The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-03-14
xLTH OONGREss---FIRsT SESSION.
WASHINGTON, March 10.
SENATE.


Various reports from committees were re-
ceived; among others one by Mr.. Morgan, from
the Committee on Joint Resolutions, directing
a survey for ship canal between Lake Erie
and Lake Ontario, which was passed.
Mr.. Trumbull introduced resolution lnqulr-
ing of the Secretary of the Treasury how many ny
persons are employed in the assessment vi "a
rect taxes in the rebel States how much Is paia
to them, and whether their services cahho' pe
dispensed with. Agreed to. g..
Mr. TrumbulI from the Judiciary Commit
tee. reported a substitute for the House supple
mentary bill to the reconstruction bill, and
asked Immediate consideration of the same:
but Mr.. Howard Directing, 1t goes over under
the rules.
The first section provides for registration he
fore the LIST of September, in each district of
all male citizens of the United States of LEGAL
age, resident in each county or parish in the
State or States, or included in the district.
which registration shall be made under direc-
ton OF the commanding General, and included
under those dersons who are qualified to vote
Tor delegates by the act of March I'd, and who
snail have taken and subscribed to the follow
ing oath or affirmation: Il do hereby solemnly
swear or affirm that / am excluded from the
right to vote by the 9TH and 9th sections of said
ACT TO provide Tor the more efficient govern
ment of the rebel States; that will support
tne Constitution and obey the laws of the
United States, that L will to the best Of my
ability encourage all others to do the same. SO
help me God;' which oath or affirmation may
DE administered by any registering officer.
Section second provides for the election of
such delegates at such times as the command
ing General shall direct of which at least thir-
ty days public notice shall be given, to con-
ventlon for the purpose of establishing con-
stltutlon and civil government for such State,
loyal to the Union. The said convention in
each State, except Virginia, to consist OF the
same number of members as the most numer-
Gus branch of the State Legislature in such
States in 1860; to be apportioned among the
several districts, counties or parishes OF such
States, by the commanding General; giving to
each representative in the ratio of voters reg
istered as nearly as may be. In Virginia, the
convention shall consist of the same number of
delegates, as represented in the territory now
constituting Virginia, in the most numerous
branch of the Legislature of said State in 1850;
to be apportioned as aforesaid.
Section third provides that the commanding
General in each district shall appoint officers
not exceeding three in each election district,
to make registration, superintend elections and
make returns to him of votes, lists of persons
electee as delegates, &C. 1t also provides for
the opening OF reports by the commanding
General, and notification to delegates to assem-
BILE in convention, the time and place to be
mentioned in the notification. The convection
when organized shall first determine by vote
whether it is the wish of the people of the State
to frame constitution and civil government
according to the provisions of the act of March
"a, ana III 50, Uuey Sillll proceed TO frame Sucn
constitution, which shall be submitted for rat
ification to persons registered, at an election
to be held at the expiration of thirty days from
date of notice thereof, to be given by said con-
vention; and the returns thereof shall be made
to the commanding General of the district.
Section fourth provides that if the constitu-
ton is ratified by majority of resident voters,
the President of the convention shall transmit
a copy OF the same, duly certified, to the Pres
ident of the United States who shall forthwith
transmit the same to Congress, if then in SEES
sion; if not in session, then Immediately upon
its next assembling; and if accepted by Con-
gress the State shall be declared entitled to
representation, and Senators and Representa-
tives shall be admitted therefrom as provided
in the act of March I'd. 4As
Section fifth provides that all elections held
under this act and that of March I'd, shall be
by ballot; and all officers making registration
and conducting the elections, SHALL before en-
tering upon the discharge of their duties, take
and subscribe an oath faithfully to perform the
duties of office, and the oath prescribed by the
act approved July 2, 1862, entitled an act to
prescribe an oath Of office.
Section sixth provides for the payment of ex-
penses incurred by the commanding General.
