The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-06-16
XLth CONGRESS- Second Session.

XLth O0NaRRSS-Second Session.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON June 15.-The chair laid be-
fore the Senate petition of citizens of Ohio
praying for the passage of Mr.. Jenckes' civil
service bill.
Mr.. Sumner from the Committee on For
eign Affairs, reported bill to carry into effect
two DEGREES of the u S District Court of
Louisiana relative to certain British vessels
Mr.. Nye introduced a bill relative to coast
defences. Referred to the Committee on Ord
nance.
Mr.. Hendricks, from the Committee on Ma
val Affairs, reported with amendment bill to
faollitate the settlement of certain prize cases
IN the U. S. District of the Southern District
of Florida.
the better security of life on board of steam
boats, steamships and other vessels. Referred
to tine Committee on Commerce
Mr. Morgan called up the bill to provide for
the rounding of duties enormously exacted in
certain cases. After explanation and discus
sion the bill passed.
The bill supplementary to tie act to provide
that the national currency be secured by
pledge OF United States bonds, and to provide
for the circulation thereof, approved June 3D.
1864, was taken up The question was on the
amendment of Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont, as fol-
lows: " ANA on the issue of any increase of ma
uonal circulation provided in this section the
Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized
and required to permanently withdraw an
equal amount of United States notes."
Mr. Morton gave notice that when in order,
ne Will move to add the following: "And the
United States notes retired shall not be OBJ
tanned by the sale of bonds, but shall be taken
from the funds in the treasury collected in the
ordinary way"
Mr.. Cole addressed the Senate in favor of the
proposition of the committee to make the 500
$1,000 increase.
The debate was continued by Messrs. Nor
rill, Conkling and Fessenden,
Mr. Cameron moved to table the bill He
desired to defer all such subjects until after
election. The motion was rejected, IA against
Mr.. Sumner obtained leave to introduce a
resolution, which was adopted, inviting the
chinese Embassy to visit the Senate on We'd
neSday next.
A motion to adjourn was rejected
MIR. MorrilIS amendment to the currency
bill was rejected, 16 against 81
Mr.. Davis offered the following as substi-
tute to the section by inserting, "That there
snail be withdrawn by the Comptroller of the
Currency from the banks of any State or Ter
rltory that may have been in excess circulate
ing notes upon principle of their distribution
as regulated by the same rules adopted by the
Treasury Department The circulation so
withdrawn shall be distributed by the Comp
troler of Currency among national banks in
such States and Territories as may have less
imam their proper proportion of their circulat-
ing notes." He was about to address the SEN
ate but yielded to a motion to adjourn which
prevailed, "a to 16. Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Bills and joint resolutions were introduced
read twice and appropriately referred, as fol-
lows: BY Mr.. Churchill to define felonies and
misdemeanors, and to regulate peremptory
challenges in United States Courts. By Mr.
koontz amendatory of the homestead law
By Mr.. Thomas, amendatory of the act of the
Sd of March, 1868. relating to habeas corpus
and regulating judicial proceedings BY Mr..
Stokes, for division of the State of Texas and
~ n 1pnIC1 fl,a,n Il .,.4a4 IT.
Paine, to authorize the Secretary of War to
deliver certain ordnance to the States of Ar
kansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Car
DINA, Georgia, Alabama and Florida nor use
OF militia or diScontinuance of military gov
eminent therein. By Mr. Churchill, concern
ing the naturalization of aliens.
The JOINT resolution introduced last Mon
day by Mr.. Washburn of Indiana to allow ad-
dltl0nal compensation of 20 per cent. to the
civil employees of the government at Wash
lngton, came up and the previous question
seconded-62 to %. The House refused to lay
1T on the table by vote of "a to a. and the
passed it'll to S.
Mr. Drake called up the bill for the relief of
certain contractors for construction of vessels
OF war and steam machinery. After amend
ment and discussion the bill passed-94 to II.
