The New York Herald Newspaper, February 6, 1879, Page 4

3 WASHINGTON. Sacrifice ‘of the Public In- terest to Politics. CONDITION OF LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS. Current Alarm Regarding an Extra Session. GENERAL BUTLER ON CHEAP TELEGRAPHY. + Passage of Mr. Edmunds’ Reso. lutions in the Senate. FEDERAL OFFICES IN NEW ORLEANS. FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. Wasninaton, Feb. 5, 1879, ALARM ABOUT AN EXTRA SESSION—CONDITION OF BUSINESS BEFORE CONGRESS—IMPORTANT LEGISLATION DEMANDED. Public opinion will soon have to demand that Con- gress shall leave mere party politics largely alone, in order that it may have time to pay attention to the ne- cessary business of the country, which is in great part utterly neglected and in part attended to in a hasty and careless mann<r. Both parties are to blame for this, for both haye their minds more fixed on the next Presidential election than on the best in- terests of the country. The mass of business which already presses on Congress is so great that if it should totally abandon those party skirmishes in _which it delights, and one of which has occupied the Senate all day and until nearly midnight to- night, it would still have to work hard to do justice to the questions of real moment which press for attention. As matters now go, mere petty party politics take up so much time that such questions as that of free ships can get no hearing. The Patent bili, on which committees have labored for several years, may become a law without discus- sion in the House, which its great importance cer- tainly demands. The bill for the organization of the Mississippi River Improvement Commission—one of the most important measures ever before Congress, whieb ought to have passed at the last session—has only passed the House to-day and may fail in the Sen- ate. The Telegraph bill, which attracts a great deal of attention here, can pass, if at all, only in the shape in which General Butler has hitched it on to the Army bili. The test oath repeal can hardly get a hearing, although the law could not stand against a debate which would show up the absurdity which allows a man to come to the House or Senate and frame and help enact a law, to enforce which, when he goes home, a judge may forbid him to sitona common jury. It is not extravagant to say that the unfinished and neglected business which will fall, with the expira- tion of Congress, on the 4th of March, is far more important to the country than all the Forty-fifth Congress has done, and yet it has been an exception- ally hard working and faithful boay. It has put its foot down on jobs of every kind, and it has given much time and labor on committees to a great variety of really important business. In many ways it has been an improve- ment over any Congress since the war. The mischief lies in the propensity, which has certainly and greatly increased since 1861, to consider Congress as part of the partisan political machinery, and not as # body whose first duty is to attend to the general business interests of the country. There is a sudden alarm here about an extra ses- sion, but it is impossible to discover anybody who wants it, either republican or democratic, and neces- sary business is sufficiently advanced to make it per- fectly easy to go through. There remain twenty-five working days in the session, and the Appropriations Committee of the House is so far advanced with all its bills that, if the House works with but moderate speed, Mr. Atkins, the chairman of the committee, will be able to redeem his promise to have all the appropriations through the House at least ten days before the close of (ue session. The Army bill ought to pass this week; the Legislative, Executive and Judicial bill is already before the House and will be taken up at once, and when that is passed there will remain only the River and Harbor, Sundry Civil and General Deficiency bills, all of which will be ready for action 4s soon as the House can get at them. If, therefore, there shall be any failure to pass necessary appro- priations, such as would force an extra session, de- lays in the Senate and not in the House will be the cause of this. But the Senate has not so far shown any especial disposition to delay. There is even time enough left to adopt some bills which onght to become laws, and which do not come under the head of necessary business. This Con- gress ought to make appropriations for the construc- tion of a new. wing for the Smithsonian Institute—a national museum it is called, which is urgently needed—to care for the mass of extremely valuable material of various kinds presented to the country by foreign governments at the close of the Centen- nial exhibition. All this is now stored in cellars and lofts in packing cases, rotting, and subject to the attacks of rats and insects. Congress ought also to €rant an appropriation to begin the new building proposed for a Congressional library. The present building is so crowded that the whole floor is encum- bered with thousands of books, for which it is im- possible to find sholf room, and unless work is soon begun on a new buiiding the accumulating volumes will have to be stored away in boxes in buildings out side the Capitol. As matters now stand the regular demands on the library are very dificult to meet with the utmost industry of Mr. Spofford and his mall corps of assistants. Finally, Congress ought to sppropriate the moderate sum required to purchase & new site for the Naval Observatory, and begin the erection upon it of the necessary buildings. Tho Naval Observatory now occupies the most ma- larious point in Washington. There is no doubt that several valuable lives have boen sacrificed in the last six years through illgess contracted at the Observa- tory, and the labors of the astronomical corps are per- formed at the constant risk of their health. Moreover the site was ill chosen in tho berinning. It lies too near the Potomac, sud is snbject to river fogs, which lessen the time suitable for observations. healthful and removed from fogs, and the cost of re- moval is very moderate. The country is poor, but it i# not fo poor that it needs to allow valuable collec- tions to peris! great library to become almost use» Jess and its Naval Observatory, which isone of the scientific institutions of which Americans feol most Proud, to be disabled, The Census bill, which is ander Mr. Cox’s charge, comes up next week and will doubtless pass. Mr. Cox has given much labor to the preparation of it and has had the advantage of consulting freely with General Walker, superintendent of the last census, end with other prominent statisticians, ‘The bill for the new classification of mail matter has, it is said, but little chance of passing. | omeenen oom FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT. Wasurratos, Feb. 6, 1879. CHRAP TELEGRAPHY—GENERAL BUTLER ON THR RELATIONS OF THE TELEGRAPH TO THE POSTAL SYSTEM AND THE BILL TO PROVIDE For THE ERECTION OF LINES BY RATLROADS. General Butler was congratulated to-day by mom: bers of the House on the ingenuity displayed by him yesterday in getting in as an amendment to the Army Appropriation bill the proposition to unite all the railroad telegraphs in the interost of cheap telegrephy. Goneral Butler says the subject is The new site is NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1879.