Section seven provides that the Convention
shall prescribe for salary and compensation to
be paid delegates and other officers and agents.
and shall provide for the levy and collection of
such taxes on property, in such State, as may
be necessary to pay the same.
Mr.. Wilson called up the joint resolution
introduced by him yesterday in relation to the
claims due colored soldiers provided that the
same shall be paid through the Commissioner
of Freedmen's affairs into the Freedmen's Saw
ings and Trust Co.
After debate the bill was recommitted to the
Military Committee. '-h' s'AF
Mr.. Henderson introduced resolution for
the appointment of Committee of three to
examine and report upon the conduct of the
Printing Bureau of the Treasury department,
whether the same can be dispensed with or its
expenses lessened, and whether the safeguards
are sufficient to protectthe interests of the gov
eminent Agreed to-
Mr. Harlan introduced a bill in relation to
treaties with Indian tribes, which provides that
hereafter the latter shall not be recognized as
independent nations but may be regarded as
domestic municipal organiza ions, with whom
contracts may be made on behalf of the Unit
ed States, subject to the approval of Congress
before taking effect. Referred to the Commit
tee on Indian Affairs.
AT LAB z. NJ. the Senate took an executive
session, and soon after adjourned.
HOUSE.
Alter unimportant business the House went
into Committee of the Whole on the joint re-
solution presenting thanks, ETC., to George
Peabody, W hich was ordered to be reported to
the House.
The Senate joint resolution for the relief of
destitute in the Southern and Southwestern
States was taken up. ''t
Mr.. Banks offered an amendment setting
aside $4,000 of the amount for distribution of
seeds among the destitute people of the South
by the Commissioner of the Freedmen's Blu
reau. ar .l.
Mr. Miller moved to make the amount $780,
600.
Messrs. Wood and Chanler opposed the meas
ure, the former declaring that there was no
such restitution at the South as was represent
ed and the latter denouncing it as political
measure, and intended to perpetuate the Freed
mems Bureau.
Mr. Butler offered substitute, which was to
strike out all after the enacting words, and in
sert a provision aDpropriating SlO00OCo, to be
expended under the direction of the Secretary
of War, in relieving the widows and children
of Union soldiers starved to death in the rebel
prisons of Andersonville, Salisbury, Libby,
Melen and Belle Isle. He declared that he
believed in the principle OF being just before
being generous and that until the Government
was able to make some provision for those to
whom his substitute alluded, he was not put
ting his hand into the pockets of the already
owe r-taxed North in order to be generous to
the IN taxed South. He had supplied for many
months H. New Orleans, food TO the starving
wives and children of rebel soldiers, but in
order to do so he had not drawn dollar from
the Government, but bad taxed the rich of the
South to feed the poor of the South, and he
was willing to go as far as the fartherest in
that direction. In opposing the measures, he
referred TO the recent appropriation Dy tne MIS-
sissippi Legislature of $2Ol 10 for the trial of
JEFF Davis, which would never take place.
Mr.. Boyer asked Mr.. Butler whether he
thought that reason for denying aid to starv-
ing women and children. t,asrra
Mr.. Butler replied that the Government
could only deal with the people as communi-
ties, not as individuals.
The debate was further continued at length,
and was participated in by Messrs. Bingham,
Randall and Munger in advocacy of the appro-
priation, and by Messrs. Butler and Covode in
opposition.
Finally, without disposing of the subject the
committee rose and reported back two bills
which were passed, one being a vote of thanks
to George Peabody.
Mr.. Banks introduced bill to more effectu-
ally preserve the neutral relations of the Unit
ed States, which was referred to the Commit
tee on Foreign Affairs.
The House then adjourned. ''itNt
Gen. schofield Assumes Com uIand.
RICHMOND, Va, March Is.
Gen Schofeld to-day issued an order assum-
;r,, oopap 1and IF tho Hist, or Of VirU;p;a He