Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-06-08
CONGRESSIONAL.


WAsHIxGToY, June 7-SEHATE-AIr. Morgan
presented the petition OF Union officers engaged
in the cultivation of cotton against the proposed
tax on cotton. which was referred to the Finance
Committee.
At o'clock the Reconstruction resolution was
Mr.. Davis, of Kentucky, took the hoor in oppo-
sitiOn to the resolution.
Mr.. Rausing introduced a bill for the relife Of
the U. S. Express Company, which was referred
to the committee on Finance; it provides for the
issue of duplicate bonds lost by fire, January 80
1866; on N. Y. Y f. r. r. while in possession Of the
f.. Company. The 100 bonds were of the denOm-
ination of 800 1000, and 50 dollars. dated June l5
iS6g. Also similar notes of July 1865, and Au-
gust Is, 1864 a few IS Of 1851, are included The
whole issue amounts to 100000 dollars.
Mr.. Sherman from the Select Committee on
Incorporating a National Telegraph Company,
reported bill to aid in the construction of the
telegraph lines, and secure to Government use of
the same for postal military, other purposes. 1t
authorizes the National Telegraph Company,
WHICH was organized April 10, 1866 under the laws
of New York, to construct and maintain lines
through the United States, allowing any military
or Post-road: provided there shall be no obstruc-
ton to ordinary travel by land or navigation of
the rivers, with the right to steam and timber
from public lands in the construction to suit lines
and with grant of public land not exceeding one
quarter sectiOni for each Geographic station.
The ID section gives priOity to the Transmission
of Government dispatches. The Sd Section pro
hibits the transferring of this right of privilege
to another company, without the consent of Con-
gress, provided that the Government may at any
time after three years purchase the property of this
company, at a price agreed to by five competent
and disintereSted persons, two to be selected by
the company two by the Postmaster General, and
one by the other four. The last section reserves
the right Of Congress to grant similar privileges to
any other company.
Mr.. Harris from the Committee on Private
Land Claims, reported n bill to authorize docu-
mentary evidence of titles to be furnished to the
owners OF certain lands IN the city of st. Louis,
which was passed.
Mr.. Henderson called up bill to grant lands
in aid of the construction land of the MOosa Val
ley Railroad, and its extension to the Red river
Mr.. Hendricks spoke in opposition to the bill
until ! o'clock, when the morning hour having
expired, the Reconstruction resolution was taken
up on the pending question, which was on the fol-
lowing amendment submitted in behalf of the
Committee of Fifteen, by Mr.. Williams:
Strike out the second section and insert in lieu
thereof the following: Section ,: Representatives
shall be appointed among the several States ac-
cOrding to their respective numbers. counting the
whole number of persons ia each State, excluding
Indians not taxed and whoever has the right to
vote in any election held under the Constitution
and laws of the United States of any State. de-
MED to any portion of the male inhabitants of such
State, being citizens of the United States, and
twenty One years of age or any way abridged
except for the participation in the rebellion, or
other crime the basis of representation shall be
reduced in the proposition, which the number of
such male citizens, twenty-one years of age
Mr.. Davis took the floor in opposition to. the
joint resolution. He spoke of the backwardneSS
of the public business which he attributed to the
desire on the part of n majority to elevate and
agrandize what was called the Freedmen. He
then advocated what he termed the difference be-
tween the President and the majority, that the
President was right that his policy was but con-
tinuation of that of his predecessor, and that the
majority in Congress were now denOuncing him
because he refused to be a supple tool IN their
hands. Mr.. Davis spoke from one o'clock to half
past four in the evening At the conclusion Of
his speech the Senate adjourned.
lIOUSE-Mr. AEcOna offered n Joint resolution
in reference to Indian treaties, which not being
agreed to, he moved the previous question on It's
passage.
The House refused to second the call for the
previous question; when Mr.. BuTleigh, of DakO-
tah moved to postpone the further consideration
of the joint resolution until Monday next, when
he promised to show that the money appropriated
by it, and most Ofwhich was actually spent,
being squandered by the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs in violation of law. The motion was
agreed to.
