New-York tribune., 1870-04-13
NEW-YORK WEDNESDAY,, APRIL l3, $40.
WASHINGTON.

| ACTION OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TIE
NAVAL LINE AND STAFF QUESrION-PoslrlVE
RANK GIVEN TO THE sTAFP-PRoP05ED REOR-
GANIZATION OF THE INDIAN sYSTEh-IhE
GEORGIA BILI-POLAR EXPLORATIONS.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
WASHINGTON, Tuesday, April IL, 1870
The question OF the rank OF the line and staff OF the
| Navy was resumed this morning by the House N"sai
Committee After protracted discussion of the question
whether the executive officer should have precedence on
shipboard over staff officer who outranks him. IL was
finally decided by a vote of five to five against the execu
tive officer This virtually decides in favor OF giving
positive rank the staff far as the Committee Is con-
cerned.
The House Committee on Indian Affairs have had
under consideration for time bill in relation 10
the Indians which has now been completed and agreed
upOn and which will be introduced soon as practca-
ble The bill provides for reorganization OF the lndiah
system 1t classifes the Indians into three classes
namely those who have adopted the habits or clVnZa
ton, those who have made progress in cviizaton
and those who roam about the Plains and subsst on the
products OF the chase. 1t divides the whole Indian
| country into four superintendencies, appoints
| agents within those superintendences, and re-
quires them TO reside within the limits OF
their agencies 1t directs the President to enter INTO
negotiation for abrOgaton of certain treaties, aud
provides the removal OF certain tribes within reserVa
ons and for their protection therein. 1t prevents the
alienation lands by Indians, and authorizes the sale
the United States with the consent OF the Indans) OF
their lands and the investment OF the proceeds for their
benefit, civilization aud educational fund.- III pro-
poses addition TO bring the tribes within the restrc
tons Of judicial system far practicable. The bill
has been prepared by the Committee after full consnta
ton with the Secretary of the Interior and the Commits
soner of Indian Affairs and it meets the approval OF
| both officers.
In the Senate today, the Committee on Territories re-
ported the House Polygamy bill with amendments ana
aF,l- 10 haUn made
special order for Monday next The proposition for
Joint Committee Indian Affairs again discussed
consuming all OF the morning hour, and when O'CLOCK
came il seemed vote than the day 1t was IN
troduced An amendment was added to the effect tnat
the Joint Committee shall continue only during this ses
SION The Georgia bill had been made the special order
for to-day, o'clock by unanimous consent, yet when
il came up Mr. Howard sought to have 1t put over for
the purpose OF proceeding with the Northern Pacific
Railroad BILL and his motion was only lost
by the close vote OF 80 to 49, Mr. IptOh
then delivered speech which seemed TO great
ly please the Democratic Senators. He expressed
his utter disbelief in the Rebel outges, and did not
want any bill admit Georgia. but if the Senator's who
were first elected would present themselves, he would
admit them at once. Mr. Howe followed in a long and
powerful argument the Constitutional power OF Con-
gress In the admission OF States, and the imposing on
fundamental condtons and, after brief recital of the
acts Of the Republican party in behalf OF liberty and
just prior to, during and since the Rebellion.
Mr. Norton then obtained the noOr and after uttering
few dionted sentences, gave way for an adjournment
The contested election case of Hunt agt Sheldon, of
the lid Louisiana District consumed the entire session
of the House to-day The Committee reported in favor
OF Sheldon, the sitting member, who is Republican.
More than usual interest manifested in the case as 1t
virtually decides the other three contested election cases
from the state There were not more than third
the members present during the day. the others taking
advantage of the general agnaton in business to work
up Committee business No vote reached.
Dr. Hayes and DR.. Hall appeared before the Commit
tee, with their and charts for the purpose Of In
forming them respecting the Arctic explorations, but
the Committee unable to hear them ON account or
other engagements and special meeting has been
called for Thursday when the subject will be fully dis
cussed. The Committee to-day received the following
resolutions, just adopted by the NewYork Geographical
Society:
Resolced That il Is eminently desirable that an expe-
dton should be fitted out by the Government for Arctic
explorations, and the discovery OF the North Pole 49,
Resolred, That in view of the great perls and diff
cues which attend any attempt to penetrate the Arc
obtained are scientific, the expedition should be com
manded by an able officer of Arctic experience, hay-
that an amount OF scientific information may at least
be gathered which will reflect honor upon the country
out assuming to dictate to whom the command OF ~
that Dr. Hayes received gold medals of the Royal
Geographical Society OF London and the Imperial Geo,
Society of Berlin, Royal Academy of Sciences Of
Brussels and the Geographical Society OF Italy and
very nsucient means reached nearer to the pole than
any prevous explorer except Parry he Is in the opinion
and experienced of living American Arctic explorers.
Fernando Wood intends to make the investigation into
the conduct Of Gen. Howard personal matter and has
engaged counsel. The investigation will begin tomor-
row. before the Committee Education and Labor Of
which Arnell of Tennessee is Chairman. Gen. Howard's
counsel If he has engaged any, has not yet been all
nounced.
The Committee Of Senators to investigate the charges
made by Senator Cole and others against Mr. Gorham,
Secretary the Senate have nearly completed their
labor and it is probable that Gorham will not be dis
turbed 1t is expected that the case will be closed to-
morrow.
The Senate Naval Committee, to-day, received from
Secretary Robson q communication strongly recon-
nending that bill be reported giving II months pay to
the families heirs Of the officers and crew OF the One
d. who were drowned at the time OF the collision OF
that vessel with the Bombay The Committee favor such
appropriation and Will prepare Dill lor the purpose
| at their next meeting.
Gov senter of Tennessee again before the House
Committee Reconstruction, and concluded his testi
mony. He will at return home. The examination
was o coloQual character and no great amount OF
information was elected In addition to that previously
obtained. Gov. Senter reiterated his opinion that he
could repres awlessness In the State II furnished with
Government troops The tenor Of his evidence was that
the condition OF affairs In Tennessee called for Federal
interference. The next witness will be E. Boone an ex
| Confederate, but now Republican.
The House Territorial Committee, after a careful ex
animation into all the facts and statistics to-day agreed
to report bill for the admission OF NewMeAico as
| State.
Gen Rosecrsns had hearing to-day before the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee concerning his Mexican
scheme The Committee does not regrdtthis matter OF
sufficient Importance to adopt any special legislation IN
regard 10 II at the present time.