The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-12-16
XLth C0NGRESs-Third Session.
SENATE,

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-After unimportant
business, on motion of Mr.. Ferry, the Senate
TOOK from the table the bill introduced by Mr..
stewart yesterday, to punish the crime of
holding office in violation of the 18th Consti-
tutional amendment.
Mr.. Sumner, from the Committee on For.
eign Relations. reported with amendments
joint resolution offered by him rendering SYM
pathy to the people of Spain.
Mr.. Cattell, from the Committee on Finance,
reported resolution offered by Mr. Wiley
yesterday, in reference to the Recommendation
OF the President upon the national debt, and
moved its immediate consideration.
The following is Mr.. Willey's resolution:
Resotued, That the Senate properly cherish
ing and upholding the good faith and honor of
the nation, do hereby utterly disapproye of
aud condemn the sentiment and proposition
contained in as much of the late annual mes
sage of the President of the United States as
reads as follows. There follows the paragraph
in reference to liquidating the national debt |
MI McCreary objected, and it was laid over.
removal of all political disabilities in the
Southern States.
Mr.. Stewart argued in favor of the bill.
While anxious to remove the disabilities, he
still thought there should be reciprocity on the
part of those to be benefited.
The bill was then referred to the judiciary
Committee.
MIR. Wilson's bill to repeal the prohibition of
the organization of the militia in the rebel
States was taken up aud gave rise to debate,
Messrs Wilson, Fessenden and Conkling
speaking in favor of it.
Messrs. Hendricks and Edmunds moved to
amend by continuing prohibition as regards
Virginia, Mississippi and Texas.
After considerable debate Mr.. Edmund's
amendment was adopted and the bill was then
passed.
After some discussion of claim for proper
ty destroyed by Gen. Sherman's army at De-
catur, Ala, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Pile offered a resolution instructing the
Committee on Commerce to inquire and re-
port what further legislation is necessary for
the security of life and property, and promo
ton of commerce on rivers flowing into the
Gulf of Mexico, which was adopted.
NJ. Golladay offered a resolution instructing
the Committee on Commerce to inquire into
the propriety of prohibiting passenger vessels
TOm carrying petroleum or other imfammable
fields, and it was adopted.
The bill reported last week from the Com
mittee on Military affairs fixing the amount to
against the United States for military expenses
at $229, 848, was called up.
Mr.. Garfield, in absence of Mr.. Dodge, who
had charge of the bill, explained and adv0ca-
ted its provisions. The bill was also supported
in debate by Mr.. Wilson of Iowa, and Messrs
Allison and Price.
Discussion was further continued by Messrs.
Dryer, Clarke of Kansas, Garfield, Allison,
Washburne of Illinois, Mulens and Pruyn.
Finally, Mr. Garfield moved the previous ques-
ton.
The House refused to second by voting 43 to
20.
The morning hour having expired the bill
went over. ~
The Speaker announced the select commit
tee on the New York election frauds as fol-
lows:
Messrs Lawrence of Ohio, Dawes of Massa-
chusetts, Blair of Michigan, Dickey of Penn
sylvania, Hopkins of Wisconsin, Marshall of
Illinois and Hubbard of Connecticut.
Mr.. Scaeuck moved to 60 to the business on
the Speakers table, and gave notice after con-
sulting with the Committee on Ways and
Means that he should move on the 9th of JAN
uary to go into committee of the whole on
the first special order which was the tariff bill.
Considering that tomorrow was likely to be
the only day for work, announcements of the
death Of members being arranged for THURS
day and Friday, it had been thought advisable
of t6e whole on the special order before the
holidays. He therefore gave this notice in or
der that all persons might be prepared.
Mr.. Moorehead, another member of the Com
mittee of Ways and Means, asked Mr.. Schenck
to yield for motion TO go into committee
OF the whole ON the tariff bill.
Mr.. Schenck said he was perfectly willing to
let the motion be made.
Mr.. Moorehead made that motion, and re-
marked that the bill was printed and had been
Mr.. Brooks enquired what bill was to be ia
ken up in committee, the short tariff bill re.
ported by the Committee of Ways and Means,
or the one which the gentleman (Mr. Moore
head) had reported as sub. committee.
Mr.. Moorehead replied that the short bill
was the bill now pending in committee of the
whole, and which would of course be taken up.
Mr. Brooks estimated that it would be very
improper in the present unprepared state OF
the country and of the House to take up the
GOV; hill nd mr. IL fO itq In he
other hand, it was very proper to give notice
such as Mr.. Schenck had given.
The question was taken by tellers on Mr..
Mooreheads motion, and the vote was " ayes
and As nays.
The yeas and nays were then called and the
motion agreed to-yeas 104, nays So.
The House thereupon, at 2.10 p. NJ, went
into committee Of the whole on the state of
the Union, Mr.. Dawes in the chair and took
I'D the bill to increase the revenue from duties
on imports, and tending to equalize exports
and imports. Mr.. Brooks being entitled to the
floor, who made extended remarks until the
committee rose. erH
Mr.. Moorehead Immediately moved the
House again to go into committee of the whole
Agreed t0-yeas 81, nays GA.
Mr.. Butler of Massachusetts, moved to add TO
the paragraph on copper, blue vitriol and sui
phate of copper Agreed to.
Mr.. Pike moved to reduce the proposed duty
ON Sopper in plate, &C., from As to 20 per cent,
bearing upon the ship building interests.
Mr.. Maynard opposed the amendment which
was rejected. ~-t- T. ss-taz-s
Mr. Phelps offered an amendment allowing
drawback of duty ON imported copper. where
smelling establishments give bonds to use two
tons of copper ore mined in the United States
to every ton of imported ore.
Mr. Twitchell moved to add proviso, that
copper used in the manufacture of vessels
shall be admitted free of duty. Rejected.
Mr.. Spalding moved an amendment, proyid
ing that copper in any form used in ship build
ing, and actually imported into the United
States for that purpose, shall be entitled to {
drawback of 20 per cent. ad valorem. He SAID
he was in favor of protecting the copper inter
est, but he did not wish to injure the shipbuld
ing interest either. He thought his amend
ment fair compromise.
After considerable discussion and withou
disposing Of the amendments offered b,
Messrs. Phelps and Spalding, the committee
rose aud the House adjourned.