The Portland daily press., 1867-02-06
xxx ooNaREss--sEooND SESSION
WASHINGTON, Feb. s.
SENATE


| The usual number of petitions were present.
| ed and appropriately referred
Mr.. Morrill, offered resolution calling on
the Secretary of War to inform the Senate If
Gen. Sherman has issued any order for the
so, of what nature. Adopted
Mr.. Sumner introduced a resolution which
was adopted, lnstructing the COMMITTEES on
Naval Affairs to inquire into the manaoement
Of the Navy Yard at Charlestown, and espec-
laliy whether any ship has been sent to sea re-
safety.
Mr.. kirkwood Introduced resolution in
struetlng the Military Committee TO inquire
what legislation waa necessary for the relief OF
discharged soldiers who have lost papers, ETC.,
and report bill or otherwise. Adopted
Mr. Wilson introduced resolution which
was agreed to. directing the Secretary of the
Treasury to report the amount Of money re-
| ceiyed from the sales of cotton or other prop
| ertv turned over to the Treasury Department,
| and what disposition has been made of the
same, whether any portion of the money has
been paid or refunded to claimants, etc.
Mr.. Henderson introduced a bill to author
ize and provide for the construction of a mill
tary and postal road from Galveston to Fort
Gibson, in the Indian territory, with branch
at Little Rock, Ark Referred to the Pacific
Railroad Committee
Mr.. Trumbull called up the bill providing
that acts OF Congress for the payment of war
rebel States, except loyal citizens of Tennes-
see, etc. ssItA -s.stt
MIR. johnson thought the Except" ought to
be extended to include the loyal people of
Louisiana, whose property was taken for the
use OF the army The amendment was agreed
to, including West Virginia in the exception.
Other amendments were offered and the bill
was approved by Messrs. Johnson Salisbury
and Others
Mr.. Wilson said he had prepared measure
w ha inf dad TO- ,,tr o.J,,ao
lishment of commission in each of the rebel
States to investigate the claims of that State.
Inc pending measure was only to prevent
the payment OF money out of the Treasury
uhtii CLAIMS were properly sifted. The pend
ing amendment was disagreed to and the bill
passed. .--.
Mr.. Grimes, from the Naval Committee, re-
ported with amendments the bill defining the
rank of Admiral and staff officers in the navy,
and crediting volunteer officers in the naval
and marine service, who may be transferred to
the regular service, performed by them as vol
unteer officers. .i- Ii 'i-
Mr.. Fessenden, from the Finance Commit
tee, reported with verbal amendments, the
pension appropriation bill. Boa
Mr.. Davis introduced a bill authorizing the
Circuit District Courts of the United States
to remit or mitigate forfeitures fines and disa-
bilities in certain cases which provide that
when any person shall incur any fne penalty,
forfeiture or disability, or been ntrusted in any
goods, merchandise or vessel subject to seizure
by force OF law, for levying duties or taxes or
act concerning registering or licensing vessels
engaged in the coasting trade or fisheries, shall
have been sued or indicted in the name of the
United States District or Circuit Court trying
such case and rendering Judgment shall have
power and discretion, on facts before the Court,
to mitigate or remit such fine or forfeiture, if,
IN the opinion of the Court, the same shall
have been incurred without wilful negligence
or intended fraud, and also an order discoun-
teuauCIn0 shit Sncb act ha
may deem just. Referred to the Committee on
Finances. r.tfs. ...-5 MD
The bankrupt bill was, after some debate,
taken up, the question being on Mr. Towards
amendment to strike out the 37th section
Disagreed to. 30
Mr.. Henderson's amendment making min
imum Indebtedness for which voluntary bank
ruptcy may be instituted, one thousand dollars
instead OF three hundred dollars,w agreed to-
The bill was finally taken out of the COM
mittee of the whole, and reported to the Sem
ate. H .F G4. fH
Mr.. Sumner asked for another vote on strik-
ing out the provision that in all proceedings of
bankruptcy commenced after one year from
the time the act goes into effect, no discharge
shall be granted a debtor whose assets do not
pay nifty per centum on the claims against his
estate, unless the assent in writing of major
ity In number and value of his creditors,
whose proved claims are filed at or before the
time OF application for discharge. Agreed to-
After further discussion vote was taken
yeas 20, nays %. t* ".a
Mr.. Harris will enter motion to reconsider.
| Adjourned.
Mr.. Window, from the Committee on Indian
Affairs, made report on the investigation
into the recent letting of contracts for Indian
agents which, with a minor ity report was or
dered to be printed. ..uJI -7HH 4ao
The report of the committee is in effect that
no evidence of fraud has been found in the let
n for Trdi Ia ov,l &I,o
House should rescind the resolution directing
the Secretary of the Interior to suspend the
execution of them. The minority report is
that the awards should be set aside as unjust
and unfair. -
| Mr.. Wilson, of Iowa, asked leave to offer
resolutions instructing the Committee on
| Waws and Means to report the tariff bill as
| amended by the Senate, SO as to exhibit the
rates imposed on the several articles under
the tariff in force, that of 1861, and those pro-
posed by this bill.
MIR. Jencks objected. -o.
Mr.. Schenck announced the presence of Gen.
Sheridan in the hall, and the Speaker escorted
him to the Speakers chair, amid the applause
OF the members, to whom the General was
then presented individually, in brief and high
ly complimentary terms, after which the bust
ness hour was resumed. t %
An additional pension of $500 per year was,
| on recommendation of the Committee on Rev.
| dictionary Pensions, voted to Samuel Down
| ing one of the last surviving soldiers of the
| revolutionary war.
Mr.. Brigham, from the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs, offered joint resolution direct
| ing the Secretary of War to purchase David's
Island, Long Island Sound, for $2S, 800 Pass
| ed. pr % "
The House went into committee of the whole
on the Presidents message. and Mr. Hooper
addressed the House on financial questions,
after which the committee took up the Indian
appropriation bill, which was amended, and
the committee rose and reported it,
The Speaker presented executive documents
which were appropriately referred.
MIR. Yam Aernam presented a petition of
certain soldiers of the war of 1872, asking that
| Congress grant adequate pensions to surviv-