The New York Herald Newspaper, February 12, 1869, Page 3

“ NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1869.-TRIPLE SHUET. ~ A Crazy Woman with a Pistol Discovered Secreted in the White House. THE PARDON OF DR. MUDD. atone soneanneae The East River Bridge Bill Reported in the Senate. ANOTHER EXCITING DAY IN THE HOUSE, The Discussion on the Electoral Vote Resumed. Sharp Onslaught of Bingham and Shellabarger on Butler. The Member from Essex Holds His Own. WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 1869. Another Day of Excitement In the House. There was another crowded house to-day to listen t the finale of the discussion caused by trrepressi- bie Butler, and which gave rise to such extraordi- nary scenes in the House of Representatives yes- terday. The galleries were again packed with spectators, and thousands of visitors who came too late to get seats wore compelled to stand outside the chamber or to return home disappointed. Every seat was taken up a full hour before noon, when the session was to commence. The members, who were gathered on the floor before the opening of proceedings, spent the time in talking over the ex- eitement of the preceding day, and seemed to enjoy the thing as they would @ pretty lively entertain ment at a theatre. Butler’s pugilistic exhibition, the good hits made by other members, the sallies of wit, the exhibitions of buffoonery, and all the features of the exciting session were discussed in the freest man- ner, and it was really wonderful to note how few egardea the thing in a serious aspect, and how few Were those who seemed to consider the narrow escape the country had had from the danger of omitting to fulfill the requirements of the consti- tution by failing to declare offictally the election of the legally chosen President and Vice President of the Union for the next four years. Shortly afver the prayer, and while the reading of the journal was progressing, the prominent members dropped in. Butler, with his bright, shining face and bald head, appeared on the floor, hopping about as lightly and gayly as if he had done nothing particularly wicked the day before, and as if he had not the remotest idea that every eye was watching his eccen- tric movements. Wonderful man, is that Butler, Cool and self-possessed, saucy, de- Mant, active, wide-awake, never at a loss for expedients, always ready to pound or be pounded at, full of resources, artiul, cunning, and yet doing everything apparently in the most natural and easy Manner imaginable. ‘There never was a man born like that Butler before,” said a spectator to-day. “At least, never one after precisely the same pattern. You can’t cut him down permanently. . He will up again, no matter how you trample on him. Any other man would have been killed long ago, politi- Cally, but Butler seems to thrive on opposition, abuse and contumely, and to raise a peg higher after each successive tilt with his adversaries.” It would seem so, truly. To-day, when he got on the floor, he ‘Was surrounded by a crowd of members who favored his action yesterday. They all congratulated him, and even his opponents eyed him with an ex- pression in which admiration predominated over hostility and simulated disgust. Ben sat in his seat lstening to the remarks of those who addressed him, while he bent over his desk scanning with his single eye letter after letter or newspaper after newspaper, occasionally popping his head up suddenly, like one of those artifictal gures on springs that start out of boxes when the COVETA are removed, or Jumping up altogether on his legs and rushing to some other part of the House, perhaps to stop half way and return again, a8 if some new idea had knocked its predecessor into @ cocked hat before it had time to carry itself into ex- ecution. Butler has a curious, cool, fidgetiness about him. He is never easy physically, but col- lected mentally always. He twirls and turns in his chair, as if pins and needles were in its seat. One second his face is turnea iuquisitively towards the ceilmg, the next it is bent downwards, his eye following his nimble fingers over a sheet of paper while he makes some note with bis pep. Now he ts trotting about like a little spiritea pony; @ moment after he is standing in front of the Speaker's chair with his thumbs fas- tened in the arm holes of his vest, while he listens for % few moments to whatsome member may be saying. He rarely seems to hsten for a longer period at a stretch, but, strangely enough, no matter how busily he may be employed—whether writing, reading, talking or waiking—he never misses what 18 going on. When he seems most abstracted he is really most wide awake and alert. These peculiarities of Ben Butler were prominently developed to-day during the discussion. While Shellabarger, Thomas, Woodward, Didridge, Bingham, Schenck, Colfax and Garfield were speaking Butler was to be seen every- where about the floor. Just at the moment one of the speakers might be pitching into him in some way Butler perhaps would be flying through one of the aisles, and would stop abruptly to listen or to throw in a word by way of nierruption to confuse or worry the member having the floor. Bingham, in his remarks on Butier, was the severest of any of the speakers; but the Essex menibek seemed to care very little What the Onioan orator said, and rattled about quite unconcernedly, sometimes planting himself right close to his assail- ant and eying him with @ cool deflance that induced Bingham to pomt his fager at him and shake it in high excitement, and roll out with increased fury and vigor words of denunciation such as Bingham well knows how to harlat his opponents. While Bingham was worked up to the highest pitch of ora- torical ecstacy 1t must have put his amour propre to a severe test to observe Butler standing