The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-06-13
XLth OONGREss-Seoond Session
SENATE

XLth O0NGREss-Seoond Session.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, June 12-Mr. Sur1ner. from
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, reported 9
bill granting Walter Lowe, of Nashua, com
pensatlon tor services rendered gunboat Tioga
bill was reported requesting the President
to lntercede with Queen Victoria for the re-
lease of Rev. Mr.. Mcmahon, confined at Kings
ton, G. w. Passed.
Mr. Harlan, from the Committee on the Dis
trict of Columbia, reported with amendment a
bill to regulate contested elections in WASH
lngton, ID. q. He urged its immediate consd-
Grafton for the purpose of preventing anarchy
in the city.
Mr.. Hendricks objected, and the bill went
over.
Mr.. Edmunds introduced bill in relation to
an act to regulate the time and manner of
holding elections for Senators in Congress.
The Senate discussed the bill relative to the
Western Pacific Railroad Company to the ex-
piration of the morning hour when without
action it was laid aside
Mr.. Sherman's bill supplementary to an act
TO provide national currency secured by
pledge of United States bonds and to provide
for the circulation thereof, came up.
The question was on amendments by the
Committee on Finance. The first three
amendments were adopted.
Mr.. Wilson moved to strike out the provision
increasing the circulation to twenty millions
for States and territories having less than five
dollars per inhabtant, and insert a clause in
creasing it to one hundred millions and re-
ducing greenbacks one hundred Millions
Mr.. Morrill, of Vermont opposed it, and
moved to add proviso that the Secretary of
the Treasury shall be authorized to withdraw
an equal amount of United States notes.
A long discussion followed
Mr.. Sherman opposed the amendment as
opening up the whole currency question
which the committee had thought it wise to
avoid in the present heated state of policies.
MIR. Wilson replied that New York and
pennsylvania has more than two-thirds of the
circulation, and he was in favor of free bank
Ing
After further debate, Mr. Wilson asked for
division on his amendment, and the question
being on the first part thereof, it was lost
without division.
At the suggestion of Mr. Sherman Mr.. Will
son Withdrew the latter part.
Mr. Morrill, of Vermont moved to amend by
adding at the end of the section the words:
And on the issue of any increase of national
circulation provided for in this section, the
Secretary of the Treasury is hereby author
lied and required to permanently withdraw
an equal amount of United States notes.
- Mr.. Drake protested at the attempt of the
New England States, already gorged with Cir
culatlon, to deny an increase to the West
Mr.. Wilson remarked that there is now
$65O,OOOOOO in the country, which is a larger
proportion than before the war, and he assert
ed that the banking capital of New England
mas not increased but has diminished since the
beginning of the war.
AT half-past four, without further action the
Senate went into executive session and soon
after adjourned.
The House accepted an invitation from the
Executive Committee of the National Sharp
Shooters to attend public festival at Jones'
Woods, New York, June 9th.
The Speaker appointed the following MEM
bers to represent the House: Messrs Garfield,
Paine, Chauler and Ortiz
Mr.. Bingham, from the Committee on Re-
construction, reported back the Senate amend
ments to admit certain States to representation
In Congress- with the recommendation that
the amendments be concurred in.
Mr.. Spalding moved to concur in the amend
ments of the Senate, with an amendment
striking out Alabama.
Mr.. Fa:nsworth moved to strike Florida out
OF the bill, and proceeded to give bis reasons
for the motion. He was thoroughly conyin-
ced that Florida ought not to be admitted with
its present constitution.
Mr. Butler replied to the arguments of
Messrs. Farnsworth and Paine, and declared
that the new constitution of Florida was sim
liar to that under which the people of Massa-
chusetts and of other New England States and
of New York had so long lived.
Mr.. Washbu-ne, of Illinois, remarked that
so far as he was concerned he would remand
Florida to territorial condition. He did not
want her to come here with two Senators to
offset the Senators from Illinois, Pennsylvania
or New York, particularly with such consti.
tuition.
Mr.. Farnsworth asked Mr. Hubbard wheth-
er the Reconstruction Committee approved
even to-day The constitution of Florida
Mr.. Hubbard replied that it did.
Mr.. Bingham said he desired the action of
the House speedily on the bill, and he would
therefore call the previous question, but first
be would ask his colleague (Spalding) whether
he desired to offer his amendment now.
Mr.. Spalding-Yes; move to strike out AL
ALBANIA from the bill.
Mr.. Bingham addressed the House in sup
port of the bill.
Alter further debate the motion to exclude
Florida fiom the bill was defeated by yeas 45,
nays 50, and the Senate amendments concur
red in, yeas Ill, nays %. The bill now goes to
the President for his signature.
BY unanimous consent at the suggestion of
the Speaker, the committee to represent the
House at the National Sharpshooter's festival
In New York, was increased from five to seven,
and the Speaker appointed as the two addi-
tional members, William III. Robertson, of New
York, and Mr.. Knott, of Kentucky.
Mr.. Schenck, at the suggestion OF Mr.. Rob-
ertson, reported ION the Committee on Ways
and Means joint resolution to remit the du-
tional Association OF American Sharpshooters
to an amount not exceeding $4,000 in curren-
cy. Passed unanimously
Mr.. Butler reported bill appropriating
$15OO0O to aid the Indian Peace Commission
ers. Ordered to be printed and referred to
committee of the whole
The House at half past proceeded to the
business of the morning hour the reception OF
reports of private nature from the Commit
tee on Invalid Pensions. A large number OF
bills passed.
The House then took recess.
EVENING SESSION.
The House in committee resumed the con-
sideration of the tax bill.
Some progress was made when the commit
tee rose, and the House agreed to sit from II
till tomorrow, having no evening session.