The New York herald., 1871-01-11
CONGRESS ycsterday-rhe Domiuican zteso-
htions-Twe New York Journalists The
Philadelphia International Fair.


Philadelphia International Fair.
Both houses Of Congress were engaged yes
terday in business Of interest and Importance.
The House Of Representatives, however, was
the scene of greatest attraction, the debate
and vote on the Dominican resolutions being
the great event of the day. The debate itself
was too hurried to give members any chance
Of distinguishing themselves, the time allowed
to each being from three to ten minutes,
according as he could obtain the floor in his
own right OF be under obligation for it to a
more fortunate colleague. Even Butler and
Bingham, who are 80 generally successful in
getting up excitement on the floor, seem to have
said nothing Of much significance. If we except
little snarl between the former gentleman
and Mr.. Garfield, of Ohio, in which the usual
courtesles of the House were interchsnged.
The great point in the struggle was whether
the amendment Of Mr.. Amber should be
adopted, which provided that the passage Of
the resolution should not bind the government
to the annexation Of Dominica. That amend
ment was opposed by the friends Of the Presi-
dent, not that there was anything in 1t which
| was OF itself Objectionable, but because its
adoption would necessitate still further delay
and reopen In the Senate further conflict In
the ranks Of the republican party. The result
Of the vote, adopting that amendment by thirty
majority, rather confounded and astonished
the supporters of the administration, who had
not anticipated any such defeat. However,
they put the best face on the matter, and car
ried the resolution as amended by nearly two
thirds majority, the democrats voting solidly
against it, backed by six unyielding republi-
cans, among them the brother of the late
Attorney General, Mr.. Hoar. 1t is not easy
to decide by these votes what the sentl-
ment of the House is in relation to
the question of annexation ITSELF Many
republican members undoubtedly voted
| for Mr.. Ambler's amendment because it was
in itself unobjectionable, if not actually desra-
BILE, who would, if the question were directly
on the annexation of Dominica, vote for IL.
Many others, we are assured, voted against it
because they did not see any necessity for it,
and because the administration was opposed
to 1t, who would, nevertheless, hesitate long
before they would vote for the acquisition of
the territory of st. Domingo. However,
the danger which was apprehended in
the way OF delay by renewal
Of the struggle in the Senate appears to have
been masnifed, because after brief discus
sion in that body, 1t was arranged that the
vote shall be taken at four o'clock to-day on
concurring with the House in its amendment.
Of course the Senate will concur, and then
the matter will be in the hands of the
President, and the commissioners will be de-
| spatched on their mission without delay.
There were two other matters in the House
which served to keep up the interest in its
proceedings. Mr.. James Brooks called atten-
tion to certain libels perpetrated on his name
| and fame as Congressman by Mr.. Hugh J.
| Hastings, of the Commercial AdUertiser, who
designated him as jobber and corruptionist
of the Washington lobby. Mr.. Brooks re-
| to investigate the matter but, at the same
| time, in order to give the House some
| idea of the weight to be attached to the
charge, placed on the records of the House an
affidavit made by Mr. Hastings twenty seven
| years ago, in which he made some remarkable
confessions as to his guilt in publishing libel
in an Albany paper of that day. The revival
of this auto dc fs rather disinclned the House
to order an Investigation, but as Mr.. Brooks
| and his friends appeared to desire it the re-
quest was granted.
The House, still not weary of work, then set
to business on another subject, and after a
brief discussion actually passed the bill for
celebrating the centenary of American inde-
| pendence by a great international exhibition,
! to be held in Philadelphia in 1876.
Various matters of more or less interest
occupied the time Of the Senate The constitu-
ents of Senator Yates who are in favor
of mixing up politics and religion
want q new constitutional amendment
| to carry out their idea, and had presented
through their Senator a petition to that effect.
| The House bill for the retirement of United
States judges on pensions was reported back
from the Judiciary Committee, and was laid
over. A resolution for a commission on the
Alabama claims was offered and referred.
| Senator Wilson, of Massachusetts, is in favor of
the removal Of all political disabilities, except
those of rebels who left the Cabinet or Con-
gress In 1860 OF 1861, and he introduced
bill to that effect. The bill codifying all the
laws relating to the Mint was discussed and
passed. Mr.. Trumbull called up his Quixotc
measure to prohibit and punish members of
Congress soliciting appointments from the
President or heads of departments, and was
endeavoring to convince the Senate Of the
propriety of adopting that idea-virtually
preaching to deaf adders"--when the
Dominican resolution arrived from the House,
and all other business was laid aside To pe4 ot