Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-12-19


an arrangements whereby full discussion will
he had on the civil rights bill reported by him
from the Judiciary Committee. There are
number OF members who have proposed speech
es on the subject, among them Mr.. stephens OF
Georgia, and debate will continue for two days
TIE BANKRUPT BILL.-The Senate judi
ciary Committee had a long session to-day on
the bankrupt bill. They were still in session a
halt past two this afternoon. 1t is understood
they will report a bill repeating so much of the
bankrupt law as provides for Involuntary pro
ceedipgs and will leave the remaining features
Of the bill for voluntary benefits intact.
OPTICAL REFORMATION OF THE SuRRRSDER
OF THE NIRGINIUs.-A telegram was received
to-day by the Secretary of State from the
Consul General at Havana in, which the latter
states that he has been informed by the Captain
General that the Nirginius prisoners were
delivered yesterday to the Commander of the
Juniata.
THE House Committee on Banking and Cur
rency has decided not to meet until after the
holiday recess. There are a number of schemes
before the committee affecting national banks
and currency, but under the decision of the
committee nothing will be done at present. II
is understood that great diversity of opinion
exists among its members on the subject OF
currency, and it is the opinion of old members
that 1t will be impossible for the committee to
agree on any bill.
morning had under consideration a bill to re-
imbuIse Assistant Treasurer Hillhouse, of New
York city, for stamps stolen from his Office, but
took no action. A long discussion was also had
upon Judge kelley's resolution looking to the
replenishing of the national treasury by means
of currency loan, rather than to impose the
taxes on certain articles recommended in the
letter of the Secretary of the Treasury. The
discussion ELECTED the fact that Mr.. Kelley's
proposition has no element of strength with the
committee, and further consideration was post
poned until after the Christmas holidays.
The Senate Committee on Privileges and
elections have under consideration the amend
ment to the constitution proposed by Mr.. Sum-
ner, limiting the President to one term, to con-
sst of six years, and the several amendments
suggested by the President in his last annual
message.
Should Mr.. Pinchback be seated as a prima
facie member, the Louisiana matter will proba-
bly, come back to the committee in the form OF
contested election. II he is not seated the
whole case will very likely be recommitted to
the committee.
THE CHARGES AGAINST GEN. HOWARD
The House Committee on Military Affairs met
this morning and resumed the consideration OF
the charges made against Gen. Howard in the
letter transmitted by the Secretary OF War TO
Congress. Secretary Belknap was with the
committee upwards of an hour and explained
the details of the exhibits accompanying his
letter. The committee has not vet determined
Wnetner the case VIII be remanded to the War
department with authority to prosecute b,
court martial or whether IL will be most eN-
pedient TO proceed to recover by civil process
but the majority of the committee are in favor
OF reporting resolution for the action OF the
House directing the General of the army to
convene a court martial to examine into, and
dispose Of the alleged charges of defalcation.
SENATE SUBSTITUTE FoR THE HOUSE SALA-
RY BILL.-The Senate Committee on Civil Ser
vice Retrenchment to-day reported a bill to the
Senate with amendments to the House salary
bill, in the nature of a substitute. as follows:
BE Il enacted, de-, That so much of the act of
March 3, 1873, as provides for the increase of
the compensation of Members of Congress and
the several officers and employees of either house
OF Congress ,or both, be, and the same is hereby
repe aled and the salaries and compensation of
all said persons shall be as fixed BY the laws in
force at the time of the passage of said act,
Sec. 2. That the compensation of the several
heads OF departments shall be each IS 900 per
aDnum.
Section 8. That the Secretary of the Treasury
is required to cover into the Treasury all sums
that NAV remain undrawn or which have been
received as increased compensation under the
provisions of said act, approved March 3, 1873
and which shall have or may come into his pos
by the return thereof.