The Portland daily press., 1867-12-20
XL,h CONGRESS- Second Session.

~ .alN SENATE. -
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19-The House bill sup
Elemental to the reconstruction act was re-
ferred to the Judiciary Committee.
An unusual number of petitions were pre-
scented, among them one from the citizens and
City Council of Cincinnati praying, in view of
recent occurrences abroad, that citizens of the
United States be protected in their rights
This gave rise to remarks from Messrs. Con-
ness, Sherman, Conkling, johnson, Sumner,
and others. The memorial was referred to the
Committee on Foreign Relations. pI
Mr.. Morrill,, Of Maine, from the Committee
on Appropriations, reported the House defic-
iency bill with slight amendments, which were
adopted. l.
Considerable discussion arose on the motion
of Mr.. auckland to strike out the words
''either House of Congress" from the provision
restricting members and Senators to $125 for
stationery and insert blouse of Representa-
tives." 1t was finally voted down. %
MIR. Ramsey offered an amendment that no
member of either House of Congress shall be
allowed stationery or newspapers, or any mod
On the second reading Mr.. Ramsey renewed
his motion, when it was carried-24 to q.
After Intellectual attempts to strike out the
provso amended, Mr.. Edmunds moved to add
at the end, provided further, that no news
paper, periodical or stationery shall be ordered
or paid for any member of either House by
any officer thereof" Agreed to and the bill
passed. t-r-e.r4
AL lutHcC6udi attempt was made TO get
the House bill against further contraction of
the currency, during which a letter from the
Secretary of the Treasury was read, saying
there would be no contraction for December
or January. Adjourned.
HOUSE. lr -r-s = q. a
The Speaker presented petition from the
Secretary of War ad interim, with a copy of
report from COL Hasson. of the Engineers,
respecting the improvement of Pawtucket
river, Rhode Island. Referred to the Commit
tee on Commerce. lrye
A resolution was adopted that the Military
Committee inquire into the expediency of
amending the bounty laws, and that they be
adjusted by the Second Auditor.
A motion to introduce resolution of thanks
to Gen. Hancock was objected to as out O. reg
ular order,
The bill relative to deserters was taken UP.
and, after debate, recommitted.
Several resolutions were introduced and re-
ferred. --
Mr.. Judd introduced bill to amend the act
of June, 1864, to regulate the foreign coasting
trade in the northern, northeastern and north
western frontiers Referred to the Committee
ON Commerce..
The Speaker presented Executive commu-
ncations, which were referred.
The House then went into committee of
the whole on the deficiency bill.
Mr.. Washburne, of Indiana, from the select
committee on payment of additional 3ounties,
made a report, which was ordered to be print
Gu ana pOSUpOu6u TO JANUARY OIL.
The Speaker presented q message from the
President on the report of the Secretary OF
State in reference to obtaining testimony
abroad as the assassination of Mr.. Lincoln.
Referred to the Judiciary Committee.
After discussion, principally relative to the
cost of reconstruction, the committee rose and
reported the deficiency bill without amend
ment, and twas passed-97 to 50.
Mr.. Dawes, from the Election Committee,
reported that Mr.. Cleaver bad the prinaa facie
right to a seat as Delegate from New Mexico,
and should be sworn in without prejudice to
the merits of the case.
After considerable discussion the report was
agreed to, and Mr.. Cleaver was sworn in.
Mr.. Stokes introduced a joint resolution
amending the act OF July A, 1864, to more et-
fectually secure the payment Of claims of loyal
persons for property taken and used by the
federal forces during the war. Referred to the
Committee on Claims.
Mr.. Eldridge gave notice that he would to-
morrow introduce resolution of thanks to
Gen. Hancock.
Mr. Kerr offered a resolution instructing the
Military Committee to inquire into the expe-
diency of retaining in the service the veteran
reserve corps. Adopted.
After other unimportant business the House
at 430 P NJ, adjourned.