The Portland daily press., 1868-04-22
XLth CONGRESS- Second Session.

WASHINGTON, April 81
Mr.. Robinson offered the following resolu-
ton:
ReSolUed That the resolutions of impeach
ment against Andrew johnson, President of
the United States, passed Feb. "a, 1868, and all
proceedings of the House amendatory thereof
and supplementary thereto be and the same
are thereby rescinded, and that the managers
on the part of the House be called from the
proceedings of said impeachment.
Mr.. Mullens rose to move to lay the resolu-
ton on the table.
Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois, inquired wheth-
er the Speaker ruled that the resolution was a
question of privilege.
The Speaker ruled that it was question of
privilege.
Mr.. Washburne objected to its reception and
consideration
Mr.. Robinson inquired whether that obec-
ton could deprive him of his right to argue in
support of The resolution.
The Speaker replied that it could, and refer
red to the rule on the subject and to rulings
in former cases.
The question would be whether the House
would now consider the resolution. The vote
was taken by yeas and nays, and resulted yeas
IL, nays VI; party VOTE so the House refused
TO consider the resolution.
Mr., Phelps offered as question of privilege
resolution reciting paragraph which had
appeared in the Baltimore American of April
10Th, to the effect that Senator Sherman had
been before the impeachment managers and
huu uCCn HllHubcIJ eAdmIUeu n reference TO
his interviews with the President and that it
was understood the defamation OF Gen. Butler
to proceed with the cross-examnation of Mr.
Sherman was in view of the preliminary ex-
animation, and providing for the appointment
of select committee to examine into the facts
in order to vindicate the managers from such
assertions.
Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois, inquired wheth-
er the resolution was question of privilege.
The Speaker decided that it was net and
gave his reasons He Sr1hmttad fha
to the House, and the House decided in the
same way.
MIR. Eldridge asked unanimous consent to
have the resolution of Mr.. Phelps agreed to,
but Mr. Kelsey objected.
Mr.. johnson introduced bill amendatory
to the tenth section of the steamboat passen-
ger law. Referred to the Committee on Com
merce.
Mr.. Ingersoll offered a resolution instruct
ing the Post Office Committee to inquire into
the expediency of securing to the general Gov
eminent the exclusive control of all telegraph
lines within the United States. Adopted.
Mr.. briggs offered resolution instructing
the Post Office Committee to inquire into the
expediency of extending the Thanking privi-
lege to members of legislative branches OF such
foreign governments as extend the same to the
legislative members of this Government
Adopted
The Speaker proceeded, as the business of
the morning hour, to the call of committees
for reports.
Mr.. Pike, from the Committee on Naval At
fairs, presented number of adverse reports,
which we're laid on the table; also the Senate
joint resolution for the appointment of COM
mission to select suitable locations for powder
magazines in the vicinity of New York, Boston
and Portsmouth, N. H., which passed; also the
Senate bill for the restoration of Lieutenant
Commander Frank Abbott to the active list OF
the Navy, which passed: also the Senate joint
resolution for the relief of Geo. w. Doty Com
mander in the United States Navy on the re-
tired list, which passed; also the Senate bill
for the relief of John S. Cunningham, Pay
him Sl69l for money stolen from the money
chest OF the frigate Colorado, passed; also the
House bill to amend certain acts 10 relation to
navy and marine corps, which limits the num-
Der OF officers, non commissioned officers and
musicians of the marine corps to the number
authorized by the act OF March q 1867 and of
prlvates TO 1900, now 5000; the commissions of
the present officers are not to be vacated but
no appointment is to be made in any of the
grades until the number is reduced below the
number provided by other sections of the bill;
it abollshes the grades of mate and third as
sistant engineers in the navy, and repeats all
acts authorizing the temporary acting officers
in the navy. After considerable discussion the
the bill was passed. Also the joint resolution
in relation to vessels enrolled and licensed for
employment in the coasting trade and fisher
les
The morning hour having expired, the bill
went over until the next morning hour.
The Speaker presented message from the
President and executive communications on
the following SUBJECTS the imprisonment
and detention of the property OF Antonio Pei
letter by the people and authorities OF Haute
with information in refereD ce to Russian Amer
lea; relative to certain efforts of the Treasury
department for the recove ry of Confederate
property in Europe, These were referred t.
the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The House, at o'clock, proceeded to the
consideration OF the bill reported Yesterday by
Mr.. Jencks, for amendment of the bankrupt
law, and Mr. Jencks proceeded to explain it:
provisions.
Mr. Eliot moved to amend the first section
by making 1t read January l, 1869, instead o.
June 1, 1869. "
Mr.. Paine desired to move an amendmon+ :,
insert in the first section, before fine uorS
bankruptcy the word voluntary"
Mr. JencKs declined to let the amendment
be offered, saying it applied to both forms O
bankruptcy.
Mr. Dawes made some remarks against tn
policy of engrafting on the permanent bank
rupt law of the country the principle that
man can be discharged who is unable to pa
fifty per cent. of his indebtedness. The ide
of that fifty per cent. provision was goo
one. 1t was to hold out to an insolvent at th
earliest period Of his insolvency an induce
ment for him to come forward and notify hi
creditors and distribute his property anon
hem,