The New York Herald Newspaper, July 12, 1868, Page 3

WASHINGTON PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT. Announcement That the Legislature ot North Carolina Has Ratified the Constitutional Amendment. The Ratification by Florida Not Recognized. The Biectoral College Bill Passed by Both Mouses and Sent to the President. Debate in the Senate on Mr. Sherman’s Substitufe to the Funding Bill. The Army Bill Still Under Consideration in the House. PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT. Announcement That the Legislature of North Carolina Has Ratified the Constitutional ‘he President Does Not Ke- ‘Ratification by Florida. BY THB PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA—A PROCLAMATION. Whereas by an act of Congress, entitled an actto admit the States of North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama and Florida to repre- sentation in Congress, passed on the 25th day of June, 1868, it is declared that it is made the duty of the President within ten days after receiving official in- formation of the ratification by the Legislature of either of said States of a proposed amendment to the constitution, known as article fourteen, to issue a proclamation announcing that fact: And whereas the said act seems to be prospective; And whereas a paper purporting to be a resolu. tion of the Legislature of Florida adopting the amendment of the thirteenth and fourteenth articles o1 the constitution of the United States was received at the Department of State on the 16th of June, 1868, prior to the passage of the act of Con- gress referred to, which paper is attested by the names of Horatio Jenkins, Jr’, as President pro tem. of the Senate W. Moore as Speaker ofjthe Assembiy, and of William L. Apthorp as Secre- tery of the Senate, and William Forsyth Bynum as Clerk of the Assembly, and which paper was trans- mitied to the 'y of State in a letter dated Executive Oiice, Tallahassee, Fla., June 10, 156s, from Harrison Reed, who therein sigus himself Gov- ernor. : And whereas, on the 6th day of July, 1868, a paper was received by the President, which paper, being addressed to the President, bears date of the 4th of July, 1868, and was transmitted by and under the name of W. W. Hoden, who therein writes himself Governor of the- State of North Carolina, which paper certifies that the sald proposed amend- ment known as article fourteen did pass the Senate and House of Representatives of the General Assembly of North Carolina, on the 2d day of July, instant, and is attested by the names of John H. Bouer, or Bower, as Secretary of the House of Representatives, and T. A. Byrues as Secretary of the Senate, and its ratification on the 4th of July, 1868, is attested by Tod RK. Cauldwell as Lieutenant Governor, President of the Senate, and J. W. Holden as Speaker of the House of Representative Now, therefore, be it known that 1, ANDREW JOHN- SON, President of the United States of America, in compliance with, and in execution of, the act of Con- gress aforesaid, do issue this proclamation an- nouncing the fact of the ratification of the said amendment by the Legislature of the State of North Carolina in the manner hereinbefore set forth. In testimony whereof I have signed these presents with my hand and have caused the seal of the United States to be hereto affixed. Done at the city of Washington this 11th day of July, in the year of our Lord 1868, and of the inde- pendence of the United States of America the ninety- third. ANDREW JOHNSON. By the President. WILLIAM H. SEWaRD, Secretary of State. MISCELLANEOUS WASHINGTON NEWS, WASHINGTON, July 11, 1868, The Southern Vote iv the Electoral College— Lively Scene in the House. In the House of Representatives to-day the joint resolution defining the status of the unreconstructed States in the coming Presidential election gave rise to a lively scene between the members of the oppo- site political parties. In presenting the resolution Mr. Boutwell berated the democratic party in no ehoice terms, reviewing their record during the past eight years. Mr. Eldridge replied, but failed to make any points, Boutwell took another turn and threw the democrats into evident uneasiness by sending Frank Blair's tetter to the Clerk's desk to be read, the republicans badgering the democrats on account of the character of this document, Mr. Brooks nndertook to explain its meaning, but made little headway. Old Thad Stevens capped the climax by an emphatic denunciation of the democratic party as an oligarchy far behind the age. The old man never displayed so much energy and his remarks were highly approved by his party, while the democrats were manifestly not willing hearers of sucn @ raking tirade. A recurrence of these scenes may be ex- pected at periods during the remainder of the session Nominations Confirmed and Rejected by the Senate. The Senate in executive session to-day confirmed the following nominations:—Ex-Congressional Dele- gate John S. Watts, to be Chief Justice of the Su preme Court of New Mexico: Edward W. Willet Receiver of Public Moneys for the district of Sacra- mento, Cal., and Alexander BE. Mayhew, United Staes Attorney for Montana, The Senate rejected the nomination of Colonel J. ©. P. Burnside to be Second Auditor of the Treasury, in place of E. B. French, whom the President pro- posed to remove. Mr. Evarte’ Nomination Discussed tn Execu- tive Session. ‘The Senate in Executive session to-day discussed the nomination of W. 8. Evarts to be Attorney Gen- eral of the United States, but came to no decision on the subject. The Ways and Me Tax ‘The Ways and Means Committee were in ses- sion to-day on the Senate amendments to the Tax bill. The main amendments, including those relating to banks and petroleum, will be agreed to by the committee, but tt te questionable whether the House will concur, The committee ex- pect to report the bill with amendments on Monaay. The section relative to the tax on banks will give rise to @ good deal of discussion in the House. Butler and those who favor his views are deter- Mined to fight most strenuously for the sections as they originally passed the House. The difference between the two Houses will have to be finally set- tied in the Conference Committee. The Alleged Freads in the Ordeance De- Committee and the partment. ‘The Ordnance Committee are maturing their re- port relative to alleged frauds in the Ordnance De- partment, and will soon present it to the House, It will contain some starting disclosures relative to the manner in which the department has been managed during and since the war ‘The report will concinde with a resolution recommending the re- NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1868,—TRIPLE SHEET. moval of General Dyer, the present head of the Ord- mance Bureau. ‘The Eight Hour Law in the Treasury Depart- ment. ‘The Secretary of the Treasury has iseued a circu- jar calling the attention of the oMcers of that de- partment to the act of Congress constituting eight hours @ day’s work for al) laborers, workmen and mechenics employed by or on behaif of the govern- ment of the United States, and directing a compll- ance with the same, Weekly Financial Statement. Amount of fractional currency received from the Printing Bureau of the Treasury Department during the week ending to-day, $422,000. The shipments of fractional currency were a8 {ol- lows:— To the Assistant Treasurer at Charleston ‘Yo Lue Assisiant Treasurer at Boston. . 