The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-02-06
BY TELEGRAPH
TO THE DAILY PRESS.
Tuesday Morning, February 6, 1855.
WASHINGTON, Feb. s.

bil0 ItpOTb vi O6Il. IlOUerbS, SCttuS ioioi hiS
views as to the best mode of retaining the
swamp lands in the basin of the Mississippi.
Mr.. Fessenden called up the House joint re-
solution from the Committee on RecOnstruc
ton, proposing an amendment to the Consti-
tuition basing representation upon population,
and excluding from representation all persons
denied the right of suffrage on account of col
Or
Mr. Sumner took the floor in opposition to
the resolution, and offered substitute declar-
ing that all persons shall be equal before the
law, in civil and political rights. Mr.. Sumner
advocated his substitute at length.
MIR. Sumner characterized the proposed Con-
stitutional amendment as nothing else than
another compromise of human rights. 1t was
wrong to admit in the Constitution that man
could hold property in man, and also the kin
dred idea of inequality of races. The present
proposition was an amendment which, like
crab, goes backward! There are now four
millions of citizens robbed of all share in
the Government. At the same time they are
taxed directly or indirectly for its support. It
SIS now proposed to recognize this tyranny of
taxation as not inconsistent with the guaran-
tees of Republican Government, With sin
cere Difference for valued friends with whom
he differed, he submitted that the time had
come at last when all compromises of human
rights should cease; especially there should be
no thought of three handed compromise
which, after degrading the Constitution an
nounces benificent power; and lastly, Dor
rowing an example from Pontius PLATE, turn
ed out whole race to sacrifice. He continu-
ed to great length, and without concluding,
the Senate went into Executive Session. Ad-
journed. $50 BGFEfTl5
HOUSE.
Mr.. Blaine introduced bill which was re-
fprrQ0 tn the GOynU,iffoa ON, cfr ot;o
providing for taking the census of the United
States prior to the LIST of October. &&
Mr.. Ross offered resolution for an amend
ment to the rules, so that one day of the week
be devoted exclusively to public business, and
to be known as 'White Mans Day." Tabled.
Mr.. MeClurg offered resolution instructing
the Reconstruction Committee to inquire into
the expediency of reporting bill to levy con-
tributions on the seeded States, to deiray the
expenses of keeping up standing army to
preserve peace. A debate arising the resolu-
ton went ovor.
Mr.. briggs offered resolution which was
adopted, instructing the Committee on Recon-
struction to consider the subject of removing
the National Capitolin order that its site may
be accommodated to the population, and great
er security be rendered to the Legislature by
removing it from the possible attack of foreign
enemies and domestic menace. ,s.afH4
of the Freedmen's Bureau bill. t...-aF
bill was introduced prescribing the oath
for all public officers, to the effect that one
taking it, never signed the ordinance of seces-
sion, or voted for any measure of hostility to
the United States, neverheld rebel office above
the rank of Colonel, and never voluntarily
aided the rebels pecuniarily, etc. Referred to
Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Kelso introduced joint resolution pro-
posing new article to the Constitution in eff
feet reducing any Stote becoming rebellious to
the general Government to the condition OF a
territory.
joint resolution was introduced proposing
to States to amend the Constitution in the last
clause of the 8th section of the LIST article, to
read as follows, "To make all laws which shall
be necessary and proper for carrying into exc
cution all the powers vested by the Constitu-
ton in the Government of the United States,
or in any department thereof, and enforcing
all obligations, prohibitions or disabilities i'm
posed thereby, on the several States compris-
ing the same" Referred to Judiciary Com
mittee.
A resolution was adopted that the Ways and
Means Committee inquire into the expediency
of repeating the provision of the revenue law
allowing the majority of fines for infraction of
the law to go to the informer.
The Senate bill to protect all persons in
their civil rights, was referred to the Commit
tee on Judiciary.
The Senate amendments TO the bill making
appropriations for pensions were agreed to. !
A joint resolution for the distribution of five
hundred copies of Madison's writings, was
passed.
A resolution was passed that the Military
Committee inquire into the expediency of en-
ploying colored troops for the construction of
railways. .
A report from the Election Committee was
made that r. E. Trowbridge is entitled to a
seat from the 9Th District Of Michigan.
A bill was introduced providing for census
to be taken by the u. S. Marshals, under the
direction of the Secretary of the Interior, be-
fore the LIST of October. Referred to the Re
construction Committee.
Mr.. Trimble opposed the bill charging the
powers of the Freedmen's Bureau.
Messrs. Grinnell and Mckee favored the
bill. "
Mr.. Eliot, from the Committee on Freed
mems Affairs, offered several amendments to
the pending bill SO as to provide that the es-
tablishing of the Bureau shall extend to refil-
gees and freedmen in all parts of the United
States, and authorizing the President to divide
the section of country within which the priv
llege o. the right of habeas corpus was sus-
pended on Feb II, 1886, containing such freed
men and refugees into districts, each contain
ing one or more States, and not to exceed 12
in number. He said this amendment limited
the jurisdiction the Bureau, and was confined
to States where the writ is now suspended.
Mr. Raymond STATED that the letter from
Gen. Sherman to the. President had been Civ
en- him for publication in his newspaper, Gre
lative to the negroes on the Sea Islands), and
was furnished by gentleman from South Car
DINA. 1t was not given for presentation to
Congress, as inferred from the remarks of Mr.
Chandler few days since.
Mr. Raymond then spoke in favor of the bill
under consideration. t..
Mr.. Eliot defended the BILL ~'' -
An amendment was moved that none of its
provisions shall be enforced in Kentucky
The bill and amendments will be voted on
to-morrow.-Recess until O'Clock.
At the evening session Mr.. Hubbell, of Ohio
Randall, of Penn, and Mr.. Lawrence, of Ohio.
made speeches.-Adiourned g..
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