The Portland daily press., 1868-03-12
XLth CONGRESS- Second Session.
SENATE.

oENAIE
WASHINGTON, March 11.-Mr. Conkling pre-
sented memorial of the citizens OF Boston, re-
monstrating against the international copy
wright law. Also memorial from the citi-
Zens of Colorado, demonstrating against the
admission of that Territory State.
Mr.. Williams called up the bill 10 amend the
Judiciary act of December 24th, 1889. II au-
thorizes writs of error to be taken to the Su-
preme Court where suits were broulht in re-
gard to collection of internal revenue alter the
money has been paid into the Treasury. The
bill passed.
MIR. Edwards moved that the Senate now
concur in the House amendment to the bill d.
rectng that the proceeds of the captured and
abandoned property be paid into the Treasury.
Agreed TO.
The Funding bill was taken up, Mr.. Corbett
speaking i'll opposition TO it. He was followed
by Mr.. Dixon, arraigning the Republican par
ty for its policy towards the South. At the
conclusion the bill was laid over.
The Senate went into executive session at
quarter before four, and soon after adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Ferry, from the Committee on Naval
Affairs, reported a bill for the restoration Of
Capt. Thomas III. Stevens to his position in the
navy Recommitted.
The Speaker presented letter from the
General of the Army, stating, in answer to
House resolution, that@ccording TO Gen
Meade's reports, there have been 70,S12 votes
cast under the reconstruction laws for the
Adoption oil the AiaO3ula state CONSTITUTION,
and COS against 1T.
The House proceeded to the consideration of
the bill reported yesterday from the Commit
tee on Freedmen's Affairs, for continuing in
force the Freedmen's Bureau, one year from
July 10th, 1865 1t is made the duty OF the
Secretary CT War to discontinue the opera
tons OF the Bureau in any staue restored to
the Union.
Mr.. Elliott spoke in defence Of the bill and of
the Freedmen's Bureau. He said the whole
pty h. Hrnp e.,
the support of the Bureau was $3,S47 1854. The
aggregate appropriations amounted to Sl0,-
780,750.
The Senate amendments to the House bill to
facilitate the payment of soldiers bounties,
was taken from the Speakers table, and on
motion of Mr.. Paine non-concurred in, and a
Committee OF Conference appointed.
The House then took up the bill for the adj
mission Of Alabama.
Mr.. Farnsworth, from the Reconstruction
Committee, opened the debate by a speech in
favor OF the bill. He said the committee were
satisfied that large Ii liorty of the register
ed voters were in favor of the constitution, and
would have voted for it if they could; that
thirty thousand white men OF Alabama We're
fully in accord with the liberty-loving people
of the State.
MIR. Stevens stated that but 1000 men voted
against the constitution, and they were sup
posed to he white men.
After rambling discussion, Mr. Beck. one
OF the minority members of the committee,
took the moor against the bill. He discamed
any knowledge OF report published as from
the committee in yesterdays papers
Messrs. Stevens and Hurlburd called the
gentlemans attention to the time and place
when the report was read.
Mr. Beck went on to argue against the bill.
He said that under the reconstruction laws the
constitution of Alabama had been rejected
disguise it as they might. The simple ques-
ton was, whei her Congress should force upon
the eople of Alabama constitution which
every white man in the State loathed and alb
horred. Out of 10000 registered white votes
many of which had been glVenf Tor the conVeh
ton, not one had been cast for the cons6itu
ton. As TO The declaration in the preamble
that the cons tuition was republican in form
he declared it was only SO in the sense that ;
gorilla is human in form. Because the peo
pie OF Alabama will Lot have the constitution
why should they be denounced and published
as contumaclous. He warned Congress OF tn
danger OF putting too much power in thu
hands OF Gen. Grant, lest he might turn out t,
Congress what Cromwall was to the Long Par
lament.
Mr.. Arnell next addressed the House in sun
port OF the Dill, winch was soon after laid aside
Mr.. Farnsworth stated that a vote wouId In
asked tomorrow.
The Speaker presented a communicable,
from the Secretary of War, with letter from
Gen. Meade, relative to the necessity of add
tionll appropriations to carry out the recon
structian acts. Referred to Committee on An
p,opriations.
Mi. Van Wick, from the Commit on RI
frenchment to which was referred the inves
cation ordered last Monday as to the hcticiou
destruction OF bonds in the Treasury, made
report which he asked to have laid on the t
Bile and printed.
Mr.. Logan objected to the reading OF the r.
port unless evidence WIS also presented al
read that the evidence would show that
was justified in making the statement, no