The Portland daily press., 1868-05-16
XLth CONGRESS- Second Session.
HOUSE.


WASHINGTON, May 15-The House proceed
ed in the regular order of business to the con-
sderation of the bill for the relief VIM. Nc
Gavahan
After some minutes the proceedings were in
terrupted by Mr. Woodward, who was under
stood to ask what the gentleman from Missouri
(Mr. Pile) meant by making gesticulations and
grimaces in an offensive manner.
The reporter did not witness the incident
and therefore cannot state from his own knowl-
edge what the offence consisted OF.
The Speaker intimated to Mr.. Woodward
that his remarks were not parliamentary. fla
gentleman had a charge to make against a
member of the House, he would have to make
it in the usual form. The chair did not see
what the gentleman complains Of
Mr.. Pile, who had walked to another part of
the hall, said / intended no insult or grimaces
or anything of the kind to the gentleman from
Pennsylvania.
Mr. Woodward-The gentleman stood here
making cabalistic signs Laughter.) AS he
belongs to party that claims to have all the
moral sense of decency in the country, in
quire what he means by standing on this floor,
in the presence of the Speaker, and making
these grmaces at me.
The Speaker-If the gentleman presses the
question of privilege the chair will rule ON it.
Mr.. ONeill-Do such remarks go into the
Globe as part Of the transactions of this
House?
The Speaker-They do.
The gentleman from Pennsylvania rose
claiming tie have been improperly treated by
the gentleman from Missouri.
The chair thought the gentleman from Penn
sylvania used language that was out of order
as applied to fellow member. If he had
cause of complaint he should submit the mat
ter for the action of the House.
No further NOTICE was taken of the incident,
and the House resumed the consideration of
the bill for the relief of VIM. McGavahan, re-
ported last Saturday from the Judiciary Com
mittee.
A hot nd fla
The bill confirms the title of McGavaham to
a tract of 10000 acres of land in California,
embracing the New Idra quicksilver mine.
The bill was explained and advocated by
Mr.. Wilson of Iowa, as Chairman of the Ju-
dietary Committee, who said that in the COM
mittee there was but one dissenting voice
that of Mr.. Boutwell,.
Mr.. Boutwell, stated the grounds on which
he had opposed the bill in committee, and on
which it should be defeated in the House.
Mr. Washburne of Illinois inquired whether
the title of the property was not in the United
States to-day.
Mr. Wilson replied it was
Mr.. Washburne then wanted to know what
justice there was in giving this property worth
two or three millions of dollars to McGavahan,
or any other man, and why the law allowing
mineral lands to be occupied and taken out OF
the possession of government should not be
repealed.
MIR. Wilson said he would answer these
questions in his argument.
Mr. Van Wyck opposed the bill, arguing
that the claim had originated on fraud and
forgery, and had been proved upon perjury.
MIR. johnson expressed his belief that the
McGavahan claim was just, and said he would
vote for the bill, although he should have pre-
ferred not having the responsibility imposed
upon him.
Mr.. Wilson recited the facts in controversy
sustaining the claim of McGavahan and argu-
ing against the claim of the Idra Mining Com
pany.
r., ,.I I'D Iokk Ill., =
mode of reviewing the reason of the Supreme
Court.
Mr. Wilson disclaimed that expressly, and
said the bill was reported expressly for the
purpose of adjudging any such thing.
Mr. Highly opposed the bill, arguing at length
to show that the claim was and had been ad
Judged by the Supreme Court to be fraudulent
After further debate Mr.. Highly inquired of tn,
Speaker whether motion to recommit thu
bill was in order.
The Speaker said it was not as the mail
question had been ordered.
Mr. Washburne, of Illinois, moved to recon
slider the vote ordering the main question i
order that he might move to recommit the oil
with instructions to the Judiciary Commute
to report bill rejecting the mining law. Th
motion was rejected
Mr.. Highly moved to lay the bill on the table
Relected-yeas %, nays 70.
In, plll was then passed-yeas 78, nays 49,
Inc speaker presented letter from tn
Secretary at the Treasury transmitting a sup
Elemental report on trade with the Britis
North American Possessions. Referred to tn
to be printed.
The Speaker also presented a communca
ton from the General of the army. with III
reports of the several District Commanders' q
to the recent elections in Georgia, North Car
DINA, South Carolina and Louisiana. Refer
red to the Committee on Reconstruction.
Mr. Lawrence, of Ohio, from the Judiciar
Committee, reported bill to establish dc
partment of law, which was ordered to /
printed and recommitted
Mr.. Benjamin, from the Committee ON r,
trenchment, reported resolution calling O
the Secretary of the Navy for copies of the co
respondence in reference to the sale of IL
iron-clads Onevta and Catawba. Adopted.
The House then went into committee of Il
whole on the state of the Union, Mr. Lawren,
of Ohio, in the chair, with the understandiI
that no further business be done TODAY. Il
Speaker, however, notifying the House it W,
possible the attendance of the House might