mr.. Lawrence.
and advocated the passage of the bill, claimin,
Il at il the bill failed the money would 90 inst
where the bill provided it should 60.
Mr.. Hoar (Mass) urged the passage of the
bill as insuring more economical admnistra-
ton OF the trust in the disposition OF the funds
Mr.. Farnsworth (Ill.) asked IT the gentleman
did not consider IT a violation of the statute in
relation to the Freedmen's Bureau, giving the
rrtaA aAxfaa dol hn1o 60. Ia
Mr.. Hoar said that he did not 30 consider il As
If the bill did not pass the remaining money be
used up by the gentlemen at the head OF the
Freedmen's Bureau.
Mr.. Arnel, from the committee, then offered
as an amendment an additional section, prOvid-
ing that in the discharge Of the duties imposed
by the bill the Commissioner of Education
should be guided by such rules and regulations
as might be prescribed by the President of the
United States, and demanded the previous ques-
Mr.. Benjamin moved to lay on the table.
vvte mnfe das as follows AYES Ga noes So enc
Pending further consideration, the morning
hour expired, and the bill went over under the
rule.
Mr.. Paine, wis., from the Committee ON
Elections, reported a resolution that Messrs.
Whitmore, Connor. Clarke, and DUNCAN had
the prima facie right to seats as Representa-
tives from the State of Texas, and moved that
they be sworn in.
Mr.. Shanks (Ind.) offered an amendment that
OOnnOf, from tne second district, be
sworn in, but that his case be referred TO the
Committee on Elections. Mr.. Shanks sent TO
the Clerks desk and had read certain state
ments showing expressions Of disloyalty on Con-
nor's part.
Mr.. Butler (Mass.) also sent to the clerks desk
and had read the proceeding of a court OF inqui-
~ appointed to try COnnor, who was then hold
ing commission rs captain in the United States
army in Texas, on charges OF cruelty to soldiers
under his command. The record shows, how
ever, that Connor was acquitted Of all the
charges.
Mr.. Brooks IN. ~ made the point of order
that this House had no business to inquire into
the private character Of Q member elect The
only enquiry was whether he was properly
elected and entitled to Q seat.
The Speaker oyerruled the point of order.
Mr.. Butler said he would have allowed the
case to rest IL there was not cumulative evil
dence. He then presented certain afidaviis
setting forth that at public meeting in Texas
Connor had admitted abuse of his soldiers, and
had suborned them not to testify against him.
Mr.. Butler thought that in view of this fact
there ought to be some further enquiry Of the
matter.