The Portland daily press., 1865-02-28

Q0Ql- E4 X ~ T'iihhHS1IoN, FEB. II. D.
communication was received from tho
Secretary OF War, declining to furnish the in
lormauoa called for as to the number of troops
furnished by each State on the different calls
of the President. Nv sAeiA' '''--'
Mr.. Lane, of Kansas, REM rted from the
committee on Agricultural. bin to protect
lmmigrants from being decoyed into the army
The resolution to authorize a contract with
W: d. Powell, for naval picture to cost
e1o,ooU was taken up and discussed.
Mr. sumner offered proviso that the pic
lure should De putup in the National capitol,
ana represent victory ofthe American people
over their own fellow-citizens. f32
The subject went over owing to the ex-
plration OF the morning hour.
A motion to postpone the Louisiana ques-
lion, and take up the tax bill prevailed-yeas
"a, nays II.
Mr. Davis moved its indefinite postponment,
and upon this motion made lengthy speech
upon the conduct of the administration in re-
gard to affairs in Kentucky. ~
The Senate here took recess until seven
O'Clock. 7 o s'a9
EVENING SESSION.
The tax bill was considered. the motion Of
Mr. Davis to postpone it indefinitely having
been rejected.
Mr.. Sherman from the committee on FL
nance said that owing to the late period at
which the bill was received from the House,
the COMMITTEES urged the Senate to pass upon
the numerous provisions of the bill, rather
than discuss them. They report the House
bill with several amendments.
Mr.. Sherman spoke at length upon the
financial question. 3seo s9 -.va
Mr.. Sherman argued that we have passed
tho nf So, l.. l.
lent, thatswe dare not extend it, except for the
highest object of national existence. Every
dictate OF policy, every sentiment of patriot
Ism demanded that the largest taxation now
be fearlessly assessed, and impartially collect
ed. The same general principle must be APP
piled TO tariff as to excise laws, as our in
dustry was now sufficiently protected by the
necessity of custom duties in gold, And we
were in no condition to protect commerce
from competition, because our vessels were
the prey of British pirates. Our immediate
want was revenue payable in gold, We could
not forego that revenue without destroying
our National credit. Our tariff laws must
then be framed solely with view to revenue
the whole duty, modify the present duties,
when such course would increase the
revenue. The true principle is to frame the
tariff laws so as to produce the greatest
revenue from the least importations.
When the war ceases, the English rule should
apply of levying the requisite duties on the
fewest articles with view to increase COM
merce and foster industry. He believed if the
Commissioner of Internal Revenue and his
subordinates did their duty, three hundred
millions would be raised during the calendar
year, and thus give an ample base of public
credit, which would rapidly reduce the pres
ent debt. q s4 9lasa'
II the war should close this year our system
of finance would soon enable Is to commence
the reduction of the debt. ta
Mr.. Sumner opposed any tax on books, and
moved to strike out the clause in the bill of
last year taxing books, magazines and other
printed matter. After debate it was rejected
% against IL.
The amendment Of the Finance committee
TO exempt magazines from the book taxof five
per cent was rejected-l2 to 20. t2@
The Finance committee amendment not to
exempt bibles, testaments and common school
books from taxation was adopted. Adjourned
e HOUSE.
A bill was reported amendatory of the act
Imposing duties on imports. 1t was made |
special order for this evening.
The amendments of the Senate reducing |
in the fertilization bill one half, |
were concurred in. aaa
The amendments to the legislative bill were |
taken up. u
The House voted on the Senate amendment |
to add the defficieDty bill to the one under
consideration and disagreed to it'd against
Is; because the Senate had omitted the ap-
preparation to pay extra compensation to en-
ployees of the House. The bill thus far goes
back to the Senate.
Til, amendatory enrolment bill was then
taken up. The pending section was that which
increases the penalty for 0esertion by dis
franchising deserters who do not return in six
ty days.
Mr. Townsend moved TO strike out the sec
tiou, Negatived after debate.
At this point Mr.. Morrill, reported on the
amendment to the Navy Appro-
pription bill, and it was passed.
Mr.. Chandler offered new section to the
Enrolment bill, repeating so much Of all bills
as authorized the President to raise troops by
CONSUMPTION. Reected-27 against So.
Some other amendments of no particular in
terest were made, when the bill having been
perfected, Mr. Schenck moved the previous |
question. 'as e @
Mr.. Mallory moved to table the bill. Mega
tived aa .s7as
The bill was then passed-s6 against 30
The House here took a recess.
EVENING SESSION.
The House then passed the Senate bill ap-
propriating $1,000 tor Mrs. Lucy Wright, late !
of Richmond, Va, for her courage and patri-
otto devotion in secreting Col. Stright and |
party, and enabling them to escape from the
rebels. .rtsf ssass F'e
The House in Committee of the Whole, con-
sidered the six hundred million loan bill.
Mr. Stevens offered his substitute, viz: to
borrow the money at rate OF interest not ex-
ceeding eight per cent. The bill and Mr.
Stevens substitute were printed several days
ago.
Mr.. Hooper explained the bill.
Fernando Wood spoke OF the erroneous
financial policy of the government and the
corruption and frauds of government officers.
Instead of relying on loans he advocated the
taking advantage OF our min sral lands for rev.
enue, and expressed himself in favor of levy
ing export duties.
Mr.. Hooper reported an amendment from
the committee on Ways and Means, providing
that the act of June, 1866, shall be so con-
strued as to authorize the issue of any descrip-
ton of bonds authorized by this act, and that
any Treasury notes or other obligation under
any act may be converted into any description
of bond. This was agreed to.
Mr.. Wilson offered an amendment to the
first section of the bill to borrow one hundred
millions at a rate of interest not exceeding
7-3 10 per cent. .hsa.oI 3 S "a aia
was amended so that for the $500, 900 600 the
Secretary OF the Treasury shall issue bonds
and Treasury notes instead of bonds and other
obligations. At II o'clock the committe rose
and the House, without coming to conclu-
sion on the subject, adjourned. 'ss 81
From Kentucky.
] Torrrcxrrr II, TEL