The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-02-05
YYxIx OONGREss--sEooND SESSION
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4

ferred. M&
Mr. Wilson, from the Military Committee, re-.
ported back the House bill to authorize the
construction of military and postal road
from Washington to New York, and asked
that the committee be discharged. and thew
were discharged. "N 'No'
Mr.. Patterson introduced resolution. which
was ADOPTED, calling upon the Secretary of
var " uahsMlt 10 the Senate the orders Of
uens. brunswick and SchOfield in organizing
q, commission to investigate the claims of loyal
Iennesseeans for army stores
MI. Halnes, from the Judiciary Committee,
reported the resolution to pay the Senator from
tennessee compensation from the commence
ment OF the present session.
Mr.. Trumbull opposed 1t, on the ground
that it would be to admit Tennessee entitled
to representation all along, and that the pre-
cedent would apply to south Carolina and
the other States when admitted.
oh motion of Mr.. Wilson further consider
alton was postponed until tomorrow. s
Mr.. Trumbul, from the Judiciary Commit
tee. reported in favor of indefinite postpone
ment Of the bill to regulate the time and place
of holding the United States District Court
in Maine. Agreed to.
Mr.. Patterson presented the resolutions of
the Tennessee Legislature, asking extension
to the State of the benefits of the act .donar-
ing lands for the establishment of Agricultu-
raj Colleges. Read and ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Williams presented an act, which was
referred to the Reconstruction COMMITTEES,
providing chat each of the late confederate
States, except Tennessee, constitute a military
district, to be subject to the military author
ity of the United States; that the General of
the Army, under the authority of the Presi-
dent, shall assign an officer, not under the
rank of Brigadier General, to command
such districts, and provides sufficient militia
ry force to enable him to discharge his du-
ties and enforce authority within the district.
That it be the duty of each officer assigned
DC of 70 at fl,a
in their rights of person and property sup
press instruction, disorder and violence, and
punish all disturbers of the public peace and
criminals. The officer may, at discretiuon, athor-
ize loyal tribunals to act or organize military
tribunals for that purpose. All State and
legislative interference with the military au-
thority to be declared void and of no effect.
That courts and judicial officers of the Unit
ed States may have a limited power to issue
writ OF habeas corpus, regulate the trial and
sentence of prisoners held under military au-
thOrity in said districts. . -.
Mr.. Sumner introduced Ia bill supplement
tary to several acts of Congress, abolishing
imprisonment for debts, providing that all
persons arrested on mesne process or execu-
ton issuing from any United States Court,
shall be entitled to discharge in the same
manner as if arrested on q like process I'M
der the statutes in the same district under
the same mode and under the same restric-
tons and conditions provided by the State
laws, uub ali cuCu proceedings Shall De MAD
before some of the Commissioners appointed
by the United States Courts to take bail and
affidavits. Referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary.
Mr.. Trumbull, from the Judiciary Commit
tee, reported back adversely the resolution of
Mr.. Davis in relation to the writ of habeas
corpus. The Committee was discharged
Mr.. Irumbull also reported, with an amend
ment, the bill providing for the allotment of
Justices OF the Supreme Court among cir
cults, and for appointments of MarshaIs for
the Supreme Court for the District of Co
lumbia. a' tiaa llii
Mr. Trumbull from the Judiciary Commit
tee, reported a bill providing that the act au-
thorizing the payment of certain demands for
quartermaster's stores and subsistence, shall
not be construed to authorize payments for
such supplies furnished during the war in
States in instruction, or for the use or dam
age to the real estate or personal property by
the military in such States, excepting to loyal
citizens of West Virginia and tennessee.
The Vice President laid before the Senate
the joint resolution of the Legislature of Wis
consin, requesting Mr.. Doolittle to resign his
seat Or1ered to be tabled and printed. a
Mr.. Stewart called up the bill to grant aid in
the construction of the San Francisco and
Central Pacific Railroad.
