The Portland daily press., 1867-12-21
XLsh 0)NGR ESs-seoond Session.
SENATE,

bENATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2O-Mr Howard pre-
scented petition of citizens of Michigan ask
ing that the pension laws be amended to APP
ply equally to regulars and volunteers. Re
ferred to the Pension Committee.
Other petitions were presented and referred.
The resolutions instructing the Secretary of
the Interior to suspend work on the new Jail
in Washington and re-let the contracts to the
lowest bidder, were adopted.
After debate, memorial from delegates of
the virginia Reconstruction Convention, set
ting forth certain complaints, was referred to
the Judiciary Committee
The bill to repeal the cotton tax was taken
Mr.. Sherman earnestly. opposed POSTPONE.
ment. = =" = Z
Mr. sprague spoke at consid cradle length in
favor of repeal. ~
Mr.. Conkling said the House had adjourn
ed, and 1t would be useless now to pass the
bill, and it was laid aside - %
The House deficiency bill for reconstruction
expenses and quartermasters supplies was re-
ceived and referred.
A communication from the ATTORNEY Gene
raj in response to a resolution of inquiry was
received and referred TO the Judiciary Com
mittee.
After the trans action of other unimportant
business, the Senate went into executive ses-
sion and soon after adjourned until January
9th.
Mr.. Price introduced long resolution reIa-
Tive W Inc prOCecClOn OF natural1ZeQ citizens
abroad, and instructing the Committee on For
eign Affairs to give the subject their immedi-
ate attention, and report such measures as are
well calculated to accomplish the desired OBJ
ject. Referred to the Committee on Foreign
Agairs.
Mr.. Julian called up for reconsideration the
bill in regard to forfeiture of railroad land
grants.
Mr. Butler made a statement relative to the
condition of the Louisiana railroads. ,jg
After further debate the subject was post
poned to January 18TH 1o.e. - ~
An effort to take up the Senate's amend
ments to the deficiency bill failed. Several re-
ports and resolutions were offered
Considerable debate took place on a resolu-
ton allowing clerk to the Pacific Railroad
Committee, which was finally adopted
The report of the Commissioners ON account
of the State of Massachusetts, was presented
and referred to the Appropriation Committee.
MIR. Covode, from the Committee on Public
Buildings, reported resolution directing the
suspension of payments on contracts for build
ing Jail in the District of Columbia until the
contracts could be investigated which, after a
debate, was adopted.
The Speaker presented communication
from the Commissioner of Internal Revenue
relative to the amount of tax received from
distilled spirits since 1862. Referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means.
MIR. Chanler, of New York, presented seve-
raj petitions relative to citizens of the United
States unlawfully imprisoned in England and
bama piracies be demanded of England. Re-
ferred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The House then went into committee of the
whole and took up the Senate's amendment to
the deficiency bill for congressional expenses
The amendment providing that no member
OF either house shall be allowed stationery,
newspapers or any Communication therefor, was,
after statement by Mr.. Washburne and con-
siderable difficulty in obtaining quorum, car
rled by vote of 40 to 46. The other Senate
amendments were non-concurred in.
The committee rose and reported the bill to
the House.
Mr.. Randall called the yeas and nays on
nom concurring in the Senate amendment
agreed to in committee of the whole. The vote
was taken, and resulted in "a yeas to Al nays,
the Speaker voting to make quorum.
The other Senate amendments were nom
concurred in.
Mr. Robinson presented a petition of Gen.
Maggie, an American citizen held in custody in
British prison, and asked leave to offer res
olution asking the President to take immedi-
ate action in the case of Gen. Maggie and John
Warren. I-
Mr.. Benjamin objected and the resolution
was not offered.
Mr.. Randall offered resolution that the
resolution adopted by the House on the 25th of
November, which declares it unnecessary to
proceed with the building or equipping of ships
ofwar shall not be construed as an expression of
the opinion of the House in favor ofdischarging
mechanics and laboring men from the navy
yards during the coming winter months. Re-
ferTed to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
The House at 3.45 adjourned to the 9th of
January. 1905