-TRIPLE SHEET. by no means 8 new one with him. He has occasion to use the wires frequently, and as he has never availed himself of free passes or franks it is a matter of interest to him to be allowed to send his message at as low a figure as possible for competing lines to propose, “Why,” said the General, lighting cigar and pre- paring himself for an interview, “Iam an old advo- cate of cheap telegraphy, and why should I not be. During the Forty-third Congress, when I was chair- | maw of the House Committee on the Judiciary, I pre- pared a careful report in favor of a bill to estab- lish certain telegraph lines in the several | States and Territories, as post roads, and to regulate the transmission of commercial and other intel- ligence by telegraph. In that report I took occasion to review the growth of the postal ser- vice, and showed, as I thought, conclusively that the telegraph was an invention fostered by the govern. ment to facilitate the transmission of intelligence or for the dissemination of information for the people, if you please, and it is no vanity on my part to say that the recent decision of the United States Supreme Court in support of the views which I then held is in substance my report to the Forty-third Congress in-support of the bill referred to. ‘Now, then, there is no use in attempting to dis- guise the facts, The United States is covered with a network of railroads, every one of which is a post road, You know the old postal system was the post- man on horseback; then camo the stage coach and then the steamboat, followed by the steam cars, and in these latter days the telegraph. Now, just as fust as the demands of our ciy- ilization have required the government has promptly taken hold of every facility for the prompt transmission of mail matter, and since the mail is but @ medium of commercial intercourse why should not the government be equally as prompt to secure to its citizens the advantage which cheap telegraphy must afford? Professor Morse was not only encouraged but actually sustained for several years at the ex- pense of the government, on the ground that his wonderful invention would be an important auxiliary of the Post Office Department, and the original line between Washington and Baltimore had its termini in the Post Offices in these cities, But that was thirty odd years ago, to be sure. Now, yes- terday, when the Army bil! was under consideration in Committee of the Whole, the clerk read the paragraph relating to the cost of sending telegrams. It has been the claim of the democrats that what- ever was in the interest of economy was slways ger- mane to anu appropriation bill, and to that end I thought I would offer as an amendment a harmless paragraph, which reads in the record as follows:— “and telegrams are authorized to be transmitted by railroad companies which may have telegraph lines for the government und for the general public at rates to be fixed by the government acvording to the provisions of title 65 of the Revised Statutes. “Objection was made that the amendment was not germane to the bill. But the chair decided that the amendment was germane, and all that remains is to vote upon it as an amendment when the bill is re- ported back to the House from the Committee of the Whole. “Now as to Title 65. The Revised Statutes ex- pressly provide under what conditions postroads shall become telegraph routes, and since the Supreme Court has put the highest sanction of law upon the act of July, 1866, which is the substance of Title 65, why all we have to do is to recognize the right of government to invite competition along the routes which it not only creates but protects.” “What Iam anxious to accomplish is to secure a provision in the Army Appropriation bill by which our railroads can unite telegraph lines and the ‘gov- ernment can control them whenever the government wants todo so. If the railroads were simply to unite or not at their pleasure the gov- ernment would have no control over the routes. No regulation could be made under existing provisions of law, and the object to be gained would still be without the grasp of the commercial community, simply because the roads would or would not forward messages at their con- venience and pleasure, In fact, just as it is wt present. Why, I do not doubt that with present regulations and conditions you could send a message from Washington to New York or from New York to San Franciaco by the railroad telegraph lines almost if not quite as promptly as by the monopolies, and I am not so sure but what the main lines over long distances are not in reality the prop- erty of the railroad companies and used by the mo- nopolies at a fixed rate. “But to come back to the point. There was legis- lation in the Army bill germane to the subject, and all that was necessary was the adoption of my harm- less amendment to open the way for the govérnment asserting its authority and privilege to foster an important channel of communication between all parts of the country. My only purpose is in the interest of wholesome competition and anti-monopoly, @ purpose which will urilize all the telegraph lines in the land, enabling them to unite against all dictat- ing monopolies, and which will make it for their in- terest to invite a constant use of their wires for com- mercial awd personal matters.” The General was asked whether he thought his amendment would be adopted by the House. He replied:— “That remains to be seen. I will not say now what argument may be used to urge the adoption of the amendment, but I am free to say that it cannot be defeated without my giving very plain reasons for suchavote, There isarule of the House which torbids members voting upon a measure in which they are personally interested. How many members of the Forty-fifth Congress can vote under that rule against & proposition which antagonizes a monopoly will be a point of order to be tested when the time comes, All I can say now is that the point of order cannot be overruled without an attempt on my part to make the fur fly.” DEMOCRATIC ACTION ON THE NEW YORK AP- POINTMENTS FROM A BUTLER POINT OF VIEW. While General Butler was in the lobby of the House to-day he was accosted by a number of his friends and among the questions asked was, What was bis view of the conduct of the democratic Senators in siding with the President in the New York Custom House appointments? The Gencral deliberated for a moment and then replied :— So far as 1 can understand their action, it shows reat want of political acity and want of politic leadership. Of coursé I do not know but that higher than political considerations rujed their course, but upon that I must be permitted to doubt. These New York sppointments were @ source of contention be- tween the two wings of the republican party, and between