Mr. Hubbard introduced bill securing home
steads to actual settlers, and encouraging the
planting of forest trees. which was referred.
1t gives quarter section of land destitute of
timber, to any person who will cultivate not less
than ten acres, and plant not less than ten acres
more in forest trees.
On motion of Mr.. Window, the Secretary of
War requested to report the expense for suppress
ing the Indian hOstitieS in 1864 and lS65-he also
introduced bill granting the State of Iowa land,
to aid in constructing the st: Lous and Cedar
Rapids Railroad, which was referred.
League Island Naval Depot bill was then taken
up. Mr.. Myers speaking in favor of 1t.
Mr.. Thayer followed on the same side.
Mr.. Spaulding stated that he had been mem
COngTess'an had not occasion to view the locality
well known as League Island 1t occurred to him
that there was such thing as having too much
experience. If the project were carried into
effect it would necessitate an enormous outlay of
public money. lie feared that League Island was
rather too secure from the approach Of n foreign
foe. For portion of the year League Island was
on account of ice inaccessible from the ocean.
Mr.. Kelly interrupted Mr.. Spaulding to say,
that the record showed that in forty years the
City of Philadelphia had never been ice-locked.
There had never been day when vessels could
not make their way to and from the ocean.
Mr.. Spaulding closed by declaring himself in
favor of the substitute offered by Mr.. Brundalga
yesterday, authorizing Commission of scientific
and competent men to examine all sites offered
Mr.. Randall made n speech in favor of the bill
He had been authorized this morning by n com
petent man to state that he would checrfully take
u contract to place League Island in thorough
condition for the object proposed IN consldera-
ton for land now covered by the Philadelphia
navy yard. He thought he would make money
by the operation.
was for the interest of Congress and the country
TO have the best site for the navy yard that could
be found in the United States, and therefore he
could not see any valid objection TO the adoption OF
the substitute of League Island, near the present
site. 1t was reasonably certain it would be
commended by the commissioner contemplated
by the substitute. lift were not the best then no
one should wish it to be taken. lie did not care
to go beyond that single consideration. If he
looked farther he found that one board of naval
officers and the Naval Committee of this House
had examined League Island and had reported
against it..
Mr.. Leblanc interrupted Mr.. Raymond to say
that he inferred from what he said that he was in
favor of the substitute but he was somewhat Gu
riOUs to know how he was going to vote on the
question.
Mr.. Raymond replied that he did not know
which to admire the most, the extraordinary skill
or ingenuity, with which the gentleman drew his
Inference or his GOODNESS IN putting such ques-
Mr.. Lebland stated that he put the question up
on the history of the gentlemans course during
this season.
he intended to vote for the substitute of the gen
tleman from Ohio.
Mr. Lebland-That was the natural conclusion
from the past history of the gentleman from New
York.
Mr., RAYMOND said that the inference which thu
gentlemen from Ohio, Mr. Leblanc, assures me
that he and that side Of the house draw is credit
able to their candOur well as to their lntelll-
gence. We may learn from this instance as well
as from others to which he has alluded, that the
inference which he and his associates have taken
the liberty of drawing concerning my action has
no foundation in fact ! have never said or done
anything to give countenance to the charge. The
gentleman charges me with voting for the third
section of the Constitutional amendment. after
speaking n speech against II. l beg to inform the
gentleman, tLebland) that did such thing. l
spoke against that proposition, and should have
voted against it, If the gentleman and his aSSocl-
ateS had not joined then our side, who were IN
favor of IT, 20 prevent my having chance TO vote.
| do not think the gentleman can claim any par
tculaTs of that transaction, whenever he and his
friends continued with those among my own pc
htical friends. with whom | do not entirely con-
cur, TO prevent me from voting, so as 10 express
my sentiments.
/ shall vote as please, without asking his con
sent that of his associates. II he can md any
thing in the record of his Votes of those of his
associates. of which he thinks he can be proud OF.