The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-12-11
xxx OONGREss--sHOOND SESSION.
SENATE.
EHT

Retrenchment, reported with amendments, the
bill introduced by Mr. Williams on the first day
of the session, in regard to the tenure of offices:
1t prohibits removals without the consent OF
the Senate. Mr.. Edmunds gave notice that he
should call up this bill on Thursday. -,
The bill to regulate elective franchise in the
District of Columbia was taken up on motion
of Mr.. Morrill,.
Mr.. Trumbull previously tried, and failed, to
call up the bill to repeal the amnesty power OF
the President
Mr.. Poland presented memorial of the Wool
Growers Convention of Vermont, urging tie
protection of their interests. Referred
MIR. Ramsey offered a resolution that the
Committee on Public Lands inquire into the
expcdiency of making agricultural and me
chanical college land scrip receivable IN pay
ment tor prescriptions. Adopted. -s1-f
Mr.. Chandler introduced a resolution pro-
viding for the better security of the lives OF
passengers on board steam vessels. Referred.
Mr. Howes presented a bill providing that a
ed States shall have the benefit of the laws OF
the State in which he is imprisoned. Referred
to Judiciary Committee. ., .r. f't p
Mr.. Brown offered the following resolution,
which was agreed to: Hh t4
Resotred, That the Committee on Post Offices
and Post Roads be instructed to inquire into
the expediency 0i authorizing the Post Office
department TO construct and operate telegraph
lines along the principal mail points, or such as
1t may deem necessary or to contract with lines
vlsabie, for the use and control of such lines;
and i'll connection with the postal business to
establish offices at such points may be deter
mined upon, open at all hours to the public and
press, for safe and speedy transmission of dis
patches under proper regulations, and at q fix-
ed minimum rate, the committee to report by
bill or otherwise. s' -. r-a.ft-,,. -H 90
Mr. Trumbun moved to take up the bill re-
pealing that part of the confiscation act con-
terring power on the President to grant par
uODS. The motion was lost .s '
The bill to fix the franchise in the District of
Columbia was taken up. 1t provides that all
males, except paupers and wards, are entitled
TO vote, and for Furnishing persons who defeat
these provisions. a a.a.
The committee in the District of Columbia
recommend as substitute, a bill excepting all
who had left to aid in the rebellion, and pro-
vides for the registration of voters
Mr. Morrill, explained that il made no dis
tinction of color, and defended the Senate from
the attacks of the press. ttft
Mr. Wiley remarked that it was rather hard
to disfranchise the District rebels who had no
voice in national affairs but ought to have in
municipal. He moved an amendment striking
out the clause disfranchising those who could
not read and write ~.
The amendment was divi led when Mr.. Will
son appealed to the Senate to allow those who
had fought in the army and who owned prop
erty or belonged to Christian church, to vote.
Poor men needed the protection of the ballot
Mr. Anthony moved to amend sOsas to ex-
clude aiders of the rebellion.
Mr. COwan asked who was to determine the
existence of the disqualification. The people
OF the District We're not guilty until tried.
Mr.. Anthony replied that there was a way of
establishing the first provided for
The question was then put on Mr.. Anthony's
amendment and it was adopted. ~ ~
The question was then taken on Mr.. Wiley's
proposition, the first section having been strck-
en- ont by yeas Al, nays l. and the Senate
fused to adopt it. l' ifiu= fisiI
@J% ,t,eI;+
ton of the Committees for the original bill.
Mr.. CowaD moved to amend the first section,
second line, of the substitute, by striking out
the word male" before person. He said this
demanded, az it would he, by fifteen millions of
american women, and granted to negroes. He
demanded the yeas and nays. fsfs5
The Senate at $50 o'clock, on motion of Mr.
Anthony, adjourned. 'i sL
HOUSE. = - l5ss t4' tft
Under the call of States for bills, the follow
ing were introduced and referred: BY Wood, of
New York. to guarantee certain States that
have been in rebellion republican form of gov
ernment; by Mr. Darling, granting right to
land submarine cable of the American At
lantio Telegraph Company; by Mr.. Rogers, to
repeal the neutrality laws; by Mr.. Bingham, to
declare valid and conclusive certain proclama-
tions OF the President, and acts in pursuance
thereof
The following resolutions were offered and
adopted:
BY Mr.. Rollins instrueting the Committee
on Naval Affairs to report a bill making the
heads of the mechanical departments at the
various navy yards subject to the approval of
the Senate; by Mr.. Eliot, directing the iSecre-
tary of War to communicate information in
reference to the Norfolk riot, April 10th, 1866,
and to the imprisonment in Georgia, Of Rev.