about four yards off, frigidly looking over a piece of manu- Script, as If not caring a snap about Bingham and all “the gathered wisdom of @ thousand years" that ‘was summoned to his demolition, The only thing that really seemed to trouble Butter was the question when he should get a chance to speak his piece in reply to the remarks of all his assailants. A sort of agreement seemed to have been made to choke off Butler, and he appeared to have au inkling of some such intention, for he watched lis moment very closely. It was only ‘when the plan to shut him off from speaking seemed Ukely to prevail that he lost coolness for a few mo- ments. Garfleld had the Noor and had nearly ex- hausted his hour, Butler was sitting in his chair, ready to spring up the moment Garfield should Gnish, The latter, however, was @ party to the choking off or stifling plan, and concluded by moving to lay Butler's resolution on the table. Instantly Butler was on his feet and twenty other members. Butler gesticalated ex- citedly at, Garfield, and was understood to inform Garfleid “that that was the meanest thing he bad ever done in his life.” The other mem- bers in Butior’s favor crowded around Garfield and begged him to withraw his motion. Garfield, in fact, found himself surrounded by a lot of “fell spirits,” the ohief of which was Butler, and, seeing Buch a storm about to occur on the floor, was induced to back down, and Logan, of Illinois, was awarded the fivor. Logan gave up half of his time to Butler, ‘Who proceeded to speak as Foon as order could be restored, His speech was remarkable for boldness, ingenuity aad sharp, cutting sarcasm, In his wegeh- ant style he went right at his assailants and in a few well turned sentences and clever hits succeeded in turning the tables completely. He turned all the ridicule on the other side and brought the laugh alto- gether against Bingham, Garfield and his lead- ing opponents. The galleries roared, the grinned approvingly. the speech I say nothing—that will speak for itaelf— but its effect was quite extensively in favor of Butler among the audience, the members in general might think of it, There was one allusion of Butler's that was not generally understood, that was, when he remarked that he knew Ben Wade was not responsible for what he did yes- terday, as he was only the mouthplece of some one else, whom parliamentary usage forbade him to name. The allusion is supposed to be to Colfax, who gat next Wade during the stormy proceedings of Wednesday, and who prompted the venerable Ohio Senator when prompting seemed necessary. Another interesting feature of the day was the tilt between Schenck and Colfax. The latter had left the chair, and when Schenck seemed arraigning his oficial conduct Colfax took the floor and with mach spirit and warmth defended his action. Colfax was pale with excitement, and exhibited more emotion than he has ever been known to show during his entire connection with the House of Representatives, As to the probable result of the exciting debate, which has gone over till to-morrow, general opinion would seem to indicate an over- whelming defeat of the Butler movement. It is un- safe, however, to make & positive announcement on’ the subject, as it is impossible to foresee what may happen and how many things may conspire to change the present sentiment. Mr. Wade’s Defense of His Decision in the Joint Convention. The occurrence yesterday in the House, in refer- ence to counting the vote of Georgia, has been the talk of the whole town to-day in hotels, on the street and in and around the Capitol. The#& is a wide diversity of opinion in regard to the position as- sumed by Ben Butler, but there ts no question among @ majority of republicans that the proceed- ings throughout were disgraceful to the occasion. Various motives have been attributed to Butler’s action, the most freely circulated of which is the old grudge against Grant anda desire to embarrass the formal ceremonies of his election, Another motive is said to be the animus that Butler fleels towards the Senate for failing to convict Andrew Johnson. Butler, himself, however, discl having been ac- tuated by any other motive tever in his opposi- tion to the counting of the vote of Georgla thana desire to assert the independence of thé House on @ question where its voice should have been heard without regard to any understanding at which the Senate might have previously arrived. He re- pudiates the right of either House or Senate to de- termine before hand what votes shall or shall not be counted for President and Vice President of the United Staves. In this position he contends he is supported by the theory of the constitution and by the convictions of every member of the House who is unprejudiced and reasoning. Ben Wade laughs heartily over the entire proceedings, and says the whole fuss made by Butler was the silliest thing he ever witnessed. “I had,” says Mr. Wade, ‘just one duty to pertorm, of a purely executive character—to see the vote counted and announce the result. Now Butler might have understood that as well as I did and not go on badgering me when he knew there was no’ use, They might have kept on talking till morning before I should have done anything but what I aid. Why, a child could have seen that Ihad no option in the matter. ‘There was the concurrent resolution of the two Houses, giving me full instructions what to do with the vote of Georgia, and I obeyed these instructions, ‘That is the sum and substance of the whole row; but these fellows talk as if I was playing the tyrant and oppressor in not allowing them to break theirown Yule, That's all gammon.” When asked if he did not feel a little nervous yesterday while the excite- ment was at its height, without any apparent pros- pect of a peaceful solution of the difficulty, Mr. Wade