Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-03-17
F0RTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Proceedings.
THURSDAY, March Il.

THURSDAY, March IL.
SENATE-Mr. POmeroy presented memorial
numerously signed by ladies asking that the sale
of intoxicating drinks in the District OF Colum-
bia be prohibited, and that liquor and other
IoRons be dispensedby druggists only. referred
to Committee on District OF Columbia.
Mr.. Drake, from Committee on Naval Affalrs
reported with mendments bin to secsre eff
cient seamen for the navy % the United States.
Mr.. Chandler, from Committee on Commerce,
reported bill to amend the acts relatinr to the
Corsu a and Diplomatic service of the United
States
On motion of Mr.. Ramsey, the House bill 10
abolish the frankling privilege was made the
special order OF Tuesday next, after the morn
ing hour.
MIR Rice introduced bill to establish a Ter
ritorial form of government for the Indians.
Mr.. Ferry called up his resolution providing
thai treaties for the annexation of the entire
Territory of a foreign power shall be considered
in open Ss on.
MIR. Sumner thought the Senate had ALWAYS
erred i'm establishing secrecy in its deliberations
and the first year he came to the Senate he voted
TO change the rule. The idea of secrecy was a
traditional one coming down to us from the
O!dWOrld. Personally he favore the proposition
of the Senator, but he had two considerations TO
present, first that even If the rule was changed
would IL be proper to do il now while an impor-
taDt treaty is pending, and second, whether it
would net be best that this matter should first be
considered by the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tiOns.
Mr.. Ferry had no objection if the commit. zee
would make a speedy report.
Mr. POmeroy said these matters were com
municated to the Senate i'm confidence by the
President, and the Senate had no right TO yio-
late that confidence.
Mr.. Hamlin said the position of the Senator
from Kansas iPsmeroy) was unanswerable
He (Nr. H. had always been Of the opinion that
treaties were the only matters that should be
considered in secret session, because, fire.
quently. it would be neither proper or polite
that their terms should be made public But TO
yxn
nominations for Office should he considered with
closed doors. Many times unjust and unkind
things were said OF nominees, which would not
be said in the light of day
The resolution was then referred to the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations.
The resolution looking to an equal distribu-
ton of the Government patronage in Washing
ton among the different States was taken up.
MIR. Morton advocated the idea of the resolu-
ton. He thougts there should be some equality
in this matter.
MI. Wilson asked ii he thought the District of
Columbia should also have a share.
MIR. Morton thought IL should,
Mr. Sawyer said there were MANY people who
came here expressly to acquire Office. They
added to the population OF the District, but con-
tributed nothing to its prosperity. They were
nothing but Government paupers. There GER
tainly should be more equable distribution OF
the patronage among the States. He complained
of the injustice done to the Southern States
no offices to be given out when they applied for
anything for their constituents. There were
some States that had more men in office here
than all OF the reconstructed States put to
gether in fact, there were some Congressional
districts that had more tn IN all the States of the
South. A Representative OF the other House
had put seventeen men in office in one Depart-
ment, and complained because he could not get
more.
Mr.. Conklng asked what State did that Rep
reseDtatiye come from?
Mr.. Sawyer declined to state. II was TO be re-
gretted that patronage was necessary TO helm the
party, but 1t was certain that the Republican
party in the southern States needed bol.ter.nC
up more than in any other state.
Mr.. Stewart wished that these Offices could all
be filled by these people in the District of CO.
iumbia who had no ambition and were nit fo-
nothing else, but he wanted no inducements
held out to the young men OF the States to come
here. Let the young men Of the country stay at
home and engage in honest labor He did not
want them to come here and be ruined. When
young man came here to Washington and
remained in one OF the Departments for a few
wears, he was never fit for work again. When
they were turned out of Office they had no
money to get away from here, they were able to
do nothing, and so they became paupers and
added to the poverty OF this District. Now, this
was all wrong, and he had too much regard for
the young men of the country to do ANYTHING
that would favor their coming here to 90
through this system of destroying their useful
ness for life.
Mr.. Nye would ask his colleague whether
coming to Congress did rot also have the efieot
Mr.. Stewart.-well, must admit it is pretty
Mr.. Wilson said a gentleman had come to him
the other day and complained that i'm one De-
partment where there were 200 clerks, there
were only thirteen from Massachusetts,. He
was glad of this. He also wanted the young
men Of the country to stay at home and engage
IN business occupations. He ewas always grieved
when any young man from his State came to
him with an application for office.
Mr. Thayer sympatized very deeply with his
friend that Massachusetts, had been so poorly
provided for, Ilaughter;l that she had no Cab
M SSH ondy ola
ships. He hoped something would be done
whereby Massachusetts, could get her share OF
the ofices. He wanted now to suggest an
amendment to the resolution, providing for an
inquiry as to how many disloyaf men and women
are in the Departments in this city.
Mr.. Carpenter, who had moved the resolu-
ton, stated that his object was to afford en-
ployment here to that large number of patriotic
citizens who, by the war, were rendered inca
pable Of engaging in other pursuits. In regard
lStewartO it would apply just as much to mem,
bers Of Congress as to Department clerks; and
on the same principle he might contend for an
indefinite extension OF his own term.
Mr.. Nye.-Would not the honorable Senator
like that principle applied to his own case?
Mr.. Carpenter.-No, sir. 1 prefer short
term.
MIR. c. further said that there was great ne
cessty for the reorganization of the whole Gov
ernment service in this CITY, The Departments
here were amenable to the criticism Of being
filled with incompetent persons. What he adj
vOcated was that tincompetency should be weeded
out, and that capable men be put in the places
of the incOmpetents; that the force be reduced
about one half, the hours OF work be heightened
and the pay doubled. He understood, however
that the whole subject was now being considered
by the Committee on Retrenchment, i'm connec-
ton with the bill of the Senator from Missouri,
Mr.. Schurz.
The morning hour expiring, the resolution
was placed at the foot of the calender.
HOUSE.-Mr. Dawes, Mass from the Com
mittee on Appropriations, reported the Senate
joint resolution authorizing the Secretary of the
Treasury to transfer an appropriation for public
printing and binding, which was passed.
Mr.. Mungen (Oh;o) introduced resolution in
reference to the removal Of obstructlons in Ger.
tain navigable rivers. Referred to Committee
on Commerce. -
Mr.. Plat (va.) asked leave to introduce
resolution directing the Committee on Recon-
struction to inquire into the constitutiOnality
OF the enabling act Of the State OF Virginia, by
which all the State ollices were vacated, and
!he vacancies filed by appointment Of the Gov
ernor, &c.
Mr.. Brooks On. Y.) objected. Congress, he
said, had reconstructed Virginia several times.
Mr.. Platt.-"She needs reconstruction"
Mr.. Shanks (Ind introduced . resolution di-i
recting the Committee on Military Affairs to
take steps to perfect the title Of the United
teries. Adopted.
Mr.. Wilson Mimi presented the memorial of