The Portland daily press., 1866-12-20

Douglas, Chicago, and burn the city, and SEN
fenced to death therefor which sentence was
commuted to imprisonment for life, and whose
fulEpardon was now recommended by the Flor
ida Legislature.
On motion of Mr.. Stevens, the Senate
amendments to the deficiency bill were taken
from the Speakers table and concurred in.
On motion of Mr.. Ward, the Secretary OF
the Navy was directed to communicate to the
House statement of the amounts charged TO
the State Departments since the first of May,
1866, for services rendered by naval vessels.
The House proceeded in the morning hour
to call the committees for reports.
The bill reported yesterday by, Mr.. McRuer
from the Committee on Public Lands, to
amend the acts of granting lands to Oregon,
to aid in the construction of a military road
from Eugene City to the Eastern boundary OF
Oregon, was taken up, read three times and
passed, 70 to 25.
Mr.. McRuer, from the Committee on Pub
hc Lands. reported bill granting lands to Or
egon, to aid in constructing military wagon
road from Dale City, on the Columbia River,
to Fort Boise, on the Snake River.
The bill was explained and advocated by MIR.
McRuer and Mr. Henderson, and opposed by
Mr. LIE Blond. saf
On motion of Mr.. Thayer, an amendment
was inserted that the grant made by the bill
should not embrace any mineral lands of the
United States.
The bill was passed 76 to 35
Mr.. Briggs, from the Land Committee, re-
ported bill to amend the act of March Sd,
1865, granting lands to Kansas, for railroad
purposes. After some debate, the bill was re-
committed. -Hslf
ported back the bill to amend the second Sec
ton of the act to authorize the Legislatures of
Illinois, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee to
sell school lands.
MIR. Ashley, Of Ohio, said he should not vote
1or any bill recognizing any OF those rebel Leg
'slatures or bogus States. He suggested pro-
yiso that the act should not apply to any of the
late rebel States
The amendment was agreed to and the bill
was passed. sO s-
Mr.. Ashley, of Ohio, offered resolution to
pay Messrs. Arnell, Campbell and Hawkins,
members from Tennessee, mileage for the last
session. Referred to the Committee on Mile
age.
On motion of Mr.. Julian, the Committee on
PUBLIC Lands were instructed to inquire into
the expediency of attending to the homestead
act SO as to require from the settlers an oath
that he had not borne arms against the United
States. 3 .,-.
Mr.. Ingersoll offered a resolution in refer
ence to contracts for Indian goods, which was
objected to this morning, and it was agreed to.
The House then went into committee OF the
whole. MIR. Lawrence, of Pennsylvania, in the
chair, and resumed the consideration of the
legislative, executive and judicial appropri-
Mr.. Grinnell moved to strike out the appro-
priatlon for the Executives Clerk of PardOns,
on account OF the abuse of the pardoning
power, which was agreed to.
MIR. Benjamin moved to add to the paragraph
appropriating six millions for collectors and
and sssessors of the internal revenue, pro-
vlso that no collector or assessor shall be en-
titled to his salary until confirmed by the
Senate. "ie
Mr. Chandler thought that it would simply
amount to an intimation to those officers that
they should keep themselves a -i,tt
Alter some discussion as to appointments
and removals made by the President, Mr. Ben
jamin's amendment was adopted.
Mr. Randall in defending the action of the
President in removals from Office said Presi-
dent Lincoln had written letter saying he
Randall-must be defeated at all hazards. He
was only sorry the war had not been carried
farther into Africa
Mr.. Maynard moved to give the Secretary au-
thority to employ ladies when feasible. Adopt
Mr.. Chanler wanted the paragraph stricken
out and wanted the meaning of the consttu-
tional phrase vacancies which may happen
etc" determined.
A rambling debate ensued ON removals from
Office.
The question was then taken on Mr.. Farms
worths amendment to strike out the whole
paragraph for extra compensation, and it was
agreed to-
On motion of Mr.. Harding an amendment
was adopted directing the preference to be Civ
en- to persons in INDECENT circumstances and
dependent on those who had fallen in the ser
vice.
Mr.. Deming called for the correspondence
touching the joint occupation of the Island of
San Juan, w ashington Territory.
MIR. Randall called for further information
about the occupation of Mexi an soil by Unit
ed States troops, with the understanding that
tomorrow be devoted to general debate.
The House then adjourned.