New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-01-25

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, Jan. "a, 1871.
The Reconstruction Committee met to-day, and In
structed the Chairman TO have the Senate bill to abolish
the tesoath taken from the Speakers table and re-
ferred to the Commit for immediate action. large
majority OF the Committee Is understood TO be In favor
OF tho BILL which, II 1t becomes law, will remove all
disabilities except those imposed by the Fourteenth
Amendment to the Constitution. Mr.. POrter's Sub
Committee who have In charge the two subjects OF pro-
vidng ample protection to the loyal people OF tho
South and Of relieving persons appointed to Office who
cannot take the ironlad oath, made report to-day,
and given extension of time until next Tuesday
Mr. Porter Is preparing careful report the former
subject If the full Committee agree TO the entire repeal
of the tesoat there will be occasion for the action Of
the Sub Committee the second referred to them
The Southern Republican Representatives are moving
earnestly in the matter OF securing and maintaining
common schools In their respective States. A well
attended held last evening at the Labor and
Education Committee room, TO hear the report or a com
mtee appointed at former meeting, to draft bill re-
serving the proceeds OF all public lands within the States
lately in rebellion for the support OF common schools
there. The report discussed and approved ana VIII
soon be reported to the House. An effort IL making, Ia
the time from party associates agree
ment to permit the bill TO be considered as special
order The passage of such bill would secure whatever
is obtained from the presumption sales OF 100000 acres
It's passage, would put an end 10 the attempt now
making by some Southern Senator's to put these lands up
at public sale in large tracts Democratic members from
Virginia and North Carolina have introduced bills ask
ing for 100000 for the common schools of those
States. Judge Hoar, who present at the Southern
Conference by invitation. made sorno statements with
regard to National Education bill which he has III
charge and IL agreed that the Southern Republicans
should give II q united support.
IL having been conjectured that II the Apportionment
act is not passed In time 10 he applied to the Xid Con-
gress the number OF Presidential electors in 1872 will he
determined Ivy the present basis of representation It Is
proper say that the President VIII he eeccd NJ the
same time as the XLIIId Congress. both will he chosen
on the basis. This in accordance with the preee
dents OF 1882 and 1852 The only event in which failure
to make the new law apply 10 the XLId Congress can
POSSIBLY affect the Presidential election would be fail'
TO elect by the people, in which case the choice
would he made by the House Of the Kid Congress- aud
on the present basis.
The Committee Appropriations considered to-day
the subject Of continuing the appropriation for tho
Storm Signal Service, organized last year, under the
direction OF the Chief Signal Officer OF the War Depart
ment The utility OF the service is thought 20 have been
demonstrated by the experience already had ana the
small expenditure for Its continuance VIII 10
doubt be authorized.
The bill adding 20 per cent to the pensions OF soldiers
and sailors and of the widows and children Of deceased
and sailors which passed the Senate yesterday
without cebate, Is likely to receive more careful con-
sideration in the House. 1t involves an additional
expenditure OF 100000 year, ard although 1t
limited in its action to the next five years. the Limitation
would be certain TO he renewed at the end OF that te
for such thing reduction Ia Government saariet OF
pensions never known II the increase should cease
after five years. bill would take about from
the Treasury but IL it should be continued during the
lifetime Of the pensioners sCO.000OO wOad not cover
the cost Certain facts tould be considered IN eonnec-
necton with this bill first, that the pensions OF AL
soldiers badly disabled through loss OF arms legs, or
eyes largely increased about three years ago anc
second that the present pensions are double those gwen
to the soldiers Of any other country.
The State OF Maine has through Its Legislature APP
piled to Congress pay the claims Of certain towns who
had grants OF land in the territory cededto Great Britain
in 1872 by the treaty which established tho northeastern
boundary The State has ascertained the amount ana
value OF the land and will settle With the claimants as
soon az the United states will take the necessary stepsto
pay the money The quantity Of land is 1918 acres the
value Of which is 50 per acre, excepting few acres
which incudo q water-power and which sre valued at
$500 per acre
The subcommittee Of the Military Committee 10 visit
West Point Is composed of Gen. Cobb Of Wisconsin, Gen.
Asper of Missouri and Gen. slccum OF NewYork They
expect to Thursday of this week. and to bc oe-
cuped two three days In examining witnesses relative
to the breach of discipline of the first class In the e1pul
sion Of the three fourtli-,lass cadets.
The select Committee the Census have agreed To re-
port bill increasing the pay OF Deputy United states
Marshals who engaged the census 80 that
for field service the pay will average from " TO " per
u
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee had under
consideration again to-day the interminable Venezuela
claims. witness examined, but no vote reached.
The owners Of tho steamer Meteor, which was seized
I'm New-York on information from Spanish sources,
which caused the suspicion that though otensbly In
tended for one Of the South American States che was
really intended FOR the Cuban and which, after having
been held for several months released have asked
Congress grant them indemnity for the damages sus
tanned. The matter before the House Foreign AZ
fairs Committee today but conclusion was reached
The claim will probably be allowed
The Finance Committee of the Senate discussed to-
day, the proposition to allow drawback on liquors
exported from the country, but reached vote. II Is
reported that the Committee do not favor the measure
There will probably be no more important business
before the House Naval Committee this session. The
only subject considered to-day was the purchase, at
cost OF $500 OOO Of machine for bending ship timber
The Naval Committee refused to consider the matter
unless inventor obtained from the Secretary OF the
Navy letter recommending IT, This be did, and then
the Naval Committee sent the matter to the Committee
on Appropriations who sent 1t back The principal
argument against the purchase OF the machine 10 that
are building no ships, we have no timber 10 beno.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee voted, today TO
report favoraby a bill giving to George f. Robinson
5000 and gold medal for his bravery In saving the LIE
Of Secretary Seward when attacked by Payne ON the
night of President Lincolns assassination Robinson
was convalescen soldier detailed from the hospital to
take Of Mr. Seward and hearing the struggle III the
hall between Payne and Assistant Secretary, opened
the door and was confronted by the assassin armed with
q knife and pistol. He knocked down. but rose,
and unarned he was, attacked Payne, who was at
tempting to kill the Secretary. He received severe
wounds, but he saved Mr.. Stewards life. Robinson IA
now clerk in Of the Departments, on salary OF
q 200 year, and has wife and child to support Tho
testimonial proposed Is tardy but just recognition OF
his heroic self sacrhcng bravery.
The claim Of Consul Black who OF the time that dplo
matte relations with Mexico suspended during tho
late war; was made by Minister Forsyth, custodian OF