The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-02-18
XLth 0oNGRHss-seoond Session.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.-Mr. Trumbull, from
the Committee on Judiciary. reported sub
stitute for the House bill referred to that COM
mttee December 9Th, providing that hereafter
any election authorized by the reconstruction
act OF March %, 1857, shall he decided by a
majority of votes actually cast; and at any
election Ia which the question OF adoption or
rejection ofany Constitution is submitted, any
person duly registered may vote in any part Of
the State in which he shall have been regis
tered where he may reside at the time of said .
election upon presentation of his certificate of
registration, under such regua tons as the
district commanders may provide. - ~
Mr. Trumbul Introduced e bilt which was
referred TO the Judiciary Committee, defining
jurisdiction OF Courts in certain cases. Ii
ahrms that repeated decisions of the Supreme
Court have decided that the judicial mower of
the United States does not embrace political
power. 1t declares that all Courts of the
United States, in the administration Of JUS
tice, shall be bound by the decisions Of the po-
IticaI department of the Government o1 DO
litical questions, and that it rests with Con-
gress to decide what government is an estab-
liShed one in a State. 1t is further declared
that no civil State Government republican in
form, exists in the States of Virginia, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia. Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, Arkansas and
Texas. and that no civil Government in either
of said States shall be rect gnized as valid or
legal state Government by the executive or
Judicial power Of the United States until Con-
gress shall so provide, or until such State Gov
eminent is represented in Congress. And il
is further affirmed that the reconstruction act
of March 2, 1867, and acts supplemental there
to are political in their character, the proprie-
ty or validity of which no judicial tribunal i
competent 10 question, and the Supreme
Court of the United States is hereby prohibit
ted from taking jurisdiction Of any case grow
ing out Of the execution OF said ACES in either
of said States until such States shall be repre-
in IL.
recognize its State Government as Ii publican
in form. All such cases now pending in said
Court shall be dismissed, and all acts author
iziDg an appeal, writ Of error, habeas corpus
or other proceedings to bring before said SUI
preme Court for review any case, civil or Grim
inal, or other proceedings arising out of the
execution OF said reconstruction acts, or au-
thorizng an appeal from a Circuit Court in
habeas corpus proceeding to the Supreme
Court, or which authorizes the Supreme Court
to issue a writ of habeas corpus to bring fore
ii for review any Judgment ola lower Court
in habeas corpus cases are hereby repealed.
The Senate then considered the resolution
for the admission of Mr.. Thomas, of Maryland.
Mr. Cole advocated it.
Mr. Blake gave notice that be should offer
an amendment that Mr.. Thomas be not en-
titled to take the oath or hold seat.
Mr.. Hendricks spoke in favor Of his admis-
sion.
Messrs. Morton and Fowler opposed the ad-
laid over till tomorrow, when Mr.. johnson
closes the DEBATE.
The Senate concurred in the House amend
ment to the bill supplemental to the act for the
payment Of additional bounties.
The Senate considered the Joint resolution
to recover into the Treasury money arising
from the sales of captured and abandoned
property and now in the hands of the United
States Treasurer, but after a speech from Mr..
Fessenden, and without action, the Senate adj
iourned.
A large number of bills and Joint resolutions
were introduced and referred, including the
followng:-P providing that greenbacks be ok
empt from State taxation; by Mr.. Bingham,
to restore the State OF Alabama To representa-
tion in Congress, refer ed to the Committee
on Reconstruction. HftET kH~F|
The House went iuto committee of the
whole on the legislative and appropriation bill
Dir. Buffers amendment providing for the
mission 70 Greece was adopted.
Mr.. Williams moved TO strike out the mis-
sions to Ecquador, New Grenada, Bolivia,
Venezuela, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica
Honduras, the Argentine confederation, Para
quay and Salvador, which were debated at
length.
A vote was taken separately on each of the
missions named ia the amendment and was
rejected.
Mr.. Brooks moved an appropriation for a
mission to Rome. Reiected-4s to SO.
MIR. Washburue, of Illinois offered an amend
ment requiring that fees to any Vice Consul
or Consular agent beyond 81 900 to be account
ed for aud paid into the Treasury, ana pre-
Scribing that no greater sum than $1,000 shall
be allowed for expenses to any Vice Consul or
Consular agent. Adopted.
Mr.. Peters offered an amendment that
where the fees collected exceed $4,000, the
salary, where it does not now exceed 81 800,
shall be $1,000 Adopted. O.. .
The bin was then reported to the Fouse and
passed.
Mr.. Griswold moved to suspend the rules TO
enable him to Introduce and have put on its
passage q joint resolution relative to the
rights of American citizens abroad.
Pending the question the House adjourned.