The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-01-23
XLth CONGRESS- Second Session.

WASHINGTON, an. 22.--Mr. Cattell, from the
committee OF conference on the bill to prevent
contraction of the currency, reported that the
committee had agreed that the Senate should
recede from its amendment and to report the
following amendment: provided that Doth-
ing herein shall prevent the cancellation and
destruction of mutilated notes and replacing
the same with notes of the same character and
amount" The report was agreed to and the
amendment adopted. -1 gsr
Mr. Sherman presented the report of the
committee of conference on the bill relieving
cotton from tax, stating that they were unable
to agree, and moving the appointment of anoth-
er committee and instructing them to recede
from the Senate's amendment and report an
amendment allowing importation of cotton
free of duty. After discussion, at the sugges-
ton of Mr.. Anthony MIR. Sherman modified
his resolution by providing that further con-
ference asked by the House members OF the
committee on the part of the Senate be in
structed to recede from the Senate's amend
ments, providing the House accept the amend
ment relative TO imported cotton.
Mr. Morton moved to amend by providing
that the entire tax be suspended until after
1868, and after that year it be per cent. per
pound. After further debate the amendment
was adopted by vote OF 70 to H. -.
Mr.. Sumner from the Committee on Foreign
Relations, reported joint resolution proyid.
ing for the representation of the United States
at the International exhibition to be held at
Havre, France between June and October of
the present year, 1t authorizes the Secretary
of the Navy to detail one or more officers of
the navy to be present.
Mr.. Trumbull opposed the taking up of the
resolution, and referred to the appropriations
on account of the Paris Exposition, which had
kept on growing. ~
\ The resolution was laid on the table,.
Mr.. Howe introduced a bill to amend the act
providing for the collection of duties on i'm
ports, approved March, 1868, which was refer
red to the Judiciary Committee.
On motion of Mr.. Conkling, the Committee
on the Judiciary were discharged from the
further consideration of the joint resolution
relating to the rights of American citizens to
sell vessels to citizens of other countries.
On motion of Mr.. Harlan, the Senate took
up the bill reported by him from the Commit
tee on the District of Columbia appropriating
$4,000 for the temporary relief of the desti-
tute people of this District. An amendment
of the committee reducing the amount to $751;
600 was adopted and the bill passed.
The resolution to admit Philip Thomas, SEN
ator elect from Maryland, on taking the OATH
was taken up, and ebated by Messrs. Doolit-
tie, Drake, Upton and others.
After further debate Mr.. Trumbull rose to
speak on the question, but gave way to Mr..
Henderson, who pronounced an eulogy On Mi.
Noell of Missouri, whose .decease, consequent
to the adjournment of the House was announc-
ed duing the debate. He concluded by offer
ing resolutions concurring in those of the
House, and providing for the adoption of
badge of mourning for thirty days and an i'm
mediate adjournment as token OF respect to
the memory to the deceased. HsaaesrI
Mr.. Drake followed, briefly on the same sub
ject, seconding the resolutions, which were
adopted.
Messrs. Morrill, OF Vermont, Sherman and
mittee of conference on the cotton tax bill.
The Senate then adjourned.
ats .s..ssz HOUSE, al- -.,-a
Mr.. Boutwell, presented resolution Of a
mass meeting in Lowell, Mass, in reference to
rights of naturalized citizens abroad.
Mr.. Clark of Ky, offered resolution calling
on the Secretary OF War for information as to
the extent of the Fort Riley military reserva-
ton, and whether it is needed for military pur-
poses. Adopted.
Mr. Tabor offered resolution calling ON the,
Secretary of the Navy for information as to
the steamship Vanderbilt, on what service she
is employed, where stationed and what is the
condition of her hull and machinery. Adopted.
Mr.. Butler offered a resolution calling on the
Secretary of War for Information as to the re-
ported suffering of the U; $. troops in Sitka
from cold aud hunger. Adopted, az.
The House then proceeded to the considera-
ton of the Senate amendments to the deficien-
cy bill, and disposed Of them as follows:
The amendment appropriating Sl3i4 as an in
creased compensation to the congressional
printer was concurred in, and appropriatiDg
$4,000 for stationery, with proviso that here
after only S125 shall be allowed for stationery
and newspapers to each member or senator tor
any one session.
Mr.. Washburn of Ill, moved an amendment
that no further allowance be made for the year
ending March Sd, 1868. These are already
made,
This item gave rise to considerable discuss
sion, in the course of which in reply to a sug-
gestion by Mr.. Maynard that all members
should be allowed to draw what stationary
thew needed, Mr.. Stevens of Pennsy lvania said
that the plan had been tried and had to be
changed because some members procured un-
der the name of stationery pantaloons, shirts
and shaving SOAP enough to last them for years
(Laughter.) Some members had run up their
account for stationery to nearly thousand
dollars. -.e-
The discussion was also extended to the
question of mi cage, Mr.. Brownell of Illinois
charging that Western members charged mile
age by way of Chicago and New York.
Mr. Anderson, who is Chairman of the Com
mittee on Mileage, contradicted that assertion.
Mr. Washburn's amendment to an amend
mept was rejected, and the Senate's amend
ment conaurred in,
All of the Senate's amendment were con-
CURED in without question except the last,
winch, by the way, is a new section, and re-
peals an laws permitting the transfer OF APP
preparations from one branch of business in
department. to another branch. 1t was non-
concurred IN, and the bill goes back to the SEN
ate for actlon on that amendment.
MIR; knott, Dy way of personal explanation,
justified his connection with the action com
blamed of yesterday by Mr.. Dawes in e rcula-
ton of the briefs presented to the committee
in the kentucky election case Of Young aud
Mckee.
The House then proceeded-to call the com
mites or reports. ...
Mr.. Morrill, from the committee on manu-
features, reported resolution reciting that the
practical working of our system OF foreign
commerce. has been 10 drain the United States
of the precious metals, and to transfer to tor
ei2n holders IN settlement of trade balances
a large amount of public securities, and d.
recting the committee on commerce to enquire
into the expediency of providing by law for
the peri ,dical publication of the relative value
OF imports on foreign and domestic account;
what proportions OF the capital was invested
In such importing business and the profits it
| pays taxes to the United Stales, distinguishing
between new materials and manufactures, and
specifying the relative value of such imports as
| are in warehouses on home and foreign &C.