The Portland daily press., 1868-03-19
XLth CONGRESS- Second Session.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, March 1.-THE CHAIR laid be-
fore the Senate a communication from the
Attorney General suggesting the expediency
Of diminishing the appropriation for the cleri-
cal force of the departments, the business be-
ing beyond the means at command referred
to the Committee on Appropriations; ase a
communication from the Secretary of War
stating that the military reservation at Fort
Ridgeway could be relinguished without de-
triment to the service. Referred to the Com
mittee on Military Affairs.
Mr.. Sumner presented Petition from the
citizens of North Carolina and Virginia pray
ing for the removal OF political disabilities
A resolution offered by Mr.. Hendricks was
adopted requesting the Secretary of the Trea-
sury to inform the Senate what have been the
monthly expenditures, and average expeu-
ditures of the War, Navy and Interior Depart
ments since July 1866.
Mr.. Wilson, from the Committee of Con-
ference, in regard to the bill to facilitate the
payment of soldiers bounties, reported GER
tain verbal amendments which were concurred
in
Mr.. Hendricks called up the bill to amend
the act in regard to recording conveyances
OF vessels, which passed.
Mr.. Edmunds called up the bill to regulate
the action on bills presented to the President
and the return of same.
Mr.. Bayard took the floor in opposition to
the bill. He quoted the Constitution and con-
temporary authorities to show that the con-
struction placed on the Constitution by the
bill in regard to bills failing at the expiration
of the ten days, during which the President
could return them in the term of the recess of
Congress, is erroneous. He argued that the
return of bills to the Clerks office when Con-
gress is not in session +, is not provided for in
this bill, and is not the return as contemplated
by the Constitution. The bill was then laid
aside.
The Chair laid before the Senate a commu-
niration from the General of the Army and an
enclosed copy of a telegram received from
General Meade, dated January 18th, 1868,
stating that if the bill now pending before
Congress was passed desiring the military COM
manders to I'll offices with those qualified to
take the oath of allegiance, its execution will
be entirely improbable. Referred to Com
mittee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Morrill, of Maine, from Committee of
Conference appointed on the disagreement on
the consular appropriation bill, made report
recommending the Senate to iecede from GER
tain amendments and concur in the amend
ment that all incomes above $1,000 received as
tees at the offices of consuls, vice-consuls or
commercial agents, shall be paid into the
Treasury. Report concurred in.
The Senate then took up. as a special order,
the bill to exempt certain manufacturers from
the internal revenue tax.
The question was on Mr.. HendarS0n'S
amendment to the amendment of Mr.. Fessen-
den, providing for the drawback of the duty
ON materials used in the construction of river
steamers, which was not agreed to.
The question was received on the amend
ment or Mr.. Fessenden providing for draw
backs-equal In amount to the import duty on
timber, Manila, copper or iron not advanced
in the manufacturing of bars, bolts, Sc, used
in the construction of sailing vessels, &C., to
be retained for the use OF the United States,
under such circumstances as the Secretary OF
the Treasury may prescribe.
Mr.. johnson moved to amend by inserting
after the words sailing vessels, the words ''or
ocean steamers"
A long debate ensued, during which Mr..
Fessenden, in reply to Mr.. Chandler, said the
removal of the duty would not effect the ship
building interest. Ship-building for ocean
s Gamers was at an end, while for the lakes it
was mere song.
Mr.. Morrill,, Of Maine, spoke earnestly for
the interest in question, quoting from the re-
port of the Secretary of the Treas dry in regard
to the extent of the depression of business and
the opinion that this interest should be pro-
tected by drawbacks. He said that $14,00O,000
had been lost to the shipping interest of
Maine during the last six years, and he argu-
ed that the amendment was entirely foreign 10
the bill. He read from published statement
to show that during 1885, a year of depression,
Michigan built 6998 tons of shipping, while
we built 1892 tons. He thor, hit some pro-
portion would hold good now.
The amendment by Mr.. johnson was lost
by 10 TO 20.
The question received on Mr. Fessenden's
amendment was lost by IS to rs.
Mr.. Grimes offered an amendment to reduce
the duties on imports 10 per cent. from the
present rates.
After some debate the bill was lost by vote
of12 to 80.
The bill was passed by the Committee of the
Whole and reported to the Senate.
Mr. Sherman gave notice that he would
press 1t to vote tomorrow. At Abs the Senate
adjourned.
Mr.. Broomall of Pa, moved to reconsider
the vote referring to the judiciary Committee
the bill introduced by him July 18th 1857, to
guarantee to several STATES of the Union re-
publican form of government. The bill de-
clares void all provisions in the State constitu'
tons and laws which make deduction in po
htical or civil rights among citizens on account
OF parentage, race language or color and makes
1t misdemeanor punishable by foe and i'm
prlsonment for any person to prevent the ex
ercise OF the right of suffrage by such citizens
Mr.. Broomall supported the bill and at the
close of his remarks a colloquy sprang up be-
tween himself and colleague, Mr. Woodward
in relation to the hereditary disfranchiseme nj
law iu Pennsylvania.
Mr.. Woodward opposed the bill because, as
he alleged, it proposed to subvert the funda.
mental laws OF Pennsy lvania.
Other Pennsylvania members Joined in tn
discus non.
expressed surprise al the position OF the Dem
ocratic party in regard to negro suffrage
He was followed by Mr.. Stevens who aske'
to be excused for imperfect delivery, and dc
sired Mr.. Mcpherson, clerk of the House, 7
read a prepared speech which he did. at tn
close, he offered the following as substitut
for the bill:
Be it enacted, &C., that every male citize
IN the United States above the age of q year
VINO was born or naturaized in the Unite'
states or who has declared his intentions t.
become naturalized, shall be entitled to yot
upon all national questions that NAV arise i
any State of the Union, where he shall bay
resided for the term of thirty DAYS. and no dis
tinction shall be made between any such cit
Gems on any account except for treason. felon
or other infamous crimes not below the Grad
of felony at common law,
Mr.. Beamer addressed the House in s,,nno,
OF the bill
While speaking Mr.. Broomall intimated tbs
his intention was to Withdraw the motion
reconsider and let the bill go to the Judiciar
Committee.
Mr.. Shedding expressed the hope that IL
debate would not be closed without givir
members of the majority an opportunity
stating their objections TO the bill. He di
notrecognize its consttutionality at sill, al
did not want It to go to the country the Hou
was prepared to pass the bill. Referring
the Ohio election last fall, in which he said
used all his influence to induce the e
grating of negro suffrage in the constitutio