Evening star., 1870-02-11
F0RTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Proceedings,
FRIDAY, February n.

the Capitol
Mr.. POmeroy presented a memorial OF citizens
of the District of Columbia asking the suppres-
| sion Of the trafc i'm intoxicating liquors in the
District OF Columbia. Referred TO the Com
mittee or the District Of Columbia.
MIR. Sherman introduced a joint resolution
recognizing the existence OF a state of war be-
tween Spain and Cuba. IL premises the exist
ence Of civil war in Cuba, and the sympathy of
the people OF the United States with them. as
with the people of any other American colony
| fighting for their independence, and that the
United States will maintain a strict position of
Mr.. Sherman said the feelings of the people
Of the United States were strongly excited ia
regard to this subject, and they would not be
much longer content with the silence of the
Cove rnment on the subject The recent news
of the shooting down Of American citizens in
the str, cts of Havana had added much 10 this
excitement He (Mr. 81 was constantly receiv-
ing letters on this subject from Ohio, and he
thought it was time that something should be
done. He hoped the Committee on Foreign Re-
iations would make a report a. soon as possible.
MI Sumner said the committee was now at
tentiyely considering this subject, and il the
Senator had any facts he hoped he would com
municate them.
and one fact that was sufficient that thirty
gunboats were now being built here for SPAIN
the only object Of which could be to operate
against Cuba
Mr.. Howard said the people of the United
States were, as he conceived not well informed
on the actual state of affairs i'm Cuba, and he
reIort all the facts, and if such a state Of war
fare existed to entitle Cuba to recognition as
belligerent, he wanted to extend it TO her.
MIR. Sumner-And so do /.
The resolution was then referred TO the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations.
Mr.. Hamilton offered resolution requesting
the President to communicate all information
in possession of the Departments relative TO the
recent fight of Colonel Baker with the Indians
with copies Of tie orders, &c. Passed.
/ Mr. lickers, from the Committee on the Dis
ted wit
the bll authorizing the formation of corpora-
tions in the District of Columbia.
Mr.: Ramsey called up the House bill for the
abolition of the franking privilege, the question
being on the amendment of Mr.. Drake. TO con-
tnue the present provision of the law authorizing
newspaper free exchanges, and also authorizing
papers to be sent to ubscribers i'm the county in
which they are printed free of postage.
MIR. Drake advocated his amendment. He said
tbs provision was for the benefit of the weak
coui y apers All the great papers of the cities
wanted postage exacted because then they would
De on the same footing with the little country
| papers.
Mr.. Sherman advocated his amendment allow
ing the county papers to go free Of postage. but
he did not think Mr.. brakes amendment allow
ing newspaper exchanges to 60 free was at all
necessary, as the newspapers were able to paw
postage on their exchanges.
MI Conkling thought il better 10 pass the bill
| without amendments otherwise il might.be jeOp-
| ardized. This bill did net 20 into effect until
rext July, and before that time measure could
lie matured that would except these country pa
pers from postage and incorporate sach other
provisions as should be found necessary.
The bill then went over, the morning hour ex-
piring.
BY special order today lFriday) was set apart
tee on the District of Columbia, and Mr. Hamlin
demanded the special order.
Mr. Trumbull moved TO proceed with the Mis-
sssirpi bill which was the unfinished business
ard upon division, - voted in the affirmative
and - in the negative. The Vice President gave
The casting vote in the affirmative, and the Mis-
sissiPIi bill was proceeded with.
HoUSE.-Mr. Ketcham u. W introduced a
bill to protect the Government in purchasing
supplies for the Navy. Referred 10 the Commit
tee ON Naval Affairs.
On mOtonof Mr.. Rogers (Ark.) Generrl q o.
Howard was directed To report to TIE House the
expenditures OF the Freodmen's Bureau for 2!
purposes since its creation.
op motion of Mr.. Loughridge, Nowal the Sec
retary OF the Interior was directed 70 report 10
the House all papers in the possession OF that
Department in relation 10 the officers of the
hospital for the insane of the District of Colurn-
bia, and also to transmit copies Of the charges
against said officers.
Mr. Scofield (Fa) introduced bill TO amend
Revision of Laws.
Mir. Dyer (Mol offered a bill for the further
reduction OF The army. Referred ~ Committee
on Military Affairs.
ON motion of Mr.. Strickland, Mich the Sec
rotary OF the Treasury was directed to inform
the House of the number of special agents in tho
employ OF the Treasury Department. the
amount of salary paid to each, &c.
On motion OF Mr.. Conger. (Mich.) the Secre
tary of the Treasury was directed to report the
estimated cost of erecting a light house in the
81 Clair river, opposite the town Of ST. Clair,
Michigan.
Mr. Coburn (IndD asked leave 10 offer n raso
luton directing the Secretary of the Treasury to
report to the House astatement OF expenditures
for public ard private purposes by the govern
ment IN the District of Columbia, except for
salaries OF public officers, from the date OF the
establishment Of the government at Washington
until June 30th, lsc9.
MIR. Hoar Mass objected.
On motion of Mr.. Davis, N. Y.,) the Com
mittee on Printing was directed TO report to the
House a copy OF the contract under which the
Congressional Globe il now published
The regular order of business having been
demanded, the Speaker proceeded TO call COM
mit;ees Tor reports of private nature.
Mr. Hale, Me-, from the Committee on Naval
Affairs, reported bill TO lay 5000 TO X. W.
Greene, mechanic employed in the Washing
ton Navy Yard. for the use 10y the government
of an invention by said Green of a contriyan.e
for bending links. &c.
Mr. BENJAMIN Mo- made the point of order
that the bill contained an appropriation, and
must GO TO the Committee of the Whole. Tie
point Of order was sustained.
Mr. Gilfllan, (Pa.) from Committee on Revo-
lutlonary Pensions, reported bill for the relief
oiEilllam Connolly, of Franklin, Pennsylva-
MAJ solder Of the war of 1872.
The bill contained an appropriation, and was
referred t. the Committee Of the Whole.
Also, reported a bin for relief of Mrs. McMur-
Isle. PENNSYLVANIA, to allsw her a pension
dating back TO 1870.
The bill was rejected on its passage.
Mr.. Willard, (Et.D from the same committee.
reported bill for relief of George Seward. a
veteran Of 1S12, in Illinois. [The bill is retro
spec:ive and proposes TO give the petitioner a
pension for period from 1915 to 1881 The
bill was rejected.
The Speaker laid before the House a number
OF Executive communications, among which
were several on Indian matters, which were re-
ferred to the Indian Committee; one from the
Commissioner of Internal Revenue i'm relation
to allowing Scopy right in Internal Revenue
books. and one from Secretary Of the Treasury
reporting tax collected on tobacco and whisky in
1859; all Of which were referred.
Mr.. Wood IN. " moved that when the House
adjourn to-day it be until Monday. Not agreed
to.
On motion Of Mr.. Dawes, (Mass.) the House
resolved itselfinto Committee of the Whole, and
resumed consideration of the Executive, Legis-
lative and Judicial appropriation bill
Mr.. Davis (N.Y.) moved to reduce the appro-
priation for folding documents, including
materials, from Se 900 TO 81 500. Agreed to.
Mr.. IpgersoIl (Ill.) moved to strike out the
amended paragraph. He said that In view @:
the abolition Of the ffanking privilege there
would not be 30 much necessity for folding doc
uments.
Mr.. Logan (nl.) said the gentleman was going
upon the supp0siti0n that the frankinR privilege
would be abolished, which was by no means Ger
tain he Was opposed to this demagogue talk
OF economy in these small ,natters Srke conn