The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-01-19
BY TELEGRAPH.
Latest News from Washington.
xLVTH CoNGREss-First Session.
WASHINGTON, January IS, 1876.

ALVld CONGSESS-First Session.
WASHINGTON, January 10, 1876.
a SENATE.
Mr.. Thurman presented the credentials of
James B. Eustis, claiming seat as senator
from Louisiana, and asked that they be re-.
terred to the Committee on Privileges and
Elections. After some discussion the mat.
ter was laid over until tomorrow.
Mr.. Withers, OF Virginia, presented he
petitions Of D. B. Conrad asd Samuel Coop.
er, of Virginia, for the removal of their DO.
litical disabilities. Referred to judiciary
Committee.
Mr.. Goldthwaite, of Alabama, said he
found on his desk this morning pamphlets
on the Spencer case. He felt some delicacy
in presenting them to the Senate, as they
were made up OF newspaper testimony at the
best. He asked, however, that they be re-
ferred to the Committee on Privileges and
Elections, which committee had charge of
The Spencer case.
| Mr.. Cameron presented petition of cti-
zens of Pennsylvania in favor of subsidy
tor the Southern Pacific railroad.
| A bill was passed allowing courts martial
to compel civil witnesses to testify, on penalty
of two months Imprisonment.
MIR. Dayis's resolution to investigate the
Treasury was discussed without action.
Adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The Judiciary Committee reported the
amendment to the Constitution limiting the
presidential term to four years, and making
persons who have held or may hold the Of
flee ineligible. 1t is the special order of the
day for Tuesday. Its retroactive feature can
only apply to the present incumbent of the
office.
The Judiciary Committee reported bill
authorizing the Court Of Claims to take juris-
dicton OF the claims of all persons who were
infants, married women, idiots, lunatics, in
sane persons, or beyond the seas at the time
of the seizure of any abandoned and cap
tured property, provided that such claims
are already on file, or shall be on fife within
two wears. Referred TO the Committee of
the Whole.
The same committee reported q bill author.
ling the Court of Claims to take jurisdic-
ton of the claim of Robert Irwin. OF Savin-
nab, Ca, for property taken from him. Re
| ferred as above.
! The same committee reported adversely to-
the bill for the repeal OF capital punishment;
also, a bill to extend the time three months
for receiving claims by the Alabama Claims
Commission. Passed.
Mr.. Oliver, Of Iowa, introduced bill to
reduce the inierest-bearing public debt,
provide 4 uniform currency, limit the
amount thereof, and make it equal in value
to specie. Also to invite joint convention
of all civilized nations for the purpose OF
establishing uniform system of weights,
measures, aud coinage throughout the civ
IiIized world.
The following bills were introduced:
| d. NJ Da;IlY. To par half nf tho rIlstn1ns
in lawful money.
Bv Mr.. Mcfarland: To allow planters to
sell leat.tobacco without license.
Bv Mr. Cannon: Fixing the penalty for
mailing obscene matter, and excluding lot
terry circulars from the mails.
By Mr.. Hatcher: For the Improvement OF
the Mississippi between St. Louis and Cairo.
Bv MIR. Wiltshire: 70 establish judicial
district for Oklahoma.
BY Mr.. S'oGaTs: For the improvement OF
the Ouachita river.
By Mr.. Lettrell: To prevent the natural.
ization of Chinese and Mongolians.
By Mr.. West, from the Committee of the
Whole The Centennial appropriation bill.
Mr.. WaddelI, Of North Carolina, said he
had been an unwaVeriDg supporter Of the
appropriation for the Centennial exhibition
ever since it had been first projected. II it
were supposed that the irritable discussion
of the last week would have driven south.
Tern men away from the support OF this
measure he sincerely trusted that the result
of the vote would only add another illus
tr ition TO the many already given Of how
utterly impossible it is for some people to
understand and appreciate the spirit that
Eliminates other people. He and his ass0-
ciates acquitted their northern brethren OF
all responsibility for that discussion. They
had understood fully, for it was transparent,
the motive which underlay the introduc.
ton of that subject, and attaching to that
motive its exact value they simply looked
down upon and passed by the whole sub
Iject. They would treat that lamentable
chapter in American history as Noah's sons
had done in the hour OF their fathers hu-
initiation. They would avert their looks,
and with backward steps cast the mantle of
oblivion over it. They wished the disturb.
ers of the public peace TO understand that
Notwithstanding the spirit exhibited they
were too good patriots and TOO sin.
cere men 10 allow that spirit either
to control them or to serve as an exam! lie for
them, They wished 10 maintain the honor
and character Of the American nation, and
they would do it if they were allowed. One
element in the House had not been beard
from in that discnssion-the element of the
southern soldiers in the late war, of whom
be was one. They had sat in silence and
taken the fire which the gentleman from
Maine [Mr. Blainel had opened on them
with no other feeling than that Of gratitude
for having escaped from so terrible an en-
envy as he [BIaine] must have been
during the battles of the late war.
[Laughter.l If now, when that gentleman's
hair was Sllyering and his natural force per-
ceptibIy abating, he could deyelope such in
tensity Of spirit, how must his plume have
waved in the forepart Of that conflict which
had occurred at time when he 1Blaine] was
young, and strong, and healthy. Laughter
That element had not yet spoken. 1t could
no: be goaded into the discussion. On the
contrary, it had exhibited spirit which be
believed the American people would not soon
forget. 1t had met storm Of hate and per-
secution as the swan meets the pillows, with
a breast of down. He knew some gentle.
men who had been engaged in the same cause
with him who had not intended to vote for
the measure before that discussion, but who
now intended to sustain it so as TO set an eX'
ample of patriotism. IF there were any oil
them who still opposed this bill he appealed
to them to unite with him in doing an act
which could only promote the honor and adj
vance the interests Of the country and the
peace and happiness OF the people.
Without action the committee arose; and
the House adj ourned.
The Freetanlan's Bank-Sfatement OF
the Commissioners.