Mr.. Shanks offered the following resolution
and moved the previous question::
ReSotUed, In the Judgment of the House it
Will lnf1let serious loss in the national revenue
to delay the revision of taxes on distilled spir-
plished by general revision of the entire in
ternal revenue system, and the Committee on
Ways and Means are hereby instructed to re-
port without delay separate bill for the re-
vision OF taxes on the manufacture and sale of
distilled spirits and tobacco.
Mr.. Schenck expressed the hope that the
resolution would not be insisted on.
The Speaker stated that debate was not in
order.
Mr.. Schenck declared that the committee
could not make a revision as soon as it could
get through with the ordinary bill.
The previous question was seconded-62 to
80.
Mr.. Pile moved to lay the resolution on the
table.
The vote was taken by yeas and nays and
resulted-yeas 68, nays 71-so the House re-
fused to lay the resolution on the table.
Mr.. Schenck moved to reconsider the vote
seconding the previous question He desired
to know whether the House would before dis
posing of this question, refuse to hear the nine
gentlemen who had been appointed Commit
tee on Ways and Means.
Loud calls to order.
The Speaker interrupted Mr.. Shenck and
announced he was not in order.
Mr.. Schenck (amid much uproar and ex-
cltement)-I know am not. L only want to
say this because we are choked down without
an opportunity to say word in explanation.
Mr. Washburne of Illinois-I want to call
the attention of the country to the fact that
we have Just voted a million of dollars in ex-
ira pay to government clerks in Washington,
and am therefore opposed to continuing the
session to put additional taxes on the people
to pay this-( Confusion and eXcitement)
Mr.. Maynard moved to reconsider the vote
refusing to lay the resolution on the table, and
proposed to discuss that question.
The Speaker informed him that the motion
was undesirable
Mr. Washburne moved to lay the motion to
reconsider ON the table-yeas II, nays so.
Mr. Maynard moved, at halt-past o'clock
that the House adjourn
Mr.. Wasbburne-Does that motion come
from the Committee of Ways and Means?
MI Maynard-Yes, and l give notice that
all the Committee of Ways and Means wants
is to be heard on this Question.
Calls to order.
The Speaker called Mr. Maynard to order,
and informed him if he persisted in speaking
when no debate was in order he would present
the case to the House.
Mr.. Farnsworth-I ask the unanimous con-
sent of the House that the Committee of WAYS
and Means may be heard for five or ten min
utes.
Mr. Harding-I object.
Mr. Schenek-I ask the yeas and nays on
the motion to adjourn. If the House adiourns,
the Committee of Ways and Means being re-
fused any opportunity of explanation on this
floor in reference to the condition of the bill
and how speedily we may have action on it
we may be able to reach the country between
now and tomorrow Though the public press
The question was taken and the House re-
fused.
Mr.. File asked uudulmOuS consent UnaG Jnt
chairman of the Committee of Ways and
Means be allowed fifteen minutes for explana
ton.
Mr.. Butler said yes, provided somebody be
allowed to answer him.
Mr.. Benjamin. object
The question being on Mr.. Schenck's motion
TO reconsider the vote seconding the previous
question, Mr.. Stevens moved to lay the motion
on tAe table. Agreed to-yeas 63, nays ~.
MI. 9cnoneid moved to suspend the rules Sc
as to allow the Committee of Ways and Means
nall an hour to speak on the question: and thu
opponents another half hour. Agreed to.
l)ng and rather personal debate ensuet
between Messrs. Schenck, MAYNARD. NibIack
Shanks, Butler, Pruyn and Price,
The House then ordered the main ouestior
to be put by vote of 70 yeas to 60 NAYS and
then agreed to the resolution-yeas "a. 1ayS az
The Speaker laid before the House a messa%I
from the President. closing report from
the Secretary of the Interior He saws IN,
treaty recently concluded between the United
States and the Great and Little Usage Indian
was submitted to the Senate prior to respond
ing TO the resolution of the House on the sub
Inc message was referred to the COMMITTEE,
on lhulan Affairs, with leave to report at an,
Eilne Oh the subject of the treaty