The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-05-19
by TELEGRAPH,
TO THE DAILY PRESS.
Saturday Morning, May 10. 1866.
xxx CONGRESS---First Session.
WASHINGTON, May IS.
TO THE DAILY PRESS

The Senate receded from its amendment to
the bill to fix the time and change of place of
holding U. S. Courts in Virginia, and the bill
then passed.
Mr.. Sumner presented apetition for the trial
OF jeff Davis by court martial. He had eX-
pressed no opinion upon it, but now that the
subject was before the Senate, he would add
that the trial of Jeff Davis at this time by
judge at Richmond will be one of those great
comedies which will hereafter excite the deris-
sion of the world. The petition was referred.
Mr. Wilson, from the Military Committee,
reported back the bill to provide for the pub
hcation of an official history of the rebellion.
1t authorizes the appointment of a suitable
editor to revise the official documents connect
ed with the war. He also reported, without
amendment, the House joint resolution in ref
erence to appointments to the Military Acade-
my.
The House bill in reference to metric system
of weights and measures was referred to aSen-
ate Committee of five.
The bill to repeal certain sections in the
Pension acts OF 1862, 64 and '65,and substitute
therefor provision giving $25 per month to
persons in the military or naval service who
have lost both eyes, or both hands, or who
have been SO permanently disabled as to re-
quire constant personal aid of another per-
son; and 500 per month to those who have
lost both feet, or one hand and one foot, or
have been permanently disabled to incapaci-
tate them for performing manual labor, but
not so much so as to require constant aid and
protection; and SIS per month to those who
have lost one hand or foot, or SO. permanently
disabled as to materially interfere with the
performance OF manual labor without being
totally incapacitated therefor. The bill also
makes void any pledge, mortgage sale, assign
ment or transfer of any right, claim or inter-
est on any pension, and provides for punish-
ment by fine or imprisonment, or both, of
persons violating the provisions. of this act
1t also provides for pensions for widows or
minor children, or executors of persons who
died in the service.
Mr.. Van Winkle offered an amendment,
providing pensions for the widows and chill
dren of colored soldiers who died in the SER
vice without other evidence of marriage than
proof by other parties that they had habitu-
ally recognized each other as man and wife,
and lived together as such next preceding en-
listment. Adopted.
Several amendments were adopted and the
bill passed.
Two hours were spent in consideration of
private pension bills.
The Senate then went into Executive ses-
sion, after which it adjourned until Monday.
HOUSE.
A resolution was adopted that the Commit
tee on Public Lands inquire whethera system
cannos pe ueviseu 70 encourage tne planting
OF WOODS ana forests IN the sections where
tney are - neeaed.
Inc onl 10 prevent anu PUNISH kidnapping,
was reported back nom the Judiciary Com
mitee and passed.
Inc Dlii recognizing as q post road the rail
ROAD prldge across Lake Champlaln was read
three times and passed.
Inc Dill eStapishns Reform School In the
Distrlct OF Coiumoia, was taken up and after
some discussion, passed. sr3vt5t
A bill was reported equalizing bounties.-
Laid over pnIH next week.
a resolution was reported from the Com
mlttee on Elections declaring Mr.. Delano en-
titled to seat from the 18th District OF Ohio,
ana adopted.
A resolution was also adopted to pay Mr..
Follett, the contestant, $1,000 for expenses
and loss OF time.
The tax bill was considered in committee of
the whole.
Mr.. Wilson offered an amendment to the
93d section OF the present law eXempting
from tax all manufactured articles except re-
fined petroleum, refined coal oil, gold and sill
yer, spirituous and malt liquors, and manufac
tured tobacco and cigars, produced by the la
Dor Of any person or his family, where the
product does not exceed 81 900 annually, at tax
to be levied only on the excess of $1,000, and
where the manufactures are made for others,