The Portland daily press., 1867-03-23
xLTH OONGREss---FIRsr SESSION
WASHINGTON March %.

SENATE.
Mr.. Ferry presented petition for a more
stringent enforcement of the United States
laws in Utah Territory, and better protection
OF the rights of American citizens there. Re
ferred to the Committee on Territories.
Mr.. Morton introduced bill to conform the
laws Of practice and pleading in courts OF tue
United States to the laws of the respective
States. Referred to the Judiciary Committee.
MIR. Wilson presented preamble reGiIlnS
the capture and imprisonment OF zen laws
and the fact that he denied comphclty III the
murder of President Lincoln, etc, Win winch
he is charged and the following concurrent
resolution
Resolued That longer confinement of said
JEFF. Davis without a trial or assignment of
specified time for trial, is not in accordance
with the demands of justice, the spirit of the
laws and the requirments OF the Constitution
and that common justice, sound public policy
and national honor unite in recommending that
said jeff Davis be brought to a speedv and
public trial, or that he be released from con-
hnement or bail on his own recognizance.
Inc Dill TO reimburse Indiana, for the ex-
Pehse incurred in repelling the Morgan raid,
was taken up and discussed, and finally recon-
United to the Military Committee.
The bill for the relief of destitute Southern
1 fs was received from the House, and Mr.
Irumoullmoved that the Senate concur in the
Rouse amendments, which was agreed to, 20
Mr. Truznbull called up the bill to amend the
bankrupt law by the repeal of the provision
LOT ior Tie appointment of registers of bankruptcy
oy the Chief JUS ice. During the discussion
Nnlch arose, he explained the circumstances
under which the bill originated, and said the
duty imposed upon the Chief j ustice was more
than he could properly attend to.
bir: Anthony offered an amendment az an
addltional section, that the bankrupt bill shall
take elect on the first of June, but officers and
registers may be appointed any time after the
passage OF this act. The bill and amendment
was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. Morgan introduced resolution, which
was agreed to, instructing the Committee on
Foreign Affairs to inquire into the expediency
OF the United States becoming party to the
treaty of Geneva for the ameloratiOn of the
condition of wounded soldiers
Ihe Senate agreed to the House amendment
10 the joint resolution exempting wrapping
paper from tax.
At Ais the Senate adjourned. II
HOUSE.
Inc Senate Southern relief appropriation
Dill came up rs the first business in order The
amendmen1 reported from the Committee of
tne w noiH were agreed to, making the Joint
Resolution read as follows
HeS0LUed, That the Secretary of War be and
Is Hereby empowered and directed to issue sup
Ilhes OF food sufficient to prevent starvation
and extreme want to any and all classes of des-
titute or helpless persons in those Southern
and Southwestern States where the failure of
crops and other causes have occasiOned wide
spread restitution: that the issue be made
regulations as the Secretary of War shall pre-
scribe; and to that end the Secretary of War
Is authorized and directed, through the Com
missioner of the Freedmen's Bureau, to apply
as much as he may be deemed necessary
for the purpose aforesaid of unexpended mon
les heretofore appropriated to supply the freed
men and refugees with provisions or rations,
provided, that the expenditures shall not ex-
tend beyond the present appropriations al
ready made for the Freedmen's Bureau. The
vote on the passage of the resolution was taken
by yeas 81 t., 81 nays.
Inc res tuition reported by Mr.. Hubbard was
tasen UP and modified by him, so as to read
that i. is the sense of the House that Henry A.
Sm, ythe should be Immediately removed from
TIE Office of Collector of the port of New York,
and that the Clerk of the House cause certified
copies OF the resolution to be laid before the
Senate and President.
The House refused to second the previous
question, whereupon Mr.. Stevens moved to
amend the resolution by making it read that
Henry A. Smythe be impeached."
After further discussion, Mr.. Stevens mOdi-
fled his resolution, so that it refers the testi-
mony taken to the Committee on Public Ex-
penditures, with view to ascertain whether
Henry A. Smythe has been guilty of high
crimes and misdemeanors sufficient to Justify
his impeachment; and if so, to present articles
of impeachment, etc.
The morning hour expiring, the resolution
went over under the rules.
The Senate amendment to the House bill ex- |
ed by adding wooden ladders to the free list, |
and so amended was concurred in.
The Senate joint resolution to terminate the |
contract of a member of Congress with the |
Post Office Department taken up, amend
ed SO as to empower the Postmaster General |
to reject any bid which he may deem exorbi-
tant, and passed.
The Senate joint resolution authorizing the
the Secretary of War to furnish arms and
equipments to Texas for $500 militia was
amended by substituting 10000 for $500 mill
tia, and passed.
On motion of Mr.. Banks, the President was
requested to communicate copies of the cor
respondence, legal proceedings and other doc
uments relating TO the suit of the United |
States against Priolean and others, pending in |
the English Court of Chancery, and the Sec |
rotary of State was authorized to make the |
communication in print.
On motion of Mr.. Stevens, the rules were |
suspended, and the consideration of the i'm |
parchment resolution against Collector Smythe |
was resumed.
Mr.. Wood moved that the House adjourn |
Disagreed to.
Mr.. Chanler moved the postponement of the
cember next. Disagreed to.
Mr.. Stevens then moved the previous ques
ton, which was seconded.
The amendment offered by Mr.. Stevens as q |
substitute for the resolution reported by Mr.. |
Hurlburd was agreed to, with the addition that |
the committee shall have power to sit during |
the recess.
AT O'clock the House adjourned.