New-York tribune., 1872-04-26
WASHINGTON.
THE GOAT ISLAND QUESTION - THE KASsA
BRIBERY CAsE-FERNANDO WOODS FisAN.
CIAL sCIIEME-THE TEXAS CONTESTED SEAT
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBUSBl

TO make personal paDaon In reply to some Temarks
on the Goat Island bill made in the House OF represent
atiyes on Tuesday last by Mr.. Sargent The particular
portion Of Mr.. sargents speech which he IL under
stood to have referred related the proposition foI
recognizing In the Goat Island bill the claims Of ndL
vduas in possession OF the Island at the time Of its mill
ary occupation. who have been oused therefrom by
military force. Mr. Sargent called attention the fact
that during the last Congress. when this question
before the Mr. Cole had declared himself in favor
OF the bi but had offered amendment ia substance,
as above. In commenting on this amendment, Mr.. sar
gent said
"I need not say that II these schemes could succeed
the island would at be sold to the Railroad Com
pany and that is the object OF this pressure for the title
bv these hungry individuals who bore US with mpotu
Francisco would be benefited by transferring this island
SSS Sq & poTp Rrqn a0ss o
Company getting 1t by direct grant, has never been
sted stories known, think, to be false, were told IN
that debate to bolster up the pretensons OF these lobby
lists TO the island"
And then Mr. Sargent read from TheGo5e remarks
made by Mr. Cole In the Of debate Further on ho
said:
"That this scheme for the benefit Of private spccula
tors is not dead, the following bin introduced into the
Senate will show, as also the memorials that have been
laid on or tables this morning."
He ther read BILL introduced on the I'd OF February
last by Mr. Casserly, to confirm to Thomas Dowlng the
title to the whole Of the Island with the exception OF
ten acres reserved for military purposes. Mr.. Hamlin
marks in the other House. Mr.. Thurman thought
that the rule which forbds illusions TO remarks
in the other House did not apply TO this indeed
TO any case where an attack was made upon Senator
Mr. Edmunds thought the proper course 10 pursue would
be for the Senate to send formal resolution OF com
CURED and said he free express his views since
he also affected by Mr.. sargents remarks. Tie
discussion upon question continued for half an
hour more and finally Mr. Cole consented postpone
his explanation until some future time.
The Senate, after about a weeks debate agreed To-
day. the Morrill, amendment to the Deficiency bill.
This amendment limits the Jurisdiction OF the Court OF
Claims in suits for the recovery Of abandoned cap
turcd property. The law Of 1903 gave that Court tho
right TO entertain such claims provided the claimant
could prove three things-hrst, the ownership OF tho
property; second that IL had been sold and the money
paid into the Treasury and third that the claimant had
states. The supreme Court. by recent decision. de.
cared that when the claimant had been pardoned by tho
fort to the Rebellion that pardon should give
status in the Court of Claims which he would have
amendment is TO prevent the payment Of such claims
though ayoraby passed upon by the Court unless
in the finding of that tribunal the loyalty OF the claimant
during the Rebellion is stated as proven fact At
tempts made to amend this in such way as 10 al
low the payment OF claims already adudicated, but
they unsuccessful. After the Morrill, amendment
was disposed Of another was agreed to making the sa!
ment equal to that OF the First The Senate then ad
journed.
1t is reported that the question has been raised in tho
Senate Committee Privileges and Elections whether
that Committee the Senate, has jurisdiction the
alleged OF bribery in the election OF Caldwell
OF Kansas and some members have cited the well known
Cameron case in support Of this view. An examination
OF the records Of the Cameron case shows that IL d
fered from the present in many important and very
essential particulars Then no specific charges were
made now there many. After Cameron took his
seat ia the Senate, in 1857, memorial signed by men,
bers OF the Pennsylvania Legislature was sent to the
Senate accusing him OF having been elected by corrupt
means. The paper referred to the Com
mittee the Judiciary. After an exam
ination of the case, that Committee reported
that specific allegations OF corruption
OF bribery having been preferred it would not comport
with the dignity OF the Senate to authorize the Com
mittee to send for persons and papers aud TO investigate
an accusation which seemed to rest on mere runoTs
But in the Caldwell there ia great mass OF tes
mOny taken before the Special Committee OF the Kansas
Legislature, IN which specific charges OF bribery
made and both Houses OF the Legislature formally
adopted resolution sending that testimony to the Vice
Preside nt and virtually asking the Senate to take action
In regard IT, Besides this, the Legislative Committee
informs the Senate in its report that many OF the most
OF the payment OF money--absconded from the state
s an oer is now made by responsible men, now in
Washington, to produce proof OF bribery by both Mr.
Srecedent it is sserted favor tne most prompt action
in such caseas this In the British Parliament when
by the sitting member by his agents. expulsion gen
erally If not always followed. Cushing La down az
a single Vote and though a majority OF nnbribed votes
remain in favor Of the sitting member, the members
next meeting on Saturday and it believed that a de-
cent regard for the honor and integrity OF the senate
will require prompt action in the premises.
Fernando Wood will appear before the Banking and
Currency Committee tomorrow for the purpose OF sub
mtting an argument favor OF his bill to authorize the
Treasurer loan currency and gold upon pledges OF
United States bonds through the Assistant Treasurers
New-York Philadelphia Boston and Chicago. The OBJ
ject of the bill is TO prevent spectators rom creating
money panic by locking up large amounts OF currency
or coin.
OF the House who are familiar with banking are gen
@skgs the Government great discount bank and in
the place they say that the bill would not accom-
power of any strong combination, deshing to control
the money market TO collect bonds enough to take up
the whole amount OF money which the bil authorizes TO
be issued at any OF the cities named.
In the contested election Of Giddngs against Clark
in the Third District OF Texas the House Committee
decided this morning TO refuse TO allow the sitting
Der Clark any further time to take additional evidence
The case will be taken up for argument and final dec
sion on Monday next It believed that the decision Of
q seat face of the fact that his opponent had
5000 votes than were cast for him.
The Senate Committee on Commerce is still listening
to the arguments of the steamboat for against
the various provisions OF the general House bill. No
opportunity has yet occurred for discussion Of the bill
by the Committee and no vote upon IL has therefore
been reached. The same Committee will at special
meeting Saturday examine at length the River and
Harbor Appropriation bill. The Senate French Arms
Committee held another meeting, this morning for con-
sultaton In regard TO Its report but SO much diversity
Of opinion was found among members that agree
ment reached. II is now positively reported that
CARPENTER Sawyer Harlan, and Ames. Mr.. Stevenson
will surely dissent and make minority report and IL Is
believed that Mr. Logan Will also dissent from the report
OF the majority.
reception was given this evening, by Senator and
Mrs sprague, at which members OF the Cabinet, sena
tors and Representatives present. with several
hundred other guests 1t was the most successful and