replied, “Not a bit.” He was just as cool as if presiding over the Senate in ita quietest momenta. He had seen bigger rows than that of yesterday in his time, many of them in that Capitol, and he had had to deal with flercer fellows than Butler betore now. If Butler, “or any other man,” expected to get up & clamor with the hope of driving him from the performance of aduty when he knew he was in the right, they would find that they had waked up the wrong pas- senger, The scene, he said, reminded him of the old anti-slavery agitations in Congress, when all members were on their feet at once, and each trying to see who could shout the loudest to drown the voice of some poor abolitionist. With regard to Butler’s resolution of censure, Wade does not seem tocare whether it passes or not. He says it won’t afiect him one way or the other. ‘would have done as he did if Butler's resolu been before the Joint Convention thet. He thought he was right, and ho has a2 idea that he understands his duty about as well as Butler. Wade accounts for the conduct of the other members of the House who followed Butler’s lead on the theory that they did not fully understand the terms of the concurrent resolu- tion, because tt was passed when many of teem were absent, and it might be that some of them had not read it, Had he faltered or yielded to the clamor at the critical moment he does not know what might have been the consequences. One of them would undoubtedly have been that the result would not have been announced at all, and Grant and Colfax would not have been declared President and Vice President according to the form prescribed by law. Under all the circumstances, and in view of what might follow, he thought he would have the result of the vote announced. That was the main thing to be done, and then when Grant and Colfax were legally declared elected he didn't care how many resolotions of censure they passed nor what they said about him. Excitement at the White House. The excitement created last night and this morn- ing by flying rumors thet an attempt had been made to assassinate President Johnson has since been en- tirely allayed by the fuil development of the circum. stances which gave rise to the reports, Last night a woman named Anne O'Neill, who keeps astore at atthe corner of Twenty-fourth and L streets, pre- sented herself at the White House, and made such a statement to the doorkeeper that he was in- duced to allow her to enter, although visitors are not admitted after four o'clock. The woman pro- ‘ceeded up stairs to the door of the President's room and demanded admission, saying that she had busi- ness of the utmost importance with the President, The usher refused to aliow her to enter, whereupon she became quite violent in her talk, and spoke in- coherently about war having been declared and she had her duty to perform. She finally returned down stairs, where she conducted herself in so boisterous manner that she was arrestad by officer Shelton, who is stationed atthe Executive Mansion. The officer searched her, as her language led to the belief that she was armed, and a double barrelled pistol was found on her person, which, however, was not joaded. The officer took her to tho Central guard house, wuere she was placed in confinement. Here she explained that she had been secretly in- formed that war was declared and would soon blaze forth in the land, and that she had been instructed by the Father, Christ and the Holy Virgin to bring a pistol to the President, with which he might defend himself. It was very evident that the woman was insane. Her friends stated that her aberration of Mind was caused by the discovery that the title to some property she owned was only a tax title, and she had been harassed by opposing claimants. She Was turned over to the custody of her friends this mouning and taken to the Providence Hospital. Visitors at General Grants Headquarters. ‘The President elect is enjoying a comparatively quiet time since his return from New York, Very few viattors presented themselves at his headquar- ters to-day to interview with him or to pay their respects, and the General has been closely engaged all day in attending to the ousiness that awaited his action. Several members of the press scemed tn- clined to spend the day in and around army head- quartera, inthe hope that the Congressional Com- mittee to notify General Grant of his election would appear for that purpose, but the: close of oficial hours came and the committee did not. A greater interest than usual is felt to have all the formaltics to be gone through with before General | Grant can receive oiicia! information of his electign, as accord- ing toarumor which bas gained rapid circulation here, the General has promised somebody that as s00n ashe is formally apprised of his election he will open his mouth in regard to Cabinet selections. The Secretary of War called on the General to-day and had quite a long audience on matters connected with the army. Grant and Morris, ‘The truth leaks out by degrees that General Grant will be the President of the whole people and not of apy clique or faction. The extreme radical party ‘are terribly discouraged. Among the earhest friends of General Grant is J. N. Morris, formerly a member of Congress from Iliinois. Morris is with Grant every day. He is very mum in regard to Grant’s opinions, but unsparing in denunciation of the ex- tremists of the radical party. While Grant was in Tilinois he paid Morris a special visit at Quincy and was his guest for several days, I have but little doubt that Morris understands just what Grant proposes to do, Morris will probably be the next Secretary of the Interior. ‘The Inauguration Reveption. ‘The committee on the inauguration reception have completed their arrangements. It will be given at