The Portland daily press., 1868-02-20
XLsh OoNaREss-seoond Session

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19-Mr. Sumner pave
notice that ne would trodnce bill to-mor-
row to recharter the city of Washington.
Mr.. Trumbull, from the Judiciary Commit
tee, reported adversely on the bill introduced
by Mr.. Wilson for the more efficient goyern-
ment OF the rebel States, with amendments
thereto; also adversely on another bill on the
same subject. He said they were rendered
unnecessary by the recent amendment report-
ed by the committee to the supplementary re-
construction bill, providing that majority of
the votes cast should decide the election. He
also reported adversely on the bill to regulate
service out of jurisdctional limits
Mr.. Fessenden, from the Committee on Pub
lie Buildings and Grounds, reported bill to
enlarge the Capital grounds.
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill to reimburse
soldiers for clothing destroyed because of con-
tagion.
Mr.. Wilson introduced Joint resolution to
restore Alabama to representation In Congress,
as follows: 20
Whereas, the act of March 3d. 1867, entitled
an act supplementary to an act to provide for
the more efficient government Of the rebel
States" passed March 2, 1867, and facilitates
restoration, provided that the election for the
ratification of the Constitution of each of the
rebel States should be one at which all the
registered and qualified electors of the State
should have an opportunity to vote freely and
without restraint, fear or the influence of
fraud; and
Whereas, at the election for the ratification of
the Constitution of Alabama, large numbers
OF voters, owing to their dismissal from en-
ployment and the hostile and menacing actions
of combinations of persons, had not an oppor-
tunity to vote freely and without restraint
fear or the influence of fraud and
Whereas, Congress is satisfied that the Com
stitution OF Alabama meets the approval OF a
majority of all the qualified electors of the
State; therefore, ~sE
ResoIged, By the Senate and House of Rem
resentativeS OF the United States Of America.
In Congress assembled, that the Constitution
OF Alabama is hereby declared to be in con-
tormity with the provisions of the act to pro-
vide for the more efficient government of tha
rebel States passed March 2, 1867, and the said
Constitution is hereby approved, and when
there be Legislature elected under said Con-
stitution that shall ratify the 14th article of
the Constitution of the United States pro-
posed by the seth Congress, the said State
shall be admitted to representation in Congress
10 accordance with the laws OF the United
States. Referred to the Judiciary COMMITTEES.
Mr.. Wilson stated that he would call it up
at an early day, when he would make state
ment of the outrages perpetrated in that State
IN violation of the right to vote without fear
or restraint
Mr.. Morton introduced a bill to relieve the
disabilities of Gov. Holden, of North Caro-
lima. Referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Considerable discussion was elected on the
general subject OF aid TO railroads by bill ex-
Dubuque & Sioux City road, which was called
up by Mr.. Harlem, and amended and passed.
The Senate then took up the special order,
the resolution for the admission of Mr.. Thomas
Mr.. Howard addressed the Senate at consid-
cradle length in reply To Mr. Trumbull.
After further debate Mr.. Sumner withdrew
his amendment and Mr.. Conklng offered one
similar in effect.
Messrs. Howe and Davis spoke in favor of
MIR. Thomas admission, and Mr.. CONFESS OPP
posed it.
Mr.. Conkling withdrew his amendment.
Mr.. Drake waived his contemplated amend
ment
Mr.. johnson closed the debate in favor of
MR.. Lhomas, when vote wss taken. on the
resolution Tor admission and it was rejected.
Mr.. Drake then offered his amendment
which is substantially the same as the original
resolution, but with an addition at the end of
the words land that the President pro tenn in
form the Governor of MARYLAND of the action
of the Senate in the premises" and it was
adopted, "a to 20.-Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Lawrence, of Ohio, from the Judiciary
Committee, reported bill to establish Law
Department.
Mr.. Wilson, of Iowa, from the same COM
mittee, reported back the bill providing for the
surrender of persons convicted of certain
crimes, and asked that it be put on its passage.
The bill, as amended by the committee. pro-
vides that no person who may have been duly
arrested, tried, convicted and adjudged guilty
OF murder, piracy, assassination.' arson, rob-
berry or forgery, and whose conviction has not
been reversed, shall be allowed to enter or re-
main in the United States, and authorizes the
President, on production of satisfactory proof
that any such person has entered or is about
to enter the United States, to return or cause
to- be returned such convict to the country
from which he came or in which he NAV have
been convicted
Mr.. Wilson stated that the particular case
which gave rise to the bill was one which de-
manded Immediate action, and yet he did not
feel authorized to state the circumstances of
the case, because such statement might defeat
the object of the BILL
Mr.. Judd asked Mr.. Wilson whether the bill
would exclude person convicted of any such
crimes and subsequently pardoned by the Gov
eminent.
Mr.. Wilson answered in the nevatiye.
MIR. Judd asked whether it would apply to
person who, after having paid the flu penal
ty inflicted as imprisonment for twenty years,
afterwards came to this country.
Mr.. Wilson replied that it certainly could
not be so construed.
The bill was passed without division.
The House then proceeded to dispose OF the
amendments, ffty-nine in number, reported
from the Committee of the Whole ON the state
Of the Union to the legislative appropriation
bill.
Mr.. Washburne withdrew the amendment
pending at the adjournment of the House yes
teIday.
All the amendments having been disposed
of the bill was passed
The House then went into committee of the
whole on the state of the Union, Mr.. Wash
burne in the chair, on the army appropriation
bill. After much debate the discussion was
closed, and without disposing of the bill the
committee rose.
Mr.. Blaine offered a resolution requesting
the President to communicate all correspon-
dence in reference to comforting on Lieut..
Gen. Sherman the brevet rank of General,
and the correspondence in relation to the es-
adjustment of the military disvision of the
Atlantic. Adopted.
Mr.. Logan introduced an act revoking the
authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to
pay per centage for the sale of Government
securities or bonds. Referred to Committee
on Ways and Means.
Mr.. Broomall, from the Committee on Ac.
counts, to whom had been referred certain
charges against Mr.. 0rdway, Sergeant-at-
Arms, presented a report signed by four OF the
five members. ending with resolution that
the committee be discharged from the further
consideration of the subject.-Adiourned.