The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-02-09
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, February s.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Mr. Carpenter presented a memorial
of merchants of Wisconsin, complain
ing Of the hardships and injustice arising
under the administration OF the revenue
laws, and said that the evils complained
OF, especially seizures, were very griev-
Gus and ought to be promptly corrected.
Mr.. Trumbull presented similar
memorial from merchants of Chicago.
He fully concurred in Mr.. Carpenters
remarks, but he thought that Congress
ought to do more than merely correct
the evils arising from seizures.
Mr.. Fenton called attention to the
fact that the memorials embraced other
subjects beside seizures-appointments
to and removals from Office and meth
DDS OF proceeding generally against
persons charged with violation OF the
revenue laws.
Mr.. Edmunds said he could not let
the general endorsement OF the mem
orlals pass without reminding the SEN
ate that there was another side OF the
question Of seizures. If the government
desired to protect honest importers 1t
must trv to detect dishonest one, and
to do this successfully it must employ a
certain amount OF official machinery
and give its officers the right to make
seizures.
Mr.. Anthony presented similar
memorial.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont, asked him
whether he had any information as to
the manner in which the signatures
had been obtained.
Mr.. Anthony replied that a young
man had told him he had received so
much a day for carrying memorials
around and getting signatures.
Mr.. Windham, from the committee
on Patents, reported favorably the
House bill for the relief Of Alex. Smith
and Holcion Skinner, Of New York,
which was passed.
Mr.. Sumner reported favorably a bill
to establish a semi monthly mail ser
vice on the Chinese route and double
subsidy.
Mr.. Sherman called up the bill au-
thorizing the Secretary of the Treasury
to redeem $3,0OO,OOO per month OF the
3 per cent certificates. 1t was very de-
sirable, he said. that these certificates
should be paid oil and this bill designed
fto remove certain doubts as to the right
of the Secretary to pay them. Passed.
Mr.. Trumbull called up the bill to
amend the records of United States
Courts in the Northern District of Hi
nois. Passed,
Mr.. Logan moved to take up the
motion to reconsider the vote on the
Chicago relief bill.
Mr.. Carpenter announced that he
wished to speak upon it, and Mr.. Logan
did not press the motion.
The amnesty bill was then taken up,
and Mr.. Ferry, OF Connecticut, address
ed the Senate in opposition TO Mr..
Summers pending amendment to the
supplementary civil rights bill.
Mr.. Ferry said that now, ip any CT
the States OF the Union, man who
was denied entrance to any inn or
public house had his remedy in a civil
action, which was ample, but the Sena-
tor from Massachusetts, wanted to make
this denial a criminal misdemeanOr in
reference to the provision in relation
to schools; that it would make no
change in the educational system OF
Connecticut. There never had been
any distinction made in the common
schools of Connecticut as TO race or
color, but the people Of that State
took great pride in the school
system as regulated by themselves, and
it would be very sore thing
to them for the representatives OF
other States TO attempt to exercise
any control of their internal affairs in
matters, which belong exclusively to
themselves, and God forbid that there
shuld be any federal interference in
regard to religious rites and cere'
monies in this country. The people
cant and will not submit to it. 1t
must, if presisted in, lead us to an
anarchy and chaos. The Senator from
Massachusetts, (Sumner,) in his long
argment in favor OF this portion OF his
amendment had adduced but two
single cases which he denominated an
outrage, one of a colored soldier who
was refused the sacrament and the other
OF a colored woman in Rhode Island
whose body was left in the vestry room
while the funeral services were per-
formed. Why he (Mr. Ferry had seen
this done with white people repeatedly.
These were the only instances which the
Senator could adduce as reasons why
this extraordinary proposition should be
passed. The General Governmentmust
take charge OF everything affecting the
life, liberty and property OF every citizen
OF the country. The principle main
tanned by Messrs. Sumner, Carpenter
and Morton was identical. twas that
tbe three last amendments to the Con-
stitution had changed the whole theory
and form OF government. God help
us if this thing which is now
proposed is TO be done. 1t will strike
from under US every particle OF civil
liberty, and we most assuredly shall 60
down. We will not 60 down at once
for all usurpations are attempted under
the plea OF being entirely for the public
GOOD. This is the entering wedge.
Next the Government will be called to
enter every hamlet in the United States
and do police duty. lie concluded with
an earnest appeal for local self govern