The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-02-01
XLth C0NGRRSS-Seoond Session.

g1 XLth CONGRESS-Seoond Session.
1 Eau h4 = SENATE. aaha .f4s4I q
- WAsHNGToN, Jan. 3l-The Chair laid be
| fore the Senate communication from Edwin
NJ. Stanton, transmitting in compliance with
| the law, list of contracts made by the Board
Of Engineers last year; also joint resolution
| from the Ohio Legislature resembling the con-
| stitutional amendment. az Oh a.
Mr.. Sherman denied that it was just ex-
preston fthe will OF the people OF Ohio.
| Dir. Sumner followed, claiming that il was
| of no effect, as % States had already ratified
the amendment, and that the State could not
retract the approval once given.
Mr. johnson argued that the amendment
has become part of the CONSTITUTE IN, but he
could not agree that State could not reverse
On motion OF Mr.. Patterson of n Y, the
Senate then took up the BILL in addition to
the act relating 10 the term OF certain civil
offices. The question was on Dir. Summers
amendment, providing that the bill shall not
do away with Foreign Agents OF the State De-
partment. ~ gla - Ha- -
Mr.. Grimes thought that It was time Con-
gress resumed control of matters properly
waived during the war. IA ssgAssr
The amendment was further opposed by
MeSsrs. Conness and Cameron, who said that
II we had no agents abroad we should mot be
called upon to pay Russia seveil aud a half
millions OF dollars, and other amounts to those
other countries to suit the ambition of the Sec
rotary of State.
The morning hour having expired the bill
was laid aside. III @T880e'4AA r.
On motion Of Mir. Morrill,, Of Maine, an adj
| jolrnment till Monday was provided for.
A petition of the citizens of the District of
Columbia was presented praying the right OF
electing delegates to Congress and all other
offices, including members of the Levy Court.
Referred TO the Committee on District. -
Mr.. johnson gave notice that on Monday he
would present the case of Mr.. Thomas, Senat-
or elect for Maryland. lzsl@
The supplementary reconstruction bill was
again taken up and discussed, after which
the Senate took up the bill to provide tor
the formation Of corporations and regulating
the same in the District OF Columbia, which
was discussed by Messrs. johnson, Harlan,
| Wiley, Morrill, of Maine, and Conkling, the
latter condemning it as granting an unpre-
cedented license. -- 4
The bill was amended SO as to REQUIRE the
principal officers of corporations to be kept in
the District of Columbia, and by making the
private property of the stock holders in Ger
tain cases liable to the amount ofthe par value
of their stock. r s.....y. .,.s.-,.--.-....-r
After further verbal amendments The bill
was passed to a third reading, and Mr.. Buck
alew called for the yeas and nays on the final
passage -i5s ,f-s-
There being not moro than twenty Senators
present, at the suggestion of Mr. johnson and
on motion of MIR. Harlan, the bill was post
poned. .H H3H pas f7s ~ a eos l-sao'J
Mr.. Sumner tried to call up the bill TO regu-
late the selection of officers, &C., in the Dis
trict of Columbia but on the motion of Mr.
Hendricks at 40 IN. the Senate adjourned
to Monday next. Il A1U " IALLJ ~ j
HOUSE.
On motion Of Mr. Clark Of Kansas. tie Com
mittee on Invalid Pensions was instructed to
inquire into the expediency Of placing widows
and children of men who were killed in the
Lawrence massacre in August in 1863, in the
same relation to the pension laws as if the men
had been killed in the service of the United
States. izvs a s9a e "a 1ot r.
Mr.. Elliot, from the Committee on Freed
mems Affairs, reported bill to continue the
Ereedmen's Bureau Ordered to be printed
and recommitted. .7f1ol16 + b nlrf
The House then proceeded to the considera-
ton of the Kentucky election caste from the
Second Congressional District .-.oA
On motion of Mr.. Dawes, Chairman OF the
Election Committee, it was ordered that the
resolutions reported by the Committee be dis
cussed and considered separately. ..sia
Pending the discussion Mr.. Allison made a
report from the Conference Committee on the
cotton tax bill, the amendment agreed upon
being the addition Of the following clause
And cotton importedsfrom foreign countries
after Nov. LIST, 1868, shall be exempt from duty.
He gave a brief history Of the bill and of the
various attempts to reconcile the conflicting
views of both Houses on the subject. He said
that the Conference Committee on the part OF
the House did not feel that it could take the
responsibility of destroying the bill, for it was
4 pdlpdDly cNIucubH tildb bulS ADtlHE lHo Lulru
| Conference Committee, unless it could agree,
| the Senate would not consent to any further
| conference. This was the very best proposition
| that could be obtained under it. The Ameri-
can producer of cotton would not have the pro-
| lection he now has-equal to one half cent per
pound. 1t was deemed important by the Com
| mittee that the tax be removed, SO as to en-
| courage the growth of cotton in 1868, and
| therefore the report was agreed to, but with
| the understanding on the part Of the House
| af hon nff ort
| up for adjustment this session, the whole sub
| iect should be referred to the conferees He had
therefore, been reluctantly compelled to assent
| to this proposition -
After an animated discussion the report of
the Conference Committee was agreed to-
| 104 yeas, 43 nays.
The Speaker presented petition from the
| Secretary of the Navy in answer to resolution
as to the discrimination against soldiers and
| sailors in appointments to the Navy Depart
ment. Referred to the Committee on Naval
| Affairs. Also communication from the Sec.
| rotary Of the Treasury relative 10 tks proposed
sale of stock in the Dismal Swamp Canal Co.
Referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs
Also letters from Governor Pease and Judge
Caldwell of Texas. in reference to affairs in
that State. Referred to the Reconstruction
/ Committee. oH 4seas $50 ~~s-esss-,
Mr. Washburne, I l., from the Committee on
| Appropriations, reported a naval appropra-
| ton bill appropriating S18,096045 It was
| made the special order for the 18th of Feb.
| Also the consular and diplomatic appropria-
ton bill appropriating 81, 261 434. The bill was
| recomnitted. f X. f'-ess
The House resumed the consideration Of the
| Kentucky election ease. The views of Mr.
Sheiiabarger, who is at home, were submitted
in writing and read from the Clerks desk,
against the admission of Mr.. Brown.
Mr.. Chandler spoke briefly against the re-
/ port of the Committee and their natural dis
posal Of the question, and with the under
standing that the discussion would be contin-
ued Tomorrow, the House at four O'Clock
| adjourned. JAZZ %MsH