100,000 ‘To the Assistant .veasurer at New York... .-- 300,000 ‘To national banks and others...... + 269,605 The shipments of United States notes during the week were as follows:— ‘To (he national bANKB..........++.-20 45 seeeee $80,265 ‘To tue United States Depository at Baltimore — 12,000 To the Assistant Treasurer at New York..... 100,000 Tne Treasurer of the United States holds in trust as security for the national banks at this date the following amounts, viz:— For circulatung notes......... For deposits of public moneys ........... Nauonal banks notes issued during the week ‘ 112,070 .$341,518,900 38,447,950 Tetal issue to dat + + 306,785,016 Froni this are to be d the mutilated bills returned................ 8,268,902 Notes of insolvent hanks redeemed and burned by the United States ‘Treasurer — $692,829 Leaving in actual circulation at this date 209,823,225 Fractional currency redeemed and de- siroyed...... i : 433,100 Resignation of General R. K. Scott. ‘Tue resignation of Brigadier General Robert K. Scott, brevet major general of United States volun- teers, has been accepted by the President, to take effeet July 6, 1868. Navy Bulletin. The following ofttcers of fhe navy have been hon- orabiy discharged:—Acting Volunteer Lieutenant George H. Smith, Acting Ensigns C. R. Fleming and Robert Hunter, Mate B, W, Tucker, Jr.; Acting Passed Assistant Surgeons T. 8. Keith, G. B. Todd and W. F. Hutchinson. Passed Assistant Surgeons H. M. Runonlett and J. W. Coles, have been ordered to the Naval Asylum at Philadelphia. Assistant Surgeon J. Albert Hawke has been detached from the Naval Asylum at Philadelphia and ordered to the Nyack. Army Bulletin. A general court martial has been appointed to meet at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, on the 16th inst., for the trial of such persons as may be brought before t. The following 1s the detail for the court:— Brevet Lieutenant Colonel S.C. Lybord, captain in the Ordnance Department; Brevet Major F. H. Bates, captain on the retired list; First Lieutenant E. A. Woodruff, Engineer corps; First Lieutenant J. B. Quinn, Engineer corps, and Second Lieutenant John Pitman, Ordnance Department, as Judge Advocate. THE FORTIETH CONGRESS. Second Session. SENATE. WASHINGTON, July 11, 1868, MONTANA MILITARY ‘CLAM, Mr. Crary, (rep.) of N. H., introduced a bill au- thorizing.the appointnent of a commissioner to ex- amine the claitm’6f Montana for the enrolment of volunteers during the late Indian war, Relerred to the Committee on Territories. INTERNAL REVENUE COLLECTOR POR CI8CO. Mr. ConNESsS, (rep.) Of Cal., offered a resolution, which was adopéed, asking the President whether a commission has been issued to James Coey as Col- lector of Interhal Revenue for San Francisco, Cal., and if not, for what reason it has not been issued. REGISTRATION OF CANADIAN BUILT VESSELS. Mr. MORGAN, (vep.) Of N. Y., called up the House bill for the registration or enrolment of certain for- elgn vessels; Which was passed. It authorizes the registration or enrolment of fifteen Canadian built vessels, owned by citizens of the United States and Lethe 3 been at all times employed on the lakes; provided there shall be paid a tax upon them equal to the internal revenue tax upon the materials and construction of similar vessels of American build, DISCONTINUANCE OF THE FREEDMEN’S BUREAU. Mr. WILSON, (rep.) of Mass., calied up a bill rela- tive tothe Freedmen’s Bureau and providing for its CiscOntinMANce, Mr. Davis, (deul.) of Ky., opposed the bill as in- terfering with the President's right of ad interim appoipiment, and moved to amend by striking out the clause after the words, “in case of vacancy in the office of commissioner happening during the recess of the Senate, SAN FRAN- ss—If you pass that it would be a pre- mium on taking the life of the commissioner. On motion of Mr. Howanp, (rep.) of Mic words “agents, clerks and assis were added after the Words “assistant commissioners.”? ‘The bill was then passed. It is as follow: Be ttenacted, &c., That the di nd powers of the Commis sioner of the Bureau for the relief of freeamen and refu- ‘all continue to be discharged by the present Cowmis- f the bureau; and in case of vacancy in raid office occurring by reason of his death or resignation, the same shall be flied by appolutment of the President on the nom- ination of the Secretary of War and with the advice and con- ‘Senate, and no otlicer of the 1 be detailed mmissioner or sb agents, clerks and of War on the n: . Inease of vacancy in the office of Commissioner ‘ing during the recess of the Senate the duties of Com. I] be discharged by the Acting Assistant Adju- of the burean until sech vacancy can be filled. 2, Be it further enacted that the Commission burceu shall, on the frst day of January fext, cause the said bureau to be withdrawn from the several States within which said bureau bas acted, and its operation discontinued as soon ‘as the same may be done without injury to the government ; bat educational departments of the said bureau and the id payment of moneys due the soldiers, sailors afl be continued as now pro- ordered by act of Congress; provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall bot apply to any State which shail not, on the Grat of Janu: ary next, be restored to its former political relations with the overnment of the United States and be entitled to representa- fon in Congress. DISMISSED ARMY OFFICERS. Mr. WILSON called up a bill declaratory of the law in regard to officers cashiered or dismissed from the army of the United States by the sentence of the general courts martial, which was passed. THE FUNDING BILL. The bill to fund the national debt and for the con- version of notes of the United States was taken up. At the expiration of the morning hour the question was on the eudment reported by Mr. Sherman, from the Finance Committee, providing for the issue of twenty, thirty and forty year bonds, bearing in- terest, respectively, at five, four and a hatf and four per cent per annum, to be exempt from taxation in any form; said bonds to be exclusively used for the redemption or purchase of an equal amount of any of the present interest bearing debt of the United States other than the er five per cent bonds, and three per cent certificates to be issued to any amount sufficient to cover the principal of ail outsianding obligations, with the exceptions above named. The amendment provides for the annual appropriation, out of Custom House receipts, of one hundred millions, to be applied to the payment of interest and redne- tion of the principal, in lieu of the present sinking fund; it makes the new bonds and any lawful money of the United states exchangeable for each other at the Treasury, unless