New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-16


UP IN THE HOUSE AGAIN TODAY
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSBI
WASHINGTON Wednesday, Feb. IS, 1871
In TIE Senate to-day, Mr.. Morton spoke on the reso
ton lately passed by the Indiana Senate ana now pe
ing in the other branch of the Legislature, denouncng
the XVIII Amendment as a fraHd and proposing 10
withdraw the assent Of that State to its ratification lie
reviewed the action OF Congress in reference to the
XVIII and XVIII Amendments, arguing TO show the lot
fixture Of their original rights In the Union by the states
which went into rebellion, and the authority NeS'eu Ia
Congress to exact OF written guarantees for the f
ture AS condition OF their restoration to tie rshtsWhch
they had voluntarily renOunced Hence their assent 20
these amendments being exaced as a condition or ad-
mission to representation in Congress could not be re-
arded In the light OF coercion "a set forth IN the aa
resolutions Referring to the allegation in the resou-
lions that the Amendment was ratified by less thah
quorum OF the Indiana Legislature he stated that ths
point had been made Appropriation bill passed at
the same time the Amendment and decided adversely
by the Indiana Supreme Court The Amendment had re-
ceved a clear majority of all the members elected 70 mo
Legislature. Taking these resolutions OF the Demo
cratic Legislature OF Indiana, the resolutions vi
the Democratic Legislature of Oregon the utteranees OF
Democratic officials in California, and OF Democratic
orators and journals generally, it was lot to be
doubted that the made up by the Democratic party
was the validity OF tho XVIII and XVIII Amendments
and the Reconstruction acts, and the success OF t1
party would be the utter overthrow and nulueatloh OK
all the beneAcent enacted by the Repubhcah
party for the preservation Of our free institutions
Looking Gt these pers. the question may wen DC
asked in tho concluding words Of Mr. Morton, Is the
mission Of the Republican party endedp Mr. Frank
Blair who had come over and taken a seat
by Nlr. Norton rose "a soon as the latter haa
concluded and Senators were somewhat curious 10
hear the new apostle iof Democracy, no objection was
ma do to his proceen although was not III ORDER 10
begun with an auuson 70 tho rumors, prevalent last
,.utau Of
mission and his subsequent declinaon to prevent tho
Democratic Legislature OF Indiana from electlng his
successor Then passing TO tho XVIII Amendment ne
asserted that It's adoption secured by the gosseSt
perfiy and deception, but in reply to the pontDanA
question OF Mr. Morton, LIE Acknowledged us YaAdy
lie repeated very nearly the sentiments OF his Brodheaa
letter, but qualified the paragraph asserting that
the Army should undo ITS work Of usuIpaii0n,
b. saying that his meaning was simply that tho
Army should be withdrawn, and then tho carpet-Das
governments would fall OF themselves 1t can certainly
be said that Mr. Blair in his first Senatorial effort made
no great impression.
Mr. Anthony offered a resolution lnstrueng the Com
mltee on Rules inquire what measures can be taken
10 secure correct reports IN public journals OF the pro-
ceedngs Senate. As the public journals have the
privilege Of printing just as much or as tte OF te re-
ports they please the remark was made III the gallery
that is difficult to what control tue senate mas OF
the matter Tho President sent in a message
had become a law without his signature, and
recommending the absolute repeal Of tho OATH and Mr.
SAWYER Immediately introduced bill to that effect inc
Legislative Appropriation bill was then taken up, ana
long discussion ensued the amendment Increasing the
salaries Of the Judiciary, which much objection was
made. Bya close vote al amendment OF MI Wilson
was adopted, fixing amount about halfway between
tho present compensation and the amount recommended
by the Committee, Out it is not uncertain that thS action
VIII be reviewed.
The Presidents message, announcing that the Dill 20
relieve th0se unable take the "rOnclad" oath from
the necessity of doing so on assuming Office, had
become a law without his signature, aud announcing
himself in favor OF total abolition OF tho OATH was
read IN the senate and House to-day. Senator Sawyer
Immediately introduced bill repeating the "rOn-clad"
oath altogether The law, although 1t falls far short
OF Universal Amnesty brings great relief to the mass Of
the people OF the south The XIyth Amendment to the
Cons tutou imposed political disabilities on every per
son who, having taken oath as National or
State officer, afterward gave aid or comfort
TO tho Rebellion. There were IN the
soIL stl.he time this Amendment was adopted, aJ est
mated W the late Rebels themselves about 10000 per-
sons Who oamo under its provisions. or these about
1900 have been relieved by Congress, aud 10000 have
dod leaving t in the South from 100 900 to 100000 who
aye rot allowed TO hold any Office whatever. Then, by
the law imposing the Test Oath, all persons who In any
way aided the Rebellion not allowed TO hold office
under tie National Government TIE act which yeser-
law relieves all tn,Sc, COlupLlSc
a. least fourhfths Of the Southern people.
The House spent the whole Of the day In discussion
~ the bill introduced by Mr. Churchill Of n. " and
rcpor.ed from the Committee Of the Judiciary by Mr..
Bingham 20 amend the act Of May last To enforce the
tights OF citizens Ia vote In the several states OF TINS
Union, and for other purposes"f In the debate, tho
Democrats repeated their old cries OF demonstrations
atty" "usurpatlon," "intmidatien" and coercion"
The vote taken at l5 p m stood IA to Ca The most
important points this bill have already been printed
IA THE TRIBUNE. The House, in its evening session to-
night oGsdered numerous reports from the Judiciary
Committee, but passed no bills
Mr. scofeld has prepared substitute for the Brook
lyn Navy-Yard bill, which he will offer when the bill
next comes up and which will probably be adopted as
satisfactory way OF dsposng OF the question, ana re-
ueving the House from the insufferaby tedious debate
between the Representatives OF Connecticut and Phila
dephia about the merits of League Island and Newton
don for naval station, which has been revived two
or three tines every session for the past six years
Mr.. schofelds substitute proposes the appointment by
the President OF mixed Commission OF army and navy
officers to consider the subject and report to the next
Con gress The Commissioners to ascertain what the
Brooklyn Yard would probably sell for, and are TO e1-
anime appropriate sites yard aud estimate the
cost OF removal and Of establishing new yard The
proprety OF removing the Marine Hospital Is also to be
reported upon by the Commission. No action is to 10
taken by them other than to obtain the information
necessary 20 enable Congress To act more lntegenty
upon the subject next Winter.
The OF Gen. Pitcher, the superintendent OF the
Military Academy, and Gen. Upton, Commandant OF the
Corps OF Cadets demanding court OF inquiry 10 lnVeS
tgate their conduct In connection with the late disturb
ances AT West Point considerable comment here
The members OF the Military Committee think that the
letter is confirmation OF the position taken In their re-
port and that t that the officers are the parsans
OF the First Glass, and had intention OF Furnishing
them onse The letter refers at length 10 the
ameness OF the oense of lying committed by the three
Fourth Class Cadets, but makes allusi0n Ia the
gro,ser falsehoods OF the First Glass Cadet who re-
lenra morning affnr