the north wing ot the United States Treasury building, which, being new and admirably adapted for the purpose, furnishes superior and ample ac- commodation, General Grant and Vice President Colfax and their families will be present on the oc- casion, Several bands of music have already been engaged, Supper will be furnished by an accom- plished caterer, accessible from the opening to the close of festivities. The tickets are ten dollars each, which will admit a gentleman and two ladies to the Teception, dance and supper, There is already & great demand for them. They can be obtained by letter or in person. The number to be issued 18 limited, and may be had on application to the headquarters of the committee, No. 407 F street, Washington, D. 0. Notification of the President and Vice Presi- dent Elect. * Senator Morton, Representatives Pruyn, of New York, and Wilson, of Iowa, the committee appointed to notify General Grant and Mr. Colfax of their elec- tion, will discharge the duty assigued to them on Saturday morning next. They will visit General Grant at his headquarters and Mr. Colfax at his re- sidence, Pardon of Dr, Mudd. The pardon of Dr. Mudd, one of the conspirators for the assassination of President Lincoln, sen- tenced by the military commission who tried him for the offence to be confined at hard labor for life at Dry Tortugas, was signed by the President to-day and sent tothe State Department, where it will receive the signature of the Secretary of State and the seal of the United States and then be sent to the com- manding officer at the Dry Tortugas, where it will arrive about the middle of next week, and Dr. Mudd will be liberated. The pardon is accompanied by a reportof the Attorney General, made by direction of the President, embracing the hisfry and points of the case, and reciting the various considerations moving the Executive to grant the same, which are, chiefly, that there now appears to be some doubts as to the complicity of said Mudd in the conspiracy; he only rendered aid by attend- ing to the wounds of the chief conspirator; that the medical profession of Harford county, Md., have satisfactorily shown that it was the professional duty of said Mudd as a physician to attend Booth when called upon, and, further, that he was atten- tive to the sick at the Dry Tortugas during the pre- valence of the yellow fever at that post last summer, saving the lives of many officers and soldiers, besides that of Mrs. Smith, the wife of, Surgeon Joseph Smith, United States Army, who himself died of the fever. It further recites that his pardon has been recommended by thirty-yipe Senators and members of the House of Représentatives, by over three hun- dred of the officers and soldiers of the Dry Tortugas and others. The Paraguayan Correspondence. The Secretary of the Navy to-day sent to the House, in compliance with resolutions, voluminous correspondence relative to affairs in Paraguay. It appears that on the 4th of December last Admiral Davis addressed to President Lopez @ Jetter, in which he gays:—‘It does not belong to me to define or even to consider the status of Bliss and Master- man; but on this subject your Exceliency will, Ido not doubt, repose confidence in the justice and friendship of the United States, which has afforded Your Bxceltency many Tecent proofs of ita respect and sympathy.” Mr. Lopez replied that those persons were criminals, deeply committed in the affair of a horrible conspiracy, very particularly Mr. Bliss. He said he would cheerfully consent to the delivery of the criminals, provided it were requested in a mannér more in conformity with the fact of their being accomplices of ex-Minister Washburn, and the first intimat acquainted with his intrigues in the character of irator and agent of the enemy, of which he is accused in the national tribunals. To this Admiral Davis responded that it was no pert of his official duty either to offer or to refuse any terms which would affect the legal criminal condition of those two persons. Again, referring to the friendship of the United States towards Paraguay, he asked that Bliss and Mastefman be embarked on A his veasel, subject to the digpositton of the govérnment of the United States, of whose justice and friendly sentiments President Lopez could entertain no doubt. President Lopez acceded to the request of Admiral Davis, saying, however, it could not be complied with in the sense of a reclamation, but of a graceful courtesy on the part of the government of Paraguay toward the United States. Union Pacific Railroad Bonds. The government has agreed to issue bonds for forty miles more road to the Union Pacific Railroad Company, recelving a large amount of first mort- gage bonds for the complete construction hereafter. These bonds are deposited in the New York Sub- ‘Treasury. South ern Pacific Rafirond. The Southern Senators and members seem finally to have agreed that the thirty-second parallel is the taost desirable route for the Pacific Railroad, Commercial Intercourse With Canada. ‘The Committee on Ways and Means have agreed to report the House resolution opening a conference with the British North American provinces as to the navigation of the St. Lawrence and as to commer- cial mtercoutse, reserving all final action for Con- gross. The same committee has also agreed to re- port a bill exempting from duty the ocean cabie bought for the Collins Russo-American telegraph, and now in bond. Mississippi and Virginin Reconstraction. ‘The Reconstruction Committee is exhibiting indi- cations of deciding to recall the Mississtppi Conven- tion to make another State constitation. It is said that the Senate Committee on Judiciary has deter- mined to report in favor of modification of the con- stitution of Virginia, as suggested by the committee of nine. The Lonisiana