the amount of standing United States bonds shall be equal to $400,000,000, or unless specie payments shail have been resumed. Finally, !t legalizes contracts made specific payable in coin. Mr. SHERMAN, (rep.) of Ohio, said he did not in- tend to discuss the general subject of funding the public debt; he had fully stated his a in the early part of the session, and all the debates since then had strengthened his conviction then ex- pressed. Recent events made tt imperative now that Congress should take measures to lighten the burden of the public debt. The Republican Conven tion had promised it by reducing the interest as rapidly aa possible, and @ majority of the House of Representatives and the Democratic Convention had threatened to do it by taxation, The only proper and legal way to do it was by exchanging bonds ata lower rate of interest for those bearing a higher rate. This could be done, and must be done, and no retext would excuse the party in power for delay- 4 action or evading the responsibility. The public debt, he continued, could neither be taxed nor paid cept in pursuance of the letter and spirit of the \ ‘and the terms of the bond. No State can them, and the United States can only levy th same ineome tax upon them that is levied upon other Lo Py ene = ag violating its isane legal notes, ite may use the lawful money of the United States, ae itis received for taxes or for new aes tn toe ment of the five-twenty bonds as ty natty une theta, to ‘pay pensions OF sale Hex avail Ttselt of this clear right before specie payments are resumed ie @ question of public policy; so te the time and specie between individuals. makes no distinction between debts, except as to the interest on same law which ides for subi debt in ent in coin payment of their debts a five per cent gold bond, and all private persons may contract to pay or Fe- ceive either gold or paper money, and their contracts shall be enforced. There is nothing compulsory in vhe bill, It compels no exch: it provides for no payment, it places ail public creditors whose claims are due on a footing of equality, and restores to all- pernoos freedom to deal in whatever they choose. It forces no funding, and in this respect may be considered defective. If I could have my way I would add to it a simple cl directing the Secretary of the Treasury to apply the notes received for the new bonds to the payment of the matured five-twenties in the order of their issue, and thus without expense to the vernment fund the public debt at a lower rate of interest and bring both bonds and notes to the specie standard without contraction, convulsion or injus- tice and in strict accordance with the letrer and spirit of the law. I appreciate the delicacy of deal- ing with this question now and am willing to sup- Port this bill, which is impartial only in that it mokes an offer instead of enacting a law that would exe- cute itself, The provisions Of the bill are simple and easily unders! it contains four independent pro- positions; they may be separated, but ought not to be. ‘The first contains an authority to sell a five per cent, bond in the redemption of asix per cent, bond. The second makes @ distinct provision, which, if left un- disturbed, will pay oi the entire debt in thirty-tive years, The third gives to the notehoider the precise privilege that i# given by the first section to the bondhoider, and the fourtl authorizes contracts in | gold. If these propositions are to be discussed, | prefer to do it as questions arise in the debate, and content myself now with expressing the earnest hope that Congress will do somethin: our promise to the people in the Chicago plattorin, to reduce the interest of #0 much of the public debt 4s 18 now subject to redemption. Mr. SUMNER, (rep.) Of Mass., then took the floor, He commenced by saying that, after the tempest that has recently Swept over us, il was well to deavor to comprehend the actual condition of attairs. What hag brought 1 about? it was impossible to separate the financial question from the political estion, Our present responsibilities in both y having sprung from the rebellion, together constituting @ fearful sum total of disorders. After sketching the difficulties ynder which ‘he nation has jabored in that connection he said that financial re- construction depends upon politics, and that in both we must fellow nature and restore by removing the disturbing cause. Security was the first condition of the former, and he Knew of no road to it excel through political reconstruction. So long as a do lar of irredeemabie paper was forced upon the country the rebellion still lives in its spurious pro- geny. Ail that Andrew Johnson had done tended to proiong the rebellion and to continue financial disorder, and so with thedemocratic party. Others, not indiffeyent to the latter, had looked with inditler- ence upon Johnson’s crimmal conduct, and nad suffered for it; but it was hard that the country should suffer. Also, when the nation was again in health inconvertibie paper would be as impossible as -a bill of sale of a human being. For the sake of the national finance the freedmen should be secured and maintained in equal rights, as danger was to be ap- prehended from pardoned rebels and their democratic alles. He dalated at length on the importance of preserving the public faith, which he styled a treasury, a tariff and an internal revenue all in one, as with that, even if they were lost, tt would be but for aday. He likened the outery for taxing the bonds to the exclamation of the rogue in Shak- epeare—What a fool is honesty and trust is a very simple gentleman.” Pointing out the original bar- gain that the bonds should not be taxed, he said a proud nation sensitive of its honor could not do this thing. The proposition to pay the bonds in green- backs he pronounced similar in spirit to this, quot- ing the declaration of government officers about the time of their issue that the five-twenties were pay- able in coin and denying the assertion of Mr. Sher- man that Congress was not in session at that time, which assertion he claimed to be an admission of the force of acquiescence if it could be shown as he claimed to have done. He insisted that the face of the bond promises to pay dollars; not con- vertible paper, but an_ established measure of value. It would make no difference if the payment of the bonds were in greenba: since they, too, must ul- timately be paid in coin; but all of these pretexts were nothing but repudiation. Referring to the re- pudiation of Mississipp! bonds and the connection of Jefferson Davis with it, he said it was not un- natural that a State mad with slavery should reject the obligations of public faith. Slavery was in ifsels a perpetual repudiation, bat such an example was unfit for our nation at this period of its history Commenting upon the outery against the bond! ers, he said every such loan in the time of th tion’s peril was & contract of bottomry on the na- lon, conditional upon its success, quoting Milton's lines — Ob | yet a noble task awaits thy hand ! For what can war but