New-York tribune., 1870-12-14
TO THB TRIBUNB.l

COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE
| CAUCUS ON THE GENERAL AMNESTY PROPo-
| sITIoN.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THB TRIBUNBI
| WASHINGTON, Tuesday. Dec. 13, 1870
| The Senate, to-day, was theiscene of one
OF the most exciting and eloquent debates TO which the
galleries have been treated for long tlme Mr. Nc.
Creery Of Kentucky In his place. and asked leave
to introduce his resolution 10 appoint Committee to
inquire into the ownership OF Arlington Highs and to
consider the expedency of removing the remains of the
Union dead inferred there, and the restoration Of the
property to Mrs. Lee. Objections made and the
debate allowing the resolution to be introduced
Hardly had Mr. MeCreery uttered dozen words before
the news was known throughout the lobbies and the
galleries were filed with throng Of interested specta
tors Senators who were bending over their desks
engaged in writing laid down their pens, and
all listened with astonishment TO the speech
they heard. An eloquent euogy on the char
acter OF Gen. Lee was pronounced on the
foorOf the United States Senate. When Mr.. McCreery
done the whole Senate seemed ready to rise TO ts
feet In protest not much against the restoration OF
property 10 Mrs Leo against the desecraton OF the
graves Of the Union dead One after another the lead
ing Republican Senators took the oor and Indignantly
opposed the introduction OF the resolution insult TO
the Senate insult to the country and insult to the
memory OF the patriotic dead. Senators Emunds and
Morton, Patterson and Scott and Summer and Nye each
inspired by the sacred memories OF the past threw back
in his teeth the words OF the unucky author OF the
luton, and before they done he wished to with
draw the request Mr. Summers speech was conceded
be the most eloquent Of the day. and his description OF
MI stantOn as he the order for the burial OF the
patriot dead at Arlington, and bis announcement that
he meant to bury the dead there permanent
guard over the ground, SO that member Of the
family of Lee should never upon H. grand Mr.
sumner closed with the words inscribed over the tomb
of Shakespeare, "Curst be he that moves my bones"
and said that he would write those words that had kept
the dust Of Shakespeare sacred the graves OF
patriot dead at Arlington. Mr.. Salisbury alone stood by
Nj McCreery OH the foor and even he would not think
Of removing the Union dead The majority OF the Dem
ocrats, 1t should be said TO their credit, ndg
nant any that such dshOnor should be brought upon
their party though OF them made speeches against
It, When the vote taken, but four ScnatOrs-Mr.
McCrecry Mr.. Fowler, and the two Maryland Senator's
recorded themselves in favor Of allowing the intro
dueton Of the resolution.
But little OF interest done i'm the House today.
The frankng privilege finally disposed ot, far
the popular branch OF Congress concerned by adopt
ing Mr. Hills amendment to the Post Office bill, abolish
ing all laws the subject Of franking not. however,
until 1t had been amended TO allow
newspaper publishers TO exchange their papers
through the mails free, and tho publishers
Of weekly, semi weekly, and monthly periodicals
10 frank their 20 country subscribers. The Wis
consn Railroad was again postponed and IL looks
though the House, unless combinations made,
II determined not To pass any OF these ladrant bills,
with perhaps exception. Considerable interest
excited by the reading contrary USAGE of the Tc
tiOn 1000 citizens OF Gloucester Mass asking that
be taken 10 relieve them OF the mposi-
tons OF the Canadian authorities upon their fishing
sels The petition presented by Gen. Butler
The important business which the Senate Indian
Committee will have charge this session is the bin
introduced by Mr. Harlan during last session. to pay the
Cherokee Indians for portions OF their land in Indian
Territory. which several OF the wild tribes Of the
Plains have been removed. When tit was proposed 10
settle other tribes Cherokee lands 10 agreed that
the Cherokees should receive for their lands whatever
sum should he agreed upon between them and the
cumers. II intended however, to tbher
any wild tribes, but only those who, like the
Osages, had money 10 pay for their new homes. The
Government las, however, placed on these lands num-
ber Of tribes and portions OF tribes who have money
and the CherokeeE very justly complain. Mr.. Harlan's
BIZ which was reached in calendar yesterday, but went
under the rule, because objected to- proposes TO
give the Cherokees the relief they claim.
The Senate Financial Committee had short session
this morning but the only subject considered tho
bill OF Senator Drake TO provide fund by assessing all
Government employees their salaries, the fund o be
used in the discretion Of Secretary Of the Treasury
for relief OF the employees in of sickness dsab
ty or DEATH The Committee agreed 10 report the bill
favorably Another meeting OF the Committee will bo
held tomorrow, at which the subject of the Funding act
will probably be considered.
The WAYS and Means Committee gave audience to-day
10 committee representing the Convention OF Tobacco
Manufacturers lately held in Richmond who submitted
arguments in OF the repayment by the Govern
ment Of an amount OF nearly 100000 which twice
paid by manufacturers at the time when the change
made the stamp system and against tie proposed
equalization OF the tobacco tax recommended in the last
report Of Commissioner Delano They also urged the
abolition Of the tax sales Of tobacco, the ground
that sales Of other articles relieved from
fav he uf
warehouse system. Mr. Presbury, Chief Supervisor OF
Tobacco present at the audience. The tobaccomon
arcpghly gratifed at the attention given by the Com
mittee to their views.
The Committee Banking and Currency discussed TO-
day bill introduced by Gen. schenok to incorporate the
American Loan and Trust Company for which charter
is asked by Washington gentlemen MT Sheldon's
bill 10 give 10 the NewOrleans banks circulation in ex-
OF the limit prescribed by law also considered
No action taken on either measure
The Reconstruction Committee to-day made some minor
amendments to section OF the Amnesty bill respect
ing suits pending against for acts done during
the Rebellion aud authorized Gen Butler TO report the
bill to the House. No modification wac made in the eY
cepting clauses
Tue HousetNaval Committee viii have opportunity
to report their bill for the Reorganization Of the Navy
Immediately after the hoday!ecess. The only import
ance OF the bill is that IT gives positive rank to the sta
A much important bill Is pending In the SEN
ate suComnhttee, OF which Senator Drake is the
author II proposes large reduction In all the higher
grades OF naval officers fast vacancies occur
The Committee Manufactures will report TO the
House tomorrow their bill To provide for celebrating
the Tooth anniversary OF American Independence by hold
ing an International Exhibition OF Arts, Manufactures
and Products Of the Soil and Mines In the City Of Phila
delpha, In ls76 which proposes to authorize the APP
po1Hmcnt by the President Of Commission OF not
than three delegates from each State to sit in Phila
delpha make arrsngementslfor holding Worlds Fair
superntend the when held, and make reports TO
Congress. The Commissioners " have the mile