Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-02-12
EORTY-FIFTH CONGRH IS.
TUESDAY, February 70. ls-s

communication from the President stating
that he had signed the resolution accepting
the painting OF the Signing OF the Emancipa-
tl0n Proclamation, and had transmitted a
copy, of the same to Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson.
The donor.
A number of memorials and petitions. &c.
were presented and referred.
Mr.. Chrisiiancy in presenting some woman
Snnrage petitions took occasion 10 say that
whenever he was convinced that a majority
OF the women OF the country desired it he,
had no objection to it but he thought these
petitions should go to the state legislatures
MI. Thurman presented d resolutions of the
legislature of Ohio declaring the bonds of the
United States payable, at the option of the
government, in silver or gold, and favoring
the coinage of the silver dollar
ME- Booth presented resolutions of the
legislature OF California. asking that pensions
be granted the widows and orphans of soldiers
and sailors of the nj exican war.
Mr.. Burnside, from the committee Oh mill
tary affairs, reported bill TO remove all re-
strlctlons relating to the enlistment of colored
men in U. S. army.
Mr.. Maxey,. member of the committee,
gave notice that he did not concur i'm the
1aV9rable recommendation OF the bill
Mr.. MaXey. from the military committee
reported JOINT resolution to amend the lO4th
article of war.
Mr.. Morrill,, from the committee on finance.
reported House resolution declaring il ineXpe-
dent to reduce the tax on distilled spirits and
sad ne would ask speedy action upon it.
MI MI; Mhaxey INTRODUCED bill to extend com
%,
Referred to committee on railroads
MI. Dorsey called up the bill making the 22d
OF February legal holiday in the District of
Columbia.
MIR. HOar suggested that the nearness of the
date made 1t improper that the bill should al
feet commercial obligations maturing on that
Gay In tne present year. and the bill was
amended to take effect after the present year
and, as amended, passed.
Mr.: Howe called up, and the Senate passed,
hlll constituting commission to consider
and report plan for the enlargement of the
accommodations for the library of Congress,
and it was passed.
Mr.. Dawes called up the bill providing for
the purchase Of the Freedmans Bank build
ing and adjoining ground in Washington at
$1,000, and the bill was passed.
The morning hour having expired the Sell
ate assumed the consideration of the silver
Mr.. Mcdonald spoke in its favor.
On motion of Mr.. Dawes the vote by which
the Senate agreed to the bill for the purchase
OF the Freed dmen'S Bank building. was recon
Sldered, and an amendment striking out the
clause transferring the Court OF Claims
thlthcr, was rejected. The bill as originally
reported was then passed, apprOpriating the
building to the use of the Court of Claims.
AT O'Clock the Senate proceeded to the
House to participate in the presentation cere-
monies.
HOC SE.-This being the day set apart for
the formal reception OF Carpenters painting
OF the first reading of the emancipation proc
lamatiQn. the galleries of the House were pret-
ty well filled at an early hour. The painting.
covered with a large American flag was
placed in position Immediately behind the
Speakers chair. 1t was placed TO be well seen.
when unveiled, by any member on the floor
and by persons in the greater portion of the
galleries. But ii was SO situated as to he
the reporters gallery. The architect of the
arrangement must have supposed that news
paper men would have no work to do on the
OCCASION.
After yac+ar6oy.S ;o,,rnol l,oI baap ra,j
MI. Potter offered resolution which was
! agreed TO. that the members of the families of
Cabinet officers of the late President Lincoln,
at the time Of the signing of the emancipation
proclamation. and who may now be in Wash.
! ing1On, be admitted to the floor of the House
during the presentation proceedings TO day.
On motion of Mr.. Durham, the House then
went into committee of the whole on the mill
ttary academy appropriation bill, Mr.. Black
burn in the chair.
The pending question was on amendment
offered by Mr.. Finley. prohibiting assessments
, upon cadets for support of the band, and it
was rejected.
Mr.. Bragg moved to amend, by providing
that these shall be commissioned in the same
manner and placed on the same footing of
other professors. and to be selected from
but said professor shall only receive his retired
pay and no other compensation whatever.
Mr.. Randolph moved as an amendment to
one professor shall be employed at the military
school at West Point to every % pupils
Mr.. Bragg argued that his amendment was
in the direction of economy and retrench-
men1 and would result in getting better pro
feSSOrShip.
Mr.. Durham intimated that Mr.. Bragg had
an interested motive in this amendment, the
object being to give the appointment to a
One-armed officer on the retired list, who was
now about the Capitol and had been before
the committee in reference to the matter. He
wanted to say, as he had said yesterday. that
| when the military committee passed Il law ap-
propriations would be made accordingly.
! Mr.: Bragg said he had hoped that young
member of the House could oppose bill, even
| though it incubated in the great brain of the
gentleman from Kentucky. He hoped that as
! a legislator he could in a humble way object
| was fair To assert that when it was necessary
| to secure the best talent where military law
| was involved the Judge Advocates were ig-
| nCTed, and an officer of the line was detailed.
Mr. Banning admitted that it was desired to
substitute an officer on the retired list for the
! present professor of law at West Point, but he
| to a ne-armed retired officer who only asked
| to be employed at West Point, without extra
| pay: Mr.: Banning further intimated that Mr..
| Durham had not treated him fairly in speak
| ing of the matter
MI Durham replied that he had treated the
| gentleman fairly. for he had told him this
posed amendment. as it was too much like spe
cial legislation for particular case.
Mr. Conger was sorry to interfere in the in
They had better tight it out and then go on
with the public business. He wanted to call
| attention to the fact, however, that by law re-
! tired officers OF the army were prohibited from
holding any civil position in the country. The
| democrats had even objected to a retired Off
! Ger being president OF temperance society.
| But he could understand why the gentleman
| from Ohio was willing to Overleap the law,
| because he was interested in a personal friend.
Mr.. Cymer said they had objected to the
| employment of relieved officers when they
| acted as U. S. ministers abroad or as U. S.
| cenSulS and acted as equerryS to private cit-
! ZenS of the United States travelling abroad.
| Mr.. Bragg'S amendment was rejected.
! The second section of the bill in relation to
! appointment of civilians having been reached
! Mr.. White Pa.) made point of order that
! it was new legislation.
d! The Chair 0verruled the point of order.
! Mr.. Conger then moved to strike out the
4, section and pending the motion the COM
| mittee rose.
| On motion of Mr. Bacon the rule was sus-
pended so as to admit to the floor the families
| of members who could not obtain seats in the
galleries.
| A recess was then taken for few minutes.
and the flag that had covered the painting
! was removed
At2O'clOck Mrs. Thompson entered, lean
! ing on the arm of Hon. s. 5. Cox.
Mr.: Carpenter, Mrs. $. S. Cox, and Mrs.
! Lynde occupied seats in the area near Mrs.
Thompson. The Senate Of the United States