endless war still breed Till truth and might from violence be treed And public faith cleared from the sbametul hand Of public fraud? Mr. SUMNER then urged economy and the diminu- tion as far as possible of the pablicdebt as the only present means of lightening the public burdens, and went on to cite the probable increase of population and material resources of the country in the future, to which he byl we may er leave the final settlement of the national debt. He knew of no reason Why one of our bonds should bring twenty = cent less than an English bond while tt_ pays one undred per cent more interest except in England's superior credit, from which again he excluded the lesson ef public faith. Proceeding to consider the bill before the Senate, he argued that only confidence in the public faith would induce the bondholders to make the proposed changes of bonds, any menace of compulsion would defeat the trans- action. It wouid be repudiation under an alias. The bill, however, was free from any such implica- tion. He was assured, by men who ough! to Know, that those bonds would be rapidly taken for the five- twenties. After examining and approving the pro- visions of the bill he went on to urge the necessity of a speedy return to specie payments, describing the muitifold evils of our present disordered currency, and insisting that fluctuations in the measure of values are as inconvenient and fatal as in the meas- ures of length and oreadth. They had made the Stock Exchange a faro bank, and materially injured our foreign commerce, assuming that few would deny transcendant evil which had set forth and ud cated inconvertible paper aa currency. The legaiization of contracts made payable in coin would also have an immediate tendency to this result, or rather would establish specie ayments whenever parties desired, contracts is coin would) increase and multiply until the exception became the rule and the better currency would gradually prevail. Referring to the fact that this lega!ization is proposed only on future contracts, he claimed there could be no doubt of its essential equity, and insisted that it wouid be ano- ther important step forward toward the resumption of specie payments especially. He then commended the provision for the contraction of the existing cur- rency a8 ® measure of great practical value, and to exhibit its nage quoted statistice showing the total circulation of the currency to have increased from $542,000,000 in 1860 to $1,245,000,000 in October, 1862—an increase of 130 (od cent, or omitting bank deposits, 146 per cent, which he claimed wi t least 60 per cent more than the increase of population and business would warrant, which difference, he said, represents the difference in prices at the two periods of the corresponding excess of currency above the re- quirements of the country. To secure a reduction in prices, therefore, the currency must be réduced some $300,000,000, He condemned both the stand still policy and that of the inflationists, who, he said, paniered to the morbid appetite for paper money, and played the discarded part of John Law, vladder without thinking that it was a bladder ready to burst. As the volume y Was increased the purchasing power of every dollar was reduced in proportion and the prices of goods were marked up higher without in- creasing their value. Already, said he, the currency is corrupted. Do not corrupt it more; the cream has been reduced to skimmed milk; do not let it be reduced to chalk and water. Give us national cream. He then enume- rated as feasible expedients all calculated to operate in the same direction of contracting the currency and Lm ge about a resumption of specie payments without violent change or spasmodic ac- lion; first, a provision that any holder of greenbacks may fond them in bonds a# he may desire, so that as coin increased they would be merged in the funded debt; second, the cancellation of greenbacks, or the payment, so far as the coin may permit, when received at the Treasury; third, theig conversion into compound interest notes, to be funded in monthly instalments, runfing over a period of years, thus reaching #pecie payments within a short time; fourth, the application of.the coin on hand to the payment of bonds at a given rate, say $6,000,000 a month, selecting for payment those holders who present the largest amount of five-twenties for con- version into long bonds at a low rate of interest, or who shall pay the high- est premium on such bonds. He continued With so great an object in view I do not doubt ite complishment at an early day if the nation only wills it. “Where there # a will there is a way,” and never was this proverb truer than on this occasion. To my mind it is clear that when the nation wiiis a currency in coin then m: this victory over the re- bellion won, provided always that there ts no failure in those other things on which I have also dwelt as the conditions precedent of this Gnal victory. How vain it t# to expect financial reconstruction until political reconstruction has been completed! [ have already shown how vain to expect specie pay- ments until the nation has once more re. gained ite natural strength and if has become one in reality as in name, and the nation wiil be like @ strong man in the full engagement of ali bis forces coping with the trials of life, There the return of special asa great party called democratic, better cail “rebel,” was arn to that political reconstruction which organized there be 0 a ents. As long a8 ‘any President of poll tical denies the equal rights of the freedman it te C ments. You must do this eq ty the rest will follow. When Gen- eral Grant said ‘‘Let ue have peace,” he said also “Let us have specie A all the blessed of is none more in nor must it ten that there can be no departure in any way from the requirements of public faith. This is rpetual obliga’ te in all the its forms, wit nase tain disgater from 3 yaiese ast aan io convert au cannot the to make good | | to concur. abundance you are poor and powerless, for you are dishenored. Do not say in apology that ‘ail should have the same currency. ‘True as this may be, it isa cheat when used tocover dishonor. This currency for all should be coin, and you should lift all the creditors of the nation to this solid platform rather than drag a single citizen down. A just equality is sougns y levelling up instead of levelling down. In this way the national credit will be maintained, go that it will all be a source of wealth, prosperity and fenown. Pardon me if I now, by Way of re- capitulation, call your attention to three things in which all others centre, The first is the pub‘ic faith, the second isthe pubhe faith and the third is the Peni faith, Let them be sacredly preserved and here is no degree of power or fame which can be wanting. Al! things will pay tribute to you, even from the uttermost part of the sea; as in the dream of Joseph, ali the sheaves will stand about and make obeisance to your sheaf. Good people. especia!ly all concerned in business, whether commerce, banking or labor, our compatriots or the