Mr.. Salisbury said that as the railroads west
were getting great deal of the public lands,
he thought the Atlantic roads ought to get
some, therefore he offered as an amendment as
an additional section, donating two hundred
thousand acres OF the public lands to aid in the
construction of the Junction & Breakwater
Railroad in Delaware. Disagreed to. i.si
The bill was then passed. ~
Mr.. Williams called up the joint resolution
giving twenty per cent additional compensa-
ton for one year to all civil employees Of the
Government in the city of Washington whose
salaries do not exceed $500.
Pending the discussion of the resolution the
morning hour expired 4-a+I -
The bill regulating the tenure of office came
up as the regular order the question being on
concurring in the House amendment to strike
out the exception of Cabinet officers from those
declared not removable without the advice and
consent of the Senate ..... .,t.-,f II I'D
On motion of Mr.. Sherman the further con-
sideration Of the bill was postponed and the
bankrupt bill taken up.
should ask the Senate to take up the proposed
constitutional amendment limiting the Presi-
dent to one term. t.l....s w. 10
Several amendments to the bankrupt bill, of
averbai and unimportant character Were con-
Cured in. Section 81 was amended 30 as to
read that any creditor, opposing the discharge
OF any bankrupt, may file specific action in
writing of the grounds of his opposition, and
the Court may in its discretion order any
question OF facts presented, to be tried at
stated session of the District Court The
clause was stricken out providing that in ali
proceedings in bankruptcy, commenced after
one year from the time this act shall 20 into
operation, no discharge shall be granted to
debtor who does not pay 80 per cent of the
claims against his estate, unless the assent in
writing of majority in number and value of
his creditors is filed at or before the time of his
application for discharge
Mr.. Williams offered a prOviso to the last
section that no proceeding in voluntary bank
ruptcy under the act shall absolve or affect
any obligation of any existing contract or in
debtedness.
Mr.. Sherman said the effect of the amend
ment if adopted would be to kill the bill in
directly. He much preferred a direct vote.
After debate the amendment was dis
agreed to, yeas 10, nays &c. - IE5 ft4
An amendment was adopted that no petition
or other proceeding under this act shall be
filed, received or commenced before June LIST
1867. r.a -
Mr. Howard moved to strike out the 37th
section, which applies the provisions of the
bill to corporations and joint stock companies,
and provides that such bankruptcy shall work
forfeiture of all franchise of such corpora
tiOns. % W.
Mr.. Hendricks moved to amend the amend
ment by striking out the proviso
Without taking vote on the above amend
ments, the Senate at As adjourned
HOUSE. 80
Mr.. Brandagee introduced bill declarato-
ry of the law giving rations to officers of the
ry Affairs. '''' '''''' w '''''a
Mr.. Kelly introduced bill to prohibit the
Secretary of the Treasury from selling gold
1t makes it unlawful for the Secretary TO sell
any gold now in, or which may hereafter
come into the Treasury. Referred to the
Committee on Banking and Currency
Mr.. Grinnell offered resolution that the
public interest demands that there shall not
be, during the current year, any reduction in
greenbacks, and directing the WAYS and
Means Committee to report bill to that eff
feet. Adopted, 81 to 81, after several prelim-
mary votes. T u INV -f-l
Mr.. Mckee introduced resolution to en-
power Judges of District Courts of the Unit.
ed States to hear and determine appeals from
their own judgments and DEGREES. Referred
to the judiciary Committee
MIR. Trimble introduced a resolution to re-
deal the tax on State bank circulation. Re-
ferred to the Committee on Banking and Cur
rency.
Mr.. Maynard introduced resolution for the
relief Of loyal citizens of the lately insurrec-
tionary States. Referred to the Judiciary
Committee. o,4 -sn
Also joint resolution to transfer legislation
on the subject of Agricultural College grants
to the Agricultural Committee
Mr.. Defreese introduced resolution to re-
establish civil governments in the States late
ly in rebellion, and enable them to resume
their former relations in the Union Referred
to the Reconstruction Committee.
Mr.. Ashley, of Ohio, introduced bill to
guarantee Republican form of government
to the States recently in rebellion. lexcept Ten
nessee. Referred. -.
Mr.. Ashley stated that the bill was drawn up