Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-14
THE xLIst CONGRESS.

of evidence in certain cases;
By Senator Schurz: To remove political
disabilities from all persons therein named
in the State of Texas.
MIR. Drake called up a resolution to
amend the rules so as 10 require consid-
GRAFTON of Indian treaties in open Senate.
I The subject had been previously discussed,
and in Difference TO its importance to the
interests of the country, definite action
should now be taken.
Mr.. Terry offered Il resolution TO require
all treaties for the acquisition of territory
of foreign governments be also considered
in open session. The resolution was then
laid over.
On motion of Mr.. Drake, Mr.. Pratt ad-
dressed the Senate in support OF a bill
giving to the State Courts concurrent jUr-
isdictIon with he I niJed States Courts
in marine cassseor ports in navigabIe riy-
ers above ebb and flow of the tide.
Mr.. Ramsey, from the Committee on
PostOfices, reported, with amendment,
against the resolution anendatory of the
act Of July Y, 1863, to provide for an
American line of steamers between New
York ana Europe. The POstofiic8 De-
paTtment is to pay $500, 900 as interest on
the bonds OF the company, which sum
shall be in ful payment for transpOrta-
tiOn of mails.
Mr.. Carpenter. from the Committee on
a bill TO provide a remedy for loss or de-
strUctiOu of Judgment records or DEGREES
appertaining 10 the proceedings in the
United States courts.
Mr.. Rice introduced a bill to change the
judicial circuits. Referred to the Com
migtee on Judiciary.
Mr.. Kellogg introduced 2 bill granting
right OF way and sections Of public lands
per mile to aid the construction Of the
railroad and telegraph line from Marshall,
Texas, to san Diego, with branches and
connections; both referred 10 the Cun-
nliJtee on Public Lands.
A consideration of the Virginia bill was
resumed. Mr. Wilson's amendment hay
ing been withdrawn.
The Senate voted on the amendment Of
fered by Mr.. Drake, which wss rejected
yeas II, nays IS.
EIr. Edwards resumed. His amend
ment providing that before the measure
goes into effect each member and officer
OF the Legislature shall subscribe on oath
as follows:
WI do solemnly swear that have never
taken an oath as member of Congress or
officer Of the United States, or member Of
any State legislature or executive or ju-
dicial officer Of any State 10 support The
Constitution Of the United States. and
afterwards engaged in insurrectiou or
rebellion against the same
Or that such person shall take an oath
that the disabilities imposed upon hin by
the AIfth amendment have been ra-
moved by aet o. Congress. In the event
OF persons swearing falsely, the amend
ment specifics the penalty OF q dne and
Imprisonment; aud, further, that, that in
case OF fsiLErs to take the oath till the
Office Of the person thus offending By ne
glect, shall be deemed 70 have been vaca-
ted.
Mr.. Nye opposed the amendment, be
cause the effect would be to disorganize
the legislatures.
Mr. Edmunds advocated it as the most
efficient means Of Kidding he Legislatures
Of those who had no right TO be there
under the XVIII Amendment.
Messrs. Morton and Trumbull expressed
opposition TO 1t because il provides that
before the bill went into effect the oath
refusal Of any members to take ths oath.
the pending legislature would be rendered
abor.ive.
Mr.. Trumbull earnestly advocated the /
immediate admission as a means Of restOr-
ing the South 10 prosperous commercial
relations with the North, and Is lndispen-
sable 10 preserving the faith Of Congress
with the states.
After further debate, q very animated /
personal oollOquy took place bet ween /
IrumbuU ana Sumner. The former /
called attention to the presence, near Mr.. !
Sumner, of an outsider, advising and in +!
duencing his actions.
Mr.. Sumner said it was C. B. Porter, q l
member elect from Richm0ReRAyho rep /
resented the loyal men of v u.
Mr.. Trumbull asked: WMx ,4ade Mr.. /
sumner infalhble Judge of loyalty?" and 1
then read the proceedings Of court mar |
.ial which found Porter guilty OF using
seditious language, drunkenness, etc. He I
further commented on Summers attack 1
on Gov. Walker, ana showed that he had |
the privilege OF the door, which Porter /
had not.
Personalities were INDUCED IN and a 4
bitterness OF feeling was 4
ed On 50th sides.
Mr.. Williams offered resolution, which 1
was referred TO a&onmittee Of the Whole, /
favOring a reduction Of taxation to the 1
lowest possible per cent, and declaring /
that any annexation OF foreign territory,
for which a consideration of money or its /
equivalent is TO be made. Is a direct as /
sault upon the public credit aud nGt called /
tO- by any exigency of public aff1irs.
Mr.. MOEril. of Name. by unanimous
consent, introduced hiH providing that /
no officer or clerk in the employ OF the 1
nItsd States Government shall. st any /
time, collect contributions of other OIL 4
,ials or employees ia the Government ser
vice for a gift ospresent to those in supe-
rier official positiOn; that no official or
clerical superior shall receive any I
Of Goveln;neut employees receiving less
salary than himself and no officer or
slerk shall make by donation as a gift or
present to any official superior. ANY per-
son violating any provisions in this bill,
shah be summdrilg dismissed, and be IN
siizible 10 any official position under the
for three years.
Mr.. Benjamin moved TO lay the bill on
he table. Negatiyed-yeas, 2 benjamin
and Bates); hays, 25s,
Mr.. Bingham suggested that the bill
was Of doubtful cOnstIJUtjouatity, e. &c
provided penalty to last for three years.
without commission by court; he there
fore moved to refer it to the Judiciary
Committee.
Mr.. Morrill, then amended the biii by
striking ou5 that part OF the penalty rela
ing to the ineligibliity 70 Of5ce for three
years.
A bill was passed with division by MFR.
7arnswOrth Introducing bill to prevent
md punish certain abuses IN the POstOffice
Department 10 reference TO lottery circu-
ars.
Mr.. Mungen rose to a personal explana-
ion a. 10 a statement in the Washington
of the New York Tribune
)t the 18th of December, in reference 30
lis repuGia.ion speech in the House. pri-
)r to the recess. he denied the state
nents in detail and in Cross-characteriz-
ng them as fabrications.
MIR. Garfield replied briefly that he had
,ecelved the resolutions Of the Democrats
# Mercer county, in his colleagues dis
net, faForlng repQdiatiOn. and showing
lis colleague represented their opinion
Mr.. Eldridge said he did not consider IL
epudiation to pay debt of the Govern
nent precicely as Congress had agreed to.
ie considered it reputation TO undertake
o pay them in any other way. He be-
ieVed the 5-2J's were payable in legal
ender money OF the country; and he be-
leved any officer Of the Government who
,oes in the market and appreciates 5-2O's
It an expense, and by depreciation of
,reenbacks as legal tender money. was
not an inlpracticabls uf1ense,
)ut an ofense against the Government.
ROUSe.-'fhe House, at 2:30 took mp the
Virginia bill, and was addressed by Law
ence in its support and advocacy as the
,est bill that he could get. 4
Mr.. Logan briefly expressed the diff
ulty which occurred 20 his mind, in case
lereafter Virginia should undertake to
ubvert any of the fundamental con6t-
ions on which she was admitted while
Democrats should have control Of Con-
.ress.
Mr. Wood laid down several PROPOSE
ions which would prevent him from sus-
aiming the bill.
Mr.. Mccormick offered resolution in
tructing the Committee on Territories to
INQUIRE into the expedioncy of establish
ng a territorial government over the CIV
lized Indians in the Indian Territory.