The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-05-29
ssY TELEGRAPH,
TO THE DAILY PRESS.
Tuesday Morning, May 90, 1866.
xxx CONGRESS---First Session.
WASHINGTON, May 2S.
SENATE

WASHINGTON, May 2S
SENATE.
Messrs. Henderson, Wilson. Van Winkle,
johnson and Buckaew, were appointed a
committee to investigate the condition OF the
national banks.
Mr.. Grimes presented the petition of officers
of the Mississippi fotlla for share Of prize
money in captures made by them during the
war. Referred.
The bill tc revive land grants to the States
of Missouri and Arkansas, to construct rail-
road from the Mississippi river to the Texas
boundary, was passed.
A resolution was adopted calling on the
Secretary Of War for all reports on the Mem
phis riots.
A resolution was adopted instructing the
Committee ON Military to inquire into the eX-
pediency ofrepealng all laws authorizing bre-
vet rank in the army, and providing that all
such distinctions be abolished and some other
badge of recognition or reward for gallant
actions or meritorious conduct be substituted.
The bill to facilitate railroad communica-
ton was taken up.
Mr.. CressWePs amendment that Congress
may at any time alter, amend or repeal this
act, was disagreed to. Yeas 12, nays Is.
Mr.. Morrill, made speech against the bill.
The Senate then went into executive ses-
sion after which adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr. Rice of Maine offered resolution,
which was adopted, requiring the Secretary
of State to inform the House what progress
is made in completing the maps connected
with the Boundary Survey under the Treaty
of Washington, with copies of the correspon-
dence.
IT., II,
was adopted, directing the Secretary OF the
Treasury to inform the House what amount
OF gold belonging to the United States had
been sold under his authority since the 1st
inst, and at what rates; also the names OF
the agents through whom such sales were ef-
fected, and what rate of commission has been
authorized by the Department for selling the
same.
Mr.. Williams offered resolution requiring
the President to inform the House whether
any of the civil or military employees of Gov
ernment within the State of Georgia or any
other rebel State, has countenanced or assist
ed in the rendition of public honors to any
traitors either living or dead. Mr.. Nicholson,
of Delaware objecting, the resolution went
over. -s@
Mr.. Stevens introduced bill to enable
States lately in rebellion, to regain their priv
ilegeS in the Union, which was read twice and
referred to the committee of the whole on the
state of the Union.
The bill is as follows: 4n n1frttt
Whereas, Eleven States which lately form
ed Government-so7called the Confederate
States of America-have forfeited all their
rights under the Constitution, and can be re-
instated in some way only through the action
OF Congress, therefore,
Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled, that eleven
States, lately in rebellion, may form valid
State governments in the following man.
ner:
Sect. Estate governments now existing
de .facto, though illegally formed in the midst
of martial law, and though in many instances
their constitutions were adopted nder duress,
and submitted to the ratification of the peo-
pie, and therefore are not to be treated as free
republics, yet they are hereby acknowledged
as valid governments for municipal purposes,
until the same shall be duly altered, and then
legislative and executive officers shall be treat
ed as such. n
Sect. 3.-Whenever the Legislatures OF said
States shall enact, that conventions shall be
called to formed legitimate State governments
by the formation and adoption of State con-
stitutiOns, the governor or chief executive Of
ficer shah direct an election to be held on a
certain day, to choose delegates to conven-
tion, who shall meet at the time fixed by the
Legislature, and form a State government,
which shall be submitted to vote of the peo
pie, and if ratified by a majority of the Ioval
voters, shall be declared the constitution of
the State
Sect. 4-The persons who shall be entitled
to vote at both of said elections, shall be as
follows: All male citizens above the age of
twenty-One years, who have resided one year
in said State or ten days within the election
district.
Sect. 5.-The word "citizensn as used in this
act shall be construed to mean all persons ex
cept Indians not taxed or born in the United
States, OF duly naturalized. Any male citizen
above the age of 21 wears shall be Competent
to be elected to act as delegates to said Con-
vention. 'f--
Sect. 6.-All persons who have held Office.
either civil or military under the government
of tho so-oaIlod Confodaro+o CtotaS NJ An,ori