The Portland daily press., 1867-12-13
XLth o0NaREss-seoond Session.
WASHINGTON, Dec. II.
SENATE

-.. SENATE.
Memorials were presented and referred.
Mr.. Sherman, from the Finance Committee
reported the House bill repeating the Cotton
tax, and gave notice that he would call it up
tomorrow. f-e-=
Mr.. Patterson, from the Retrenchment Com
mittee, reported resolution, which was
adopted, that in the present unsettled condi-
ton of the country, contracts for stationery
and other supplies for the Executive Depart
ments shall not be made for more than one
year, and that bidders shall have notice and al
lowed to be present at the opening of the
bids. =
Mr.. Nye introduced bill to amend the va
rious acts establishing the Navy Department.
Referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
On motion of Mr.. Sherman, the bill relative
to the proceeds of captured and abandoned
property was taken up and debated at consid-
cradle length. eEseE ono N
Mr.. brakes resolution was taken up, and
Mr. johnson proceeded to discuss it at length.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Johnson's speech,
the resolution was laid over until Monday and
the Senate took up the concurrent resolution
of adjournment over the holidays. After
short debate the resolution was rejected-18
to 20 eoe
The President transmitted to the Senate a
voluminous document giving his reasons for
suspending Secretary Stanton.
The Senate at about 4 o'clock went into ex-
ecutive session and soon after adjourned.
HOUSE.
Various petitions and Executive commune
cations were presented and appropriately re-
ferred. GAA 90 -ia - p t+
Mr.. Eliot offered a resolution directing the
Committee on Commerce to inquire into the
causes that have produced the present de-
preston in the shipping in the United States,
and whether our maritime interests do not re-
qulre remission OF internal revenue duties on
materials entering into the building of vessels,
or some legislation to facilitate the transfer of
foreign vessels to American owners.
Mr.: Garfield suggested inquiry, also, as to
whether the return to specie payments would
not be valuable to the Interests of commerce.
Mr.. Eliot declined to admit an amendment
and the resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Banks offered a resolution calling ON
the President for information as to sales of
public vessels since the close of the war;
Adopted
Mr.. Chanler offered resolution directing
the Committee of Ways and Means to bring in
bill levying tax on crests and coats of arms
on articles and household furniture in actual
use. Adopted.
Mr.. Brooks offered a resolution calling on
the Secretary of War for copies of general Or
ders promulgated by the several commanders
special orders issued by them or their subor-
dinates for the execution of the reconstruction
laws or in any way relating thereto.
Mr.. Ward rising to debate it, the resolution
went over under the rule. 1 t5l-. liee#
Mr.. Getz offered a resolution directing the
Reconstruction Committee to inquire, in view
OF the,recent municipal elections of Boston
and PittsbuTg, whether Pennsylvania and
Massachusetts have Republican forms of gov
eminent and do not need reconstructing.-
Went over. 1ho
Mr.. Lawrence of Ohio introduced resolu-
ton directing the Secretary of the Navy to
furnish accounts of the expenses of the late
trip to Europe of the Miantonomah. Went
over.
Mr.. Maynard offered resolution instruct
ing the Committee on Foreign Affairs to in
quire into the expediency of providing by law
that diplomatic and consular representatives
OF the government to Hayti, Liberia. and 9TH
er ports of Africa, shall be selected from citi-
zens OF African descent.
The previous question having been seconded
and the main question ordered, MIR. Chandler
called for the yeas and nays on the adoption
of the resolution, but the vote on the main
question having been reconsidered, Mr.. Chand-
Ter moved to lay the resolution on the table,
and called for the yeas and nays, which re-
sulted-yeas 60, nays ". Adjourned.