Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-02-01
FORTY SECOND CONGRESS,
This Afternoons Proceedings.
THURSDAY, February 1,

SENATE.-The House amendments TO the
bill exempting the Philadelphia ice-boats from
the United States inspection laws were con-
CURED in.
Mr.. Sherman introduced bill for the relief
ct Miles Greenwood. Referred TO Committee
Mr.. Kellogg introduced bill increasing the
compensation of letter carriers under the free
delivery system TO 81 .20O per annum. Referred
to Committee on Post Offices.
Mr.. Lewis rose to
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
in reference to a newspaper statement repre-
senting him as hostile TO the civil rights amend
ment lie was a. much in favor OF the rights OF
the colored race as MIR. Sumner OF any other
man, and he would vote for that amendment
Mr. Logan called up the motion to reconsider
the vote by which the bill tor the
RELIEF OF THE CHICAGO SUFFERERS
was passed.
Mr.. Chandler read letters from business
OF Michigan. protesting against the bill
as mort injurious TO their interests. He then al.
vocated that the bill should be reconsidered aud
referred TO the Committee on Finance, in order
to give those interested a hearing.
Mr.. Sherman had voted for the bill, but would
also vote for a reconsideration. He had read
from an editorial in q Chicago paper 10 show
that the widest construction was put on the bill,
and 1t was assumed that many articles could be
brought in under il which had never been con-
tsm..lated. He did not think the Michigan
lumber men had any reason to complain, for
they had the benefit of the market in the other
western states, and they had no right to feel in
jured because they were prevented from taking
advantage OF the Chicago calamity.
Mr. Logan denied the imputation which had
been thrown out tina; the bill was a free trade
trick. He had presented the bill without con-
suliation with any one, and because the same
relief Lad been extended to Portland.
The morning hour expired, and the subject
was then laid aside.
THE AMNESTY BILL
was then token up.
Mr.. Carpenter expressed doubts as to the ex-
pediency Of granting general amnesty At this
time, but as many OF his political friends favored
il. he supposed an amnesty bill of some kind
would he passed at this session. The effect of
/ amnesty, he said. WAS simply 10 reinforce the
/ democratic party. In reference to the civil
/ rights amendment, lac held that it was most nit
| and proper that il should 90 out with amnesty,
and he wanted il made test. II the democrats
did not choose TO take il with amnesty, then, If
he could help il, they would get no amnesty.
He had not the least doabt that if general am
nesty was extended, JET. Davis and the whole
crew who went out OF this body would i'm twelve
months be sent back here.
He then analysed the amendment OF Mr.. Sum
ner. He agreed in principle with the Senator,
L bIt the question was whether his amendment
/ was constitutional, and whether il would do the
/ colored people any good. On the first point he
had strong doubts; on the second more. He was
/ convinced that il would be OF no benefit 20 the
| colored people. He then gave notice OF a sub
| stitute for the amendment, which he said EN-
bodied the same princicle.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Honse, Immediately after the reading of the
| journal, resumed the consideration OF the re-
port OF the Committee of Ways and Means
upon
THE NEGOTIATION eF THE RECENT LOAN.
Mr.. Maynard. (renn.- being entitled to the
floor, said that il was perhaps true that the
| country had been hasty in funding It's debt.
He had thought when the loan bill OF 1870 was
passed that lower rate OF interest could be OBJ
tanned 10y waiting until things had become more
| settled, but he had deferred TO the judgment OF
l those better qualified TO judge. But unless il
was proposed 10 repeal the law of 1870, IL not
to the point to discuss that question now. lie
| defended the action of the Secretary, and
| argued TO show that il was consistent with law
| ard for the financial benefit of the country.
Mr.. Kelley PA said be desired to call to the
attention of the House and the country some OF
the operations OF the Secretary of the Treasury.
1t was deemed desirable by Congress and the
| Secretary to reduce the rate of interest, which
was then six per cent, and a law was passed
| authorizing the issue OF new bonds AT A lower
rate OF interest. He then reviewed the course
OF the Secretary in disIos ing of the two hundred
millions OF five per cent. bonds to the syndicate,
and in reply TO the remark of Mr.. Cox. N. }
| suggested that rroyisO should be inserted that
| the Secretary should sell no bonds except to
those 70 whom lac was personally introduced.
and who brought certificate Of good charac-
| ter.
After debate, the demand for the previous
| que was seconded by vote on a division
| Of sc ayes 20 &c noes.
Mr.. Dawes then addressed the House in the
closing hour. He said he was aware OF the
| WEAKNESS of the House. and the gravity of the
| subject required that he should say something.
Il The decision OF the commons of this country
| that the Secretary of the Treasury had negotia-
| ted two hundred millions OF dollars in
| defiance of law, would be q blow ut
the credit of the country that not even the great
| war could strike. He then proceeded to take up
the charges made against the Secretary of the
Treasury, arguing that the spirit of the law had
| not been violated, and that the debt had not
been increased or expenses increased beyond
l what was contemplated by the law, and neces-
| sary to carry the law into execution.