VIM. FiDcher, Missionary to the freedmen;
by MIR. Perham, calling for information as to
pensioners in the rebel States; by Mr.. Alley,
calling for information as to the mis- manage
ment of the Brazilian Steamship Line; by Mr.
Rice, of Maine, directing the Committee on
Commerce to report legislation for the better
security of passengers in United States vessels;
by MIR. Hart, calling on the President for infor-
nation as to all pardons granted by him; by
MIR. Broomall, ipstructing the Committee on
Ways and Means to inquire into the expedien-
cy of abolishing the per cent. internal reve-
nue. tax on manufactures and products of me-
chanical skill; by Mr.. Kelly, declaring the prop
osltlon that the war debt of the country should
not be extinguished by the generation that
contracted it, is not sanctioned by sound prin-
ciples of economy and does not meet the APP
proval of the House; referred to Committee on
Ways and Means. By Mr.. Spaulding, directing
the Reconstruction Committee to inquire into
the expediency OF preparing joint resolution
declaratOry of the purpose of Congress to ad-
nit the rebelious States on the ratification by
them of the Constitutional amendment, and
the establishment of a republican form of gov
ernment, which was adopted.
Ihf hOsS OHtTeu GcSOltltlOu bilc
Committee on Banking to inquire into the ex-
pe'liency of withdrawing the national currency
and substituting greenbacks. Laid on the Ia
ble by vote of So TO 3d. gfse .r I
Mr. Harding, of Illinois, offered resolution
instructing the same committee to report bill
prohibiting any diminution of the national
tenders and currency and to discourage issues
of bank bills under National and State laws.
Laid on the table, "a to Co.
The select committees are announced as fol-
IN fnfc
Shellabarger and Campbell; on the murder of
United States soldiers in South Carolina,
Messrs. Pike, Farnsworth and Cooper; on
Southern railroads, Messrs. Maynard, Chung,
Mercer, Washburne, of Indiana, and Chandler;
on Internal Revenue frauds Messrs Darling,
Beaman, Eggleston, Meyers and Trimbe. N'1
The House took up the bill to fix the time for
the regular meeting of Congress, which was
passed-127 to 30. E-.- 1.
On motion of Mr. Hale the Judiciary Com
| mittee were instructed to inquire whether any
breach of privilege has been committed in the
arrest and imprisonment of MIR. Culver, MEM
Der of Congress from Pennsylvania
The bill to provide for the payment of PEN
sions came up and passed. us1H.4
On motion of Mr.. Bromeley the Committee
on Commerce was instructed to inquire wheth-
er any freight vessels were engaged in the
coastwise trade contrary to law. -i'ei-
On motion of Mr.. Walker the Committee on
Ways and Means was instructed to inquire in
| to the expediency of reducing to per cent the
tax on the manufacture of harnesses, saddles,
| tin ware lumber wagons and carriages .bl
| Mr. Buckland moved that the Military Com
mittee inquire into the expediency Of passing
| q law for the relief Of soldiers who have acci-
IDENTITY lost their discharges. Agreed to. l7t
Mr.. Julian moved that the Committee on In
| valid Pensions inquire into the expediency of
allowing pensioners to receive the amount of
their pensions from the date of their discharges
Mr.. Mouton moved the Judiciary Commit
| tee inquire into the expediency and constitu-
tionality of repeating the law to pay owners of
| slaves for the loss thereof Agreed to. 81 q
! The Standing Committee on Freedmen's Af-
| fairs was announced as follows: Messrs. Elliot,
| Orth, Bingham, Taylor, OF New York, Swan,
| Grnnell, Paine and Marshall.
The President sent in message in answer to
the resolutions of inquiry in regard to the oc-
| cupation of Mexico by United States troops,
and the arrest of John ii. Surratt. Referred.
| Mr.. Ancona moved that the Military Com
mittee inquire into the expediency of appoint
| ing men who had served meritoriouslv, to COM
.,r.I