The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-13

Congress Yesterday-Gsencrai Amnesty, st
Domingo, Revenue Reform aud Admiral
j Porter.
The proceedings of Congress yesterday were
not devoid of Importance. The question OF
general amnesty was brought before the Senate
in plain, honest, straightforward resolution,
| offered by Senator Schurz, declaring that due
regard for the fundamental principles of the
| American system OF government, as well as
| every consideration of sound craftsmanship,
requires the removal OF all dsqualifications and
, disabilities. II was postponed for some days,
when an interesting debate may be expected.
This proposition is great Improvement on
that reported in the House the other day by
Mr.. Butler, of Massachusetts,, from the Judi
ciary Committee, which hens around the pro-
posed grace and mercy with formal preli-
mnaries and excludes from its operations
several classes comprising the most influential
citizens OF the South.
The subject which ELECTED most discussion
In tho House, and which will attract most
attention throughout the country, was the bill
introduced by Mr.. Logan, of Illinois, abolish
ing the naval rank Of admiral and vice
admiral. The opposition to it came from two
members of the Committee on Naval Affairs,
who wished the bill referred to that committee
instead of being acted upon Immediately, as
urged by Mr. Logan. In the discussion which
took place the letter which Porter wrote to
Secretary Welles, at the time of the Fort
Fisher expedition, in which uncompimentary
alluson was made to General Grant and Gen
eral Butler, and the recent letter Of Admiral
Porter to President Grant on the subject, were
referred to, and were made the occasion
for some very scathing reflections upon the
Vice Admiral. Butler characterized them as
sycophantic, and as attempts on the part Of
Porter to curry favor with those in power, and
he declared against setting such an example
before the youth of the navy. 1t was in val
that Scofsld tried to parry the blow aimed
at Porter by recalling General SCOTS weak
ness in the department of letter writing, and
intimating that even members of Congress had
their ''foels day The feeling against Porter
was too strong. Dawes and Banks took the
decidedly unfavorable to the Vice Admiral.
The consequence was that the bill was passed,
under suspension of the rules, which requires
a two-thirds majority, and that there was not
even division of the House on its passage.
With that unmistakable action of co-ordi-
nate branch of Congress on the subject, it is
by no means likely that the Senate
will act upon the nominations pending before
it for the promotion of Porter to the rank of
admiral and Of Rowan to that of vice
admiral, but will rather concur with the
House in abolshing both those positions.
However, if the Senate choose to confirm the
nominations it has the right to do so, and
then pass the bill, leaving it to take effect
when vacancy shall next occur in either
rank.
The question Of the annexation of st.
Domingo also came up in the House, in the
shape of joint resolution introduced by Mr..
Banks, for the appointment of special COM
mission to take that question into considera-
tlon and to negotiate with the authorities Of
the island. Mr. Banks tried to have II passed
under the previous question, but could not get
q majority of the House to vote with him.
Mr.. Cox then tried to kill the proposition
by a motion to lay it on the table; but
the House refused to do that either; and,
finally, sort Of compromise course was
adopted, by reference of the whole matter
to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, with
leave to report at any time after five days
notice to the House. The same question
came up also in the Senate, in a resolution
offered by Senator Morton, and which lies
over for future action.
The friends of Revenue Reform had
chance Of showing their hands on resolution
offered by Mr.. Kelley, Of Pennsylvania, look
ing to the abolition of the internal revenue
system, except as to tobacco and distilled
spirits, which resolution was agreed to with
but SIX negative votes. A somewhat parallel
proposition was offered by Mr.. Cox, OF New
York, except that it also looked to lowering
of tariff duties to q revenue standard; and
this was referred to the Committee Of Ways
and Means, which will probably be the last
chat will be heard of it.
The Tenure of Office bill was repealed III
the House by majority Of l57 to 70, and a
bill was introduced in the Senate by MIR.
Chandler, of Michigan, to cut off the Cana
dams from certain privileges of commerce
which they now enjoy.
These are the prominent subjects that came
before Congress yesterday. There were, be-
sides, quite variety of heterogeneous mat
tiers introduced and referred in either House,
including bills for the incorporation and subsi-
dzing of steamship companies. This latter
subject, in connection with the pending
measures looking to the encouragement OF
American shipping and commerce, will be one
of the most important matters to be disposed
Of at the present session. Let us hope that the
wisdom of Congress will prove equal to the