Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-03-02
CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, March 1.-Mr. Summer,
in a personal explanation, stated that his
health would not permit his ser wing on the
| committee for the investigation of the sale of
arms to the French. He regretted this, but
the effects of bis injuries received sixteen
years ago still chung to him, and as he had
been painfully admonished within the last
few days, his physicians imperatively pre-
scribed repose.
The credentials of Sargent, the Senator
elect from California, were presented.
Mr.. Sherman, from the Finance Com
mittee, stated ne was authorized to an
nounce that if the duty on tea and coffee
is repealed the law would not take effect
before July first.
Prosecuting Witnesses against Cor.
ruptIOn.
Mr.. Bayard offered a resolution asking
the President for the instructions given to
the District Attorney relative to the prose-
cution of New York merchants for giving
gratuities to Customhouse officials.
MIR. Conkling asked him whether he had
not read the correspondence in the papers.
Mr.. Bayard said he had, but he wanted
to know from the President whether they
were authentic. Ifmerchants of New orkY
were to be selected for prosecution then
the main channel by which an investigating
committee could discover abuses in the
Customhouse would be effeetually closed.
Mr.. Buckingham saidthere was no reason
why violations of the law should be exempt
because they were merchants. He did not,
however, object to the resolution.
Mr.. Bayard said the question was whether
the main channel for discovering abuses
should be closed. Why should not the
President wait until the committee re-
ported 4?
The legislation appropriation bill was
taken up and the resolution went over.
Mr.. Cole reported the naval appropriation
bill with amendments.
Mr.. Sherman reported bill re-establish-
ing the branch Mint at New Orleans.
Mr.. Anthony reported a bill providing for
renewing of the contract with the Con-
greSSiOnm Globe for printing the debates
till the close of the present Congress.
Passed.
The BOmbsheIl Committee.
Mr.. Cameron moved that the Vice Presi-
dent appoint the investigating committee
into the alleged sale of arms to French
agents.
The Vice President declined.
MIR. Cameron then offered resolution
that Senators Hamlin, Carpenter, Sherman,
Sawyer, Logan, Stevenson and Harlan be
the committee. He explained that owing
to the declination of Mr.. Sumner, he sub
stituted Mr.. Hamlin.
Mr.. Trumbul said he thought one of the
Senators who brought this matter before
the Senate ought to be on the committee,
and thought as DIR. Sumner was not on the
committee that Mr.. Schurz ought to be.
Mr.. Sumner thought that in ordinary
fairness one of the two Senators who had
taken a prominent part in instituting the
inquiry should be on the committee. He
(Mr. Sumner) could not serve, and it
seemed to him that the Senator from Mis-
souri,, (Mr. Schurz) should be on the COM
mittee.
Mr.. Boreman moved to lay the resolution
and amendment on the table. Carried
yeas, %; nays not counted.
The Legislative Appropriation bill was
taken up.
The amendment proposing to abolish the
branch mint at Charlotte, n. c., was re-
iected.
The Senate went into executive session
and soon adjourned.