Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-04-23
HOUSE.
Admiral semmes.

WASHINGTON, April 22.-Mr. brolnDeiS
asked leave to have passed bill TO relieve
from political disabilities Raphael Semmes,
of Alabama, and sent to the clerks desk
and had read a petition of Mr.. Semmes
for relief dated Jan. so, 1874.
Mr.. Merriam and others objected.
Mr.. Bromberg wished to make an appeal
to the House, but Mr.. Hale, Of Maine,
thought the matter might at least wait IN
til after the distribution of the Geneva
award.
The bill was not received.
Negro Rights Abroad.
E. r. Hoar, from the Committee on For
eign Affairs, reported bill to carry into
execution the provisions Of the 1ath Amend
ihent to the Constitution concerning citi-
zenship, and TO define certain rights OF eltl-
zens of the United States in foreign ooun-
tries, and certain duties of the diplomatic
and consular officers. lie proceeded TO ex-
plain and advocate it,
The first Section provides that the words
domicile and residence be construed as i'm
plying a fixed resident place, with the di-
rect or presumptive proof of an intent to
remain indefinitely. The second section
defines the classes of persons who are to be
regarded aS entitled to the privileges and
immunitles OF the United States. The
third section makes provision for the regis
try at American Legations OF Consulates of
American citizens residing abroad, and pro-
vides that citizens who do not comply with
the requirement, and who remain out of the
jurisdiction Of the United States, and within
the jurisdiction of some foreign power con-
tinuously for two years, shall be held as
domiciled in a foreign country. The fifth
section recognizes the lawful marriages Of
American citizens abroad.
Mr.. Cox opposed the bill. He argued
against its police regulations, and read ar
ticleS from leading German papers, especi-
ally Stats ZeitlggS of New York and
Chicago, as expressing his views. He spe-
cially inveighed against thar feature Of the
bill which denationalixed citizens for
crime. such as desertion from military ser
vice, which was crime in some countries,
as Germany.
Mr.. E. X. Hoar said the bill do not seek
to denationalize any body except those
who had given the strongest presumptive
evidence that they intended to denatiOnal-
ize themselves, and who were unwilling to
admit that they were American citizens.
At the closing of the morning hour the
bill went over until tomorrow.
More District Deficiencies.
Mr.. Randall presented petition OF the
wOrkingTnen of the District of Columbia,
for the payment of their wages remaining
unpaid. Referred to the Invest igating
Committee.
Quorum.
Mr.. Garfield proposed to amend the stand
ing rules of the House so as that less than
quorum may proceed with the considera-
tion of any regular appropriation bill. Re
ferred.
He also asked unanimous consent that
that shall be the rule for to-day, but objec-
tiOn was made.
Treasury Postage.
The House then went into Committee of
the Whole, Mr.. WoOdford in the chair, on
the legislative, executive and judicial APP
preparation bill. The item of 100000 for
the purchase of official postage stamps for
the Treasury Department, was reduced TO
5000 on motion of Mr.. Dunnell, the idea
being to let the small sum 90 to pay the
cost of furnishing the stamps, without re-
gard TO their face value, and 50 not charge
the Treasury Department with the pay
ment ofpostage.
Opposition TO Retrenehment.
There was no serious conflict in regard
to any other item in the bill, until the par
agraph making appropriations for the
Assay Office at New York was reached.
Mr.. Poland moved an amendment to in
crease the salaries of the officials over
those reported in the bill and making
them the same as they are at present
After a long discussion Mr.. Poland's
amendment was rejected.
A Cut at Charlotte.
The item appropriating 81, 400 for an
Assay Office at Charlotte, Y. c., was on
motion Of Mr.. Garfield changed into an ap-
preparation Of 200 for taking care of the
building.
The Committee rose after diSposing OF
II pages of the bill and the House adjourn
ed.