The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-12-14
xxx OoNGRHss--sECOND SESSION
SENATE.

w ASHlNGTON, DtC lr
Mr.. Chandler, from the Committee ON Com
merce, reported a joint resolution to amend
the 9th section of the bill for the protection o.
tne nVes OF passengers on steamboats, so as 70
allow STEAMBOATS, to carry matches without
slowing them in fire proof safes. Read
three times and passed.
Mr.. Yates introduced bill to provide fol
the publication of amendments to the Consti
tuition of the United States. Referred to the
Committee on Reconstruction. A
Mr. Howe offered a resolution, which was
adopted, instructing the Committee on Pub
lie Lands to report upon the expediency O.
printing the report of the Commissioner Of the
Land Office for the year ending June, 1866, in
different foreign languages for distribution al
the Paris Exposition.
MIR. Wade moved that tomorrow be Sc
apart for the consideration of the bill tG admit
Nebraska and Colorado, but subsequently
withdrew the motion and gave notice that ht
should call up the bill tomorrow.
Mr Sherman introduced resolution calling
upon the Secretary OF the Treasury for tn,
names of the National Banks that had moi
complied with the rroyisions of the law re
Adopted.
Mr.. Morgan introduced bill making all We J
sells propelled by steam amenable to the navi
cation laws to be under the control and di
rection of licensed pilots. Referred.
Mr.. Wade introduced a bill making the
OF Columbia appointable by the Supreme
Court Referred
The District of Columbia suffrage bill was
taken up, the question being OH Mr.. Dixon's
amendment to attach qualifications of reading
and writing to the name of the voter.
MIR. Foster favored the bill and in conclusion
expressed fear that the ballot, in the hands o.
ignorant freedmen, would be used by the very
men against whom the friends of unuualifieG
suffrage desired to protect them. He wished
MIR. Dixon's amendment was stronger. Ht
would be willing to move an amendment to i
that this qualification shall not apply to those
who have served in the Union army. Ht
thought it would be well. if practicable to su-
peradd to education good moral character
He would vote for the bill if the pending
amendment was adopted Without it he should
not
Mr.. Cowan reiterated his views already ex
pressed against the bill and amendment.
Mr.. Frelinghuysen replied to Mr.. Cowan
that this was an ex post facto law. In punish.
ment it provided for rebels. There was a diff
ference between absolute rights and condi-
toned rights. A mans life would not be taker
away without conviction for crime, but Leg.
islature could take away the right to vote
Mr.. Il. contended for universal suffrage and op
posed the pending amendment
Mr.. Wilson was opposed to making reading
and writing test. He did believe that they
were great to the voter, but if this amendment
Should prevail, the cause OF education would
be retarded in the District. The same bitter
hostility to the colored race thad had prev all.
ed would be continued.
Mr.. Hendricks was in favor of an intelli.
gence basis in this particular case, but would
vote against it because the people had express
ed themselves strongly opposed to negro suf-
frage. q
Mr.. Lane would vote for it on the principle
that all just Governments derived their power
from the consent of the governed
simmer n,4 H.,
amendment because the votes of black loyal
lists were needed nOw and lust as the District
votes, SO will the South.
The question was taken on Mr.. Dixon's
amendment to add proviso that no person
not now entitled to vote should he allowed to
vote hereafter unless he shall be able to read
and write his name.
Yeas-Messrs. Anthony, Buckalew, Dixon,
Doolittle, Fogg, Foster, Hendricks, Nesmith
Patterson, Riddle and Willey-11.
Nays-Mesars. Brown, Cattell, Chandler,
Conness, Cowan, Cresswell, Davis Edmonls.
Fessenden, Frelinghuysen, Grimes, Harris,
Henderson, Howard, Howe, Kirkwood, Lane
Morgan, Morrill,, Norton, Poland, Pomeroy,
Ramsey Ross, Salisbury, Sherman, Sprague,
Stewart, Sumner, Trumbnll, Van Winkle,
Wade, Williams and Wilson'S.
Fowler, Guthrie, Johnson, MeDougN, Nye and
Yates-7.
