The Portland daily press., 1866-01-16
SENATE.

xxx CONGRESS---1st Session.
SENATE. s. s.a.
WASHINGTON. Jan. Is.
A bill was introduced providing for the ex-
animation by Board appointed by the Secre-
tary OF War, of every officer in the army. All
who fail to pass satisfactory examination
shall be put upon the retired list or dropped
from the rolls. Referred.
Mr. Wilson's bill for the reorganization OF
the army, with amendments, was recommitted
to the Military Committee as amended. Ii
provides that the army shall hereafter consist
of five regiments of artillery, twelve of caval-
~, and SIS Of infantry; ten of the latter shall
be colored troops, and eight OF veteran re-
serves.
Mr.. Chandler offered resolution declaring
that. whereas, the British Government has re-
fused indemnity for damages to American
commerce by her subjects in the late war,
therefore, % q
ReSotved, That the President be requested
to withdraw our Minister from the Court of
St. James, and to declare national non-inter-
course between the two nations. pso sff
Objected to by MIR. Dixon and goes over.
A resolution was offered calling for the trial
of Jefferson Davis and Clement G. Clay on the
charges on which they were confined by Mil
itary Commission and Court Ma tial. Object
ed to and lies over. hrg Qu g7si
The bill to facilitate commercial, postal and
military intercourse between the States was
taken up.
Mr.. Foote made speech in favor of the
bill. z Vj W s4l a5I.GE1a8 -
The resolution was referred for the expulsion
from the Naval Academy of James j. Wheel
er, now cadet and formerly in the rebel mill
tary service, and that no person shall be ap-
pointed as a cadet in the Military or Naval
Academy who aided the rebellion.
Various petitions were presented, including
one from the manufacturers of steel, sheet
iron, bronze colors, SALT cigars, &C., asking for
increased import duties. I'd $500 sh5s s
Mr.. Sprague, who presented the latter, spoke
in favor of its designs. ta9t
The Committee on Military Affairs reported
favorably on the bill for the establishment of a
National Academy and Naval Asylum for the
relief of totally disabled officers and soldiers
of the United States army.
Gen. Grant and others are named as coop
orators.
The bill was subsequently taken up. and
amended SO as to apply exclusively to persons
| discharged from the army, and postponed until
| tomorrow. -
A resolution was passed instructing the
Committee on Military Affairs to inquire into
the eXpediency of law creating brevet rank
among those only who have served with dis
tinction in the field, and been commended in
official reports; also of a Board to examine
the qualifications of officers IA asVfxU III
The bill to regulate the elective franchise in
the District of Columbia was taken up, and on
motion of Mr.. Davis, who proposed to debate,
it was postponed until tomorrow.
The Senate then went into Executive Ses-
sion. Adjourned. ,-g
.sLt- 8Ie HOUSE, NlI Eiafi 10 ~
The credentials of the members elect from
| Arkansas were referred to the Reconstruction
| Committee. IN T,fftfrffF Il
An amendment to the Constitution, provid-
| ing that the basis of representation and taxa
| ton shall be the whole number of citizens OF
the United States; but where colored persons
| are denied suffrage, such race shall be exclud-
ed from the basis.
A resolution was offered looking to the ex-
! pediency of an election by black men in the
District of Columbia to decide whether white
men shall vote. Tabled 1873 to II.
! The House resumed the consideration of the
District of Columbia suffrage bill.
Mr.. Kasson opposed the extension of suf-
4 frage without restriction.
The resolution passed instructing the Ways
! and Means Committee to inquire into the ex-
pediency of repeating the two per cent. tax
! on hulls of vessels as launched.
A resolution was passed that the Public
Lands Committee inquire into the healthful-
ness, convenience and location of the Presi-
| uential Mansion, as to its suitableness for the
family of the President, and if not suitable, to
report estimates for a suitable mansion in a
proper location. si. s
A resolution was passed instructing the
Ways and Means Committee to inquire into
the expediency of requiring all fire and marine
insurance companies to invest in Government
securities, and to deposit a certain per centage
OF their capital and receipts in the U. S. Treas
ury for better security, and insured security oil
insured, under such rules as may be prescribed
by Congress.
! A resolution was passed suspending the pub
LEGATION of the remaining volumes of the naval
astronomical expedition to Chill until the Com
mittee on Printing consider and report upon
| its expediency. ~
A resolution was passed instructing the
Banking Committee to inquire into the expe
1 diency OF allowing any existing National Bank
to change its location into any other State OF
] territory.
A resolution was adopted instructing the
Ways and Means Committee to inquire into
/ the expediency of so amending the Internal
Revenue laws so that insurance agents, the
nett proceeds of whose business does not ex-
coed twenty-five dollars per annpm, shall not
be required to take out license.
A. resolution was adopted instructing the
Ways and Means Committee to inquire wheth-
er increased duty should be laid upon foreign
umbrellas and parasols.
A resolution was adopted instructing the
Military Committee to inquire into the expe-
| diency OF including non commissioned officers
musicians and privates in the regular army
who were in the service at the breaking out Of
the rebellion or during any part of it, in any
bounties paid to the volunteers of 1861 and
1862
A resolution was adopted instructiug the
Ways and Means Committee to inquire into
the expediency of imposing license on horse
races where admission fee is charged, and a
tax of five per cent on the gross receipts Of
the proprietors.
A resolution was adopted instructing the Jul
dietary Committee to inquire into the expedi-
ency of amending the naturalization laws SC
that all persons wi be required to read the
Constitution intelligently before taking the
oath supporting it. 'f0G U0itisfk fISH
The House bill to facilitate postal and mill
tary communication between the States hay
ing been returned from the Senate, Mr.. WASH
burrle moved vote by which it was passed to
to be reconsidered with view to have it com.
mitted to the Judiciary Committee, they being
authorized to report any time. Objection was
made and the motion lays over. fyr(r7T.T rzTp
A resolution was adopted, 80 against n, in
structing the judiciary Committee to inquire
into the expediency Of so amending the actre.
lating to the test oath as to allow Attorneys to
practice without taking said oath. 10
| Mr.. Kasson, of Iowa, referred to the state.
| ment in a New York paper involving the
charge of larceny against the late President
and family, which be, after stating that an ex.
animation into the alleged disappearance Of
property had been made by The Committee on
Appropriations, denied as an unfounded SLAM.
der. gs sfis -. ~ ahfa0 s.He. &.
After some debate on the District of Column
bia suffrage bill the House adjourned. ,s33 oo
From Washington. ,',,