Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-02-01
CONGRESSIONAL.


WASHINGTON, Jan. 31.-The chair sub
! mitted communication from the Secre-
tary of the Treasury, containing draft
of bill for the organization of a marine
hospital service, also the annual report of
the Commissioner of Patents.
Homes for Freedmen in kBIecding
KanRaS.
Mr.. Sumner presented petition from
citizens of Kansas, for the selection of a
commission to distribute eligible lands for
homesteads for freedmen.
DefauitIng States.
Mr.. Sherman, from the Committee on
Finance, reported without an amendment
bin requiringthe Secretary of the Treas
ury, to withhold any moneys due from
the United States to defaulting State on
any account whatever.
To Abolish a Useless office.
Mr. Cragin introduced bill to abolish
the Office of Surveyor of Customs. 1t
provides that the present duties Of that
office shall hereafter be performed by
the Collector of Customs, and the Sur
yeyor's share of forfeitures and fines shall
be paid into the United States Treasury.
The bill was referred to the Committee on
Finance.
Explanatory.
Mr.. Sherman presented the resolutions
of the Legislature of Ohio ratifying the
Fifteenth Amendment. 1t explained that
former Legislature, being Democratic,
rejected the amendment, but upon an APP
peal to the people a Republican majority
had been secured, and the present afirma-
tive action followed as a necessary cOnse-
quence. The above communication was
referred.
The Georgia Enquisition.
Mr.. Howard offered a resolution, which
was agreed to, requesting the Attorney
General to communicate to the Senate
copies of any communications sent by him
to any United States military authorities
since the passage of the last act relative to
the admission of Georgia and its repre-
sentation in Congress, and particularly any
opinion given by him touching the eligi-
bility of members Of the Georgia Legisla-
ture
What OF Mississippi?
Mr.. Morton offered resolution, which
was agreed to, calling upon the President
for information concerning the ratification
Of the Fifteenth Amendment by the Legis-
lature of Mississippi, and 1nregard to other
affairs there.
The Postal Telegraph.
Mr.. Ramsey, from the Committee on
Postoffices and Postroads, reported back
with amendments the bill to establish a
postal telegraph system and to incorpo-
rate the Postal Telegraph Company, is re-
quired to provide telegraph lines to every
city and village where telegraph stations
are now maintained for the transmission of
forFthe public, and to all places
which have a population Of 5000 inhab
itants.
The person performing the duties of
of telegraphs shall be styled
fourth assistant Postmaster General, and
any postmaster may act as operator, with
the approval of the Postmaster General.
The company may purchase any existing
lines of telegraph which may be offered to
it prior TO Jan. l, 1871.
More Annexation.
Mr.. Morton introduced bill for the adj
mission of Mississippi. 1t imposes same
as in the case of Virginia, ex-
cept that members Of the Legislature are
not required to take any oath. Referred
to the Committee on Judiciary.
Franking.
Mr.. Ramsey reported favorably on House
bill abolishing the franking privilege.
Currency.
The Senate then took up the Currency
bill.
Upon the suggestion of Mr.. Sherman
the pending amendments of Messrs. Nor
ton and Sumner were withdrawn.
Mr.. Sherman then submitted from the
Finance Committee an amendment, which
after discussion was modified to read as
follows:
After the expiration Of six months
from the passage of this act, any banking
association located in any State, having
more than its proportion Of circulation,
may be removed TO any State having less
than its proportion of circulation, under
such rules and regulations as the Comp
troller of currency, with the approval of
the Secretary may require.
Provided, That the amount of issue of
said bank shall not be deducted from the
amount Of the new issue provided for in
this act. Adopted, ~; nays, u.
No further action was taken on the bill
An understanding hes been effected that
a vote viii be taken on the bill Tuesday, at
4 o'clock.
The Senate, at P. IL, went into execu-
tive session and shortly afterwards ad-
iOUrned