The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-03-23
XLth C0NGREss-second Session.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, March 2l-In the Senate sew
sral petitions were presented and re erred.
The pest Office appropriation bill was taken
up and passed as amended.
The army appropriation bill was then taken
mp and the amendment of the committee
agreed to.
Mr.. Grimes denied the statements in the
newspapers that the appropriation in rhe
House bills had been largely increased by the
Senate Committee on Appropriations; on the
contrary the appropriation had been consider
ably decreased by that committee, and none
had been increased by the Senate.
In reference to a reduction Of the appropria-
tons Mr.. Wilson said the army could safely be
reduced materially within 80 days.
Dir Sherman moved substitute for the
second section providing that the balances OF
the unexpended appropriation on the day
OF July next be carried TO the surplus fund ,ex
cepf so much as will pay expenditures of the
fiscal year. He said there we've $141 778OOO
unexpended balance which ought to be carried
TO the surplus fund to meet the existing liabili-
ties. After discussion il was adop:ed.
Mr.. Ramsay introduced bill to reorganize
the Pacific Department and fix the pay of its
officers. Referred to the Post Office Commit
tee.
Mr.. Wilson introduced resolution of tharks
to Isaac g. Hays for services to science in at
tanning the most northerly point of discovery
north of tie American Continent. Referred.
Mr.. Davis offered an additional section to
the army appropriation bill, directing that af-
EE tuc uTeb VI Way u TeuuCtlOu Oh Iu6 army 10
10000 men be made, and that the President
procee to muster out the officers, men, etc.
Dir. Davis advocated the resolution, and pro-
ceeded to demonstrate its propriety.
A discussion ensued in reference to the fea-
eibilty of a redubtion of the army and the adj
equacy of tho reduced force to maintain peace
and order in the Southern States, In which
Messrs. Davis, Morrill, of Maine. Hendrick and
others participated. Finally the amendment
was rejected.
Mr. Buckalew offered an additional section
providing for reduction of the army to 10000
men after May LIST.
During the discussion on the amendment
Mr.: Wilson referred to the Indian difficulties,
until they could tell whether there would be
any Indian troubles. Rejected, IL to q, Messrs.
Ferris, Fowler and Sprague voting for it. The
bill was finally passed as amended.
The Indian appropriate IN bill was taken up,
and the amendments of the committee agreed
to. After the adoption of the amendment APP
propriating $4,000 to the Sioux Indians of
Devils lake, the bill was passed
Mr.. Anthony moved to take up the report OF
the committee on standing rules of the Sem
Mr.. Drake opposed. and endeavored to have
taken up the additional impeachment rule of
fered by him on Friday. He hoped the Sena-
tor would withdraw the motion.
Mr.. Anthony declined With the remark that
while he recognized the importance of the
presiding officers being addressed as Mr.. Pres
ident instead of Mr. Chief Justice, he could
not recognize in the proposition the grave
question which the Senator saw in it. He be-
heved Senator'S had addressed the Chair indis-
criminately as Mr.. Chief Justice and as Mr.
President He assured the Senator that he
was not party to any conspiracy against his
proposition, but simply desired to have this
report taken up, already too long deferred.
Ssr. Sprague said he would like to have the
question. (Lsughter.) He would say to the
vigilant gurdian OF the public interests of Mis-
souri,, Mr.. Drake, that he was afraid the mis-
shievous Senators on the other side would dis
cuss the proposition until the adjournment
(Llughter.) - .,-t,-..- ) ..t-r.
Quite lively and humorous debate ensued,
Mr.. Drake insisting that his rule was import
ant II there were two Presidents OF the Sen
ate, which of them was to be President of the
United States9 1t might make some differ
ence in his vote. (Laughter.) @
After considerable discussion as to whether
the standing rules should be taken up ana TEL
alive to the Importance of Mr.. brakes motion,
Mr.. CONFESS moved to adjourn.
Mi. Anthony called for the yeas and nays,
but Withdrew his motion with the understand
ing that the motion would be waived to allow
q vote on the taking up of his report so as to
make 1t special.
Mr.. Drake called for the yeas and nays on
taking itup and it was agreed 'o-yeas a.
The Senate then at o'clock adjourned.
HOUSE.
The House is engaged In general discus
sion a. II in committee of the whole. The
principal topic Of the speeches is the financial
question.
Mr. Hubbard of Conn.,, presented remon-
STRANGE Of Messrs. Case, Lock wood and Brain
ard and other citizens of Hartford, Conn.,,
against the passage Of the International copy
right law.
General debate as if in Committee of Whole
being the order of the day, Mr.. Newcomb adj
fh0 . IA..u
generally.
Mr. BLAIR of Michigan, next spoke on the
sutS ct of finances. He argued in favor of the
payment OF the national debt and deno uuced
nouneing its advocates as political freebonters
A running discussion took place between
Atesers. Blair and Nlblack, as to whether the
obnoxious doctrine was justly chargeable en-
tirely to the Democratic party, when Republic
can politicians and Conventions had taken
.sinilar ground
Mr.. Niblack gave notice of a resolution in
curing into the validity OF titles to publ c ands
cold under treaties with Indians and made
speech on that subject.
Mr.. Perham addressed the House on the
financial question generally and especially in
fsvor eff the interests OF the merchants In
Maine.
Mr.; Niblack made speech against the
Freodman's Bureau bill.
Mr.. Peters advocated the admission of Ala
bama.
MIR. Paine discussed the obligation of Con-
grese to make an appropriation to carry out
the purchase OF Alaska, arguing that Con-
gress had the right to refuse such appropria-
ton.
Mr.. Wilson of Iowa, referred to the discus
sion which took place last Saturday, relative
TO the measure depriving the Supreme Court
Of appellate jurisdiction in Recommendation
cases. He denied that he had any conyersa.
ton or arrangement with Mr.. Schenck on the
subject and saying that he had prepared him.
self to explain the amendmadt, but as no ex.
pla uatio1 was asked tor and as he never troub-
led t6s House with any unnecessary remarks
he had rctrained from saying anything The
gentleman rom Ohio, tMr. Schenckl had Their
moved the previous question and the Hous'
acted on it, That was his whole connection
with IL .4,.f.
MIR. Eldrdge explained why he had net de
taoted and opposed the affair. ~