The New York herald., 1870-01-22
FORTY-FIRsT CONGRESS.
Second Session.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON Jan, 81, 1870.
INCREASE OF PAY OF ARMY OFFICERS
Mr.. WILSON, rep.l OF Mass, presented memorial
OF fourteen hundred army officers for an Increase OF
pay. Referredto the Military Committee.
THE SIXTEENTH HAMENDMENT-woMAN SUFFRAGE
Mr.. WILsoN-Als0 presented memorial In favor
OF sixteenth amendment to the constitution giving
women the right to vote. Referred TO the Judiciary
Committee.
Mr. P0aERoY, (rep.1 Of Kan, presented a petition
OF like import to permit the exercise Of the elective
franchise by citizens now deprived OF that right.
Referred to the Judiciary Committee.
ABOLITION OF THE FRANKIsG PRIVILEGE.
Mr.. MORRILL,, trep.) OF VT, In presenting a petit
tion for the abolition Of the frankng privilege
said that the idea had been generally disseminated
by means OF circulars sent out by the Post
master General, that Senators and Representa-
tive were guilty Of gross frauds In their abuse
OF the franking privilege. So far as hs
was personally concerned he did not believe am
frauds had been practiced In the manner complained
OF. lie would favor the proposed reform, but did
not believe any material saving would be effected
thereby, as the mails would have to be carried and
II the government did not pay for IL out OF one
pocket 1t would out OF another.
Mr.. WILSON thought Congress should feel grateful
70 tne POST once department Tor Its efforts to aid
abollshing that which experience had shown to be
burden upon rather than privilege for Congress-
men,
Mr.. COLE rep.) Of Cal did not favor the abolition
o. 1i the privilege az measure OF economy believing
amount OF expense 10 the government by reform
He ntinated that he was not averse the proposed
Mr.. BAYARD, (dem.) OF Del, said he had been in.
formed by postmaster whose name appeared
OF the ranking privilege that he had taken action in
the matter under Instructions from which the In.
ference was that he had been instructed By bis
Onlclal chiel. Among the names OF signers he re-
cognlzed those OF several OF his constituents who
wlshin two weeks, had received under frank public
documents which in bulk cOunterbalanced the whole
OF the mail matter to which his own correspondence
would amount during the entire session.
~ ~, ImUnMAN S dem;, Of ONO ~ presented petition
raj IN printing and sending to his eighteen thousand
subordinates throughout the country-hoding their
POSITIONS not by the confirmation OF the Senate but
at his pleasure-lnstrnctions to procure signatures
OF petitions to influence Congressional action was
any other country. He thought this . departure
from Official Droprlety and remarked that there had
neen time wnen the Congress OF the United States
would not have quietly tolerated such conduct by
the head OF department, or attempt BY any autno-
rity Of the government to forestal the pubic opinion
and prevent the proper investigation.
The various peytions on the subject were referred
to the Committee on Post Ofrlces
THE BELGIAN TRANSATLANTIC CABLE.
MI. FENToN, trep.) OF N. Y, presented Q memorial
OF W. c. Barney asking certain privileges 80 q TO
enable him and his associates to connect the United
marine teegrapnic cable including translation OF
the Belgian concession. Also petition FOR the cree
were appropriately referred.
THE INCOME TAX FOR 1870.
Mr Siberian, Tep;) OF Ohio. from the COMMITTEES
on Finance, reported, with averbal amendment, the
House joint resolution TO c0natrue the law relating
to the tax on sasries declaring that Lhe meaning OF
the end Of the year 1879. Upon bis lSnermani
motion the Senate proceeded to consiier the bill.
Mr. SHERMAN explained that IN the army the I've
per cent tax on salaries Tor the present year had
not been deducted in accordance with an opintou
OF the Judge Advocate General while the reduction
the bill would not be TO extend the time OF the i'm.
positi on OF the tax, but was merely declaratory
Mr. THURMAN said that the matter seemed proper
subject Tor legislation, and not merely for dectars
tory action In view OF the probability OF legal CON
struction hereafter that the law Imposing the tax
already expired by Limitation. He expressed grave
doubts OF the elect OF declaratory act as means
OF resuscltation He dcsred, II any remedy was APP
Piled, that 1t should not be al inefficient one.
Mr.. BAYARD expressed his unwllllngnexs to A.
sumo the position OF contcsting . law without re-.
gard to the effect hereafter to be given IT, belev
ing tnas ne Judiciary Department alone could AFFORD
Mr.. WILSON suggested that the committee might
report bill TO relieve army officers entirely from
the tax.
The bill then went over for the present.
BILLS INTRODUCED AND REFERRED.
BY AIR. PATTERSON, trep) OF N. H.-To abolish the
Freedmen's Bureau and provide Tor q Bureau OF
Education.
BY Mr.. PoxERoY-To prohibit the sale OF public
iands IN Kansas, except Dy actual settlement.
Also proposing an amendment TO the constitution
OF the United states, submitting 10 the States
.o,toWAnk uiIS'C W uc kuOWu Us WIG SlAttcuIH,
which wnen ratified by thrceIourths thereof shall
be part Of the constitution OF the United states:
The basis OF suffrage In tho United shall that OF
cilzsnshp, ana al native and naturaxed citizens shall
slog tue same rights and privileges OF elective franchise
E1ch state ha determins BY law the citizen the
time OF required for the exercise Of the right Of
frage, which Rhall apply equally all citizens and shah
make all lava In regara 70 the place holding cleo
tona.
1t was referred to the Committee on the judiciary
and Ordered " pe printed.
THE VIRGINIA BILL
was taken up, and Mr.. MOTION, rep) OF Mimi. re-
erred 10 circumstances attending the holding OF tne
Military Commission In Georgia to pass upon the
qualifications of members Of the Georgia Legislature
claiming they vndcated the correctness OF his pre-
vious statement concerning uQwarrantcd assump-
ton OF power in that State.
Mr.. TRUABULt, Vep.) or ILL.,, said he had carefully