The Portland daily press., 1866-12-18
xxx UONGREss--sEoOND SESSION.


| T WASHINGTON, Dec. II.
A .mmunication was received from the
Secretary of War in response to a resolution
asking if the Commissioners provided for by
an act of 1864, for the payment of loyal owners
ct enlisted slaves, have been appointed, ETC.
The communication was accompanied by a re-
port which was referred to the Military Com
mittee.
recent meeting of loyal citizens, without re-
| spect to color, held at Norfolk Va, asking fol
the reorganization OF the government OF Vir'
ginia, &c.
Mr.. Salisbury objected, as under the rule
OF the Senate the proceedings of a public
meeting could not be received unless they
come in the form of a memorial. +t
MIR. Sumner said this was not simply the pro
ceeedings of public meeting-it was in the
nature of petition f
The question on the reception of the docu-
ment was put and carried, and the document
was referred to the Reconstruction Committee
MIR. Wade presented petition for re-annex-
alton of the city and county of Alexandria to
the District of Columbia. Laid ON the table.
Mr.. Wilson reported fayorably the House
resolution for the erection of a monument to
the memory of the late Lieutenant General
Scott.
Mr.. Trumbull introduced bill to provide
for amendments to defects in the proceedings
OF the courts of law. Referred to Judiciary
Committee. t
Mr.. Sumner presented bill to punish those
who induce the emigration of free colored per-
sons under false pretences. Mr. Sumner said
there were persons here from foreign coun-
tries endeavoring to persuade colored persons
to emigrate, but virtually to inaugurate sort
of Coolie trade. Referred to Foreign Commit
tee.
The bill to repeal the Presidents amnesty
power was taken up. s5 .s .ys...
On motion OF Mr.. Wilson, the Military Com
mittee were discharged from the further con-
SldpratiOn Of fha hill ta
peace establishment" A&
On motion of Mr.. Wilson. the Secretary of
War was instructed to furnish the Senate with
the reports of the Assistant Commissioners of
the Freedmens Bureau, and a synopsis of the
local laws applying to the blacks in the late
slave States.
Mr. Irumbull said popular impression eX-
listed that the repeal of the 18th section of the
confiscation act would take away the Presi-
dents power OF pardoning rebels; such was
not the fact. He has power by the Constitu-
tion to grant reprieves and pardons for often
ces against the United States, except in cases
OF impeachment Decisions have settled his
power to pardon before or after conviction
ne can retain property by imposing that con-
dition.
Mr.. johnson enlarged on the foregoing.
Mr.. Hendricks insisted ON his right to the
floor on the Nebraska BILL which he opposed
on the ground the population is too small, and
claimed Tor the South representation equally
Mr.. Brown offered an amendment providing
that at general election a majority of voters
decide that there be no denial of the franchise
on account of race or color.
Ihe Senate postponed all other business at
Two O'CLOCK to listen to eulogies ON the late
Senator Wright of New Jersey
After memorial tributes to the late Senator
Wright by Messrs Cattell and Davis, the SEN
ate adjourned.
Mr. Washburne, of Illinois, offered a resol1l-
tOu directing the select committee on the New
orleans riot to investigate the alleged frauds
In the New Orleans Custom House and the
appointment of rebels therein to the exclusion
OF Union men, and into all matters connected
with the administration of affairs in that Gus
tom House. Adopted.
MIR Harding, of Illinois, offered the follow
ing: ~
Resolued, That the House of Representatives
OF the Congress OF the United States will give
unfaltering support to the Executive Depart
ment OF the Government, to vindicate the
time honored policy of this Republic against
foreign armed Intervention which tends to the
destruction of Constitutional liberty on this
Continent, and especially commend the tore
OF the National voice in reference to the Re-
public of Mexico. Adopted. q
Mr. Cook offered the following:
ResO!0ed, That the Committee on Banking
and Currency be instructed to inquire into
the expediency of providing by law for the
WithdraWal OF the currency issued by the ma
tional banks as fast as the same may be done
without injustice to the banks, and of supply
ing the place with legal tender notes issued nv
the Government of the United States. Mr.
Cook then moved the previous question.
Upon this resolution Mr.. Brandagee demand
ed tellers. H
/ The motion for the previous question was
seconded by a vote of 58 to 49,
Mr.. Brandagee called for yeas and nays saw
ing he wanted to see who was in favor of de-
stroying the national banks
/ Inc yeas and nays were taken and resulted
IN yeas TO, nays 60. SO the resolution was re-
jected.
Mr.. Ross offered the following:
ReSol0ed, That it is the sense of Congress
that no more Government bonds shall be issu-
ed that are not subject to the same rates of
taxation as other bonds.
Mr. Thayer moved to lay the resolution ON
the table. lif
Mr.. Ross called for the yeas and navs On
that motion, but the House refused to order
them and the resolution was laid ON the fable
Mr.. Parker offered the following: -.
/ ReSotUed, That the Committee on BANKING
anu currency be instructed to report bill,
preventing for some temporary period a fur
ther wltndraWai OF legal tender currency.
MIR. Washburne, of Illinois, suggested the
resolution should be modified so as to direct
the committee simply to inquire into the ex-
.pedlency of reporting such bill.
Mr.. Morrill, moved to lay the resolution on
the table.
The question was taken by yeas and nays
and resulted in yeas 88 and nays 3d. So the
resolution was tabled
Mr. MoultOn offered resolution DIRECTING
the Committee on Territories to INQUIRE into
the expediency OF inviting and authorizing
loyal citizens of the United States residing in
the districts of country recently in rebellion
except Tennessee, to form constitutional State
Governments, and to provide for the restora-
tiOn of Suph St9tag to al tha nj, i:
ties of States in the American Union.
Mr.. Bingham made point of order that the
resolution must go to the Reconstruction Com
mittee. He wanted to know how MANY Re-
construction Committees were to be appoint
ed.
The Speaker sustained the point of order
and the resolution was accordingly referred to
the Reconstruction Committee
The Senate amendment to the concurrent
resolution for adjournment over the holidays
was concurred in.
A translation of the letter from the Empe-
ror OF Russia acknowledging the joint resolu-
tion congratulating him ON his escape from as
sassination, was read and applauded.
The select committee on the murder of Uni
ted States soldiers in South Carolina, was, on
motion of Mr.. Dawes, instructed to INQUIRE
! also into the case of Henry Miller, Indicted
and sentenced to death at WATERFORD. South
| Carolina, as a spy for the Union army.
The Committee On Foreign Affairs was in.
SGTuc6eu TO report WneCnef the good offices O1
| the United States should not be employed il
restoring peace to the State of South Carolina
Mr.. Stevens reported a pension appropria.
| ion bill. 1t was made the special order fol
| January 4th.
Mr.. Schenck offered a resolution directing
| the Judiciary Committee to inquire into the
| sale of colored man in Maryland, under the
| sentence of a court.
Mr.. Stevens made speech on the subject, in
| which he said it was the duty of Congress tc
| give to Maryland Republican form of Gov
ernment which it has not now. Referring &c
the sale of colored man at Annapolis, Mr.
| Stevens said the amendment abolishing slav
cry made an exception of those convicted O
| crime. Maryland was not the only State
where occasion was taken to sell colored peo
pie into slavery. Not many weeks ago two yer,
respectable persons, gentleman and wife, hac
called upon him and told him they had JUS
come from Florida, where it became too warn
for them. The day before they left they saw
some negroes sold into slavery, at public auc
tion-some of them for seven years-and saw
several others whipped with stripes ON thei
naked backs, at whipping post, under thu