Contested Election Case. The Election Committee of the House considered the Louisiana contested case to-day. Mr. Upson, ‘who is in charge of the report, presented its pointe, which were approved by the majority of the com- mittee, They are in effect thatSimon Jones was not elected, but that Colonel Mann (deceased) was elected, and that neither Colonél Hunt nor Mr. Me- nard, who claims it under the recent election, is en- titled to @ seat, fraud and intimidation having in- validated that election, There will be also a mi- nority report soon. The Dyer Court of Inquiry. The Dyer Vourt of Inquiry to-day completed the examination of Colonel Balch, after a long session, and then adjourned until Monday, on the motion of the counsel for the accused, in order to allow the counsel to examine the records of the ordnance Personal. L General Frank Bisir, Jr., was in Willard’s Rotel this morning for half an hour and was greatly Nontaed, A Document Worthy the Sex. A memorial was presented to the Senate to-day, covering seventy pages of foolacap, from the Execu- tive Committee of the Woman's Rights Convention, Draying for suffrage to be extended to the sex, and dealing out the most unsparing abuse of the legis- lators in pantaloons who have hitherto opposed the extension of the franchise to women, Indian Treaties Rejected. The Senate Commpitteo on Indian Affairs heid « Meeting to-day and agreed to reject fve old Indian treaties, which aro to be repiaced bv others with various amendinents introduced. A treaty with the Nez Perces Indians of New Mexico was adopted. ‘This evening another meeting was held to dispose of @ number of resolutioas and memorials that have been referred to the committee from time to ime in reference to the treatment of the Indians. Customs Recelpts. The customs receipts from February 1 to the 6th, inelusive, were as follows:—At Boston, $291,763; New York, $2,160,655; Philadelphia, $121,856; Balti- more, $119,435; New Orleans, from January 10 to the 28d, $275,478; San Francisco, from January 10 to the loth, $114,590. Total, $3,095,786. ‘The Supreme Court. In the Supreme Court to-day the following casea were heard:— No. 42, The Board of of Lee count; Iowa, plalatitrin error, va. the United States ex rel, Rogers.—Action to recover jagued by the ron on bonds county in aid of the Keokuk, Mount Picasant and Muscatine Railroad Cou; . Cause submitted. No. 35. The Agawam Woollen Company vs. Jor- dau.—The argument in this pateat case was con- THE FORTIETH CONGRESS. Third Session. SENATE. WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 1869, EQUAL SUPFRAGE, Mr. Pomeroy, (rep.) of Kansas, presented a me- morial for equal suffrage, particularly in the District of Columbia, . BRIDGING THE OHIO RIVER. Mr. RamsBy, (rep.) of Minn., from the Committee on Post Office and Post Roads, reported a joint reso- lution giving the assent of the United States forthe construction of a bridge between Cincinuat, Ohio, and Newport, Ky. Passed, NEW YORK AND BROOKLYN BRIDGE. Also, irom the same comuuittee, a bill giving the assent of the United States for the construction of a bridge between New York and Brooklyn, wiich, at the suggestion of Mr. Morgan, was laid on the table. THE INJUNCTION AGAINST JUDGE UNDERWOOD. Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN, (rep.) of N. J., from the Com- mittée on the Judiciary, asked to be dischs from the further consideration of the resolution ting the committee to inquire into the practicability of Preventing the disc! of convicted criminals under Judge Underwood's decisions in Virginia, on the ground that the committee did not think it proper to interfere by legisiauon with adjudi- Cations of a court. BILLS REPORTED. Mr. CHANDLER, (rep.) of Mich., from the Commtit- tee on Commerce, reported favorably the House bill for the repeal of tonnage duties on Spanish vessels; also favorably, the bill app! lating $26,000 for the purchase of additional ground for the Nashville Cus- tom House; aiso adversely to the House bill to repeal the act of March 2, 1867, regulating the disposition of fines Fis foricitures received under the Customs laws, THE EAST RIVER BRIDGE. Mr. Morgan, (rep.) of N. Y., from the Committee on Commerce, reported, h amendments, the House bill declaring that the bridge acrosa the East river, between Brouklyn and New York, shall be a jt road, when completed, in accordance with the ww of New York. ‘Tue amendinent consists of pro- visos that the bridge shall be so constructed as not to obstruct, impair or injuriously modify the naviga- tion 0! the river, and that the Secre! ‘of Warshail, aiter full examination of the detailed plans, maps, and the information w be furnished him by the com- pany, approve the plan and location of the bridge as coniorming to the prescribed conditions last named, The bridge shall not be commenced until this aj proval be secured, and ali changes of plan le during the pregress of the work suouid be subject to the same approval. INDIAN RELIEF BILL. Mr. MORRILL, (rep.) of Me., from the Committee on Buse’ oil appropmtipg $20,000 for tue relief ths fouse e Yaucton Sioux Thane? 1X REGULATIONS, ARM i Mr. Wi1gon, (rep.) of Mass., from the Committecon Military Affairs, reported and recommended the pas- ies and roruleti for goveramens of th +4 rules ns for government e armies of the United States. SECRET SALES OF GOLD. Mr. CONKLING, (rep.) Oo N. Y., presented a memo- riai of the Chamber of Commerce of New York for Uhe passage of the pending bill to probibit secret sales of gold and bonds. NATIONAL RAILWAY AND LOAN COMPANY, Mr. Nye, (rep.) of Nev., from the Committee on the District of Columbia, asked that the comuittee be discharged from further consideration of the bill to incorporate the National Railway Loan and ‘Trust Company of the District of Columbia. CENSURE OF GENERAL BUTLER. Mr. Divis, (vep.) of Ky., offered the following joint resolution:— Mr. Ferry, (rep.) of Conn.