The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-07-23
XLth O0NGRBsS-second Session
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, July 22.-The Chair laid be-
fore the Senate communication from the
Secretary of War inclosing copy of letter
from Brig. Gen. Dyer, Chiefof Ordnance, ask
ing trial by Court Martial for offences i'm
puted to him in the recent report of the Joint
Committee on Ordnance.
On motion of Mr.. Howard the subject was
referred to the Joint Committee on Ordnance.
Mr.. Wilson presented the credentials of
Frederick A. Sawyer, elected Senator for the
long term, and Thomas j. Robertson, as Sem
ator for the short term by the Legislature of
South Carolina.
Mr.. Howard presented remonsrrance, sign
ed by about dozen members of the South
Carolina Legislature. protesting against the
admission of Sawyer to representation, &C., in
the United States Senate, and claiming he is
not legally entitled to a seat
He moved that the credentials be according
ly referred to the judiciary Committee, with
power to send for persons and papers.
Mr.. Howe opposed the reference, saying it
would exclude for long time the represen-
tative from State we have not had the pleas
ure and advantage OF seeing represented here
for years. He testified in behalf of Mr.. Saw
yer's integrity.
Mr.. Harlan made a motion to which he
claimed to be privileged, that Mr.. Robertson,
to whom there was no objection, be sworn in.
After debate the motion prevailed and Mr..
Robertson came forward and was sworn in.
On motion, the documents presented by Mr.
Howard were read charging Sawyer with be-
ing engaged in blockade running in 1862, 1863
and 1864 and that he held office under the
rebel authorities during that period and that
he was member of a rebel military organiza-
ton in 1854 and that he was voted for at the
election by members whose seats were con-
tested.
Mr.. Pomeroy moved that SAWYER be sworn
in.
A long debate on the propriety of doing SO
ensued between Messrs. Pomeroy, Howard
Williams, Davis and Robertson, the newly in
Quoted Senator.
After q lengthy discussion, during which
Mr.. Robertson, the newly inc ucted Senator
from South Carolina, declared the charges
against Sawyer to have originated from the
friends Of DIR. Mackey, the rival candidate
against Sawyer and utterly unfounded aud
vouched for his Republicanism and ability t.
take the test OATH
motion to refer all papers in Sawyer's
case to the Judiciary Committee was rejected
III against N-and he was sworn in as the
second Senator from South Carolina.
Mr.. Sherman called for the special ORDER the
motion relating to adjournment.
Mr.. Howard moved a recess from to z
o'clock.
Mr.. Sherman opposed the holding of any
evening sessions till the day fixed for adjourn
ment, as until that is done the House cannot
proceed with its business, the majority being
unable to control the order of business except
on Mondays, as even two-thirds cannot suspend
the rules at any other time until the last ter
bills were thus delayed.
The question of adjournment then camp up
and Mr.. Wilson offered a substitute for Mr.
Sherman's motion, providing for a recess unit
the fourth Monday in September.
Mr.. Sumner moved to adjourn until Mon
day, the 18th inst.
Mr.. Howe advocated waiting for the veto OF
the army bill, and discussion sprung up be-
tween MIN ana MT. Sherman, the latter in
sistiDg that an adjournment should be fixed
for Friday next.
After further debate the question was take,
on Mr.. Summers amendment for an adjourn
ment until the 27sh, which was agreed to-
against 10.
The question recurring on Mr.. Wilson
amendment, he modified it by providing for
recess until the third Monday in September
when it was adopted-28 to 20.
Mr. Hendricks denied the statements of M
Sherman and others, that in his remarks o
the army bill yesterday he spoke for the Pres
dent. He had not seen him tor six weeks, an
expressed only his own views. He proceede
in denunciation of the bill.
Mr.. Morton denied that the arms were to
distributed for political purposes at the Soutl
but for the protection of State government
from revolution and destruction, with whic
they are boldly threatened. They are sui
rounded by rebel and hostile population in
great part with not an arsenal and not pec
OF artillery to protect them, while their ent
mics are tried and trained soldiers who coul
fall in line to morrow
Mr.. Drake-As the result of an investigs
ton he had made, he stated that there WEI
100000 arms in the hands of Southern rebel
and argued that as Southern speakers refuse
to recognize or submit to the government
there the loyal men should be provided wit
the means of defence in case of need
After a discussion by Messrs. William
Sumner and Conness, an amendment waa O
fered by Mr.. Buckaew to strike out the THU
section and add to the second that it shall
duty of the President to exercise all his a
thority under the Constitution and laws
the protection of American citizens abroa
and to repor9 to Congress from time to til
any case in which justice is denied to citize
of the United States.
Mr.. CONFESS demanded the yeas and ma,
and the Senate finding itself without gu
rum adjourned.
HOUSE.
Francis w. Kellogg, member elect from A
hama had the test oath administered to h
and took his seat as Representative from IL
State.
Mr.. Dawes, from the Committee on Ell
tions, reported bill to relieve Simeon Cawl
member elect from South Carolina, from les
and political disabilities, he having been CO