Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-20
CONGRESSIONAL.
New York Customhouse to be Ventilated.
Discomfort Of the Working Glasses.
SENATE.

Discomfort Of the Working Glasses
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-Mr. Morrill,, Of
Vermont, reported House bill appropriatina
four millions for public buildings at Chicago
| and asked its immediate consideration.
Mr.. Chandler thought the appropriation
a very large one and would like to have the
necessity of it thoroughly demonstrated
before voting forit.
Mr.. Morrill, said the committee were sat
isfied that it was necessary in order to erect
first class buildings.
Mr.. Carpenter said be had received letters
from friends in Chicago complaining that
there was movement on foot to change
the location of the Government buildings
there; that this bill would favor that design
by leaving the location optional with the
Secretary of the Treasury.
Mr.. Trumbull said that provision was de-
signed to protect the government against
eXtortion.
Mr.. Carpenter had another objection that
it seemed to admit that the United States
government could not take lands for public
purposes without consent Of the Legisla-
ture. re ees e t4a,re
Mr.. Conkling said be had information that
already there was speculation adjacent to
what was supposed to be the new site. He
was informed too, that four-fifths of the
owners Of the square adjoining property
already owned by government, were willing
to sell. In view thereof, he thought the
building should be erected on that site.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont, assured the
Senate that there was mol intention on the
part of the SECRETARY of the Treasury to
select the new site.
Mr.. Logan confirmed Mr.. Trumbull's
statement that the option given the treas
ury was intended to protect the govern
ment from extortion, and not with view
of changing the location. He knew that
the people Of Chicago wished the building
to be erected on the old site; if he believed
that there was any probability of change,
he would vote against that provision. The
bill was then passed.
Constitutional Amendments.
Mr.. Stewart introduced resolution pro-
vidtng for a sixteenth amendment to the
constitution prohibiting the giving of aid to
sectarian schools.
Mr.. Sumner gave notice that he would
propose an amendment to the constitution
providing that the President should be ineli-
gible for reelection.
Cuba.
On motion of Mr.. Schurz, the President
was requested to give information as to the
relations of the United States with Spain,
and the treatment of American citizens in
Cnba, instr uction our Naval Commanders
on Cuban watersfor purposes statedin the
Presidents message, and also whether any
and what attacks on the lives and property
of American citizens, and the dignity of our
flag have occurred to make it appear that
the latter is now in greater danger than be
fore in which such instructions were is
sued.
More Spies.
Mr.. Sherman from the Finance Commit
tee, reported adversely, and the Senate
postponed indefinitely bill to provide for
the employment of an internal revenue po-
lice force in every collective district.
Official Stock Gamblers.
Bills were introduced and referred as fol-
lows:
By Mr.. Edmunds: To punish stock
gambling by public officers, and for other
purposes. 1t prohibits all persons employed
in the Treasury Department or in the col
lection or disbursement of revenue as a dis
bursting officer, clerk or agent of any depart
ment of the public service, from being en-
gagged or concerned in the buying or selling of
coin, government securities or stock of any
description, under penalty Of fine not ex-
ceeding SlO5 or Imprisonment not exceed
ing 10 years, or both, in the discretion of
the court. Persons who aid or assist gov
eminent employees in such speculations are
made liable to half the above mentioned
penalties, and informers leading to the con-
yiction Of offenders under the foregoing pro-
visions are to receive $500 each. Referred
to the Judiciary Committee.
Postal Telegraph.
Mr.. Chandler offered a resolution to re-
fer so much of the Presidents message as
relates to the Geographic system of the
United States, to the Committee on Com
merce, and argued in favor Of the resolution.
He thought it was clear that telegraph was
to be regarded as instrumentalto commerce,
because probably three-fourths of the mes
sages sent by telegraph were ON CONNER
cial business. He cOntrasted the cheapness
of telegraphing in Europe with its expen-
siveness here, and said that one of the great
advantages Of the European system would
be the breaking up of an oppressive mono
poly known as the Associated Press; but
while he thought the Government should
control the telegraph lines, he would not be
willing to buy them at more than the actual
cost of construction.
Mr.. Hamlin thought the subject already
properly referred to the committee on post
offices and post roads.
The resolution was laid over.
Murphy's Corruption House.
Mr.. Conkling moved to take up his reso-
luton, offered yesterday, directing the Com
mittee on Retrenchment to inquire into the
charges made by Mr.. Schurz in reference to
the general order business in the New York
custom-house..
Mr.. Patterson wished to say few words
about the investigation by the committee of
which he had been chairman. The New
York Times of Monday had stated that the
Committee had held hole and corner in
vestigation, had: manipulated Witnesses,