Senat: ininistratio: It the dom: Ir. Conkling they would have kept the contention open like a rnn- np sore. The President would probably have ded to the difficulty by reappointing Merritt ond Mr. Burt after the adjournm of the Senate. But, if mot, Messrs. Arti and Corneli’s commissions had only # few months to run. He would then have required reappointment and reconfirmation by the Senate, or their successors when appointed by the President would have gone before the Senate, having ® democratic majority which could dictate to the President who should not be appointed, if indeed it could not who should be, and compel the President under his civil service idea to appoint a mau who was nota politician at all, and perhaps @ democrat. Now, by voting against Conkling they have rendered him werless to keep up the fight against the ident; healed the sore; reunited the two wings ot the republican party; eS prestige to the republican administration; destroyed, as far as they could, the influence of Mr. Conkling as a republican leader opposed to the administration and fastened two repub icans, Mr. Merritt and Mr. Burt, in their offices for two years, at least, 16 use the office as a political machine in the interost of the republican party, under the direction of ex-Governor Fenton, one of the ablest political managers I know, durin, the next Presidential election. If all that is good political management Ido not know anything about polities, a1 hi perhaps, is the reason why I do not understand Ido not understand such demo- cratic leadership. When the war was threatening the country in 1860, after the Presidential been General Cushing made emark :— give if he could only know which subaltern of the United States army will be the next ut of the United States.” id give something to know which outgoin Feng. to receive some hig term expires, dancers Senator ix office after his Senatorial THIRD INSTALMENT OF THR MEXICAN AWARD. The third instalment of the Mexican award, which was paid over a few days ago to the State Department by the Mexican government, will be distributed pro rata among the claimants on or about the 10th inst. A list of the claimants is being prepared by | the Third Assistant Secretary of State, which, when complete, will be sent over as the Jaw directs to the ‘Treasury Department, to see if any of the claimants are indebted to the government. This will oceupy but a few days, and the money will then be paid, GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. Wasnrxoron, Feb, 5, 1879, FEDERAL NOMINATIONS IN NEW ORLEANS. The President sent the following nominations to the Senate to-day :— Algernon 8S. Badger, to be Collector of Customs at New Orleans, vice George L. Smith, to be removed. William L, McMillen, to be postinaster at New Or- leans, vice Mr. Badger, nominated as Collector, THE BROOKLYN NAVY YARD--SECRETARY THOMP- 80N-IN OPPOSITION TO THE SALE OF THE WALLABOUT, The Secretary of the Navy has sent to the House, in answer to a resolution of that body, a communi- cation in relation to the proposed sale of a portion of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, in which he shows that the views of the Navy Department have been uni- formly adverse to such disposition of any por- tion of the land, Hs says if the question submitted be with reference to the present or noar future, no serious injury might re- sult from the sale, but if it be considered with reference to what the interests of the coun- try require that this yard shall in’ the course of tine become, then it may be regarded as reason- ably certain that the sale will be injurious to the public interests, Inasmuch as the opinion expressed in his report of November 30, 1877, had reference to this later consideration, he has seen no reason to change that opinion. AN. APPROPRIATION FOR BAYARD TAYLOR'S FAMILY, Mr. Hamlin presented in the Senate to-day a letter from the Secretary of State bringing to the attention of the Committee on* Foreign Relations the pecuni- ary embarrassment in which the wife and daughter ot Bayard Taylor have been left by his death, and recommending an appropriation for their benefit equal to one yeur’s salary of the Berlin mission. PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS, SENATE, WasHINeton, Feb. 5, 1879. The Vick Prestwest laid before the Senate the ere- dentials of Hon. John P, Jones, elected United States Senator from the State of Nevada for six years, from March 4, 1879, Read and placed on file. Mr. Fenry, (rep.) of Mich., from the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads, submitted an amend- ment to the Post Office Appropriation bill classifying mail carriers and fixing their compensation at from $700 to $900 per annum, according to service, popu- lation of cities wherein employed, &c, Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, Mr. McCnreeny, (dem.) of Ky., gave notice that on Monday next he would address the Senate in favor of the bill introduced by him to transfer the Indian Bureau from the Interior to the War Department. RICARAGUAN CLATMS, s Mr. Marrurws, (rep.) of Ohio, calle’ up the resolu- tion submitted by him yesterday providing for the appointment of a committee of five Senators to sit during the recess to inquire into all claims of citizens of the United States against the government of Nicar- agua, for indemnity for lives of relatives taken, wounds and other personal injuries suffered, and property taken, injured or destroyed, and it was agreed to without discussion. THE NAVAL OBSERVATORY, Mr. SaRGENT, (rep.) of Cal., from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was referred that part of the report of the Secretary of the Navy in regard to the removal of the Naval Observatory and the report of the commission appointed at the last session on that subject, repo: a bill authorizing the pur- chase of a site for the location of the new Naval Ob- servatory, the erection of a building thereon, and for the removal of the present observatory. Placed on the calendar. MR, EDMUNDS’ RESOLUTIONS, At half-past one P. M. the Senate resumed constd- eration of the unfinished business, being the resolu- tions of Mr. Edmunds declaring the validity of the thirteenth, fourteenth and fitteenth amendments to the constitution of the United States. SPEECH OF MR, WHYTE. Mr. Wurre, (dem.) of Md., said after the exhaus- tive arguments of the Senators from Delaware and Alabama (Messrs. Bayard and Morgan) it would be a work of supererogation in him to attempt any amplification of their cogent reasoning. He did not think the Senate was calied upon to assume the réle of Supreme Court of the United States and Pind upon the question whether the thirteenth, four- teenth and fifteenth amendments have been ratified in due form by the States, nor did he think it worth while for the Senate to express any opinion in rd to the legislation of the prst had to enforce these amendments, inasmuch as the Supreme Court had said that such laws heretofore passed did not consti- tute appropriate legislation As far as the fifteenth amendment was concerned he did not hesitate to say that he