-—-Let it go over. th a resolution accordingly went over under the ee JUDGMENTS IN CAPITAL CASBS, On motion of Mr. TRUMBULL, (rep.) of Il., the Senate took up and the bill to provide for the execution of jus in capital cases. MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE WAR. Mr, ANTHONY, (rep. of R. Be one pe resolution Teported ffrom fnting, pro- fot the blication of the medical ana bur. id z al kistory of the war, which, after some discussion yy Messrs. Conkling, Anthony aud Wilson, was re- commutted. i WISCONSIN LAND GRANTS. Mr. Pomeroy offered a resolution fg Rep tion to the acts of Cr » grant State of Wisconsin, and aid in the tou of railroads wat Stale, Kelerred to the Committee on Public Lands. REIMBURSING STATES FOR WAR BXPENSES. Mr. MoRTON, (rep) of Ind., from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported favorably the resolution to refuud the States the in and disvount on mouey borrowed by them to equip, . transport and supply troops for the service of the United States iu the recent war. PAYMEN? OF BONDS DESTROYED BY FIRR. Mr. Cxaaiy, (rep.) of N. H., called up the bill for the relief of Heury U. Noyes, of Claremont, N. H., di- recting the Secretary of the Treasary to issue to Lim a new 3g thousand dollar bond in place of one destroyed. Mr. GONKLING calied attention to the great import- ance of being satisfied beyond the possibility of doubt that the boud was actually destroyed. Messrs. FRELINGHUYSEN aud CKAGLN said the cir- cumstances of the destruction of the boud were fully proved bs the affidavits and by fragments of the bond itself. Mr. Hows, (rep.) of Wis,, wished it to be under- stood that the Committee on Claims, being pone ogee of human beings, and therefore failible, could not absolutely guarantee the goverawent against wrong in such Cases, ‘The bill was then passed. ‘THE CURRKNOY BILL. At the expiration of the moraing hour Mr. Sure- MAN, (fep.) Of Ohio, moved to proceed to the cou- sideration of the Currency bill, Mr. CHANDLER moved to take a recess from half- past jour to seven o’clock this even the session vw ve devoted to the consideration of the River and Harbor bil and other matvers reported from the Com- mitiee on Commerce. Mr. PRSSENDEN, (rep.) of Me., objected. Mr. Sherman’s motion to take up ibe Currency Dill was then carried. ‘The motion for a recess was then carried, and the Senate resumed the consideration of the Currency bili, upon which Mr. Coukling addressed the Seuate at length. PETITION BY GENERAL DUFF GREEN. Mr. Dixon, lem.) 01 Cona., here presented what appeared to him one of the ablest and most instruc. uve documents be had yet seen onthe financial question of the day, being @ petition on that subject, signed by General Duif Greeu, Tabled and ordered to be printed. Con- would prove eq variog some comprehensive plan which would make sure of promptly funding our debt at @ much lower rate of mterest and the elevation of the United States notes (o the standard of United States coin, It was so manifest that a plain, a htforward offer on our wt would enable as to give large relief in the re- Snetion of taxes by funding our debt on more ad- val § Lerms that it seeined impossible to pro- crastinate it even by the dubtous pretext that terms suMcently advantageous would not be proposed and acce . it waeee manifest that even our coin standard Was not @ high one, than that of other nations, and preciating (a8 I have shown on @ former occa- sion, iucinding also the standard of the world asiarge) from the alinost ey Wet of gold annually released from the mountatus and caves of the earth tiat it seemed to me hot too much toex- pect some concerted action for the restoration ci the “lawful money,’’ 60 called by act of Ses temporarily issued by the government to the value atamped and promtsea on its face, which, after al! isa standard at least nine per ceat below that the comage Of Great Britain, the most successfal commercial nation of the world, ‘The bills before us convoy @ large feet of amendm more or less im- portant. Senators must be perversely constitated if they cannot fad something to approve in the — of all the Miss BAT a lhe before ws, fam in fa- vor of a considerable share of these propositions, and juntas much opposed to some ochers unless they can radically amended. That itis of primary import- aace at the present moment to fand our debt at the jowest practicable rate is unquestionable, and 7 shall therefore propose to amend the section providing for the funding of Uoited States votes so that any debts bewring a higher rate of interest than five per cent. may also be fuuded. It isone of the highest duties 3 of Congress to so legislate that money can be readily obtained at a low rate of interest. As long as the United States government is the leading favorite for loans in Markets at the highest raves of interest, States and corporations, couipanies and Individuals, must follow closely in its footsteps pnd pag she sais or mare Sxwavagans rates, ‘The be so made now, is arguinent enc measure. The fact fat whole s ness at present on basis should reconcile ‘urther Seel the courts its to its f ulegality everywhepe? In other words, we solemn! dedlare tune paper shall be used by everybody unt bili Be has got specie, or that ke reduction of the princi ig timely, and will be of great future value, Res soos ae a to fund ose naan Sat en mea . a cheapest mode of iting these hoteg redeemed and out of the road to an witimate resumption of specie payments. They are the great obstacie which blocks up the way, and with our vee —— at not less se : F +5 g a 4 Z to Gide seontes oy. the Senator fi ie tor from Williams), bared the amount of the Unit notes which be converted to the sum of two million dollars per month, This amendment is ob- Jectionable on account of the restricted amount within which conversions shall be confined, and also objectionable from its non-elastic and fixed two miliion dollars ‘ Sea meet mateerta ae antes Rpunec ante st ry inst; for Seats iPats the Kk banks of Great Britain, But I am in favor of lutroducing banking no faster than a sound cir- fu everywhere al at the proper time to add to tls section or the bull the proposition retire, for ali notes issued on the pian of equal amount of United States notes. 