New-York tribune., 1871-01-05
XLIsT CONGRESS-3D SESSION.

a DULL DAY IN CONGRfSS-Mh. sUMNEh ShN
DOMINGO RESOLUTION PASSED WITHOUT
DEBATE-INCREAsE OF THE ISSUE OF FIVE
PER CENT BONDS-THE SAN DOMINGO SUB
JECr TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE TIE HOUSE
on MONDAY NEXT
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THB TRIBuNEi
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 1871.
But little was done in Congress to-day.
None Of the important committees met and general
dulIness pcrvaded both Houses Tho Senate Chamber
was well filled, and vague impression having prevailed
that Mr. Summers San Domingo resolution would not
pass without repetition OF some OF the exciting scenes
OF two weeks ago, tho numbers In the galleries were
rather greater than usual Assoon possible Mt Sumner
called up his resolution and evidently ready should
anyone disposed to provoke him. to defend warmly
IL was however passed quietly and without objection
Secretary Belknaps letter In reply to Senator sprague
resolution offered several weeks ago. asking for norma
ton touching the alleged completely of the latter with
certain Texan blockadeunners during the war caused
considerable comment among Senators, and others Tho
other business transacted by the Senate to-day com
priscd the passage OF the bill reported from the
Finance Committee Eat the instance OF Secretary Bout
well increase the issue Of the five per cent bonds to
tjOOOOO0O and TO pay the interest quarterly and the
passage OF a resolution offered by Mr.. Morrill, Of Yer
mont directing the Finance Committee TO inquire into
the expedienoy OF imposing tax OF 81 on all papers max
ing application the President and Cabinet Ministers for
office Some debate ensued on Mr. Trumbull's bill making
it misdemeanoI forMembers Of Congress to recommend
persons to Office which has been regarded az
impractcable by many Senator's Mr. Trumbull de-
clared however that he I'm dead earnest and that
he should press the bill until disposed Of No action
was taken it to-day. The afternoon was occupied In
the discussion OF the claim Of DR.. Best Of Kentucky
for compensation for property destroyed during tie war
This IL test case and the arguments made to-day did
not cover any new points OF much interest MI Howe,
the Chairman Of the Committee On Caims has hereto
FORE and again this afternoon, took strong ground In
favor Of paying this and similar caims Pending this
discussion short Executive session was held, after
which the Senate adjourned.
The session Of the House was duh and unmportani.
An avalanche Of bills and resolutions wGs prccpitated
upon the House from all sections of the country, and re-
ferred to the several Committees from which they Will
return Contrary to Cdtsde expectation no action
was ATTEMPTED on hc absorbing subject Of San Domingo,
but Mr. Banks gave notice that he would bring the mat
ter before the House Monday next Fernando
Wood said Mr.. Panks could only bring forward
his resolution, introduced before the holidays
in accordance with the understanding at that time Mt
Banks intends to bring the question before the Foreign
Afrs Committee tomorrow and the result will prODa-
bly, be that Mr.. Banks, Monday next, viii report his
resolution having given the five days notice required
by previous agreement, ard that the Committee VIII
agree to the Senate resolution a substitute sen
ator Morions proposition to appoint % 'omnhs-
sion will then be before tho House Tor hc,on'
Nothing can be done with the resolutions Dc-
fore that time. According 10 the understanding
OF the Foreign Committee, Mr.. Wood unable TO get
his resolution, similar to that OF Summer before the
House There strong feeling among the mcmbers In
favor OF the passage Of the Senate proposition and
does not appear that serious opposition viii he made
to it by Republicans. Much amusement was created by
attention boirg called TO the fact that Fernando Wood
and Mr. Sumner were advocating the same course. aud,
in good naturcd side remark Mr.. Wood said II was i'm
possible Mr. Sumner to be in the wrong all the time
II he was honest nc must be on their side occasionally