The Portland daily press., 1868-06-18
XLth O9NGRRSS-seoond Session.
SENATE.


WASHINGTON, June I'M. Sumner pre-
sented memorial OF the merchants and ship
owners of Boston, representing that hoStilities
between Spain. Chill, Ecuador and other South
American Republics having ceased since 1856
though not recognized by Spain, they have to
deal with either of these powers as though a
treaty of peace had been ratified between them
and Spain, and asking protection from the
Committee on Foreign Relations.
On motion of Mr. Sherman, the bill in rela-
ton to the national currency was again taken
up.
Mr. Cameron took the floor and denounced
the hrst section, forbidding any national bank
from paying interest on the balances of any
other, as having been got up for the purpose of
enabling city banks to use the funds of coun-
try banks without paying for them. de would
prefer that the subject should be deferred until
the next session. Since it was to be consider
ed, he moved to strike out the first section.
Mr. Chandler also opposed the first section,
replying to the argument of Mr.. Cattell of yes
terday.
MI. Sprague took the floor, but was shortly
interrupted at l o'clock by the announcement
OF the Chinese Embassy, and Mr.. Burlingame
entered arm in arm with Mr.. Sumner, the two
chief Mandarins being escorted by Mr. Sher.
man and Mr.. Hendricks, whereupon, having
proceeded within the bar, Mr.. Sumner said T:
MIR. President, we present Mr.. Buringame and
his associates of the Chinese Embassy to the
Senate of the United States
President pro tent welcome Mr.. Burln-
game and his associates of the Chinese EN-
bassy to the Senate of the United States, and
the committee will conduct them to seats pre-
pared for them. The Embassy took seats in a
semi-circe facing the Senators, Mr.. Burlin-
game in the centre.
Mr.. Anthony said: Mr. President move
that the business be suspended for 20 minutes
in order that the Senators may have an oppor-
tunty of paying their respects to the Embassy
The motion was agreed to- and the Senators
for the most part fiocked around the Orientals
shaking hands and engaging in conversation
through interpreters.
AT LIS the President pro TEN resumed the
CHAIR and again called the Senate to order, the
Embassy retiring in the order in which they
came without ceremony
The President announced: The question is
on striking out the first section OF the BILL and
the Senator from Rhode Island, Mr. Sprague
has the floor
Mr. Spra9ue resumed the floor He pro-
nounced the action of the Senate yesterday,
in agreeing to take from the excess of the
banking capital in the eastern States the pro-
posed $20,OO0,000 increase, as a breach of sol
emn contract entered into for the benefit of
the nation in its time of trouble. He would
vote for a motion to strike out, and hoped the
whole subject would be laid ON the table.
Mr. Hendricks would also vote to strike out
the first section, as in his opinion the matter
should be left to the banking interests to regu-
late for themselves.
Shortly before o'clock the Chair laid before
the Senate telegraphic dispatch from the
Constitutional Convention of Texas, dated
Austin, June 10th, forwarding the resolutions
just adopted, on which they ask the immediate
action OF Congress.
The resolutions, after reciting the lawless-
ness existing in certain portions of the State,
urge upon Congress the necessity of authoriz-
ing the organization by the convention of a
military force in the several counties to act in
connection with the military commander, in
whom they express their confidence for the
purpose OF protecting the lives and property
of their citizens, now preyed upon by assassins
and robbers, and assert that otherwise they
will be obliged to organize for their own de-
fence. The matter was referred to the Com
mittee on Military Affairs.
After further discussion of the currency bill
the motion to strike out was agre d to by
vote of 26 to IL.
Mr.. Sherman then offered his substitute for
the fifth section proposed yesterday.
Mr.. FeSsenden moved to amend by adding
the following: provided that the circulation
herein authorized shall be issued only as circu-
lation is Withdrawn, SO that the aggregate cir
culation shall not at any time exceed $500, O0O,-
600, which was agreed to.
Mr.. Sherman's amendment was agreed to-
The bill then passed by yeas %, nays IA.
The bill now goes to the House.