people of other Jands, will honor and uphold the nation which, against all temptation, keeps its word, EXECUTIVE SESSION. At the conclusion of Mr, Sumuer's remarks, af a quarter past three o'clock, Mr. TRUMBUL! moved to go Into executive § saying probably no vote could be reached on to-day. Before the motion was put Mr. CONKLING Intro- duced a bill in relation to the District of Columtia, ‘The motion prevailed, and the Senate went into executive session accordingly. At twenty minutes past five o'clock the doors were again opened, and the House a Edmunds? joint resolution in ri Electoral College was before th Mr. TRUMBULL opposed it, contending volved the very proposition that caused diference of opinion in the Senate. Mr. Epmuxps contended that it was a mere ques- tion of formaiity. The amendment was conenrred in by a yote of to 15, and the bil! goes to the President. ‘The Senate then adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. . WASHINGTON, July 11, 1868. THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT IN VIRGINIA. Mr. Bourwevt, (rep.) of Mass., from the Judi Committee, reported a bill to 1x the times for hoid- ing terms in the United States District Court in Vir- ginia, Passed. It provides that the terms at Richmond and Nor- folk shall be held hereafter at Staunton the second Tuesday in April and October, and at Witheviile the fourth Tuesday in April and October. JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF CLAIMS. Mr. WILSON, (rep.) of Iowa, from the same com- mittee, reported a joint resolution to extend the rovisions of the act of July 4, 1864, restricting the jurisdiction of the Court of Claims to the loyal citizens of the State of Arkansas, Passed. THE PROPOSED BRIDGE ACROSS THE MISSOURI RIVER AT FORT LEAVENWORTH. On motion of Mr. CLaRKR, (rep.) of Kansas, the Senate bill authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Missouri river at Fort Leavenworth was taken from the Speaker's table for action. Mr. LOAN, (rep.) of Mo., offered an amendment authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Missouri river at St. Joseph by the St. Joseph and Denver City Railroad Company. The amendment was agreed to and the bill passed. AN AMERICAN REGISTER TO A HAWAIIAN BRIG. Mr. AXTELL, (dem.) of Cal, from the Committee on Commerce, reported a bill authorizing the Secre- tary of the Treasury to grant an American register to the Hawaiian brig Victoria, owned tn San Fran- cisco, Cal., Which was passe THE SINKING FUND, Mr. PHeLps presented a resolution to carry into effect. the fifth section of the act of February 25, 1862, relative to the sinking fund, which was, on his motion, laid on the table and ordered to be printed, THE PROPOSED REDUCTION OF THE ARMY. The House proceeded to the unfinished business of The gent) Toni Massachusetts Le Wi the | House a h thing, for he knew &n i wuew | 19 fe that tt ghter.) The way against | now represented in Congress,’ and insert the follow: Means had gone over fifty-two of the one hundred ing:—“‘ and eighty-two amendmentsof the Senate to the tax vided that nothing herein contained shall be construed to apply to any State w' w sented in Congress on the 4th of Ma that the joint resolution will read:— Resolved, That none of the States whose Inhabitants were lately in rebeliion sball be entitled to representation in the Electoral College for the choice of President aud Vice Pres dent of the United States; nor shall any electo received or counted from any of auch States, uniess the of such States, pursnant to the act of Congress in that shail have, since the 4th day of March, 1*67, adopte fuition of State government, under which a Stat II have been organized and abail be ia ope {d election o: electors shall have been authority of such constitution and ¢: State shall have also become entiti © pursuant to the acts of herein contained at was represented in Congress on the 00} Bena a ita ply to any Of March, Let Mr. BovrweL. remarked that he did not deem It necessary to discuss the measure, as the object of it was weil Known to all the members. (dem.) of Wis., asked Mr. e under what part of the coustituuo: ity for the measure. said he could not go at length into by which the southern st uce of the gentieman’s pol: ler representation im Congt the purpose of the majortty in Congress and th purpose of the country unmistakably Was to old those States in the grasp of the loyal peopie of the country untii t were Routwel ¢ foun reconsi 4 uader loyal influences, with loya: majorities, loyal te govern: ments, loyal iepresenta’ and ‘Senators in Con- gress. When a es Things Look place, then and hot before those states should participace ia the Presidential eiec ion , Mr i tNat the gentleman lad not an- swer answer his question as to the statement ( for the loss the reb were sa Mr. Bo nen of een substantially protest of the forly the lead of that /p down by its candida democracy proposed again to inv war. He spoke of the lemocratt Viee Presideacy as one Who (brow years had been a conspirator again of the country. War, said he, 1s d that under the Atof the Sou restored to the lead of loyal vast cour the goveruinent the mott) und whiclf the gent m (Mr. dge) and have r 1 during eight 5 ch they pow embia heir banner for UUs contest. Our moito is restoration of (he Union and peace; and goon as those other be re. ree States can stored through the instrumentality of p under the lead of loyal men they will bi We work under the ensign of peace for ration of three more States to the Union. Ueman and his associ The gen- raise the banner of war for the expulsion of eight States which lave been already restored. to the country. Mr. ELpxipGe denied that the democratic took any such position, and declared t lican party was responsibie for i Southern people were crushed and broke trodden into the earth by, he had almo: atrocious acts of this Congress. The only reason why those States were held in the grasp of power was the fear that, if lett free to act, they would act with the democratic party. The gentleman trom Massachusetts dare not, before God, deny that that was tie sole purpose for which this’ scueme was in- augurated, Mr. BoUrweEL1 repeated the charge that the demo- party was respousible for the rebellion and referred to the leticr of Frankia Pierce and the spi sof democratic leaders about the period of secession. The rebels of the South had been de- ceived at that time by the democrats of the Nort and they would be deceived again In the promise that with the election of a democratic President a That is the issue on whch we go yesterday, being the bill to reduce and fix the mili- tary peace establishment, the question being on Mr. Paine’s amendment to the fifth section, modified by him so that there shall after the sist of March, 1869, be only six brigadier generals, to be designated by the President within ten days preceding that date without regard to seniority. The best six brigadier generals are to remain in commission. Mr. GARFIELD, (rep.) of Ohio, opposed the amend- ment on the ground that the selection of six briga- dler generals as “the