er took any stock init. It was his privi- lege as a member of this Senate to cast his vote with that little band of Senators against the adoption of the fifteenth amendment. He was spe-ialty grati- fied when, subsequently, that amendment was sub- mitted to the Legislature of his State and there was not found in either branch of the General Assem- bly a single individual poor enough to give it & solitary vote, and, so far as his action in the Senate was concern the State Legislature gave it their unanimous approval; but when the President of the United States declared that the amendment had been ratified his State ac- quiesced in that declaration and all her citizens had given allegiance to the amendment and supported it with the same fidelity that they did every other clause of the constitution, Both political “parties had declared their adhesion to these three constitu- tional amendments, and all were bound by them. Senators had sworn to support them, .and they in- tended to live up to them and vote for every law which might be appropriate legislation for their en- forcement. The first resolution of the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Edmunds), declaring the validity of the amendments, amounted to nothing. It was a mere grouping of words. It was too much like the pyrotechniecal display which we see too often on the siage, spitting fire in every direction and sending forth smoke, while the little devil creeps out of the box. POWER TO CONTROL ELECTION: Mr. Wayre then quoted from the remarks of Mr. Edmunds, of Vermont, Crem and denied that the whole power of controlling elections for members of Congress belonged to Congress, It was for the Btate to protect its citizens in the right of suffrage. It was under the controi of the State and must be protected by the State, The United States had no right to in- terfere, exoept in cases of abridgment ot that a rovided for in the fifteenth amendment. nited States had no yoters of its own and there was nv one to protect until the State denied @ man the right to vote on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude. The protection of the right of suffrage had not Leen left with the States for con- venience, as argued by the Senator from Vermont, but had been left with the State, where it properly belonged. He quoted from the Madison papers as to the powers of the general government, ir, EpMUNDs, (rep.) of Vt., in reply to @ question of Mr. Whyte, said the United States pose ail the power over ¢lections for members of Congress that the States possexsed, Mr. Wuytn, resuming, said he looked upon the constitution as the creation of States, but the Sena- tor from Vermont seemed to think that the States were creations of the constitution, It was one of the reserved powers of the State to control its own affairs when they did not conflict with the laws of the United States, He then read a report made by Stephen A, Douglas upon the law of 1842 in regard to the election of members of Congress, and, contin- uing, he said he would rather sit at the fect of Doug: lus to Jearn constitutional law than at the feet of the Senator from Vermont. Hoe referred to past legisla- tion growing out of the war, and #aid he ho; now the Senate would retrace its steps and regain the path which would lead to safety and prosperity. Mr. Eaton, (dem.) of Conn., said it was evident that his friend from Maryland did not believe in the ower of the yeneral government to employ John Javenport and 4,000 marshals to regulate elections in the city of New York, (Laughter.) Mr. Wart, resuming, said the appointment of su- rvisors under the act of July 14, 1870, ~ the ‘nited States judges was clearly no exercise of ju- *dicial power, and Congress had no warrant for au- thorizing judges to appoint public officers for purely political Be ng He remembered well when he reccived the list of supervisors in New York, and he could not help but say then, if they are officers of the court God help the administration of justice, ‘ Mr, Evmunps—They were all taken from Tam- many, I suppose. Mr. Wayre—No. Tammany was defeated, and they were ali taken from the combination of Chester Arthur and others. In conclusion, Mr. Whyte argued that the resolution of Mr. Edmunds was toward the centralization of power, which he would fight so long as he held a seat on this floor. MR. GARLAND'S AMENDMENT AND SPRECH. Mr, Gartanp, (dem.) of Ark., moved to amend the substitute of Mr. Morgan so that it should read “that although the Thirtecuth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments to the constitution of the United States were not adopted in # legal manner, yet, having been ace , recognized and acquiesced in by the States, ba Ay) oe valid and binding,” &c. , GARLAND said it was strange now, that havi lived under these amendments for so many years enforcing them after Senators had all sworn to sup- rt them, that a doubt should be cast over them as Po their legality. He referred to the ratification of these amendments, and said there was some differ- ence between their ratification and that of the other amendments. At the time of their ratification eleven States had no representation in either House of Con- ress, yet the farce was yone through with of having firene ‘tates ratity laws, and they were ratified im some instances by legislatures that represented body this side of the moon. These amendments were not made; they grew into our system of governe, ment. Havi rown there, and being acquiesced in, tl are phy as any of the others. We had de facto laws, we had de facto amendments to the constitution, and we might have possibly a de facto President. As Governor of the State of Arkansas he had recommended legislation to carry out the pur- poses of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments. Those laws were adopted and en- forced, and there was not a man in Arkansas to-day who would deny one of these amendments; but when he was called on to say the amendments were valid he must suy why he thought they were valid, He would vote for the substitute of Mr. - Morgan, with his (Mr. Garland’s) amendment, Without that amendment he would not vote for the substitute nor the resolu- tions of the Senator from Vermont, ‘The amendment was rejected, Mr. CamzRoy, (rep.) of Pa., at halt-past three moved that the Senate proceed to the consideration of ex- ecutive business, Rejected—yeas 26, nays 30—Mr. Cameron, of Pennsylvania, voting with the demo- crats in the affirmative and the republicans voting in the negative. ‘THE TEST OATH. Mr. Joxes, (dem.) of Fla., referred briefly to the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fitteenth amendments, and then said there was a question of far more im- portance to his people than the discussion of this resolution, and that was the repeal of the Test Oath law. He spoke of the injustice of that law and said the war ended in 1865, Everybody who had any- thing to do with it had been pardoned, yet this un- just test oath clause was retained. What he desired to secure was impartial jury trials throughout the length and bi ith of the land, Under this