Mr.. Howard tried to call up the bill relative
to the Union Pacific Railroad Company, but
motion to go into executive session prevailed
In the meantime the bill for the removal of po-
l6cal disabilities came over from the House
with request for committee of conference
on the amendments, which was ordered.
After short executive session the Senate
adjourned
HOUSE.
Mr.. Cook from the Committee on Elections,
made a report on the contested election case of
Mckee against Young, from the 9th Congress
sional district of Kentucky, with a resolution
that Samuel Mckee, the contestant is duly
elected, and gave notice that he would call up
the report early next week.
Mr. lngersoll offered a resolution directing
the Committee on Ways and Means to consd- |
er and report on the subject of a tax on the
capital deposits and circulation OF national
and other banks of issue in connection with
the bill directed to be prepared.
Mr.. Randall suggested to include a tax on
Government deposits.
Mr.. Ingersoll so modified his resolution, and
it was agreed to.
Mr.. Van Wick asked leave to offer a pream-
BILE and resolution on the subject of natural.
lied American citizens and directing the Pres
ident to demand Immediately from any foreign
Government that may have imprisoned Amer
lean citizens for words spoken in this country
an acknowledgment as complete and ample as
was made by the United States Government
in apologiZlng for the arrest of Mason and Sill
dell; to demand reparaton in all instances,
and report what has been done to secure such
rights and redress of wrongs.
Mr.. Stevens, of Pennsylvania said that this
was a very grave matter, and the resolution
asserted a greet many things about which
nothing is known, and he desired to debate the
resolution.
The resolution giving rise to debate, it went
over under the rule.
Mr.. Stevens of Penn, offered resolution in
structing the Committee on Ways and Means
to inquire into the expediency OF reporting
q bill to collect revenue on distilled spirits =.
ON the principle of the capacity of the still
and apparatus, making due allowance for
waste and to contain provisions Ike the fol-
lowing:
First, Call in expert builders and operators
to ascertain the utmost quantity still can
produce in twenty-feur hours constant run
ming
Second, Let the distiler take out license for
just such time as he may choose to operate,
paying or giving good security to pay tax on
all spirits that can be produced within the
period of license
Third, Ii the distiler shall be found to over
run the period of license he shall be subjected
10 Imprisonment in the penitentiary.
Fourth, If any one shall be found to have
distilled spirits without license he shall be
subject to like Imprisonment.
Fifth, If any unoccupied distiery key shall
be given to a revenue officer, he shall be heav-
lily punished if he suffer the premises TO go in
to the hands of any other person for the pur-
pose of using them.
Sixth. The keeper OF any concealed still
shall be heavily punished.
Ihe resolution was referred to the Commit
tee on Ways and Means.
The House resumed as business the morning
hour consideration of the bill reported yester-
day by Mr. ingalls, in reference to the National
Safe Deposit Company of the city of Wash
ingtOn.
Some provisions eff the BILL particularly
those giving the Company the power of Saw
ings Bank and of trust company were contest
ed and discussed during the morning hour.
Finally on motion of Mr.. Benjamin. the bill
was laid on the table.
Mr.. Washburne of Mass. from the Commit
tee on Claims reported bill to provide for the
distribution of the reward offered by the Pres
ident of the United States for the capture of
Jefferson Davis. Ordered to be printed and
reeommtted.
Mr. Washburne of Indiana from the Com
mittee on Military Affairs, made a report as
to burying of the Confederate dead in Antiet-
am cemetery Ordered to be printed and re-
committed.
The House then proceeded to the considera-
tion as special order of the bill reported by Mr..
Elliot from the Committee on Commerce, to
promote American commerce.
Mr. Elliot addressed tie House on the ma
tional importance of the bill, which provides
as follows:
"That section 4th of the act entitled an act
amendatOry of certain acts imposing dunes
upon foreign mportatlons approved March sd,
lSo3 and section 10 of an act increasing tenn
porly duties on imports and for other pur-
poses, approved July 18th, 1862, be and the
same are hereby amended so the tonnage tax
lhete,h imposed shall be collected only from
gesscis arriving from foreign ports; that a
DRAWBACK equal to the duties paid be allowed
shipbulders on lumber, cordaGe iron. copper,
chalhs ana anchors actually used and employ