The Portland daily press., 1868-07-13
XLth 00NGRESS-Seoond Session.
SENATE.


WASHINGTON, July 11-Mr Wilson called
up the bill relative to the Freedmen's Bureau,
providing for its discontinuance.
Mr.. Davis opposed the bill as interfering with
the Presidents right of dd interim appoint
ment, and moved to amend by striking out the
clause after the words, gin case of vacancy in
the Office of Commissioner happening during
the recess of the Senate" and inserting the
words "said office shall thereupon cease and
determine.
Mr.. Conness-If you pass that it would be
premium on taking the life of the Commits
sioner.
On motion of Mr.. Howard the words "agents,
clerks and assistants" were added after the
words assistant commissioners"
The bill was then passed.
Mr. Sherman's funding bill was taken up,
the question being on the amendment from
the Finance Committee providing for the issue
of 20, 30 and 40year bonds, bearing interest
respectively, g. 4 IL and per cent. per annum,
10 be exempt from taxation in any form, said
bonds to be exclusively for redemption or pur-
chase of an equal amount of the present inter-
est bearing debt OF the United States, other
than the existing per cent. bonds, and per
cent. certificates to be issued to any amount
sufficient to cover the principal of all Outstand-
ing obligations, with the exceptions above
named. The amendment provides for an an
nual appropriation out of the custom house re-
cepts of one hundred millions, to be applied
to the payment of the interest and reduction
OF the principal. In lieu of the present sink
ing fund it makes the new bonds and any law
full money of the United States exchangable
for each other at the Treasury, unless the
amount of outstanding United States bonds
shall be equal to $500 100000 or unless specie
payment shall have been resumed. Finally, it
legalizes contracts made specially payable in
coin.
After discussion, without action, the Senate
went into executive session. AT 90 the doors
Were again opened.
When the doors were opened the House
amendment to the electoral college resolution
came UP and was coaeurred in, and the bill
goes to the President Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Wilson, from the Judiciary Committee,
reported joint resolution to extend the pro-
visions OF the act of July A. 1864, restricting
the jurisdiction of the Court of Claims to the
loyal State of Kansas. Passed
On motion of Mr. Clark, of Kansas, the Sem
ate bill authorizing the construction of bridge
across the Missouri river at Fort Leayenworth
was taken from the table for action, and af er
foule slight amendments was passed.
The House then resumed TIE consideration
of the bill to reduce and fix military peace
establishment, the question being on Mr..
Paines amendment to the 9th section, modified
so that there SHALL after the 31st of March, 1862
be-only six Brigadier Generals, to be designat-
ed by the President within ten days preceding
that date, without regard to seniority, the best
six Brigadier Generals to remain in commits
sion.
MIR. Garfield opposed the amendment.
Without disposing of the amendment to
the 9TH section respecting Brgadier Generals
the House reconsidered its action of last
night in adopting the amendment of Mr.. But
Ter to the 4th section, respecting Major Gene
rails, and Mr. Paine moved as a subs titute to
Mr.. Buffers amendment the following: After
the 3lst OF March, 1869, there shall be only
three Major Generals, and the President shall
within ten days preceding said date designate,
with regard to seniority, the three best Major
Generals TO remain in commission, and the
others shall be mustered out of the service of
the United States on said date or within ten
days thereafter.
The substitute was agreed to and then the
4th section was struck out and Mr. Paine's
amendment substituted for it-yeas 70, nays
A, the Democrats voting generally in the af-
1irmative.
A similar amendment was agreed to as to the
substitute for the 9TH section, providing for the
best six Brigadier Generals
The 9th section refers to vacancies in the
offices of Adjutant General, Quartz rmaster
General, Commissary General OF Subsistence
Chief of Ordnance, Chief of Engineers. Pay
master General, Surgeon General and Bureau
of Military Justice, directing that these shall be
filled by appointment or assignment of officers
who shall have the rank, pay and emoluments
of Colonel of cavalry. This section gave rise
to discussion between Messrs. Garfield, Butler
Paine and Logan.