The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-12-18
xLth CoNGREss-seoond Session.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec 17-Mr. Sherman re-
ported from the Committee on Finance bill
to fund the national debt and for conversion Of
United States notes. Laid over and ordered
to be printed.
A number of petitions were presented and
referred relative to dealings with Indians, re-
peal of cotton and internal taxes. Pacific Rail-
road, etc.
Mr.. Howard, from the Committee on the Pa
cific Railroad, reported joint resolution to
change the time of holding the annual meet
ing of the stockholders of the Union Pacific
Railroad Company, with an amendment that
the term of office of former occupants shall
cease after the election of new officers. Adopt
ed. ~ }
Mr.. DAVIS offered resolution requesting the
President to furnish the Senate with a state
ment OF the aggregate cost to the United
States since June 80, 1866, of the freedmen,
with the cost of the Freedmen's Bureau and
the measures for reconstruction.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Maine, suggested to amend
by including the words land the expenses of
refugees"
Mr.. Davis said he had no objection if it was
separately stated.
After discussion the resolution was laid over.
The bill to repeal the cotton tax was taken
up, and debated by Mr.. Conkling, who moved
to postpone the further consideration of it I'M
til February.
Mr.. Williams opposed the motion.
Mr.. Morton spoke against the bill, though he
said the present tax was too high
The debate was continued at considerable
length by Messrs. Conkling, Hendricks, Cor
bitt, Davis, Ste wart and others.
Mr.. Doolittle took the floor to speak in.favor
of the bill, but gave way to an executive ses-
sion, after which the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Mccormick, member elect from Missou-
ri, took his seat.
Mr.. Orth offered resolution reuuestinp in
formation from the President as to whether the
amount required from the Chinese Govern
ment under the treaty of 1853 for the payment
OF losses sustained by American citizens, has
been distributed sc. Adopted.
MIR. Stevens asked unanimous consent to re-
port bill relative to the reconstruction of the
South. Objections were made and it was not
received.
Mr.. Garfield, from the Committee on Mill
fary Affairs, made an adverse report on the
petition OF an officer to be allowed credit for
public funds stolen from him while in the SER
vice. He said this was intended to cover the
whole of this class of cases. Laid on the table,
The Committee on Military Affairs reported
back the bill relative TO officers of the army
discharged or cashiered by sentence of general
court martial. The bill declares that no officer
OF the army, cashiered or dismissed from the
army by sentence of a general court martial
and approved by the proper reviewing author.
1ty, shall ever be restored to military service
except by ieappointment confirmed by the
Senate.
The bill passed-yeas 116, nays 81.
The House proceeded to the business ON the
Speakers table, and disposed OF some, mostly
by reference to committees.
AT 2 IL o'clock the House went into COM
mittee of the whole, Mr.. Howes in the chair.
Mr.. Boyer delivered q speech against i'm
parchment.
Mr. Pike of Maine addressed the committee
against the payment of bonds in specie and
against the exemption of government securi-
ties from taxation.
The committee then rose
The Speaker presented executive communi-
cations. Among them one from Gen. Grant
relative to the removal OF Secretary Stanton
and Gen. Sheridan Referred to the Commit
tee on Military Affairs.
AT 430 the III )use adjourned.