Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-12-15
Congressional Proceedings.


WASHINGTON, December l5.-The
Committee on Foreign Affairs instruct
ed General Morgan to report bill pro-
viding for taking measures TO institute a
Joint Committee to run a boundary line
between the United States and British |
from the summit Of the Rocky
Mountains eastward to the Lake of the
Woods.
General Banks bill, making an appro-
priation to carry out the provisions OF
the Treaty of Washington, will come up
in the House to-day friday, and may
lead to lively debate.
The Executive Committee Of the con-
vention of steamboatmen, recently in
session at Louisville, had long confer
ence to-day with the House Committee
on Commerce, and another meeting is
appointed for Saturday. Some of the
points to be embraced in the new bill to
be presented to Congress as an amend
ment to the act passed last February,
regulating freight, passage, etc., on
steamboats,, and commonly called the
steamboat law, were considered, among
which were the subject Of steam press
ure, the manner Of regulating it, the
means of indicating it, and of providing
for the safety of passengers. The com
mittee developed their plans for fixing
the responsibility in the use of boilers,
which provides that the manufacturer
shall stamp on each sheet leaving his
hands the character of the iron, its ten
sile strength and the name of the man
ufacturer, to protect the boiIermaker in
the use of material. The bill proposes
to hold the boilermaker responsible for
his work.
AS stated in the dispatches, Alderman
submitted the following letter to the
President:
DEPARTMENT OF yusTIcK,
WAsHIEGToN. December Is, lSIl.)
To the President:
| hereby resign the Office of Attorney
General of the United State, this reslg
nation to take effect, in accordance with
which you verbally expressed to me TO-
day. on the tenth day of January next
Very respectfully,
TSipned1 A. I. AKERMAE.
Accompanying this is private note
from him expressing grateful sense o.
the kindness INFORMALLY received BY
him from the President, and ardentll
wishing for the continued success OF thu
administration.
The President, in reply, accepts thu
resignation and gives assurance OF hi
regard and appreciation of the zeal ant
application displayed by him, and refer
with pride to the unanimity which con
stantly existed, not only between himsel
and Alderman, but also between the lat
ter and the members of the Cabinet.
The Senate executive session ysster
day confirmed the following nomina
. tons: Geo. H. Williams, Oregon, AT
torney General; Geo II. Baker, Penn
sylvania, Minister to Constantinople
; Thomas Bennett, Indiana, Governor o
Idaho, vice Thos. N. Bowen, resigned
Trumbulls amendment, providing TO
Joint committee on retrenchmenti wa
> rejected. The following Republican
voted in its favor Alcorn, Fenton
) Patterson, Robertson, Schurz, Logan
Sumner, Upton, Trumbull, West an'
r Wilson. The debate on the resolution
was very personal at times. TiptoI
said the Administration was fostering il
corruption. His speech was the mos
violent of the day. Trumbull, Schurz
Morton and Sherman participated IL
J the debate. Doubts we're expressed a.
to the Republicanism of Trumbuii
Schurz accused the other Senators o
attempting to stihe investigation.
The House will probably do littl'
more business before the recess mex
week. The House Committee on APP
preparations and the House Committed
on Public Buildings and Grounds, had
conference to-day and agreed finally t.
bill fixing the cost of the new court
house, custom-house and postofice al
Chicago at $4,000 900, including the
grounds.
Many gentlemen in public positions
complained that Mr.. Alderman did no
answer the purpose of his high position
and hence his resignation. This opinion
was shared by officers connected will
the Executive Department of the Gov
eminent The precise circumstance
attending the change have not yet trans
e pired, but the appointment Of Mr. vii
f liams affords general satisfaction.
+ A draft for $l5l2 has been received a
r the Treasury Department from unknown
r parties for duties in currency, payable a
r the port of New York.
e NEW YORK.