The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-12-19
XLth commissioned Session,

WASHINGTON, Dec 1S.-SENArE-Mr. John.
sen from the judiciary Committee reported :
resolution to admit Mr.. Ehilip +. Thomas
Senator elect from Maryland, on TAKING the
oath prescribed by the Constitution. Laid on
the table and ordered to be printed
The resolution calling for the correspon.
dence In relation to San Juan was called M
and passed.
The bill revealing the tax on cotton was ia.
ken up and debated by Mr.. Doolittle.
:. The debate was continued by Messrs. Doc
little, Chandler, Wilson, Morrill, and others.
various petitions were presented and re-
ferred.
The Judiciary Committee were discharged
from the consideration of various matters;
among them the resolution OF inquiry whether
West Virginia is Que of the United States and
whether the Constitutional amendment is not
a part of the Constitution.
Mr.. Sumner from the judiciary Committee
reported bill to regulate the election of Off
GERS in Washington and for other purposes
and gave notice that he would call it up to-
morrow
Mr.. Anthony offered resolution directing
the Secretary of State to furnish the public
printer with correct copies of laws and joint
resolutions and regulate the printing of the
same. Referred to the Committee on Print
ing.
Mr.. Drake offered supplemental recon
struction bill. Referred to the judiciary Com
mittee.
MIR. Ramsey moved that the Senate adjourn,
out yielded to allow the reading of the Pres-
dents message relative to Gen. Hancock.
Mr.. Wilson moved to refer it to the Com
mittee on Military Affairs.
After discussion Mr.. Ramsey insisted upon
the motion to adjourn, which was agreed to,
and without taking action on the message the
SeLate adjourned.
HousE.-Mr. Eliot, by unanimous consent,
Offered a resolution reeiting that information
has baan racaiva1 hot tha A hol;
vessels have recently been ordered off the Rus
sian coast of America in the Oschotsk sea, by
russian war vessels, and that the boats of one
American vessel had been fired upon, and di-
rect'ng the Secretary of State to furnish in
formation in reference to such acts, and wheth-
er American vessels have or have not right
to pursue their usual business in those seas
and on that coast without molestltion. H.
explained that the resolution was based on in
formation received from the master of the
whaling ship Europa That that and other
vessels had been ordered of by an armed
steamer, and that the boats of the American
ship Endeavor had been fired upon. The res
oiution was adopted.
bill was reported from the Military Com
mittee giving honorable discharges to soldier s
who left the army after the war before bein q
regularly mustered out.
Considerable debate occurred on Mr. Gar
helds bill, when it was laid over.
Mr. Butler reported an appropriation bill to
supply deficiencies in the reconstruction SER
vices -
The House then went into committee of the
whole.
Mr.. Spalding addressed the committee on
the treaty-making power.
The committee rose and the Speaker laid
before the House message from the Presi-
dent in commentator of Gen. Hancock. The
message recites the features of General Han
cocks recent order declaring his intention to
support the civil authorities and use the mill
tary only to preserve the peace and aid in en-
forcing the laws. He compares his action in
reference to the extraordinary powers confided
to him to that of Washington, and suggests
that ne is entitled to some special recognition
from Congress. .,..tss,7 IN t.rfVt i
The reading of the message created some
merriment on the Republican side Of the
House. -g4
After some discussion the message was Ia
bled and ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Ashley of Ohio called up his motion to
consider the reference of his reconstruction
bill, on the 9th of December, to the Judiciary
Committee. The reference was reconsidered
and the bill came before the House. es
Mr. Stevens of Pennsylvania, fir 1m the Re-
construction Committee, offered bill as a
substitute to the bill which he tried to intro
duce yesterday. The first section modifies the
reconstruction act SO that simple majority of
votes cast for or against the Constitution may
affirm or reject such Constitution. The third
section assigns the number of representatives
as follows: To North Carolina eight, one to be
elected on general ticket; to Georgia eight
one to be elected on general ticket; to Florida
one; to Alabama eight, two to be elected on
general ticket; to Mississippi six, one to be
elected on general ticket; to Arkansas three
to Virginia the number is left blank.
After debate, Mr.. Stevens, to obviate the
objections made by Mr.. Bingham, Withdrew
the third section.
After further debate the previous question
was seconded, and Mr. Stevens substitute
agreed to. The bill thus amended was then
passed-104 to 81, by a strict party vote.
AT 4.30 the House adjourned.