The Portland daily press., 1867-07-18
WASHINGTON, July IL.

Petitions were presented and referred
Mr.. Anthony called up the bill providing
that the section of the appropriation bill of last
session shall not be construed to prevsnt the
necessary pruning OF documents at tne dlHer-
ent departments
After debate, on motion of Mr.. Anthony, the
bill was amended so as to apply only to the
Treasury Department, and was then passed.
Mr. Wilson introduced the following amend
ment to the Constitution, which was ordered to
be printed and tabled:
ART. =. No distinction shall be made by
the United States among citizens in their civil
or political rights on account OF race, color or
previous condition.
Mr. Sumner from the Committee ON Foreign
Relations reported bill carrying into effect
the Convention of 1the Republic Of Venezuela,
for the adjustment of claims, etc., which was
considered and passed.
Mr.. Sumner called up the bill introduced by
him yesterday that in the District of Column
bia no person shall be disqualified from hold
ing office on account of race or color.
The bill was passed-25 to 8.
On motion of Mr.. Pomeroy, the bill provid-
ing Tor commission to select reservation for
the Indians was taken up and debated by
Messrs. Harlan, Sherman and others
The debate on the Indian bill was continued
at great length, and it was still pending when
the Senate adjourned
On motion of Mr. Grimes, the Sena.e voted
to adhere to its amendments to the bill for the
relief of deserters. l.y. q
So the Senate refused a committee of con-
ference, and the House must recede or the bill
will fail.
t415 p NJ the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE,
Mr. Colburn introduced bill to provide for
the election of electors of President and Vice
President of the United States in the States to
be formed out of the territory included within
the late Confederate States except Tennessee.
Referred to the committee on reconstruction
On motion of Mr.. Cobb, the President was
requested to communicate all information re-
ceived at the several departments of the gov
eminent, touching the organization of parties
for real or pretended purpose of avenging the
death of the Arch-Duke Macmillan or Of in
terfering with Mexican affairs. Also, whether
any measures have been taken to prevent such
organizations or the sailing of any such expe
dition.
Mr.. Butler rose to personal explanation in
reference to an article in the National Intell-
gencer of yesterday, commenting ON Mr.. Ell
bridges statements some days since, that the
rebel commissioner of exchange, Ould, had Of
tered to deliver up, without equivalent, 10000
Union prisoners of war, sick and wounded,
which offer had been refused. He denied the
truth of the statement, and sent to the Clerks
desk and had read letters and kilograms which
had passed on that subject in the fall of 1854
Mr.. Julian asked leave to offer resolution
declaring that the doctrine avowed by the
President in his message of the 18th inst, that
the abrogation of the rebel States binds the
National government to pay their debts in
CURED prior to the late rebellion, is at war
with the principles of international law and a
deliberate stab to the National credit abhorent
to every sentiment of loyalty, and was pleas
ing only to the vanquished traitors by whose
agency alone the governments of the said
States were overthrown and destroyed
Mr.. Burr objected, and the rules were sus-
pended, rs to IS, and the resolution introduced
Mr.. Julian moved the previous question, and
modified the resolution by adding after the
word TRAITORS, allies and sympathizers.
The previous question was seconded, and the
resolution adopted by strict party vote-10O
to IS.
The Senate amendment to the act in regard
to reported deSerters was now cOncurred in,
and committee OF conference asked for.
The Senate bill for the further security of
equal rights in the District of Columbia was
received.
MIR. Judd proposed to amend. by inserting
the words, emitting colored men to be select
ed and to serve as jurors" which was agreed
to.
On motion of Mr.. Schenck, the bill was re-
"ferred to the Judiciary Committee, with leave
to report at any time.
The Speaker announced the following COM
mittees:
Select Committee on Education in the Dis
tlict of COlumbia-Messrs. Stevens of Penn
sylvania, Van Arnam, Williams of Indiana.
Longbridge and Archer.
Additional members to the Joint Select
Committee on Retrenchment, Messrs. Jenckes
and Benjamin,
BILE and resolution reciting the report as to the
organization of expeditions against Mexico,
and requesting the President to issue procla-
nation requiring all proper officers of the Unit
ed States to prevent them. Referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Mr.. Stevens asked leave to introduce bill
to allow mileage to such Senators and Repre-
sentatives as are present at this adjourned ses
sion.
Mr. Broomall objected.
Mr. Stevens then moved TO SuSnnnd the ruleS
which was refused-46 to g.
Mr.. Covode offered, as question of privilege,
the following preamble and resolution:
Whereas, Andrew Johnson, President of the
United States, did on the 4th of July, 1867, at
the request OF the counsel of John III. Surratt
cause to be issued to Stephen L. Cameron, of
the rebel army, and one of the most notorious
violators of the laws of war full pardon for all
crimes, III order that his credibility might be
increased as witness to aid in the exculpation
OF said Surratt from participation in the muir
der OF Mr. Lincoln thus showing his sympathy
with the men who murdered the President
therefore, be it
ResoLUed, That the Judiciary Committee be
instructed to examine into the foregoing
charge, and report the evidence to the House
in the first week of the next session, together
with all evidence in the impeachment case.
Mr., Covode remarked that he had put the
language of his resolution in the mildest form.
(Laughter.) He could have made it much
stronger.
11lUSE ueDdb6 bue TeSOluUlOu Was agreed TO,
and the preamble rejected.
The Speaker presented a report from the
Secretary of the Interior, in reference to the
House resolution of yesterday, On the subject
of the Washington Monument Association
Laid on the table and ordened to be printed.
Mr.. Brooks rising to question of privilege,
presented an affidavit of Wells Hackody, COL
Ored, denying every important allegation in
his former affidavit, presented on the part of
Mckee centesting the seat of Mr.. Young from
the 9th Congressional district of Kentucky,
denying that he had ever made such state
ments to Mr.. Mckee, who drew the first affi-
davit and stating that that affidavit had never
been read to him at the time he was sworn
to it.
After debate it was referred to the Commit
ter on Elections.
Mr.. Schenck moved to suspend the rules in
order that he might introduce bill to restore
the Bureau of Indian Affairs to the War De-
partmeut.
Before disposing of the motion, the Speaker
presented a message from the Senate ANNOUNCE
ing that that body adhered to its amendments
to the bill IN reference to reported deserters
and declined committee of conference.
On motion of Mr.. Ashley, of Ohio the
House reccded from its disagreement to the
Senate amendments, and the House at P. M
adjourned.