The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-12-10
XLth CONGRESS Second sess on.
WAsHINGTeE, Dec. 9.

WAsHINGTeE, Dee. 9.
B Z SENATE g g
Several Communications were laid before
the Senate by the Chairman, which were APP
propriately referred.
The Chair laid before the Senate resolu-
tons OF the Legislature of Maine, in favor of
impartial suffrage, condemniDg the present
government in the late rebellious States. and
asking that they be annuled; also several ex-
ecutive COMMUNICATING which were tabled :
also petitions which were referred.
Among the resolutions presented was one by
Mr.. Ramsay, directing the Committee on For
eigH Relations to inquire into the expediency
of re ciprocity treaty between the United
States and the Dominion of Canada, and for
the cessiNn of British Columbia to the United
States on certain prescribed conditions. Or
dered to be printed. s
Mr. Chandler called up his resolutions to re-
cognize the belligerent rights OF Abyssinia,
which excited lively debate, in which Messrs.
johnson, Anthony, Sumner and others partic-
ipated. After which, Mr.. Grimes objecting to
Its immediate consideration, it was laid over.
The act to suspend the further contraction
of the currency came from the House ana was
referred.
ner, instructing the committee on Officers OF
the Senate to define the duties of the Ser
geant-at-Arms of the Senate. The resolution
was referred to that committee.
A number of resolutions were presented and
referred. 3Gs. &.
Mr.. Chandler again called up his Abyssinia
resolution, and spoke at length upon the pro-
fessed neutrality of Great britain in our late
war, and advocated his resolution as retalia-
tory measure
Mr.. Anthony agreed that the conduct of
Great Britain, during the rebellion, had been
wholly uniustifahle, but the true way to re-
yenge ourselves on England was to show by
our own growth and power the superiority of
republicans over monarchical institutions. He
would press upon the powers the perfect en-
nuity OF private property on the seas, as well
as on the land.
After further debate Mr. Sumner made
mosjon to 60 into executive session, but with
drew it to allow the introduction of some pri-
vate bills.
The bill of Mr.. Morrill,, OF Vermont, in re-
gard to the currency, was postponed until
"Wednesday next, at one o'clock - 81
After a short executive session the Senate
adjourned.
Several bills and joint resolutions were in
A large number of bills and resolutions were
introduced and disposed of and appropriately
referred.
The resolution on the distribution of the
Presidents Message came up, and an anmat-
ed discussion took place on a ropostion of
Mr.. Butler to refer to the Committee OF APP
preparations that part referring to an appripri-
alton for the purchase OF Alaska, Messrs. But
Ter, Washburne of Wisconsin, and Schenck OF
Ohio, taking the ground that the treaty was
not operative until the House agreed to make
the appropriation, while Messrs. Banks, Stew
ems OF Penn, and Robinson, argued that the
matter came properly before the committee on
Foreign Affairs. Finally Mr.. Buffers propo-
sition was rejected, and the matter remains
committed to the Committee on Foreign At
tairs
Mr.. Brooks called for a separate vote on the
resolution referring part of the message to
the select committee on reconstruction, and it
resuted-yeas liz, nays AZ; SO the matter was
so referred
The other resolutions distributing The mes
sage were then adopted. 4ra Hfl tEf
Several motions were made to allow MEM
oers to record their voles and print their
speeches on the impeachment question, but
they were all referred.
The Senate bill striking out the word white
from all the laws and charter of the District
of Columbia. so as to make coored men COM
petent to hold Office and sit ON iuries was ia
ken from the Speakers table and passed-1O6
to 80.
The House refused to suspend the rules to
allow Mr.. Hooper to offer his resolution to re-
strict the revenue expenditures to $500, 100000.
Other resolutions of inquiry, etc., were Of
fered and disposed of, and at $40 p NJ the
House adjourned.