The Portland daily press., 1868-05-14
XLth 00NGRBss-seoond Session.


WASHINGTON, May 13.-The Chair laid be-
fore the Senate q communication from Gen.
Grant, enclosing reports of district command
ers in the South of the number of white and
colored votes registered in the different States,
the number cast for and against the ratifica-
ton of Constitutions, and the number neg
lecting TO vote.
Mr. Davis gave notice of his intention to in
troduce bill at an early day for the admission
of the territories of Arizona and Montana.
The Chair laid before the Senate the resig-
nation of John w. Forney, Clerk of the SEN
ate.
Mr.. Sumner moved that it be laid ON tie
table. Motion adopted.
Mr.. Hendricks offered a resolution that the
resignation be accepted, and that, until the ap-
pointment of successor, Major Macdonald act
as Secretary.
Mr. Sumner objected and the resolution
went over under the rules.
Mr.. Wilson offered joint resolution to re-
store North Carolina, South Carolina Georgia,
Alabama, Florida and Louisiana to represen-
.tation in Congress. Ordered to be printed
Mr.. Sherman called up the House bill for
the admission of Arkansas, and suggested the
advisability of taking immediate action upon it.
Mr.. Trum5ull opposed the departure from
the ordinary practice, which required its ref
erence to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. johnson took the same view and said it
would look to the coun ry, though he did not
believe such was the intention as if the hasty
admission of Arkansas was designed to influ-
Mr.. Dixon thought it possible that it might
be claimed that the new Senators would have
n right to vote, and contended that nothing
should be done which would admit the ques-
ton to be raised.
Mr.. Sherman deemed it inconceiyable that
those men would come here expecting to vote
on impeachment, and urged the Immediate
passage of the bill, on the ground that such
action would once more give moral sanction to
the authority of legislation, which was now
o;a m
lessness.
Mr., Edmunds favored its reference to the
committee in the regular way. He approved
of the Constitution, but thought bad preced-
publican Senators should not submit them
selves to an action which would render them
liable to suspension
Mr.. Buckalew raised some points as to
whether the Constitution was legally ratified
that were Re made in the House, quoting the re-
portsot Gen. Gillem
Mr. sherman replied, citing the report of the
cIlc5Is sent 10 investigate the election, that nc
frauds nave been shown on the part of the
registers.
Mr.. Morton advised nostnonamont until
Monday, saying that the argument of the SEN
ators from Mary land and Connecticnt indicat-
ed what use would be made by its opnonents
if an attempt was made to pass n To- ddpU H.
was sure that there was no intention ~ +oIro
such advantage of the passage of the hi, h,,t
would move an adjournment until Satnpda "
Mr.. Harlan pointed out that the addition ~
two Senators would leave the same numbe,
of votes as at present for acquittal, and woul5
therefore operate adversely to the friends
of conviction.
After further debate Mr.. Trumbull pledged
the Judiciary Committee to an early consider
alton of the bill, and on motion of Mr.. John
son 1t was referred to them.
Messrs: Morton and Sumner pressed the mo
ton to adjourn until Saturday.
Mr.. Anthony moved an amendment by sub
shutting Friday, saying that if much fnrthe
delay were had the Senate might, instead O
an August body, be called a September body
(Laughter)