The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-12-05
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PORTLAND DAILY PRESS.
Wednesday Morning, December s, 1886
xxx uoNeREss--sEcoND SESSION.

xxx u0NGRESS--sECOND SESSION.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.
Mr.. Sumner gave notice of his intention to
introduce tomorrow a series of resolutions de-
claring the entire control of Congress over
the subject of reconstruction, and the right to
exclude the late rebelious States from repre-
sentation in Congress, and from voting on
amendments. 1857 ? 5f~ :. TaI
A motion to take up Mr. Chandler's reso-
lutions, offered yesterday, calling for informa-
ton about Mexican affairs, was lost.
Mr.. Chandler called up the bill passed by
the House yesterday, repeating the section Of
the act OF 1862, giving amnesty power to the
President. f'A9s ~ 81 ~ I
Mr.. Chandler's motion was lost lir
The Senate then adjourned.
tiEVS HOUSE. -tt
An additional rule was adopted for appoint-
ment by each Congress of the standing COM
mittee on Freedmen's Bureau affairs. als
The Banking Currency act of the last ses-
sion came up in order, and was postponed un-
til the third Tuesday in December.
Resolutions were adopted referring the
bounty bill of last session to the Military Com
mittee for amendment, and the increase of
members pay to the Judiciary Committee for
repeal. ~ - = = v y II ~ :
A resolution was adopted instructing the
Committee on Territories to inquire into the
propriety of providing Territorial Govern
mentS Tor the late rebel States. 1 ts-. .-sFlo
Mr.. Wentworth introduced resolution in
sisting on the adoption of the Constitutional
Amendment before the House. Agreed to-
The bill making provision for separate bu-
reau for the Comptroller Of Currency was
postponed to Thur sday week, 4kgf-a 5
resolution was adopted asking the Secre-
tary of War to report the number of drafted
men who failed to appear for duty Il 3
The bill to repeal the tax of 800 on grocers
who grind their own coffee or spices, was read
and referred.
Mr.. Ingersoll offered the following resolu-
tom
THE President of the United States is here
by respectfully requested to inform the House.
if not incompatible with the public interest.
how near the verge of the Government the
present body called a Congress, is at present,
merly supposed (Laughter.} z
MIR. Eldridge demanded the yeas and nays,
which were refused and the resolution was re-
jected. &B Be- F
A resolution of inquiry was adopted as to
the movements of Santa Anna and Ortega
Mr.. Spaulding introduced bills which were
read twice and referred, as follows: For the
protection of the Government piers, break
waters, and other harbor improvements; to
provide for navy yard at the naval station
for the upper lakes at Cleveland. s-
Mr. Lawrence, of Ohio, introduced a bill to
repeal so much of the Civil Appropriation
bill as increases the compensation of mem
bers.
Mr.. Schenck offered an amendment provid-
ing for the refunding of the increased COM
pensation received by members. Read twice
and referred to the Judiciary Committee. r
Mr. Lawrence introduced bill to reduce
the mileage. Referred to the Committee ON
mileage. = -
On motion of Mr.. Stevens. a committee of
hve was appointed to enquire what the Gov
eminent has done for the Southern people
since the war, the amount of money expend-
ed 1or them, and their present condition.
Resolutions of inquiry as to the removalsof
Postmatters, &c, were introduced and laid
over for one day under the rule.
On motion of Mr.. Darling, committee of
investigation on the Internal Revenue frauds,
especially in regard to distilled spirits, cigars
and tobacco, was appointed.
A bill providing for the election of dele
gate from the District of Columbia, and inn
partial suffrage therein, was referred to the
COmmitter ON the District.
A bill was introduced to increase the salary
OF the United States District Judges of Con-
nectieut to $4,5oe, and referred to the Judic-
ary Committee. s.
Mr.. Banks introduced bill to amend the
act incorporating the Soldiers and Sailors
Orphan Home. Referred
A resolution of inquiry was adopted in re-
gard to the effect of a repeal of the tax ON
cotton.
Mr.. Boutwell, made the following personal
statement; I have observed in some news
papers what purports to be report of some
remarks made by me in the caucus of the
Union members of the House last Saturday
evening The report to which refer is, in
many particulars, quite incorrect What /
SAID said very collected, and will now
repeat it substantially to the House.
gave notice to the caucus that it was nv
purpose at an early time to introduce resolu-
tlon calling for the correspondence between
the State Department and our Minister at
Rome, III reference to John HI. Surratt, and
expressed the desire my friends should sup
port the passage of the resolution If there
should be any opposition or doubt aboutit,
then said, believed as cooly as am standing
here now, that 1 had good reason to believe the
Executive Department had knowledge for
many months of the place where Surratt was,
that he was employed in the army of the Pope
at Rome; that it had for months knowledge of
the regiment and company in which, and ofthe
name under which he was serving; that it had
observed report of his arrest and escape. and
that thought under all the circumstances it
was time the country should know whether it
was so or not. / therefore desired the resolu-
tion which intended to introduce YESTERDAY.
should be supported by the Union members Of
the House. Now will say for myself / have
good reason for believing, and believe have
the best reason for thinking, that so early as
Mry last, the Executive Department of the Gov
ernment had knowledge of where Surratt was
did not say on Saturday night, neither do 1
say now, nor have l said anywhere that the
Government has been at fault in not procuring
his arrest but when 1 left the city last July, I
did expect very soon the country would have
known that the arrest had been made But
week after week transpired, and month after
month passed away, and there was no public
information that his arrest had been made. 1
did say in public speeches had good reason to
believe the Government had knowledge of the
whereabouts of Surratt 1 have, now, this to
say: Further correspondence has been called
for. When it appear, the House and country
will see whether or not the Executive Depart
ment had that knowledge. The House and
country will also see whether the Government
has taken all the means as were in its power to
procure his early arrest. On that point have
no knowledge whatever. If it shall appear
have been mistaken as to the fact that the Gov
ernment had knowledge, there is no person in
the House or in the country who will more will
lingly retract than SHALL" have this to say
further, while am opposed to the President
of the United States, and to his policy, shall
make no warfare upon him which do not con-
slider fair and legitimate. shall not attempt
here, or elsewhere, to misrepresent and abuse
him, but what do mean to undertake and per-
form to the best of my aUilitv is, to ascertain
whether he has been true in the great office
which he holds. IF it shall appear he has
been true, there is no citizen of the country
who will more readily recognize the fact. IF,
on the other hand, it shall prove otherwise,
then, as a citizen and Representative, shall
perform ms duty to the country. Adjourned.