Test Outh law any judge could pack a jury. He would not say Be had been done, but strange things had hap- pened, Mr. Moraay, of Alabama, said he would assert on the floor of the Senate that packing of juries had been done in the South, systematically and preniaeetls, In conclusion, Mr. Jonxs, of Florida, deprecated partisan legislation, and said on uccount of it our country was bleeding, lacerated and trampled under foot. (Applause in the gallery, which was promptly checked by the Vice President.) REMARKS OF MR, HILL, Mr, Hr, (dem.) of Ga,, said that this discussion had developed the fact that vl accepted the Thir- teenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments. The democrats accepted them and obeyed them. Ho trusted now his friends on the other side of the chamber would not go home and tell their pene that the democrats did not accept them, He did not think any good could come from this discussion, and he thought it time to close it now and with it close the door onthe war. He moved that the pending resolutions and amendments be postponed uutil the Sth day of March next. SPEECH OF MR, EDMUNDS. Mr. Epmunps said the whole matter was just this: that while the political party to which his friend (Mr. Hill) belonged voted against the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Firteenth amendments, they now de- clared them valid. These amendments had been adopted, although every State having a demo- cratic legislature had refused to agree to them, and some legislatures, which atterward became demo- cratic, attempted to withdraw the ratification given by thé previous legislature. ‘There had never any legislation to carry out any of these amendments which did not meet with the opposition of the demo- cratic party; and if that party should be consistent to its opinions, and come into power,all these amend- ments and laws to enforce them would be swept from the statute books. Under the State laws in one sec- tion wrong, tyranny,oppression and fraud had entered into the election of members of the other branch of Congress, and the Senate should act promptly to cor- rect these evils. The real difficulty was that the den cratic party professed to do as South Carolina sisted upon in T832-33, and that was that there shou be left to the supreme power of the States the oppor- tunity practically to nullity. Mr. Herevorp, (dem.) of W. Va., said the people of this country were expecting something else at the hands of Congress than a discussion of this abstract uestion, Congress was here to legislate, to give the people bread and butter, and not here to lay down platforms for one political party or anothe He mores that the resolutions be indefinitely por pon Mr. Epmunps said that when any law was proposed to carry out the constitutional amendments the Senators on the other side always said it was too early, it was too late or it was too something. ‘They were all in for the constitutional amendments, but not‘in for putting their names on record, After some further discussion the Chair (Mr. CocKRELL, of Missouri), ruled that the motion of Mr. Hereford embraced that of Mr. Hill, which was to postpone the matter until March 5, after the ex- piration of the present Congress. The motion ot Mr. Hereford was rejected—yeas 15, nays 32, as follows:— Yras—Messrs. Beck, Balle Coke, Davis of arn Vii rn Mel inia, Ewton, Gordo il, Lai axey, Ransom, Sau bees aud Withers—I Nays—Messrs. Anthony, Bailey, Bayard, Buruside, Cameron of Pennsylvania, Uameron f Wisconsin, Conklin c Conover, Fer jarland, Hamlin, Hoar, Hows Nevada, Kellogg, Kernan, Kirkwood, MeMilla: Mitehell, Morgan, Morrill, Oglesby, | Padd Randolph, Rollins, Saunders, Spencer, Teller, Windom—32. i Pairs on political questions were announced as fol- lows:—Messrs. Allison, Dawes, Chatiee, Patterson, Edmunds, Sharon, Sargent, Christiancy, Dorsey, In- alls and Wadleigh with Messrs, McCreery, Barnum, Bustis, Dennis, Thurman, Herotord, Johnston, Jones of Florida, McPherson, Merrimon and Whyte. Mr. McPherson, (dem.) of N, J., in announcing his pair, stated he would have yoted no. ’ ‘Mr. Eatow, (dem.) of Conn., moved to adjourn. Rejected—yeas 22, nays 31—Messrs. Bayard and Ker- nan voting with the republicans against adjourn- ment. During a colloquy between Mr. Hoar, of Massa- chusetts, and Mr. Morgan, of Alabama, Mr. Hoar in- quired if the Senator from Alabama (Mr. Morgan) would admit that these amendinents could be wiped out hereafter by a joint resolution of Congress, Mr. Morgan replied that he had no authority for supposing that such an opinion was held by any man on the democratic side of the Chamber: certainly it was not his opinion, Mr. Earor, of Connecticut, said in his judgment there was not a member of this Senate, cither demo- cratic or republican, who held that a joint resolution could repeal a part of the constitution. Mr. GARLAND, of Arkansas, said, with all his detes- tation tor the birth of these amendments, he would never consent that they should go out of the consti- tution by any joint resolution. He regarded thi them now as children of the constiiution just as though they had been incorporated in it under article 5, though to his mind they had not been. Mr. Harnis, (dem.) of Tenn., said, as one member of the democratic party, he did’ not believe any amendments to the constitution could be annulled or repealed by any joint resolution. Mr. Eaton, of Connecticut, suggested to the Senator from Arkansas (Mr. Garland) that he modify his amendment as to read that, “waiving the ques- tion of their legal adoption,” the thirteenth, four- teenth and fifteenth amendments are valid, &c, ‘Mr. GARLAND retused to accept the amendinent. ‘The amendment of Mr. Garlaud was rejected—yeas 5, nays he * Mr. Epmunps submitted the following as an amend- ment to the substitute of Senator Morgan: That the right of the people peaceably to assemble for the r f grievances, ers and di dae wuigh, wn rotection of and gunr- » United Stites, and within tho scope of the y of the United States, to protect by penal laws. Mr. Morcax moved to adjourn. Rejeceed—yeas 6, nays 25. No quoram voting, a call of the Senate was ordered, and fifty-one Senators res] ed, Mr. Bayanp, of Delaware, again deprecated the introauction of these resotutions, and said the rese- Vermont (Mr. Kdmunds) mendments were for the purpose of placing political opponents in a false position. It was a poor business, and one in which he would never en- gage. It was most unwise and unwarranted to waste these hours of the session in this discussion. ‘The debate was continued at herd length. Mr. Morgan's amendment and several others asserting political principles were rejected, ACTION ON THE KESOLUTIONS. ‘The question then being on the resolutions, as subinitied by Mr, Edmunds, be demanded a separate vote on each resolution, The first one was agreed to by a vote of yeas 23, nays 17, as followse:— Yeas—Meanes, Anthony, Booth, Bruce, Burnside, Cam. a of Pennsylvania, Cameron ‘of Wis Hai © Verr: Hoar, Howe, Lin, heli wW irginti itil, ie 17. Mossré. Allison, Dawes, Blaine, Saunders, Chaffee, Conkling, Patterson, Christiancy, Dorsey, Matthe