Evening star., 1870-02-15
F0RTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Proceedings



SENATE--The Vice President preeepfed /.
Communication from the Secretary OF War rel
ative 10 the acquisition Of sites for coast Az
fences, with an accompanying bill. Referred to
Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr.. Morton offered a resolution reo ue<fino th~
President TO communicate TO the Senate the
number and names Of the iron-clads beioneins
TO the navy Of the United States, by whom de-
signed, by whom now oficered, and their pres
ent condition. Adopted.
Mr.. Ramsey called up bill to abolish the frank
Ing IriviieEe the question being on the amend
Changes cham 3 to 60 free OF postage. newspaper eA-
Mr.. Morrill,, Of Vermont, said this bin had
come from the HOUSE pushed through with
much haste, and with some heat. No bin Of this
Importance should be passed without q careful
consideration of the various effects to be pro-
duced by IL. The great abuse connected with
this privilege was the enormous and unneces-
ing was done away with at least temporarily,
this abuse would never be corrected. In regard
TO free Transmission of newspapers, the metro
politan journals did not desire it. The right of
petition was a sacred one, and petitions from the
people should be allowed to come to Congress
free OF postage. In regard to the mail matter of
free, for otherwise Congress would be continu-
ally called upon to make appropriations. and il
would cost the Post Office Department nothing
aHditionai aSe anai.n TO- carry out. Then there (
be practically abolished by the passage of
this bill. Then the Official mails of our govern
ment are transmitted free through other coun-
tries in consideration of their official mail matter
going free through this country. 1t will not do
TO break this custom up. The proper way Is TO
recommit this bill, and have all these matters
port bill that viii meet the exigencies OF the
occasion. In reference TO the abuses charged
upon members Of Congress, Mr.. M. expressed
his utter disbelief i'm the statement that some
members were i'm the habit of franking their
soiled linen home to be washed. II the privilege
should be abolished, he expected two wears
privilege Of the people than Of Congress. He
intmated that the great saving anticipated
would not be realized, and that the sacri6ce
made would be Of more account than mere
The Mississippi bill was then taken up. and Mr..
Bayard, of Delaware, being entitled to the floor.
proceeded to make a lengthy constitutional argu-
ment on the rights Of the States. and in denial
OF the power Of Congress to impose conditions
upon any State, or to deprive any State without
It's consent OF its equal representation in the
Senate.
Mr.. Davis then spoke at length on the bin.
HOUSE.-Mr. Smith (vt) presented memo-
rails of citizens of six different States asking the
repeal Of all duty on lumber. Referred to Com
mittee ofWays and Means.
MI Bingham (Ohio) offered bill to enforce
the rights OF citizens In the several States. Re-
ferred TO Committee on Judiciary.
The House then INDUCED i'm a controversy as
10 the order Of business in the House. Mr..
DAVIS wanted to 60 int Committee of the
w hoic on tuc Ltglslatlve OIL. MI. Butler, of
Tennessee, wanted to call up the contested
election case of Van Wyck VS.. Greene while
Mr.. Swami insisted upon the further considera-
ton OF his resolution in relation TO the incar-
ceration OF Americans in Great Britain. The
objection to Mr. Swann's resolution was that
the debate upon il would run through several
morning hours yet 9lt was finally agreed to with
draw All ob1ecuon provided Mr.. Swami would
call the previous question.
The Speaker appointed Messrs. Dawes BEN
Jamin, and Myers the conference committee on
the part Of the House on the deficiency in the
annual appropriation bill.
Mr.. Swami then called up his resolution and
demanded the previous question, which was
seconded, after which he proceeded to address
the House upon the subject and to defend him
self from the charges Of antagonism TO the Irish
race, which lad been made by Mr.. Willard, OF
Vermont, in his speech a few DAYS ago.
Messrs. Calkin and Cavanaugh made brief
speeches On the subject. A number of gentle
men obtained leave to print.
The resolution heretofore introduced was then
passed.
The House then proceeded to the considera-
ton of the contested election case of Van wyck
VS.. Greene, from the 18th New York district.
The majority of the committee report Mr..
Greene, the sitting member, not entitled TO his
seat, and that Mr. Van wyck, the contestant, Is
so entitled. The minority find the reverse.
Mr.. Butler (Tenn.l addressed the House in ia
vor of the report Of the majority.