The Portland daily press., 1866-05-18
by TELEGRAPH.
TO THE DAILY PRESS.
Friday Morning. May l8, 1856.
xxx CoNGREss---First Session.

The bill prohibiting the transportation of
nluo-glycerine on passenger vessels or rail
roads was passed.
The resolution appointing examiners to eS-
anime site for fresh water basin for the IRON
clad navy at Portland Maine, was passed. An
amendment to include New London, Conn,
| was voted down.
The bill granting lands to- aid in the con-
struction OF railroad from the Central Pacific
railroad, California, to Portland, Oregon, was
passed.
The Diplomatic Appropriation bill was Ia
ken up.
Mr.. Sumner Withdrew his amendment in
creasing the salary of the chief clerk OF the
State Department to $500, and offered sub
stitute, creating the office OF a second Assist
ant Secretary at that rate, from the first OF
June, which was adopted by cne majority.
On motion of Mr. Trnnbull, the section
providing for the office of Solicitor of the
State Department at $1,000 annually, was
stricken out by four majority.
On motion of Mr.. Sumner, an amendment
was adopted that the salary of Minister Plen-
| ipotentihy and Envoy Extraordinary shall be
that OF Minister Resident, except in countries
now represented by ENJOYS Extraordinary
On motion OF Mr.. Buckalew, the appropria-
tion for secret service OF contingent fund OF
the State Department was reduced fiom $S0,
coo to $50,000. The bill then passed.
The West Point Academy bill was taken
up. fat 'a
The amendment recommitted by the FL
| nance Committee, striking out sundry provi-
| SOS of the bill, the effect of which amend
ment is to leave open the few remaining va
cancles in CcadeUships at West Point for the
loyal men in the Southern States, was adopt
I ed. rl.-.,t .s 8
Mr. Wilson offered an amendment prohibit-
| ing the appointment of men who have served
in the rebel army or navy to, the Naval
| Academy or as cadets at West Point.
Mr.. Doolittle moved to insert the word "vol-
UNFAIRLY" Disagreed to, 8 against %.
Mr.. Irumbull offered an amendment, that
no vacancies in States and districts not repre-
sented in Congress, shall be filed while said
| States and districts are unrepresented. Dis
agreed to. 80, =,
Mr.. Wilson's amendment was adopted and
the bill passed. q an
Mr.. Wade submitted an amendment intend
| ed to be appended to House resolution III,
proposing an amendment to the Constitution
| of the United States 1t is as follows:
ART. 2, Sect. 1.-No State shall make or en-
force any law which shall abridge the priVi-
leges or imnunities of citizens of the United
States, nor shall any State deprive any person
OF life, liberty or property without due process
of law, nor deny to anv person within it's ju-
risdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Sect. 2.-No class of persons as to the right
OF any of whom to suffrage any discrimination
shall be made, shall be included in the basis of
representation unless such discrimination be
in virtue of impartial qualification, founded on
intelligence or in property, OF because of al-
ance, or tor participation in the rebellion, or
other crimes. - rg
Sect. 3.-The public debt of the United
| States, including all debts or obligations which
have been OF may hereafter be included in sup
pressing or in carrying on the war in defence
of the Union, or for the payment of bounties
| or pensions incident to such war and provided
| by law, shall be inviolable and shall not be
| taxable by any State for debts or obligations
| which have been Or may be hereafter incurred
| in aid of the insurrection Of war against the
| United States, and claims for compensation
for loss OF involuntary or servilc labor shall
not be assumed or paid by any State, nor by
the United States.
Sect. 4-Congress shall have power to con-
firm by appropriate legislation the provisions
| of this article. ma tsts
Mr.. Crimes introduced joint resolution as
! follows, which was referred to the Committee
on Naval Affairs: ~ Ak
| KesoIoed, That the resolution approved July
| 1st, 1864, regarding the investment of the
Naval Pension fund is hereby amended to re-
/ quire such portions of said fund as are there
by ordered to be invested in registered securi-
| ties of the United States, to he made perma-
|
interest per year in coin, payable on the 1st of
January and lst OF July. Provided, that moth
ing herein contained shall be construed to
amend or alter aforesaid resolutions, except as
far as relates to the mode of investment.
Mr.. Sherman wished an understanding as to
a special order for the consideration of the
/ funding bill.
| Mr. Fessenden expressed himself opposed to
| the funding bill, and urged the immediate con-
| S0pr4finn Of tha EOptificatiOn hill AdiOuru.
| ed.
Mr.. Kasson, from the Committee on Coins,
| Weights and Measures, reported bills to arl-
| thoriZe the use OF the metre-system of
weights and measures; directing the Secreta-
ry of the Treasury to furnish each State one
set of standard weights and measures of the
metre-system; to authorize the use in the
the Post Office of weiahts of the denomina-
tion of gramme; and to authorize the Presi-
| dent to appoint special commissioner to fa-
| cilitate the adoption of a uniform coinage be-
tween the United States and foreign counties
All of which were passed.
A new Bankrupt law was reported, which
was laid over until next Tuesday.
The Tax bill was then taken upin Commit
tee of the Whole.
The special tax in regard to the proprietors
of gift enterprises was increased from $50 to
$1C0. The paragraph in relation to minors
was after debate stricken out. The paragraph
relative to express carriers was amended by
adding the words :" and agents :" by increasing
the minimum limitation of business from $500
to $1,000 per annum, and by exempting team
sters and draymen who own one dray or team
| A new paragraph was added taxing grinders of
coffee, spices OF mustard, or authorizations
thereof, 500. The roasters Of coffee are also
to pay the special tax assessed upon grinders
At the close of portion of the bill imposing
special tax, the following proviso was added !:
Provided, That the payment of any tax in
this act levied or provided shall not be held or
construed to exempt any person carrying on
any trade, business Or profession herein speci-
fed, from any penalty or punishment provid-
ed by the laws Of any State for carrying on
such trade, business or profession within such
State, or in any manner to authorize the COM
mencement or continuation of such trade,
business or profession contrary TO the laws OF
such State, or in places prohibited by munich
pal law, nor shall the payment of any tax
be held or construed TO prohibit or prevent any
State from placing duty or tax for State OF
| other purposes, or any trade, business or pro-
fession taxed by this act. ~.
The paragraph amending section 90 of the
present law was amended by adding the follow
ing:
In any port of entry within which is EN-.
braced more than one collection district, the
, Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authoriz-
ed to put all the bonded warehouses in such
port under the charge of one collector of in
te1na revenue, to be by him designated, and
the collector so designated shall have entire
charge and control of all matters connected
with such bonded warehouses, and to the
property stored therein.
No other material amendments were adopt
ed.
The Committee after disposing of twenty
three pages of the bill rose, when the Speaker
presented message from the President of the
United States, transmitting communication
from the Secretary of War, and letter from
1t. Gen. Grant relative to the necessity fol
legislation on the subject Of the army.