os o: Nevada, Sharon, Wadleigh and Conover, would have voted in favor of the resolution, were paired with Messrs. McCreery, Barnum, Wal- lace, Butler, Eustis, McDonald, Dennis, Jones of Florida, McPherson, Thurman, Ransom, ‘Saulsbufy, Whyte and Withers, who would have voted in the negative, ‘he second resolution was agreed to by @ similar otion of Mr. Epsunps the Senate took up the pint resolution Propane an amendment to the constitution of the United States prohibiting the pay ment of claims of disloyal persons tor property Riured of destroyed in he late war of the jon, so it would be the unfinished business to-morrow. ‘The Senate then, at eleven o'clock P, M., adjo' HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wasurnoton, Feb. 5, 1879. ‘The Sreaxen announced the regular order to be the consideration of the Mississippi Levee bill. The first amendment pending was that offered by Mr. Sparks, of Illinois, to strike out the clause author- izing the commission to be composed of persons familiar with the effect of the overflow of the Missis- sippi River upon the alluvial lands of the delta, After debate the amendment was rejected—yeas 28, nays 82. The following amendments were adopted :— By Mr. Banks, (rep.) of Mass.—Striking out the clause which gives the Commissioners 6 life tenure of office. .By Mr, Mormon, (dem.) of Il.—Directing tho commission to complete the survey of the Missis- sippi River between Alton, IIL, and the passes at the mouth of the river. By Mr. Reagan, (dem.) of Texas—Directing the commission to report on the feasibility of all plans submitted to it, Several amendments to strike ont all provisions of the bill relating to alluvial lands wero rejected. ment appropriating $3,871,600 for strengthening the levees of the Mississippi. ‘The bill was then passed—yeas 155, nays 73. THE FLORIDA CONTESTED CASE. Mr. Cons, (dem.) of Ind., from the Committee on Elections, submitted a souess on the Florida con- tested case, declaring that J. J. Finley is entitled to the seat and that Horatio Bisbee is not. Mr. Paice, (rep.) of Iowa, submitted the views of the minority (and also, he stated, the views of a ma- og of the sub-committee), declaring Horatio Bis- entitled to the seat. Both reports were ordered printed and recom- mitted, ‘THE ARMY BILL. : At @ quarter past two P. M. the House went into Committee of the Whole—Mr. Carlisle, of Kentucky, in the chair—on the Army Appropriation bill. On motion of Mr. Hewitr, (dem.) of N. Y., the number of aides-de-camp to which the General of the iow shall be entit was increased from three to four, Mr. Wuirr, (rep.) of Pa., offered as an amendment to the bill substantially the bill known as the “Army Reorganization bill.” . Mr. Haus, (vep.) of Me., rose to a point of order against the amendment. ‘The Cuamman could Fa Hye to the operation of tho amendment during year that the Approprl- ation bill covered, and if there was anything in the bill which might result in the increase of expenditures during the coming year it must clearly be ruled out of order. There was a proposition the amend- ment which allowed officers to Rigs with three Figs bed and that clearly brought it in antagonism rule 120, Mr. Savzxs, (dem.) of Ohio, antagonized the point of order. ‘The amendment was clearly within the spirit and letter of rule 120, since it was germane to the subject matter and in the direction of a retrench- ment of expenditures. * Mr. Waite, of Ponusylyania, spoke in opposition tothe point of order, and argued that the amendment could not be ruled out. Mr. Haunts, (dem.) of Va., argued that the amend- ment was not in order. It was just that character of amendment that rule 120 had been framed to exclude. dem.) of Ohio, statedin opposition to the point of order that every provision of the amendment provided for « reduction of expenditures. WHO DROUGHT Ii IN ? Mr. Cauxrs, (rep.) of Ind., supported the point of order and criticised the Comuuittee on Appropriations for admitting such an amendment. Mr. Hewrrr, of New York--The committee did not bring in this bill, Mr, CaLKrxs—No, but they were weak-kneed and do not oppose it, a Bet ee Oe oppose it except by a point of order Mr. CaLerxs—It could be opposed by tlie commit tee stanamg up and standing by the rules of the louse, Mr. Hewrrr—Woe do. We have not brought the bill inand the point of order has been raised. What more could we do ? Mr. CaLkins—It was brought in by the consent of the gentleman himself, Mr. Hewrrr-—On the contrary, it was offered in this House neither with nor without the consent of the gentleman. Icannot prevent its introduction any more than the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Calkins) can, Mr. CaLKrns was glad to hear that the gentleman from New York was not in favor of the amendment. Mr. Hewrrr—I did ered Iwas not in favor of it. Mr. Carxins—Then I the gentleman to take back his ebullition of wrath. Mr. Hewrrr—I do not say whether I am in favor of it or against it. Lsimply say that it did not come in with my consent or against it. Mr. Catxixs—If the Committee on Appropriations did not want this amendnient on the Appropriation bill it would not go there, Everybody knows that. Mr. Wurrr, of Pennsylvania, stated that the amendment had not been offered at the instance or by the management of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hewitt), ‘The CHatmman stated that the amendment did come within the spirit of the rule, while it was doubtless new legislation, Still it was in the direc- tion of @ reduction of expenditures, and, therefore. he overruled the point of order. Mr. Wurr®, of Pennsylvania, stated that the living and solitary thought of the amendment was to pro- mote the efficiency of the stuff department of the army. Mr. Beene, (dem.) of N. Y¥., submitted an amend- ment authorizing the appointment of George IF. Robinson as paymaster in the army, with the rank of major, to receive Rey, from the 14th of April, 1865. Mr. Hewrrr, of New York, raised a point of order ainst the amendment. There were proper reasons why Congress should reward Mr. Robinson, but it was certainly not proper that he should be paymaster upon an appropriation bill, ‘he point of order was sustained snd the amend- ment ruled out. Mr. Hewrrr, of New York, wished, in reply to some remarks made by the gentleman from Indians (Mr. Calkins), to state the position of the Committee on Appropriations on the amendment. It had never been considered by the committee, nor had its details ever been discussed b; himself had read the amendment for the time this morning. mendment would undoubtedly produce a reduction of expenditures and a reorganization of the army, but thé Committee on Appropriations was in no way committed in its favor. ore ei (dem.) of N. ¥., said Send as arule he was not in favor of gene! wa Upon appro- priation bills, i soethike should be done for the reorganization of the army. The amendment eey provided for a less expensive army. How? By fili- ing be the regiments, by cutting down the commis- sioned officers and staff; in a word, by taking tho drones out of the army. A VOICK