The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-03-15
XLTH OONGREss---FIRsT SESSION.
WASHINGTON, March IA

SENATE.
Mr.. Pomeroy introduced bill authorship
the Postmaster General to contract Will t .ho
Commercial Navigation Company ior ;ne
weekly transportation of European anu ioioi5 IL
mails between New York and bre.len 'ouon-
mo at Sonthamnton and authorising guar
antee ON behalf of the United statues vi bonus
to said Company to an amour, noS GSAncee9lng
three millions and a half OF dollars Inc CON-
Dany to fit out within one year seven hrst class
sbins for the service named. The bonds to he
lssIied ON the completion of the same, but moi
10 a greater amount than so per cent of the
value of each respectively. The compensation
of the Company for the service rendered is moi
TO exceed in amount the whole sum received
for postage on the letters newspapers. etc.
transported. Referred to the Post Office Com
mittee.
Mr. Wilson introduced bill authorising the
secretary OF War to take possession of that
porCon OF Long Island in Boston harbor be-
longing TO James f. Austin, for the purpose OF
ereeung thereon fort, ETC., paying therefor
10000 as agreed upon between the owner and
the agent CT the United States. Referred 10
the Military Committee
Mr.. Fessenden reported back from the Com
mlttee on Public Buildings and Grounds, ad-
versely upon the joint resolution OF Mr.. Will
son, prohibiting the use of liquors in the Capt.
tU, but presented an amendment TO the JOINT
rule providing that no liquor shall be oHered
for sale or kept within the Capitol, or any room
adjacent thereto, and that the Sergeant-at-
Arms of the two Houses shall enforce the pro-
VISIONS, and any officer or employee who snail
violate the rules shall be dismissed from ONCE
Mr.. Ramsay, from the committee ON Post
Offices, reported back favorably the bill auth
oring the Atlantic Telegraph Co. OF New York
to make soundings and lay cable on the
American coast 70 connect with the French
coast.
A bill was reported and passed, appropriat-
inc GDD0 00 pra0Inp- etc. the CanitOl
grounds The committee on pensions Was in
structed to enquire into the expediency of put
ting pensions granted by the special acts OF
Congress on the same footing with those grant
ed under general laws.
Mr. Trumbull called up the supplemental
reconstruction bill.
Mr. Drake offered several amendments which
after discussion were disagreed to IL to q.
NIT. Drake then moved to amend the fourth
section by adding the following proviso:
provided that no such constitution shall be
considered as emitting the State for which il
Is framed to such representation unless it pro
vide that in all elections for State, county and
municipal officers the electors shall vote by
closed ballot, and such mode of voting shall
never be changed without the consent OF Con-
gress"
Mr. Drake advocated his proviso at length
and it was opposed by Messrs. Conkling, Fes-
sender, Wilson, Morton, Henderson, Bucka-
lew, and Corbett.
Pending the consideration of the amendment
the Senate went into executive session and
soon after adjourned.
Mr.. Covode asked leave to offer resolution
for the appointment of a select committee tt
investigate the charges of irregularities in the
Treasury Department made through the press
and in the House; also to report to the House
the present outstanding Government indebt
edness as represented by currency bonds, com
pound interest notes and other promises to
pay, the deficiency exhibited by the books, and
accounts, amount of over issue, and if any
whether coupons of duplicated bonds have
been presented; and if so what amount of such
has been redeemed. Also to inquire into al
other Irregularities, &c.
Mr.. Chanler objected, as the last clause was
too indefinite, and opened up too wide field
of enquiry. 4f
Mr.. Covode gave notice that he would move
on Monday to suspend the rules SO as to offel
the resolution.
Mr.. Julian introduced bill to fix the time
for the election of Representatives and dele
gates in Congress- and bill to constitute egh
hours, a day. work for all mechanics and La
bOrers employed by or on behalf of the Gov
eminent. Referred to the Judiciary Commit
tee.
Mr.. Wood presented petition of Mayor
Hoffman and citizens of New York for the ex
tension of the same privilege to sailors honor
ably discharged as is now extended by law to
soldiers.
The Speaker presented a reply of the Con.
gressional printer to the inquiry contained in
resolution on the 18th of March, respecting
the purchase of printing paper. Adjourned