Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-02-19
CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE.
Nebraska,s Ratification.

Nebraska's Ratification.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17-Mr. Sumner
read telegram from the Governor Of Ne
braslza announcing the ratification OF the
Fifteenth Amendment by the Legislature,
with but few dissenting votes.
Mr.. Sherman presented a petition from
MANY thousand citizens of Connecticut and
Maryland, praying for the recognition Of
Cuban independence. Referred to the
Committee on Foreign Relations.
More Bonds.
MIR. Howard from the COMMITTEES on
Pacific railroad, Reported with an aIaend-
ment the Joint resolution authorizing the
Northern Pacific Railroad Company to issue
bonds for the construction of its road, and
to secure the same by mortgage, and also
to construct its main road to the western
terminus via Valley of Columbia river.
Labor Immigrants.
Mr. Wilson introduced a bill to make
the importation of immigrants under labor
contracts unlawful.
The Funding Bill.
On motion of Mr. Sherman the funding
bill was taken up, and by vote Of q to
II made the special order for Wednesday
next.
Monday was assigned for the considera-
ton of the business from the Committee Of
Commerce.
Governmental Lawyers.
On motion of Mr.. Sumner the bill crea-
ting the Office of Solicitor for the State De-
partment and for other purposes, was
taken up.
Mr.. Trumbull said the question suggest
ed by the bill was whether we were to have
in each department Of the government
law department, and consequently a va
riety of discussions upon every subject
He preferred that such officers should be
subject to on one head, or in other words
that there should DO an accumulation IN
the Attorney Generals Office of the bust
ness belonging to 1t.
Mr.. Sumner said the immediate wants of
the State Department required the assist
ance of Solicitor, and he proposed the
clerical force bill as an amendment to Ex-
aminer of Claims, in lieu Of a Solicitor.
Passed.
Estimates.
Mr.. Morrell, of Ne, introduced bill
relative to appropriations and appropriation
accounts, directing estimates of appropria-
tons to be made through the Secretary Of
the Treasury, and prescribing a method of
keepingaccounts of appropriation and bills
considered. Passed.
Little Rock to Fort Smith.
Also bills extending the time for the con-
struction of the Little Rock and Fort Smith
Railroad; one relative to settlers on the
Sioux reservation in Minnesota, and one
amending the usury laws Of the District OF
Columbia.
Another leak
The bill to encourage and promote the
International Exhibition in Washington
in 1871, was debated by Messrs. Hamlin,
Patterson, Nye and Sherman in favor, and
Messrs. Thurman, Morrill, of Vermont, and
Stewart, in opposition.
Mr., Thurman said that upon the pretext
of making the exhibition creditable to the
nation, the Government would be obliged
to shoulder the bulk of the expenses; 9th
erwise it would prove miserable failure.
He regarded the whole thing humbug,
and with the view of saving time, he
would postpone the bill indefinitely.
Mr.. Hamlin said he had been informed
by wealthy men Of Washington and others
having the matter in charge that they could
make the project a success without further
charge to the Government than was specl-
fed in the bill This entire charge was
embraced in two items, that of the trans
portation to Washington by Government
| vessels of foreign articles to be delivered at
the various ports of this country, and the
preparation of the ground for the exhibit
| bition.
At 3 o'clock, without disposing of the
| bill, the Senate went into executive ses-
| sion, and afterwards adjourned.