best” would place a stain on the name and honor of every man mustered out. Mr. BUTLER, (rep.) Of Mass., said that the question Was whether the army was or was not to be reduced. ‘The bill provided that the number of generais should not be reduced except by death or resignation, or dismissal for cause. He was very anxious that there should be reduction of the army, and he wanted to begin by a reduction of the generals. Every one of them cost about twenty thousand dol- iF year with his retinue. It was said that this was a bill to reduce the army, but if it were passed in its present form it would be passed in his judgment as un electioneering dodge and nothing else, The simple question was whether members were in earn- est inthe matter, If they were not, then the bill should be passed as reported. Mr. Paine, (rep.) of Wis., defendea his amendment from the attack made on it by Mr. Garfield and hoped it would be sustained as coming nearer te meeting the views of the members on both sides and secur- png Se objects of the CoMmittee on Milllary Afiairs. » Without disposing of the amendment to the fifth | section reapecting brigadier generals, the House re- considered its action of jast might in adopting the amendment of Mr. Butler to the fourth s specting major generals, and Mr. Palve ino’ eseapoed for Mr. Butler's amendinent the follow- ing :— After the Stat day of March, 1849, there shall be oniy three major generais, and the President shall within ten days pre ceding said date designate without regard to seniority the bvat three major generals to remain in commission, and the others shall he mustered out of the service of the United States on said date, or within ten days thereafter. ‘The substitute was agreed to and then the fourth section was struck out and Mr. Paine’s amendment substituted for it—yeas 79, nD: 44—the democrats voting generally tn the affirmative. A similar amendment was agreed to as a substitute for the Ofth section, providing for six brigadier gene- “als, ‘The sixth section refers to vacancies in the office of Adjutant General, Quartermaster General, Commis- sary Genera! of Subsistence, Chief of Ordnance, Chief of Engineers, Paymaster General, Surgeon General and the Bureau of Military Justice, directing that they shail be filled hy the appointment or as- signinent of an officer who shall have the rank, pay and emoluments of a colonel of cavalry. This section gave rise to discussion. Mr. LOGAN, (rep.) of Ii., declared that a mere pretext to reduce the army was not the way to deal with the people. This bili did not reduce the army, although it pre- tended to do 90; It did not reduce it either in num- ber or dollars. He was in favor of reducing the army by reducing generals, colonels and other officers {n the same ratio as the men. Mr. GARFIELD said there were now in the army 2,855 commissioned officers. The bili proposed to Place 785 of them, more than one-fourth, on half pay, Which was precisely the same thing as ceasing to y nearly 400 officers, He could not understand he reason for be What that was no reduction. There were now 45,000 enlisted men in the army, and it was proposéd to reduce that number to 26,000. It was proposed to reduce the forty-five rewiments of infantry to thirty, the ten regiments of cavairy to seven and the five regiments of artillery to four. In the face of these facts he could not understand how it could be charged that the Committee on Military Affairs had brought in @ bill which pretended to re- duce but did not reduce the army and its expendi- tur ‘Mr. Pir, (rep.) of Mo., remarked that the Secre- tary of War had toid him this a, that at the Tate which oificers are NOW dismissed from the ser- vice for incompetency, drunkenness and immorality, one-fourth of ail of (hem would be got rid of in twelve months. The debate on the section was ciosed, and the House proceeded to vote on an amendment offered by Mr. Berier, of Maes, reducing the present incum- bents of the offices described in it to the rank and white man’s government would be e-tabiished in the South. He warned them no louger to trust in the democracy of the North because, said he, let whatever happen this House and the Senate will be in power for the next two years. We have already emancipated, by the fourteenti article of ainendinent, ty e hundred or fifteen hunur in the South who had participated in the Our purpose is, a8 far and as fast as they by fruits meet for repentance, to liberate them all. if by accident, by a fatality which comes 01 range of providential influence, the demo succeed in the election of the President, they do for the South? Nothing, nothing. shall be obliged to stand on the defensive and hold all those men where wey are for four years and you will be powerless to redeem the promise that you make. It is the interest of the South to stand last by the republican party, which has both the powe and the disposition to be jusi and generous to ev man in the South as fast as we Can see that we can do so Without danger to republican instiiutions., Hé sent to the Clerk's desk and had read the letter of F. P. Blair to Colonel Brodhead, Commenting on that letter Mr. Boutwell said that its writer proposed that the President of the United States snouid take the army, drive out of the House and Senate mem- bers entitled to their seats there, disperse the Legis- latures of the Southern States, set up new Legisia- tures and send new sets of Senators and Representa- tives to Congress. That was tie distinct deci. of Frank PV. Blair, Mr. MUNGEN, (dem.) of Ohio—I would like to the gentleman from Massachusetts where when F. ra Bat side the ask he was P. Blair was ‘fighting the battles of the country to keep those states in? Mr. country. fessed the al in the civil functions and BourweLtt—I was in the service of my But one thing i never did, | never pro- serve under a commission as General in ny and take pay for that service and serve Jouse asa member of Congress, exercising flitary authority at the same time, in violation of t stitution aud of the en- Ure theory of the gov ent, The discussion was continued in the spirit and temper of the portion of it tere reported, and was participated in by Messrs. Brooks, Dawes, Beck, Stevens, of Pa., Marshall and Schenck. Mr. Brooks, (dem.) of N. Y., said that If the gentle- man from Massachusetts expected the democracy to sit down in quiet and — contentinent under the Reconstruction acts he was indulging im the vanity of all dreamers. The democracy would exert its power here and elsewhere for the repeat of those acts and for their overthrow in every possible constitutional man- ner. They would go before the people with pride and pleasure on the issue whether the States of the South were to be governed by negroes al- most exclusively or whether they were to be foverned as the States of Ohio, New York and nusyivania Were governed—whether they were te be governed by white men or by negroes. That was the issue and on that they wouid proudly appeal from Congress to the people. Mr. STEVENS, (rep.) of Pa., reminded Mr. Brooks of the similar joint resolution passed