Mr.. Yates said he had paired with Mr.. John
son. He would have voted in the negative and
Mr.. johnson in the affirmative.
Mr.. Wilson offered an amendment in two
sections. First Furnishing those who offered a
brlbe at an election. The second, Furnishing
those who accepted it. For offering a bribe,
the punishment, fine of $1,000 or two years
Imprisonment, or both. For accepting bribe,
the punishment is one years imprisonment and
dlsfranchisement thereafter. Adopted. ~
The question was then upon adopting the
bill reported as substitute for the bill referred
last session.
Various verbal amendments were then offer
ed and adopted, after which the bill passed by
yeas 81, nays 13, as follows:
Yeas-MesSrs Anthony Brown CattelI
Chandler, Conness, Cresswell, Edmonds, Fes-
senden, Fogg, Frelinghuysen, Grimes, Haines,
Henderson, Howard, Howe, kirkland, Lane,
Morrill,, Morgan, Poland, Pomeroy, Ramsey,
Ross, Sherman, Sprague, Stewart Sumner,
Trumbull, Wade, 'Willey, Williams and Will
son-32 u HFE -
Nays-Messrs. Buckalew, Cowan, Davis,
Dixon, Doolttle, Foster Hendricks, Nesmith,
Norton, Patterson, Riddle, Salisbury and Van
Winkle-13.
Messrs. Yates and johnson were absent
paired.
Absent or not voting -Cragin, Fowler, Guth-
RE johnson, McDougall, Nye and Yates.
The bill now goes to the House.
On motion of Mr.. Fessenden the deficiency
bill passed by the House, was taken up order
ed to be printed and referred to the Finance
Committee.
The Senate at P. M. adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Paine introduced bill to erect a light
house at the entrance of Mendoza harbor,
Michigan. Referred =
On motion of Mr.. Hurlburt, a number of
three from the Committee on Public Expendi-
lures, was authorized to proceed to New York
Custom House frauds, Sc.
Mr. Scholhald introduced bill to extend
the jurisdiction of the United States Court in
the western District of Pennsylvania. Re-
ferred.
Also, a bill relative to the rank and pay of
the army officers. Referred to the Committee
on Military Affairs.
Mr. Cooper presented the credentials of Mr..
Wiley, as Representative from the I'd Con-
gressional District of Alabama. Referred to
the Reconstruction Committee.
Mr Bidwell offered resolution instructing
the Postofficc Committee to inquire into the
expediency of re-establshing Southern Over
land Mail route from San Francisco via. Los
Angeles to Memphis. Adopted
Mr. Jencks, from Civil Service Committee,
reported substitute for the civil service bill
Recommitted and ordered to be printed
Mr. Meyer, from the Naval Committee re-
ported back the Senate bill of last session. re-
leasing to +. Lyon the interest of the United
States in Alabama. Read three times and
passed. 10
Mr. Brandegee reported from the Naval
Committee bill for payment to Commander
Preble of the Navy, his pay from the 10th of
July, 1862, as if the order discharging him had
never been issued.
Discussion arose, Mr.. Washhurne, of Ili-
nois opposing it on the ground that it proposed
to give pay to this officer for time he was out
o. service. The bill was finally referred to the
Claim Committee.
Mr.. Lawrence, of Pennsylvania, introduced
a bill repeating the 14th section of the act of
July 2Sth, 1866, to protect the revonue, and Or
dering the Direct Tax Commissioner in the in.
surrect onary Districts, to impose fifty per
cent penalty and ten per cent. per annum in
terest on unpaid taxes Referred
Mr. Miller introduced a bill for the appoint
ment Of Revenue Assessors and Collectors
throughout the United S ates. Referred.
Mr. Stevens introduced q bill 20 re-estabish
civil government in North Carolina, to ena-
BILE it to resume its former relatians as one of
the constituent States of the American Union
He stated that he did so at the request of sew
erai gentlemen from North Carolina. Refer
red to the Committee ON Territories, and or
dered to be printed.
Mr.. Stevens bill for the admission of North
Carolina, recites that whereas certain persons
have heen appointed to assist the President in