51 such an exchenge cannot be fairly objected to, Not patieving ot “experience is a cheat and fact a Mar,” I not argue with those wlo seem to con- tend that “a whistle can be wade out of a pig's tau,” or that irredeemable paper money is better than coin. No report of any velocipedai traveller to the moon will be likely to convince the worid of the uselessness of gold and silver as money, It way be said that the scheme is tmpract , and Will not anywhere be accepted. Then, certainly, no harm will have veen done. But those who so argue forget that the present amount of national banking currency is very properly timived to three houdred million dollars, and that in many portions of the country national banks, thougu urgentiy required, cannot be authorized on account of this limitation. In suck places they woud be eager to encounter some diiiicaities im in banking privileges. The encourage- atto pelleve that ere long ali banks might be- © spevie-paying banks would be @ further in- cement to Organize under this system. On the Pacific coast, Where they have not intermitted the use of gold coins for a day, and where it ts esti- mated tat forty milion doliars, if not more, are aow in ye it Caunot be doubted that they would be able, if so minded, to establish banks whereby seventy-fMve million dollars of paper at jeast could be issued, redeemed and sustained at the par of gold. in the South much greater banking facilives are required, and there, with their great , cotton, selling for | twice tw ancient ce and at that price com- manding dd, there «are =o” Aindrauces which tuay not easily be overcome in the establish. ment of banks Which will redeem their circulation in com. Severai of the existing banks are stroug enough in specie to adopt this system a once ad- vantagsvusiy and without fear. The amption is that more or less of specie-paying ks will be organized if we maKe any pe for their organi- zauuon; and should we make any advance toward resumpt! as it is to be hoped we may, their num- bers would rapidly increase and multiply. The banks now orgauized would also be stimulated to make some preparations for resumption, and as United States notes began to be withdrawn from ciroulation they would naturally supply their piace in their reserve with coin against the time When the United States should either have no notes outstand- fag or proclaim its readiness to pay on demand such as were outstanding. They would avoid being in the predicament of k in the rear of resumption or Of at the last moment runuiog the risk of forfeiting their charters. heat onergng 9 Toy fon rice i present to the Committee on Fi c met bere ia December last a draft of the project for free banking on @ specie basis, accompanied by a provision vo retire United States notes as fast as the new circulation should issued, I may be con- strained to abandon it. The Committee on Fi have not adopted the last esseutial of the ition, and unless the Senate t, as 1 trust it will, I be to Lege a = sarki made here wi the ‘Senate one section providing for an issue of circaiating notes based upon the amount of gold in the bern? redeemabie la guid, and sul be reissued in Hew of gold or sold for any ted Staced six per cent inuebtedness, jas been done an eq mount of United States n if so many have been funded, are to be can- celled, uniess the amendment of the Senator from Oregon should prevail, which f to limit the amount of cancellation to $2,000,000 oles month. Without this amendment the creation of such notes might be harmicss and perbaps of some convenience, except that it 1s in effect an expansion of the cur: rency, Whetner actually held im circulation or whether at once prosented for payment at the Treasury and << reissued such notes will utilize all the gold in the Treasury, aud so much will be added to the cirowlating medium of the country Without much expectation of its Guding favor at tais time, and yet with some confidence ta its propriety, I shall offer the amendment which propewes to abandon the yee om of Shy amas by banks which the! Y and i iB : i eee 1 BEre® se z it, ity ae : - ‘ E i Ht EEE bee He He unless the government whole amount, might ignominious failure, But considerable share of the United States notes have after some portion of the national banks have commenced operations on a specie basis a Rave made some sort of preparation for resumption, then the United States notes can be be made re- pose sacrifice; they rpetuity as natiol institutions jo? must study the general welfare, and in studying that. they it certainly advance their own. But no. part ag the author of our present embairassments, the national banks must not bury their talents and come forward at the day of recko! and say, “Lord, 1 know thee that thou art a hard man; there thou hast the paper that is thine—take that. into specie would be used in the con- duct of some respectable share of the business the country, and to that extent super- resent office of irredeemable paper currency. Much less of such paper will be required. Ifit snould be objected that there wiil be two cur- rencies in circulation, the answer would be that there are two currencies now in circulation, the best willbe to auginent ‘the Telease the coms of our the ea of circ dark. the moment when the two; by its greater vitality and its quicker move- ments it will compensate for the lack of its nt ulk. Interest accounts will also be lessened when borrowers no longer have to pay interest on seven —- iggy of rpm ha “4 rrors of specie resumplion wi vanish and w less and less the’ hearer 7 pay be hand 1 with @ wich ator affords an opportunity for tion co-extensive with the wants and ability of the ‘much Fegard to their ord oe oe propouttions r order, some Of t:.