Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-02-14
FORTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Proceedings,
TrrsnAN. FehrnArr IL.

SfNATE.-Mr. Williams, from Committee on
Finance, reported House joint resolution Tor the
relief Of John l.. Thomas, Jr., and Edwin n.
Webster, present aud former collectors OF the
port OF Baltimore, being TO absolye them from
the responsihilitN OF making good the defalCa-
tons OF certain OF their subordnstes.
Mr.. Howe called for the reading Of the report.
and said lie could see nothing in this except
ing for certain entertainments of their en-
ployes Why not pass q general law relieving
all nited States officers from any liability Tor
the Acts Of their subordnaies.
Mr.. COrbett moved an amendment relieving
IRON all responsibilityfort the monies embeZZled
by his employees, VIM. l.. Adams, collector of
customs Tor the district OF oregon.
Mr.. Sherman said a. IL seemed this subject
was 10 lead 10 debate IL must 60 over, and the
joint resolution was accordingly placed on the
calendar.
Mr.. HamIin called up House joint resolutiOn
appropriatng
5000 To ego. r. ROBINSON
for his services in saving the life OF Secretary
Seward in April, 1855. Mr.. II. said such ser
vices would have been recognized by any other
government long ere this, and il the thing was
done at all, il should be done gracefully.
The joint resolution was then passed.
Mr.. sherman, from Committee en- Finance
reported adversely the House bill to remit du-
ties upon such imported articles OF merchandise
rs are donated and sold IN fairs for the benefit
of the destitute and
WOUNDED CITIZENS OF TRANCE
He stated that the committee svmpathized with
the object OF the resolution, but il was not prac
Mr.. Sumner asked il there wa. no means by
which the purpose Of the resolution might be
secured?
Mr.. Thurman said only by q direct appropris-
ton from the Treasury.
MI. Rice called up bill authorizing term. Of
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTS
TO be held Al Helena, Arkansas.
Dir. Trumbull desired 10 call the attention Of
the Senate 10 this matter. There seemed to be
a growing disposition TO create new judicial dis
tricts unnecessarily. and the expense thus en-
tailed upon the Treasury would be great. Quite
. number OF these bills were now pending, aud
il was time for the Senate TO arrest the thing
cali for il.
Mr.. Davis coneurred in the views of Mr..
Trumbull, and spoke OF the disposition TO carry
into the Federal courts business which properly
pertained only to the State courts, as one OF the
growing evils of the days, and which should be
repressed. There Wa time when the bust
ness IN the Federal courts IN Kentucky was only
nominal, and until that time came a. am this
disposition 10 increase the number of places
for the holding Of the United States courts
would continue.
The bull was then laid over.
Mr.. Sherman. from the Committee on FL
nance, reported adversely House bill tor the
adjustment OF the accounts OF certain collectors
OF internal revenue. Also, reported with
amendments the bill for The exemption aud
sale OF lands held by the United States under
the several acts levying dirict taxes, and gave
Mr.. Cole, from the Committee on Approprls-
tons, reported the Post Office appropriation
MIR. Sumner, IRON the Committee on Foreign
Relations, reported adversely upon House bill
directing the Secretary OF State TO bring home
and inter at the public expense the remains of
Generals Ashmun and Steadman, and Elisha
n Saulnies, late United States consul at Vera
cruz. Mr.. =. said the committee had reached
their adverse conclusion very reluctantly. and
simply because they believed the passage OF the
NOQi6 p w he adj Of rf,la
by which the Government would lie expected
TO bring home the remains OF all public ser.
wants dying abroad.
The bills were then indenni postponed.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Beck. (ky.,) from the Committee Of Conference
on the Military Academy appropriation bill.
submitted report; which was agreed to.
MI. Brooks Mass called up the
CONTESTED ELECTION CASE
OF Sheafe vs.. Tillman, from the 9Th Tennessee
that Sheafe was not entitled to the seat; I'd,
that Lewis IIllman is entitled TO the seat and
Sd, allowing Z. A. Sheafe 81, 800 for his expenses
Mr.. Kerr submitted a minority report, de-
clariDg Sheate entitled to the seat.
Not advised that debate WAS t. be had upon
prevailing upon the floor At the time put the
question upon the minority resolutions, and
they were declared rejected.
The question was then put upon the ma iority
resolutions, and they we're declared adopted.
MIR. Brooks, who had been engaged with his
colleague, Mr.. Kerr, (Ind.,) in arranging the
the time TO be occupied by debate, was taken BY
surprise when he rose 10 speak, to find his reso-
lutions already adopted.
To relieve the gentlemen IL was proposed that
leave 10 print be gr anted, but Mr.. Kerr declined
TO argue q case already decided.
Mr.. Brooks, in order to bring the question
again before the House moved a reconsIdera-
ton OF the vote on both sets OF resolutions and
upon that motion proceeded to address the
House in support Of the maj ority report.
MIR. Kerr followed in advocacy of the minority
report, and
Mr.. MrCrary Iowa closed the debate de-
tending the majority report
On motion of MIR. Kerr. unanimous consent
was given TO the contestant, Mr.. Shesfe, to ad-
dress the House.
Mr.. Sheafe charged that the power OF Cover
nor Brownlow war used unlawfully and arbi-
traTily TO deprive him of q far vote iirst and OF
the election after he had received a majority of
the votes; and hat the outrages in this district
were perpetrated by his opponents His speech
was lRtened to with unusual attention by mann
bers on both sides OF the House.
Nr. Tillman, the occupant Of the contested
seat, replied TO the remarks of Mr.. Sheafe.
The motion 10 reconsider WAS then laid on
the table, ayes i3l, noes 80.
Mr.. Asper, Me- from the Committee on
Military Affairs, called up the report of that
Commit tee on the West Point Investigation.