by Congress with- out a dissenting voice before the last \’ ential election. Mr. Brooks suggested that there was differ. ume ance between the state of the country 4 and at this. Mr. STEVENS—Not a bit; not a bit. Mr. BRooks—Are we in rebellion now * Mr. SrevENS—You are in rebveilion—(loud and con- tinued laughter)—and Frank Blair declares so. He declares that the oniy way for the democratic party is to elect a President who shall make use of the ‘my to undo all that we have done in reforming the South—torn half of the voters out of their places, re-establish the old institution of slavery and re-es- tablish the white man’s government. Is not that rebellion * Mr. Brooks—The democratic party {ts alw. rebellion against tyranny and tyrants, (De laughter on the republican side.) Mr. STEVENS (irouically)—So it is, and with them anything but a white man’s democratic government is tyranny, and (hey are always in reve against everything but a democratic majority aud a demo- cratic slave rul Mr. Brooks—Under what article of the constitu. tion do you derive the authority to pass this law Mr. STEVENS—! derive it from the authority of Congress to open and count and declare the electoral of cavairy. The amendment was agree: —yeas 48, MAYS 2b. Mr. Brier moved ao additional amendment, modified by Mr. Paine, to reduce by one grade all the btatl officers, which Was agreed to. Mr. GakFieLp reported from the committee amendment reducing the staf in the Quartermaster Ordnance Department as follows:—One quariermas- ter general, with the rank of colonel; six deputy quartermaster generals, with the rank of lieutenant colonel; eight quarteriasters, with the rank of ma- jor; twelve assistant quartermasters, with the rank of Captain, thirty commissaries of subsistence, with the k of captain; twelve assistant paymaster generals, one paymaster and fort, rgeons; forty assistant @urgeous, With the rank of ptain. Seventy-five in the Ordnance Department, two colonels, three lMeutenant colonels, seven majors, eighteen captaina, fourteen first lieutenants and eight second iieutenants, The relieved oMicers to be put on haif pay The amendment was agreed to, Mr. BUTLER giving notice that he would move to cut down aii the oif- aif, He subsequentiy made that motion as follow ‘hat the whol ing in the above named stat department shail be juced one half; the officers retained to be desig. nated by the General of the army, and those not se- lected to be retained shall be mustered out on the loth of March next. Io arguing in support of his amendment he tnsisted that it was the volunteer y that did the Oghting in the war, and he under- took to prove from the Army Register that there was not # single r it of regular infantry tn the Army of the Cumberland, the Tennessee or Jamies. The last year of the war they had all got soft places somewhere, Mr. GARFIELD replied to Mr. Butler, and then th nestion Was taken on Mr. Butler's amendment and was agreed to—yeas 66, nays 64—as a substitute for the amendment reported by Mr. Garfleid reduc- staff in the master’s and Ordnance ments, &c. GaRFigLD, on behalf of the Committee on Military Affairs, reported an additional section pro- viding that the Bureau of Military Justice shall con- Mat of one judge advocate eral, with the rank of colonel; one assistant } advocate general, with the rank of lieutenant colonel eight assistant judge tank of major, rals, with the wie aside the Army Dill to. temsporattl iy, ‘which wan agreed to. re FEBOTORAL COLLEGE BILL. bill and amendments were ‘The eee ae oe votes. Of course Congress is to provide tue means by which that is to be done. Mr. Beck, (dem.) of Ky., declared that the object of including in the joint resolution Florida, Arkansas and North Caroiina, which were now represented in Congrees, was to give the majority tue power to throw out the electoral votes of those states if they should be democratic. Mr. MansHALt, (dem.) of I1l., declared that any charge of the democratic party having taken part in secession or rebellion Was unsustained by facts, and which every intelligent person knew to ve so, and he mentioned @ remark made by Mr. Lincoln that gen- uemen of his own party were very good at resolu. tions and long prayers, but that had it not been for the stubborn vaior of the democracy of the North the Union would have gone down under rebellion, Mr. BoutTweit read some extracts from articles in the New York World giving @ stretching descrip. tion of the delegates to the Convention aud of their record of services to the nation, picking out the para. graph relating to the services in the Confederate army of John A. Winston, of Alabama; James H. Clanton and Wade Hampton. Mr. Wasnsceng, (rep.) of fil., thought the ptctare was age sad without the description of N, B. Forrest, of Tennessee, and he had that read aiso, Mr. Broo: ested to have read the record of jen, of North Carolina, Mr. MCLLiNe, (rep,) of Tenn., wound up the de- rt Governor Hold seription of Forrest by remarking that he was the Pit on the bloody massacre loyal men at Fort ow. Mr. Marswact replied that he appenied to the honest people of the country and wisted them to Qotice how democrats were day after day without an ul i. sen gine of mee attack; but they would be heard at the forum of the le and would there fasten the biican booed its atrocious record and leave it to the verdict PY tod peopie. ae Pan el aa ar repubifoaus would be meet and repel all and e of threats, He com- with much on Blair letter. Finally the discussion closed by the previous the republicans having by 68 votes Firat Sesion we soe oe to know many democrats The soomenen were to—110 to 28—and ihe Bt Mr. SCHBNCE eid that the Committee of Ways and bill, and he suggested that the House accept @ gen- eral report to non-concur in all of the amendments and let them g» to a conference committee. There being no objection that course Was adopted. All the amendments were non-concurred in and @ committee of conference asked for. . THE LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATION DILL. Mr. WasHBURNE, of Il, from th sference Committee on the Legislative Appropri fr 1, 189 disagreeing amendments, made a report, Which Was agreed to. THE ARMY BILL. *. GARFIELD, the Army bill, a@ dd to be ‘printed, and then ab Ajourned. MUSICAL REVIEY The publis.c-s, taking advantage of Bateman's in- lon to oy © seagon of opéra ho * at Niblo's with 2 4S most charming work Barbe Bleue,” are ng out the gems of (hat opera and potpourris &e., in large nue Barbe tor to either “La F ne” or “in a musica: of view; of the arr now be- fore ns give a fathinl picture of A fan- tasia in an 0) should be something ‘han the princtpal & vung together; there si e form and individuaiucy ta it, aad se a condense all its most strising features in a imuia'ure shape. Some respectable musical names ; attaehed to certain sons and dauce music, w ow very Uttie evideuce ont of tne old, hack i for y positions of fis The sum unfortunate season for our composers seem to be in a comatose state music. Taking in gemeral all the opositions we have ioviewed for the las months, during which ‘he works of some o: most cele- brated comporcf# in Berope aud Am 4 at the present Jay hav deen submitted to us for criticism, there is ope gratifying conclusion to be drawpa. We have here in tus country talent for sition fully th many cases = :¢ trapsatian’!c ueghvors, Pattison nished (he & an pabile with a fantasias caprices, and J. R, Tho: and Per- ring'’s ballads are sung everywhere. vould be difficult to snatch Bristow tm erehestra! «ud oratorio works. A great deal of what we were -ompelled to designate as trash somes from id ts pub- lished there. (he sensible advice witch we have given repeatedly toour publishers seems ‘+ cave had due eifect, for very seldom we :ow come across a pice across which <) be write ten the oliinous word = * trash, fhe style in which compositions are published now also de- serve much commendation, One of the publishers in particular, Pond & Co., have within tie (ast six months, acting on our advice, publisied all their works in a form which no London or Saris houses can excel; and the publishers, as a genera: rule, are latterly very chury about the character of the pieces to which their names are attached. it was sadly needed for the protession and. the pubic for the HERALD to take up Unis all importan: subject and compel pub and composers to do their duty towards their patrons. There will be shortly a meet- ing of ail the music publishers of tie United States at Long Brancli, and one of the principal suijects to shers be diacussed, we hear, is the impartial, wucompro- mising Views of the H@RaLp tn regard to (he duty of musi¢ publisiers towards*the public aud towards compose would offer this convention & little seas y wivice, Publishers should adopg some rule may be of justice 1 slightest reason Why music costs te in Aimerica as it does in Europe, an cominend ali publishers to follow the example of Pond & Co, and bring out Works in @ handsome, convenient and iegible form, Peters bas very dne title pages, but printed musi¢ instead of engraved, and many of tie other publishers try to ceonomize on the most vital points. The Arerican pubite are beginning |o auderstand what the dut.ics of music publishers are, so that those ¢ nen, as & mere matter of business, should carefully examine the facts we have repeatedly laid before the: Ditson & Co. publish the following: — would res “Lancer's Quadrilie,” from vb 6," ars ranged by J.°. Knight, A pleasing arvengement of the principal airs in Offenbach's opera. “Schottish’ (rom the same opera for dance music, poor and uninteresting. “The Kiss Waltz,” from the same opera. far in- ferior to the similar w s iene”? ov “La Grande Ducitesse.? ‘The * nhon” theme yin the in this waltz is almost identical w t es that O1- last act of “La Selle Héleue,"? which 1 enbach not on y steals but rep hit “arand Potourri,” on “Barbe Bleue,” by the same composer. ii night ought to pay a little more attention to ls transitions even in suc affair as & potpo » change of keys from the score also serve to henes of the oper. ! op,” by F; wed oy Knigh is che meanin 1 “arrangement t! Mr. Knigh ne nothing for Carl Fausi’s spark ling galop e-cept to put his wane to iL. tle galop is excellent in olka Kev “Barbe Ble Knight. The “Belle Helene * subject ts the best t tus work, “Mada 3 tue! Barve ‘ favorites of «| pera, Blue Be ritically laments the death of his last wite, jotve, in the most heari-reu ling manuel “Keep the Bal. @ Kolling Campaign songs are g paign sina I poiat of v “Dandy ber Jue. na minstrel ball, but worse than useles- urlor or concert. “The Sea Hath Its Pearls,’ Boot. vert Gold- beck has wedded Heine’s charming por ry lo sweet sounds. if Mr. Boott has not ¢ standard he has, however, made q affair out of tt “George Erastus William Henry Brown.” minsirel like, therefore unwortli “Soft Fell the Dews of Sum Nigi Vocal duet. Stephen Glover. One of this ceebrated Irish composer's old and least interesting works. Negro “Un Mari Sage,” from “La Belle e.? Charles Wels, A very commonplace and s “oy arrange- ment of this piquant and charming ‘There is littie connection in the transitions of keys. “Without Stirup or Bridie y? by arranged by Knuht. Neither very iy bad, ut fearfully commonplace. Froin the Dust,"' song, Campana. A very beantt- ful apeciinen of veligious melody and very artistic. ally worked np. “Father, Whoee Blessing we Entreat.” Jules Bene- dict, The ceat English composer need not be ashamed of suc) @ production, altiough he never intended it for a sensation, It might ve profitably sung in any earch. “sixieme Nocturne.’? Ley! A simple, unpres tiful nocturne, qui ive Composer. tending, be up to the stand. ard of ly f “Galop and Polka,” “Barbe Blue," arranged by Knight. Very favorable selections from the opera, although they wight be better arranged. “Let me gaze upon thee.’ Ballad redowa. Chas, Van Oeckelon. Any pianist taking up this piece to play would wever Wish to “gaze pon it” again, for it fs both stupid and uninteresting. Dodworth « son publish the following:- “Limit of Love. Song. From the “Crown Dita- monds,” aud well adapted at that. M, A. Dessane publishes a “Libera me Domme for four voices, Which has one merit in being very short aud harmless. The accompaniinent of the soprano solo, “Quando coell,” is very effective, now- publishes the Humoris Musical News, the first namber of some pleasing salon muste as. There ) Monthty which contains but conte tlus+ is litte or no wit ¢ nthe THE GERMAN-AMERICAN TEACHERS, The association of these gentlemen met vesterday afternoon tn Fifty-minth street, near Kieventh ave- nue. The attendance was but siall proceed- ings, however, interesting, inasmuch ertificate necessary to procure the incorporation of the asso- clation under the general laws of ‘he State was prepared aud signed. The object of this association t# briefly stated in the second section of this certificate. thus ‘The par- ticular objects and business for which the said associaton is formed are to aid in the ad- vancement of a superior system of instruction and education in German-American schools vy aasoctat- ing the teachers in the same for mucuai iinprovement through the interchange of the results of their study, thoughts and experience on the subject of instruc- tion and education, by means of lectures, the read- cussion of iaitere relating’ Yorthe ‘sid subject ad ing said subject, and ‘aiso to aid in said advancement b; furnishing such schools better factiities 4 obtaining competent and experienced teachers, e ers of aas0- ciation for the first year are John streubea mueller, P. W. Moeller, Albert Lehmanu, Frederick Ley and Theodore eir Ob; properly carried out the tion ou, Qumerously supported, TROTTWG AT THE BUFFALO PARK. Borrato, July 11, 1868. An immense crowd was present this afternoon at the inauguration of the new Butalo Driving Park. A purse of $400 was trotted for by horses which never beat 2:34, mile pest three harness. Chief in bo Med ta Newton entered’ ana trek were _ , Dut the Was extremely oh WaA and et con. the @ret, fo 2:96 and 2-96; Date nd fourth heat im 2:°° . and 2:860)4. ry One present was delighted Wii.