FROM THE ENLISTED MEN. Mr. BANNING, of Ohio, fayored the amendment. Gentlemen fought it hard, becauge they were en- couraged by the army here in the shape of officers, and did not care for the soldier on the plains. The voice that asked for the passage of the bill came from the enlisted men of the army. It came from Custer and the men who fell with him. He knew that to stand up and fight for the reorganization that the line wanted was to fight against all that society had for a member of Congress, but he knew also that it was to stand up for the people and endeavor to make their army a compact body of men. He moved that the committee rise in order that the amendment might be printed. ‘This waa opposed by Mr. GanrrRcp, (rep.) of Ohio, and other republicans, who wished to have the vote taken at once, but it was agreed to—yeas 106, nays 97. ‘The night session for reports from_ the Committes on Public Lands was — pomed until next Wednes- day, and at half-past four P. M. the House adjourned until to-morrow. THE TENURE OF OFFICE ACT. ‘The Albany Argus (democratic) of February 5 has a leading editorial on the repeal of the Tenure of Office law. It say! ‘The struggle ending in a seven hours’ executive session of the federal Senate has been a disgrace to the United States. To secure the reinstatement of two political favorites Mr. Conkling has resorted to courses which no political license can make worthy of aSenator. To secure the continuance in place of two of his political favorites Mr. Sherman Te- sorted to courses which not even the small Tee of propriety expected of the occupant of 4 stolen office can justify, Mr. Hayes himself has been drawn into the scramble and plays a belittling part in it. The remedy, continues the Argus, is to repeal the Tenure of OMice low, which was passed to prevent the President from dispensing with his agents without the consent of the Senate. Andrew Johnson was tho Presideut struck at. The dispute of that day is passed. The bill was kept on the books because the republican politicians did not know at first whether they had firm hold on President Grant or not. When they found they had they let the law becoine a dead letter, a4 a rule, while he was in. He and the politicians acted together. The complications be- tween Mr. Hayes and his party have revivified the Jaw, With what results? ‘The Treasury Department -has been turned into a bureau of solicitation, aecusation and intimidation for s long time. The mau who is in the Presiden- tial office has been dragged into the controversy aud had to send a special message about two ex-placemen to the Senate. Those ex-placemen and the Treasury Department have been cugaged in a pamphietecring war which has expanded into volumes, ‘The Tenure of Office law is the cause of all this. It mukes the Senator a “boss,” an oflice broker, a place- monger, It makes the Senate un incarnate encroachment on the Executive prerogative. it makes the Presidency a puling beggar ot & meen intriguer tor its rights. I makes the Treasury Department and otaer departments the same. It is « law of abomination and dis- grace, It is a law that is unconstitutional. No friend of it dare bring it to the Supreme Court for review. ‘The constitution speaks of the concurrence of the Senate in appointments only; not a word is there about its concurrence in removals, The practice of government was ayainst the act tor seventy years aud more, No one ever pretended stich an act way p Die till a partisan two-thirds invented it to hy. an obnoxious President. Honor, policy, decency, public interest and the insulted pride and self-respect of @ wearied and disgust isgraced people call for its repeal. Le! democratic House pass a ro- ‘Dill as soon as possible and put on the Senate the ponsibility of daring to maintain this unconstitn. tional statute of shame and confusion.on the books, . FISHERY CLAIMS, Groversten, Masn., Feb, 5, 1879, Dwight Foster and Wiiliam H, Prescott, counsei for the owners of twenty of the Gloucester fishing vessels, driven from the herring fishing ground by a mob of Newfoundland fishermen in January, 1878, have fled with the Secretary of State claims for damages rang- ing from $37 to $4,000 per vessel, according to ex- penses and anticipated profits of the voyage. ‘They quote the British argument before the Halitox Jom mi n, depositions of Newfoundland fishermen and colonial laws to support the justice of their claims, and argue that if treaty rights can be abri by local legislation the privileges acquired by tho award of $6,500,000 are of questionable value. A BANK DIRECTOR ARRESTED. Troy, N. ¥., Feb. 5, 1879. Ex-Judge John C. Hulbert, of Saratoga Springs‘ was arrested on ® warrant of United States Com- missioner Sylvester, this afternoon, for # violation of the National Banking laws, in. portormance of his duties as director of one of the ‘Mr, Rosketeom, (dem.) of La, withdrew his amend. | at that place, Ho will give bail to-morrow in $10,000, BEVOLT IN VENEZUELA. WIDESPREAD REBELLION—THE GOVERNMENT IN SERIOUS DANGER—ONE VICTORY FOR THE NATIONAL TROOPS, Lacvayna, Jan. 16, 1879, The sudden death of President Alcantara entailed upon the National Convention, which he had sum- moned before his death, to elect a President to fill the unexpired term, Their choice fell upon General José Gregorio Talera, brother of Alcantara, as “I, Designado, encargado de la Presi- dencia de la Republica,” and General Gra gorio Cedefio Il, Designado, Next a r2solution was passed to demolish the statues of Guzman Blanco, and declare void all decrees conceding honors to said Guzman while he had been President. Tho vote upon these resolutions stood 8] in favor and 7 against, these seven saying the States they repre- sented had not authorized them to favor such a pro- ceeding. It was openly intimated that the destruc- tion of the statues would surely cause revolution, Nevertheless, they were demolished on the 22d De- cember, 1878, General Talera took charge of govern- ment December 23 aud chose a Cabinet composed of prominent and energetic men, ,thereby partially re- storing confidence, A REVOLUTION. Everything went on smoothly until December 30, 1878, when news came by the German steamer Lo- tharingia that a revolution had broken out at Puerto Cabello, der the leadership of Cedefio, who de- elared the ‘‘Constituyente” and all its actions uu- constitutional, refused to recognize any government but one with Guzman Blanco at its head, in whoso pame he had started the revolution. In two days the city of Puerto Cabello, with the exception of the castle (at the mouth of the harbor), was in possession of the revolutionists. On January 7 the castle sur- rendered, with 400 troops, 1,000 stand of arms, 30,009 rounds of ammunition and several cannon. Since then the revolutionists have been rapidly gaining strength, and are now in position to accept or reject any terms coming from the government. SEVERE FIGHTING. On the 9th inst. a severe fight took place at Petare (@ village distant six miles from Caracas) between government sens and the revolutionists under command of Pulido, who is under arms