The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-04-30
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Portland Daily Press.
XXXVIII OOEGREss---First Session.


| nal from the head OF Lake Superior, the Ree
River of the North via Sandy Lake, a dis
lance of forty miles, thence via Crow Wing
! Leaf River, aud Ottastal Lake to Breckiuricge
a total distance of 240 miles, thus openin.
navigation by the Red River and Suska
Chowan for 1000 miles, to the base of The
Rocky Mountains, furnishing an outlet to tbs
| Hudson Bay region. This would require an
improvement forty-three miles less than the
Fox and Wisconsin River Canal route and
| eighty miles shorter than the Illinois and Mis-
sissippi Canal
Mr.. Ramsay introduced bill for the bene-
| fit aud better management of the Indians by
which the President is authorized to locate
them on new reservations, Congress retaining
| the power to yacate such reservations when
the President can locate them again and sell
their lands.
Mr.. Doolittle presented memorial from
citizens of Wisconsin, asking TOR an increased
| duty OF ten per cent. on foreign wool. Re-
ferred to the committee on Finance.
Mr.. Doolittle also presented resolution OF
the Wisconsin Legislature, asking for the i'm
provement of the locks on the Erie Canal
Referred to the committee on Commerce.
Mr.. Sprague introduced the resolution OF
the Legislature of Rhode Island, TO reimburse
that State for money advanced for the pay
ment Of officers and men mustered into the
u. 5. service. Referred and ordered to be
printed.
Mr. Harlan introduced resolutions OF the
Iowa Legislature, asking for increased mail
facilities in that State. Referred.
Mr. Henderson introduced Joint resolu-
ton providing for printing copies of the report
OF the Military Commission, of which Gen.
Mcdowell was president, to inquire into the
cotton speculation in the West.
Mr.. Grimes suggested that the Secretary OF
War be requested to furnish the report to the
Senate.
Mr.. Henderson accepted the amendment.
Mr.. Lane moved TO add, il not incompati-
bic with public interests. Adopted.
Messrs. Wilson, Fessenden and others
thought the resolution had best not be adopt
ed now.
Mr.. Henderson said that information on the
subject was desired now, as it would bear on
bills pending before the Senate. He had read
letters during the last three days from Red
River, saying that our defeat there was on ac-
count of speculation. The cavalry In advance
on that occasion, numbering three thousand
men, had two hundred and sixty-two wagons,
which became eDtangled and confused the
whole action and brought on the disaster.
Mr.. Wilson wanted to know If the Senator
charged that the Red River expedition was
undertaken for the mere purpose Of gathering
cotton.
Mr.. Henderson replied that he said no such
thing. He merely wished to know what this
brigade Of cavalry wanted with two hundred
and sixty-five wagons, unless it was to gather
up the products of the country.
Mr.. Conness stated on what he considered
the highest authority, that these wagons were
part of the regular train Of the army.
Mr.. Henderson read a letter from Grand
Ecore, dated four days before the battle, alleg-
ing conflict of authority between General
Banks and Admiral Porter, aud stating that
the latter was Selling cotton on land AS naval
prizes. and predicting disaster.
Mr.. CONFESS denounced the statement read
as q cruel and base SANDER on Admiral Port
er, which he had the highest authority for de-
nying.
Mr.. Henderson was glad the Senator could
so authoritatiyely deny the statement.
Mr.. Nesmith called up the bill to establish a
branch mint at Carson City, Nevada and Dali
las City, Oregon.
An amendment striking out Carson City
was adopted, and the bill passed.
The national currency bill came up in order,
the question being on the finance committees
amendment to the forty-flrst section, as pro-
posed to be amended by Mr.. Pomeroy.
The amendment of Mr.. Pomeroy was re-
jected by q vote Of IS TO IL.
Mr. Howard offered an amendment to the
amendment of the committee, providing that
shares by State authority, for State or other
purposes, shall be in the State where the bank
is located. Rejected, q to 1l.-Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Highly, Of Cal, from the Select Com
mittee on the charge against Mr.. Blair, Of
Missouri, moved that the evidence be printed.
Mr.. McClurg, of Missouri reminded the
House that when the report was made, he
waived his remarks in order that the tax bill
might be acted on. He regretted that the
military member, Blair, was not now present.
The military member had the audieiiy to at
tack four radical members from Missouri, in
a clandestine manner and made personal al
lusions against them that he Blair never ut
tered in his printed speech.
Mr.. Dawes, of Mass, offered resolution
calling upon the President to communicate to
the House, copies Of all letters, notes, tele-
grams, orders, and other documents, which
are referred TO in his message of yesterday,
which have connection with the answer TO
the resolution asking whether f. p. Blair, Jr,
holds any appointment or commission in the
military service.
Mr.. Brown, of West Virginia moved to lay
the resolution on the table.
Mr.. Brooks, of n. Y, offered an amendment
that the President communicate to the House
as soon as possible all vouchers or dispositions
in his possession, or in the possession of the
Treasury department, respecting the fitting
up of bureau in the Treasury department
for printing money, bonds, or other obliga-
tons of the United States.
Mr. Brooks amendment was objected to
as having nothing to do with the pending re-
solution, aud he attempted TO make a speech
upon it; but was called to order a second
time, both by members and the Speaker of the
House but was finally directed by the Speaker
TO take his seat. Much confusion ensued and
Mr.. b. was allowed to proceed, in order. He
again commenced, branching off from the sub
ject before the House, and was called to or
der by the Speaker. He then took his seat.l
Mr.. Dawes resolution calling for informtion
relative 10 Mr.. Blair, was agreed TO.
The House took up the bill relative TO pro-
viding a Republican form of government for
States subverted or overthrow by the re-
bellion.
Mr. Garfield, of Ohio, offered preamble,
quoting remark heretofore made by Mr.. +,
F. Blair, Jr., to the effect that Secretary
Chase is making use OF income from aban-
doned plantations to carry out the programme
OF the Pomroy circular, and was against the
administration that gave him place.
Mr.. Ancona, Of Penn, objected to the in
PRODUCTION OF ii, and therefore it could not be
entertained, general consent be required I'M
der the rules.
The House took recess until o'clock.
EVENING SESSION.
Mr.. Stevens, of Penn, offered substitute
| for the bill To provide Republican govern
| ment for States overthrown or subverted by
rebellion, declaring that the Confederate
States, by waging an unjust war, have NJ
| RIGHT 10 claim exemptions from the extreme