Evening star., 1870-01-28
F0RTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Proceedings
FRIDAY, January 2s.

=
FRIDAY, January %
SENATE.-Mr. Wiley arose ana arror,..,
the presence Of Mr. j. w. johnson. sen.,o,
elect from Virginia, stating that hi. dirabilitie
had been removed, and that he desired 70 b,
sworn in.
Mr.. Edmunds suggested that there might n.
some further legislation necessary. He had bee,
informed that the disabilities of this eentiema,
had not been removed. He understood that tn,
but whether it was this Mr.. John w. JohnsoI
he Was not certain, and the identity, Of course
ought to be established.
Mr.. Wiley read from one of the acts removing
political disabilities where the name OF John W
Johnson, Of Washington county, occurred, and
this was the gentleman that was here present
MI Sumner said there would be no objection
elect then advanced, and the oath was then al.
ministered to him.
The House bill allowing such Virginia OF al,
Is are unable from conscience sake to take au
oath TO make affirmation on assuming the dutie.
OF their Offices, was passed.
The House bill to abolish the franking privi-
lege was read twice, and Mr.. Ramsey moved il.
made by Mr.. Drake and Mr.. vickers, and il was
referred TO the Committee on Post Ofhces.
hr. Cragin presented memorial Of Admiral
farragnt, Vice Admiral Porter, and other OH
GERS "i the Navy, asking that the reserved list
OF the Navy shall be divided into two classes
Referred to Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr. Conkling presented memorial of New
Cork Chamber of Commerce, urging more fire.
quent mail communication between San Fran
cisco, China, and Japan, and urging proper
congressional action to arrest the decay of
american Congress. Referred to Committee on
Commerce.
Mr.. Wilson, from Committee on Appropria-
tons, reported, with amendments, the West
Point appropriation bill.
Also, introduced bill to authorize the settle
meht OF accounts OF officers OF the Army and
Navy. Referred to Committee ON Military Az
fairs.
Mr.. Sumner introduced joint resolution In re-
laton 10 bounties TO colored soldiers and sail
fairs. ~
MIR. Sherman offered resolution instructiny
Committee on Appropriations to inquire into
The expediency Of requiring that all surplus
appropriate ms shall be covered into the Treas
ury, unexpended on July LIST next. Passed
On motion of Mr.. Edmunds, the Committee
on the Judiciary were instructed to inquire
whether any additional legislation is necessary
In reference to the organization Of the pro-
Vlsional legislature Of of Georgia.
MI. Ferry called up the bin extending the
patent OF Rollin White for improvement in pis-
tols, returned by the President with his objec-
tons, and made some remarks thereon; when
me morning hour expired, and the unfinished
pusines@bemg the currency bill-came up.
Mr.. Hamlin said to-day had been set apart nv
special order for the Consideration of certain
business. He desired to bring up some District
OF Columbia hilis-aLlong others the bin fer the
great destitution and distress that prevail here.
and the necessity OF Congress doing something,
Mr.. Sherman would have TO objection to the
currency bill going over to-day, if il wa uncer-
stood that IL should come us to-morIor
Mr.. Stewart alluded to the Census bin as a
measure " hich should be acted on at oEce
mr. o9nkiing was glad the Census bill had
been spoken of. The committee were auxious
for action on this matter at once. Ii vould meet
their views IL the Senate would refuse 70 take il
UP st Az, As tne committee were under the inn
4.
cleLs, and II no further action wss taken by
congress the census would be taken an ie- that
act.
Mr.. Sumner IS a member OF the committee.
expressed MS dissent from the remarks OF Mr.
Ccnki lie thought the compensstion nr,,-
ylded by the act Of 1850 was not enough. and he
dld not like to table unceremoniously tine .lab-
so much lime.
After some further discussion, the bill annro-
fiating $50 600 for the relief OF the poor of the
District OF Columbia, was taken up.
MI Pcmeroy moTed an amendment that the
!art,es ha'lrg in charge the distribution OF the
fund use ICrtion of tho appropriation in fur
ri.hing lahoi and the materials for labor.
hT. Eomeroy knew that there were many sick
and aSed people, proper objects OF charity, who
-" Loi able 90 labor; but there are many who
are ab.t 10 work, and these are the ones, who
beng most clamorous, will get the larger share
~ The appropriation. He should prefer that
The wE1ie amount should be devoted TO furnish
ING work; he should Ike to see an aprrop. iation
made sufficient TO pave al the streets and ave-
nurs ot TIE city, and set these people at II.
Br. DAVIS said a great many people of no
i0t ans, but who were able TO work, were allured
icie from all parts of the country, and then
y ey we're dependent on charity fer support.
What he would suggest, is to devise some means
=; which these people can be sent away from
here.
Er. Thurman expressed his great preference
for q territoriai form Of government, which
would be great blessing to the tax PAYERS but
Which vas opposed by all those now in office.
lie alluded to the great influx OF fcolored people.
and sad hat they g nerally swarmed about
here 3f the time elections were TO come or and
he parties who could feed them ont of a huge
soup bowl were the ones wEo would he art TO
s.cj The rutlTages This money was to be under
u'' control OF these politicians, and would be
use - az e,ectioneering fund. The city author
H,rs hrIc AID tie police did not protect those
nho "lFe opposed to them, not even o. their
own parry A colored man was nearly torn to
pieces -or Ncting the Democratic ticket.
Mr.. HaInin said there were some loo or
500 fcTslrI hi3-es here. ranging from 20 TO Is
years OF aae, Pii s.cally helpless and totally de-
saEd others here. Of both sexes and color. ole
thousand nrobab'v, Of them women AID chill
dr1I., anu III dependent. The Government: has
here one hundred mlllioss Of property On
nIca IL pays no tavPs, aIC it olSht ~ 10 some
thing. lie regretted the Senator thurman
h ad brou.h ioltics into the matter. Who were
10 be the alrlOnerh Of thls fcn3? The Mayor of
Washingto9, a Republican,; the Mavor OF
GeorgetoH II, Democrat; the President OF the
Levy Court, a Democrat. and General How ard.
who has no defined political status, but who
knows more about the freedmen than any other
one in the District. The memorial asking
this aid had come from citizens without regard
to politics. Te (Mr. h. lad met these societies,
and he found the aims were distI lbated without
regard to color, politics or r, iigion.
Mr.. Davis suggested that the trusters tn dis
tribute this fund nc the clergy OF the di ter
ent churches n Washington and Georgesoy-n
and asked Mr. Haml;n to provide that in the
bill.
Mr. Hamlin said that was practically lie ef-
feet Of the bill. He found Ia the Associations
members of all religious deDoniIpatiops-Ca Cafho-
lies, Protestant, and Jews: and to the credit of
the Jews be il said, that, while thew have con-
tributed literally, they have supported their
own poor.
Mr.. Pomeroy would not be willing to entrust
the disposition OF this fund to the clerCvmen.
for although they might contribute literally TO
their own congregations, there was q large class
OF people desiring charity vino were not MEM
bers Of any congregation and would be apt to
get nothing.
Mr.. Thurman enquired whether there were
Any poor laws in the District.
Mr.. Hamlin.-None, unless they come down
from the Old laws OF MARY land hundred years
ago.
mittee should devote itself to enacting q system
Of poor laws for them as soon az possible, There
is no other place in christendom but has poor
laws. He alluded TO tho great tendency of the
colorcd people to congregate in the cities and
said every able bodied man here could get en-
ployment in the country; but although besought
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