¢ propositions M wate. ghey ons a : mona sucl of the report o the Committee on Finance as my judgment approves. It will be seen that sustalm tie policy of tne United States notes; ing of coin coniracis; the organization of free on the basis of a circulatisn equivalent to specie, and a policy generalty that will not leave us as far off from @ restoration of a sound currency years hence as We are now. Itis uno to that lam an impiacavie foe to the further inflation of so-called paper money, as weil as to any artful dodgiug of the “spirit and let- ter” of our public obligations. The honor of our le may won or lost here as weil asin tne field, and thor Senators may feel that it is some- ug what tarnished by the fact that any allusion to such acontungency can justified, yet i am conideat that bere ali will tinaily 80 act ag to leave no taint on the. faith, noscar on the bosom of our country. and so as to secuie the largest measure of prosperity tothe American people, in whose future centres ail our love and our hopes. Mr. Coxsert, (rep.) of Oregon, followed in expla- nation and advocacy of the amendment offered by hun to the pending bill. EQUAL RIGHTS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Mr. SUMNER, (rep.) of Mass., moved to take up the bill for the further of ual District of Columbia, WI pon tékea ep bill strikes out the word “white” from the the District of on tee ee = 2 & Sie ih Wiring api Cate, we Motion ir. WILLIAMS, (rep.) Oo! 5 bill to regulate elections in Washington and Idaho ating screw, invented by er late husband, uel B. Hart. Mr. CAMERON, (rep.) of Pa., opposed the bill on the ground that the deceased ‘Mr. art Was an officer of the government, which was, therefore, entitled to the benefit of his services and skili without giving hum or his representatives extra compensation. Mr. DRAKE. free) Ot Mo., said that Mr. Hart was NOt @ Naval officer, but @ naval contractor, and that his invention had been very valuable to the govern- ment, and that he had left a widow and four cuil- dren, who needed aud were entitled tw compen- ie ANTHONY said the committee were so well Satisiied of the great value of the invention and of the justice of the claim of Mra. Hart that they would have increased the amount of the appropriation, only that the bill would thea have to go back to ine House for concurrence, and might therefore tail to pass this session. Tue bill was tuen passed. PACIFIC RAILROAD—OREGON BRANCH. Mr. Consere introduced @ bill to aid in the con- straction of the Oregon branch of te racuic Ratl- Wat Which Was reierred to the Committee on Puo- ie is. DUTIES ON IMPORTED MACHINERY. On motion of Mr. MORRILL, (rep.) of 4+ to authorize the importation of machuu peirs was taken up and passed, It autuoriaes the importation of machinery for repairs up. tac ing of @ bond, in doubie the appraised vaine te: to be withdrawn when the machinery lus been re- paired and exported. EXKCUTIVE SESSION. A few minutes before four o'clock P. M., Mr. THayer, (rep.) of Nevada, moved to extend the session ten minutes beyond that time, #0 wv give time for a@ briet executive session tor th Lb sideration of some Indian matters, witich was car- ried. So, at four o'clock, the Seuate went imi ex- ecutive session and soou after took a recess wll seven o'clock (his evening. Eve: Session, The Senate reassembled at seven o'clock P. NEW YORK AND LONDON TSLBGRAPi CA! Mr. CHANDLER moved to take up the bill Uo ize the New York, Newfoundiaad aud Loudon gtaph Company to land its suvmarine cadie on tie shore of the United States, Mr. CHANDLER suggested that the bill had better Jay over ior @ tine, as the chairman (Mr. sumuer, of the Committee oa Foreign Relations, to which Lie bill_had been referred, was not present. Mr. TRUMBULL Offered an amendment to the bill; providing that the privilege of landing submarine cables shail be ee to foreign Powers oniy wien they give to the United States the privilege of iand- ing cables ou their shores, ir. CHANDLER said he would accept the ainend- ment. Mr. HENDRICKS, ) of Ind., asked the Senator from iitinois (Mr. mbull) Whether he bad exau- ined the question of the right of the federai goveru- ment to graut such @ privilege, and whether that right did not rather belong to the State? ir, CHANDLER—Let us not go lute that discussion lied to Mr. Hendricks that he @ question, but le could con- ceive that the United States government had sorne- thing to do with establishing telegrapiic as well as tal communications between tis and foreign the bill yy for re- post beer ane RI iD RARBOR APPROPRIATION BILL. ‘The bill Was informally passed over, and the Se- Hate, on motion of Mr. CHANDLER, (ook up the River and Harbor bill, which was read with the amend- ment reported by the committee. it Was to strike out the appro- Priation of $40,000 forthe improvement of the Wis- of lows, wished to be in- to be struck on that from statements made to had become satisfied that the improvements Od to make the navigation of the Wisconsin river satisfactory would cost between three and four million dollars, and that @ small ap- Fad fry Of forty thousand doliars, while it migut uly bad jeanaered upos the river, could not pos- provide any satisfactory resu! it. HOWE the nevessity and policy of im- proving the Western rivers for the accommodation of commerce and the development of the country, CONTINUED ON TENTH PAGE