The Portland daily press., 1867-04-10
XLth OONGRESS---Executive Session.
WASHINGTON, April ..

ASHlNGTON, APiH -
SENATE. 49,
Mr. Trumbull introduced resolution, w in,n
was adopted, directing the Secretary Vi W d, !.
to furnish to the Senate list OF the haiiiee ,, vi
volunteer officers now in the sernioe VI sIl0
United States, their rank and paft tha uu-
under what law they are retained, anu whether
some of them may not be dispensed with
without detriment to the public service.
Mr. Anthony offered resolution proposing
a. new rnIe that all resolutions calling on De-
partments for information, shall be referrad To
one of the standing committees to inouire in
to the probable cost of furnishing the required
information. Mr.. Anthony said that sucb
calls were frequently made without knowing
the cost involved. Clerks having to be employ
ed for weeks to prepare transcripts sometimes
of little value, 1t would be well to ascertain in
advance the amount of labor required in such
cases, and whether the result would Justify
the outlay
Mr.. Trumbull suggested that the resolution
OF the Senate be referred to the Committee on
Printing, and it took that direction.
Mr.. Thayer said it would be recollected thai
uufing the last session of the 39th Congress a
Senator from Ohio (Mr. Wade) offered reso-
iqtion making inquiry of the President of the
United States in regard to the absence OF Alex
ander Cummings Governor of Colorado, from
mat Territory, and how long he had been alb
sent That resolution was modified before it
was passed, so as to call for information re-
garding the obsence of other territorial officers
from their post OF duty. Mr.. Thayer would
now inquire whether any response has yet
peen received to that resolution.
Inc Chair replied that no reply had been re-
ceived.
Mr.. Thayer offered the folowinr resolution:
heS0tUed, That the President be requested to
inform the Senate, when Alexander Cum
mlngs was appointed Governor of Colorado
Territory, how much time the said Cummings
had been absent from his Territory since his
appointment, and whether by permission OF
not, and how much of said time with permits
sion and without permission, and whether on
public business or not, and whether his salary
has been paid to him during his absence not
and how much has been paid to him as salary
for the time he has been absent from the Ter
ritory.
Mr.. Thayer said he had been informed by
a gentleman who had opportunity of knowing
the fact, that Gov. Cummings, who was ap-
pointed Governor less than two years ago, had
been absent from the Territory eight months
during that time. He was now absent having
been here some four months He therefore re-
garded 1t as his duty to bring this to the
notice of the Senate. He knew Judges of the
Territory to be absent year after year and to
go out to them now and then, as it were n
pleasure trip. Such absences have become 50
habitual as to require the interposition OF
Congress.
Mr.. Buckalew desired that the resolution go
over until tomorrow. He should regret to
have the resolution passed and the Senate aid
Journ without response from the President
and with an ex parte statement of the Senate
before the country. There were explanations
to be given as far as Governor Cummings
present absence is concerned.
The Chair said as objection was made to
consideration of the resolution, it would &c
over.
Mr.. Anthony submitted an order that ZOO
copies of the army register be printed for the
use OF the Senate. Referred TO the Commit
tee en- Printing.
sion