The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-07-10
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

SESA1'E...-...--.-.....WAs WASHINGTON, July 8.
Harlan introduced resolutions of
the Iowa Legislature with the accom-
panying bill, declaring certain por-
tions of the Iowa River not naviga-
BILE stream. Referred to the Com
mittee on Commerce. He reported,
from the Committee on Post Office, a
bill relative to the construction of
bridges, and declaring them Post
roads.
On motion of Edmunds, the Secre-
tary of State was requested to notify
the Senate what States had ratified
the fourteenth amendment, with all
information on the subject.
Cattel called up the bill to provide
for further issue of the temporary
loan certificates, for the purpose Of
redeeming and retiring the remainder
of the outstanding compound interest
notes. After some discussion it was
postponed. -
The Joint resolution to drop from
the rolls Of the army certain officers,
for absenting themselves from their
commands without leave.
The Tax billWas considered. Pom
eroy's amendment to restore the two
dollar tax was rejected-14 to 27.
.0a mDtiOn, 1T was moved that the
amount be so cents. After debate
! the amendment was lost--14 to %.
Van Winkle moved to relieve pc
troleum and kindred substances from
internal taxation. Adopted-18 to16.
Harlan offered an amendment in
creasing the tax on whisky bonded
from to s cents. The amendment
was rejected and the bill then pas sed.
johnson asked permission Of the
/ Senate to trouble them with few
words. He had committed to writing
what he desired and would ask his
/ colleague to read them. Mr.. Vickers
then read the manuscript MIR. John
son, as follows:
Mr.. PRESIDENT: May be excused
for arresting, for a moment or two,
the ordinary business OF the Senate
by a few words personal to myself.
Having agreed to accept public
trust abroad, committed 10 me by the
President, with the approval Of the
Senate, / am about to resign my seat
In this body. Having been MEM
Der for nearly six years, fand
contracted friendships which have
! been q constant source of pleasure
and which / shall ever value, | can
not retire without the deepest regret
During the period of my service
a civil war Of unexampled magnitude
was wagcd, threatening our national
/ life, and its successful termination by
arms. The consequences of the con-
fiicb have not wholly disappeared. In
| both periods questions of the greatest
importance, involving the powers oi
/ the Government and the reserved
rights of the States have been dis
| cussed in this chamber, with solicit
tude to uphold the Government In
all its rightful authority, and to re.
store the entire country to its wontec
prosperity. In these discussions
have more or less participated, and
although widely differing with a ma
jority of the Senate, and supporting
my opinions with earnestness, it viii
always be great satisfaction to me
to remember that at all times, BY
every member, [ was treated with
uniform courtesy, and 1 can hardly
say, MIR, President, that such
4 courtesy i never failed gladly
to reciprocate. In the new
office of public duty on which am
about to enter, | may find objects OF
controversy that, for q time, as they
have already done, may more or less
distract the friendly relations between
the government of Great britain and
our own, but that this disturbance
will be temporary | do not doubt.
The interests of both nations are so
firmly dependent upon a mutual and
a friendly understanding, that the
neonle Of each cannot fail to see
the duty of having it OBJ
served. and [ believe this can
be accomplished by the manifesto
tions of reciprocal good will. AS our
Government is actuated by such a
feeling, the complications of the
present time, L am satisfied, will soon
be removed, and whatever part, under
instructions of the President, / take
IN the regulations preliminary to
such result, / shall be influenced
| by q sincere wish to secure to both
Governments an adjustment honor
/ able to both. And | have every
reason to think shall be
! met In the same spirit by the
| Government in all | do. | shall look
with hope to the approval of my
associates in this body, and although
/ I may fail in all respects to meet with
it, I cannot be mistaken in thinking
they will do me the justice to believe
that / have been governed through