The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-12-11
NEW s
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE
XLIst CONGRESSES Second Session.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.-Several bills were
introduced and referred; among them one
amending the laws relating to the coasting
trade, one establishing uniform naturalization
rules throughout the United States, one abol-
lsnlnS tees to pension agents, one repeating the
portion of the internal revenue law requiring
farmers and gardeners to take out q produce
brokers' license, one providing for the sale of
the coin in the treasury except such as is nee
essary to paw the interest on the bonds.
A resolution was adopted directing the Sec
rotary of War to furnish reports of the surveys
made as to the impediments and obstruction OF
the rivers and harbors of Massachusetts.
A resolution was adopted instructing the
Committee on Ways and Means to inquire if
further legislation was necessary to secure to
the Shakers the same exemption under the in
come tax as was enjoyed by other individuals
also resolution instructing the Committee on
Foreign Affairs to inquire into the conditions
under which the French Cable Company holds
its concession from the French government to
connect its telegraph by the French shore, and
whether there is any restriction or reservation
IN such concession tthat is prejudicial to the
rights OF the government or people of the Unit
ted States, &c.
Mr.. Hoag, of Ohio, asked leave to offer res
ol1tlon directing the Committee on Foreign
Affairs to inquire into the expediency of re-
cognizing the independence of the republic Of
Cuba, but objection was made.
Mr.. lngersOll of Illinois again introduced his
bill authorizing an additional issue of $44 900 900
of legal tender notes and moved its reference
bate arising on its reference Mr.. Ingersol
withdrew it.
The census bill was then taken up in Com
mittee of the Whole, the prOviso authorizing
the appointment of Superintendent of each
Congressional district in large cities was strck-
en- out.
An additional section as section 8 was in
serted, authorizing each district superintend-
ent to employ, by consent of the general SUI
perintendent, in addition to the enumerators,
one or more persons to collect, collate, arrange
and report the special statistical information
called for by the act, in relation to manufac-
turing and mechanical industry, mercantile
and trading establishments and business, fish
cries, education, religious charities, charitable,
sanitary, reformatory and penal institutions,
and the commercial and social statistics.
Mr.. Wilkinson of Minnesota, moved an
amendment to the 14th section, imposing a
line OF 5000 on any corporation which shall re-
fuse or neglect to give any information requir-
ed by the act. In sustaining his amendment
he declared as his belief that the two States of
Minnesota and Iowa paid to railroad corpora
tons for the transportation Of produce $1O,OOO-
600 year more than they ought to pay, and
when the people come to know how they were
victlmlzed by railroad corporations it would
awaken degree OF Indignation which would
require the government to take hold of the COR
porations and restrict their power to rob and
plumber the people. After discussion the
amendment was adopted.
Mr.. Schofeld of Pennsylvania, moved to
strike out the enacting clause of the BILL He
was opposed to the multiplication of federal Of
6cers as provided by the bill. He preferred
the act of 1850. He believed that under it the
census of 1860 had been well taken. Its sched-
ules were better than those provided ia this
bill and he believed its machinery was better.
There was no provision here for getting statis-
nf m
district.
Mr.. Garfield the poor mans light? Caught
Mr.. schofeld appreciated the labor OF the
chinery of the bill NOR did he like the multiple
cation of federal officers. When the war COM
menced there was but one set of federal Off
GERS, while now there were four sets and this
billiproposed to create fifth set.
Mr.. Garfield regretted that if the motion
were to be adopted it had not been offered
earlier SO as to save the time of the House to
allow the census to be taken under the law of
1850 with its slave schedules, and all he regret
ted was that the House had not got commit
tee on the census more devoted perhaps to
economy and one which would have not in the
poor mans light. He wished to have the ques-
ton determined now.
The question was taken on NJ. Schofeld S
motion to strike out the enacting clause and it
was rejected by a large majority.
Mr.. Farnsworth of Illinois, moved to strike
out the 10th section, giving the ranking privi-
lege to the census officers. He said he made
the motion as test question.
Mr.. Garfield of Ohio, while expressing him
self in favor of abolishing the ranking privi-
lege did not regard this as test question on that
subject.
The motion was rejected.
Mr.. Ward of New York, presented a petition
signed by ~ 900 citizens of the State of New
York, asking Congress to accord belligesent
rights to the people of Cuba and to recognize
their independence. He asked that it be read.
Mr.. Farnsworth of Illinois, and others OBJ
jected to the reading.
Mr.. Ward then withdrew the petition, an
nouncing that he would no Monday move to
suspend the rules SO as to have it read.
A motion to adjourn till Monday was reject
ed and the House at 3.45 adjourned until to-
morrow.