for his own account. The government bale a with Rem- ington rifles, were victorious, killing and wounding 300 or 400 and taking many prisoners. ‘The enemy took re‘uge in the mountains, leaving behind their muskets and ammunition. Since then ail fear of an invasion into Caracas has vanished, as Pulido, who is greatly feared, is for the present unable to risk an attack on the city. Heavy fighting is reported to be going on within tive niles of Laguayra, and the revolutionists are said to have been badly defeated. Nevertheless the military commander told your correspondent yester- day that he expected momentarily to be attacked. The trison of Laguayra consists of 1,000 troops, armed with Remington rifles, well drilled and offi- cered, in comparison to the forces to be brought against them. A commission sent by the govern- ment to Puerto Cabello (in the German man-of-war Nymphe, returned yesterday by the same vessel) to treat with Cedefio, the chiet of the rebellion there, announce the refusal of the terms offered by the government. GERMANY'S MEDIATION. Celefio says he is stronger than the government and offers to cease hostilities if the present adminia- tration places the government in the hands of Rafael Pacheco until the arrival of Guzman Blanco. It is supposed that the government is inclined to yield, Grave doubts are entertained whether the return of Guzman would restore peace, us there are four or five generals in arms who are determined to oppose Guz- man to the bitter end. The outlook is very dubious, the revolution is too formidable to be suppressed in a few days, and months will pass before peace is re- stored, The foreign residents feel somewhat safer now, owing to the presence of two German men-of- war, which are likely to remain until some settle- ment is arrived at. A French and Italian man-of; war are daily expected. ‘Was THE SMALL OPERATOR on Wall street, who fre- quents the brokers’ offices and spends his time in looking at the figures on the indicator, ever known to buy astock that did not go down immediately afterward or to sell a stock that did not speedily go up? Never.” What! Never? Well, hardly ever. ARMY INTELLIGENCE. Wasurnoton, Feb. 5, 1879. Major D. G. Swaine, who is Judge Advocate of the general court martial of Captain Thomas Blair, Fit- teenth infantry, and who has been detained in this city by sickness, was sufficiently recovered to-day to visit the War De ent. He will ge to New York without delay to be ready for the trial. Captain George A. Purington, Ninth cavalry, is di- rected to conduct a detachment of recruits to Fort Reno, I. T. Captain Thomas F. Quinn, Fourth in- fantry, is ordered to conduct a detachment of recruits to the Nineteenth infantry, at Fort Lyon, Col. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE, MOVEMENTS OF NATIONAL VESSELS—ORDERS, Wasntnaton, Feb. 5, 1879. Advices to the Navy Department report that Rear Admiral C. R. P. Rogers, commanding the Pacific Station, sailed from Panama January 25 in the flag- ship Pensacola for Valparaiso, Chili. The Tuscarora sailed from Panama January 24 on her surveying cruise along the Pacific coast under the direction of the Bureau of Navigation, Navy De- partment. The Lackawanna will remain at Panama until March. ‘The Adams is expected at Panama, from Calluo, Peru, the middle of the present month, Chief Engineer Robert Danby has been ordered to special duty at New York. Passed Assistant Surgeon Ernest Norflect has been ordered to the Franklin. at Norfolk, Va. Passed Assistant Surgeon KR. H. Mc- Carty has been ordered to the St. Louis, at League Island. Chief Engineer Jackson McElwell has been ordered to duty in hn? e of stores at League Island. Assist- ant Engineer H. E. Frick has been ordered to the Miantonomoh. Assistant Surgeon 4 Heneberger has been detached from the Washington Naval Hospital and ordered to the Trenton European Station. Passed Assistant Surgeon W. G. Farwell has been detached from the Mare Island Hospital and ordered to the coast survey steamer Hassler, Passed Assistant Surgeon H. Aulick has been do- tached from the St. Louis and ordered to the Nava) Hospital at Mare Island. Chief Engineer Rolet Potts has been detached from League Island Navy Yard and ordered to hold himself in readiness for sea service, Passed Assistant Surgeon James M. Ambler has been detached from the Navai Hospital at Norfolk, Va., and ordered to the Treuton, Euro Station. As- sistant Surgeon William R. Dui has been de- tached from the Trenton upon the reporting of his relief and ordered home. JOHN BRIGHT ON SLAVERY. ‘To rue Eprron or THR HERALD: John Bright, in his letter to Mr. Cyrus W. Ficld published in your yesterday's paper, tries to force an analogy to slavery in our system of protection. If Mr. Bright wahts a vent for his indignation against slavery he need not go so far as America for an analogy, and, indeed, for s branch of the existing thing. He would find that in England’s relation to India, Whether an individual, as master, claims the property and government of another individual, as slave, or whether one nation, a6 an entity, claims « similar right over another nation or people, the sub- ject race is in effect s slave race. As the individual ‘master can take all the proceeds of his slave's labor without that slave having any lawfal power to resist, so England claims the Hate right to tax the mill- jons of India to any extent she chooses, leaving them no legitimate power to limit and restrain her, There is no ‘constivutional limit either in extent or purpose. As the individual Lyd orders and directs and + are regulated in their political and social relations by Inwa to ‘which their consent is never asked and whero resistance would be punished as mutiny. True, the slavery may be more or less tempered in practico, but tie sapien a well feed Jon hog bed boy porate & 3 fea’ oor ies in reference to land governs India retonce of abhorrence to she manner peed, mingles the tone of Of the yPOCrItO. 66 Tenth ntreut, Brook. FIRE IN THE UNION CLUB HOUSE, An alarm of fire was eounded yesterday morning, fat about half-past eleven o'clock, from the Union Club, No. 1 West Twenty-first street. Tho alarm was gent into the American District office, No. 946 Broad way, and was promptly responded to by Captain J. 0. rrell, with his assistants and fire apparatus, On sensing the building Captain Turrell found the fre to be in the roof and easily accessible. He sent an alarm, however, to the Fire Department, but before the arrival of the engines the flames were extin- guished. The cause is ascribed to a defective fue, aud the da: about $300. THE JANUARY FIRES. Chief Bates presented his report of the result of his investigations into the lete conflagrations in Grand and Worth streets to President King, of the Fire Departnient, late yeaterday afternoon. Tho doonment was placed on file, to be fully considered to-day, Ata meeting of the Board it was also do- cided to institute another investigation by the Fire wa, Which will be conducted publicly and wilt be more ve in its scope than that submitted by the Ohief, Resolutions to that ‘wero